10 Store Brand Items That Are Loads Cheaper Than the Name Brand

When it comes to store brands vs. name brands, sometimes there’s an undeniable quality difference. Other times, not so much. If you read brand wars online, some people even argue that store brands can beat brand names across the board (looking at you, Costco’s Kirkland Signature!).

But did you know that store brands and name brands are often the exact same product hiding behind the label? That is, they’re made by the same manufacturer, but just packaged differently.

We’ve rounded up a bunch of examples of store-brand products that taste as good (or work just as well) as their name-brand counterparts. You can save 12% to 41% just by opting for the store brand at places like Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Walmart, and Costco, as we’ll show you below.

To keep up on all the deals, whether for store brands or name brands, download The Krazy Coupon Lady app or text HACKS to 57299.

 

1. Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips are basically the same as Taki’s — and 12% cheaper.

The difference between Takis Chili Pepper and Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips is so slight that it’s actually sparked a heated debate for years.

Try serving the Trader Joe’s variety at your next party for $0.04/ounce less and see who notices the subtle difference.

• Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips: $0.33/ounce
• Taki’s Chili Pepper and Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips at Walmart: $0.29/ounce

 

2. Kirkland Signature albacore tuna is made by the Bumblebee brand — and 26% cheaper.

Even though the Bumblebee company manufactures Costco’s Kirkland albacore tuna behind the scenes, I’m going to go ahead and say it: Kirkland Signature Albacore Tuna is the best tuna out there. While Costco does a lot of foods right, this particular one might top my list.

If you’re a big albacore tuna fan, stock up on Kirkland Signature Albacore Tuna the next time you’re shopping at Costco. I promise you’re in for a treat, and it’s $0.10 less per ounce than the Bumblebee Solid White Albacore at Walmart. Even though they’re made by the same exact company!

• Kirkland Signature Solid White Albacore Tuna at Costco: $0.29/ounce
• Bumblebee Solid White Albacore Tuna at Walmart: $0.39/ounce

 

3. Aldi’s Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick is an exact copycat of Jimmy Dean’s — for 27% less.

The Daily Meal called Aldi’s Frozen Blueberry Pancake and Sausage on a Stick a “clear Jimmy Dean copycat.” Taste-wise, these two products are nearly identical — even in their non-blueberry variety. But how do they compare when it comes to price?

Get Aldi’s version of this breakfast favorite for $0.24/ounce or Jimmy Dean’s for $0.33/ounce. Then let us know if you could really tell a difference in taste.

• Breakfast Best Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick at Aldi: $0.24/ounce
• Jimmy Dean’s Blueberry Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick at Walmart: $0.33/ounce

 

4. Great Value brand (Walmart) bread is made by Sara Lee — and costs 36% less.

Sara Lee is a household name, but did you know they also manufacture the Great Value store-brand bread for Walmart?

According to Yahoo Finance, the well-known bread maker also manufactures Walmart’s Great Value bread but at a fraction of the cost. Check out these stellar savings for store brand vs. name brand:

• Great Value 100% Whole Wheat Round Top Bread, 20 oz, $0.09/ounce
• Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread, 20 oz, $0.14/ounce

TIP: Sara Lee also manufactures Great Value coffee and K-cups for Walmart.

 

5. Kroger brand American cheese is made by Kraft — and 41% cheaper.

Why pay more for your American cheese slices at Kroger when they both come from the same manufacturer?

Get the same taste (just with different packaging) for $1.90 less when you go with the Kroger store brand:

• Kroger brand American cheese singles: $2.79 per 1-pound package
• Kraft American cheese singles: $4.69 per 1-pound package

 

 

6. Trader Joe’s Pita Chips are identical to Stacy’s Pita Chips — and cost 31% less.

Trader Joe’s pita chips have the same quality and taste as Stacy’s pita chips but for two-thirds the cost. Some Reddit fans call Trader Joe’s Pita Chips an exact replica of Stacy’s brand.

For $0.19 less per ounce, they’re definitely worth a try.

• Trader Joe’s Pita chips: $0.42/ounce
• Stacy’s Pita Chips: $0.61/ounce

 

7. Good & Gather brand spices at Target are identical to McCormick spices (and 24% cheaper).

When it comes to taste, I found no major differences between Target’s Good & Gather spices and the name-brand McCormick spices.

But if you feel like the Good & Gather has a less intense flavor, try adding a little more to make up the difference. With a $0.31/ounce price difference, you can afford to be a little more liberal with a spice rack full of Good & Gather jars from Target.

• Good & Gather Ground Pepper: $0.99/ounce
• McCormick Ground Pepper: $1.30/ounce

TIP: If you pay with a Target RedCard, you’ll save 5% more on either brand.

 

8. Trader Joe’s Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup tastes just like Pacific Foods’ (and is 21% cheaper).

I love creamy roasted red pepper and tomato soup just as much as the next person, but why pay more than you have to?

Trader Joe’s version holds up to the Pacific brand sold at stores like Target. Except the Trader Joe’s 32-ounce box of soup is $0.90 cheaper.

• Trader Joe’s Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup: $3.49/carton (32 oz)
• Pacific Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup at Target: $4.39/carton (32 oz)

 

9. Great Value brand canned vegetables at Walmart are the same as Green Giant — but 40% cheaper.

There’s a $2 jump in price for a can of asparagus when you’re comparing Great Value’s 15-ounce can to Green Giant’s 15-ounce can.

But the taste is nearly identical. Choose the option that’s $2 less by opting for the Great Value brand.

• Great Value Extra Long Asparagus: $2.98 per 15-ounce can
• Green Giant Extra Long Asparagus at Walmart: $4.98 per 15-ounce can

 

10. Kirkland Signature batteries are identical to Duracell batteries — and cost 36% less.

According to UniEnergies Technologies, the same manufacturer is behind Kirkland batteries and Duracell batteries.

There’s no need to spend the extra money on Duracell, since they’re the exact same quality!

• Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline batteries: $0.34/battery
• Duracell AA Alkaline batteries at Costco: $0.53/battery