I tested supermarket own-brand kitchen roll and one budget version was miles better than an expensive brand
A PACK of kitchen roll could now cost as much as a fiver as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
A standard two-roll pack of Plenty now costs £5 at many supermarkets making it more expensive than ever to wipe up spills.
But can you pick up this household essential for a better price if you ditch the big brands? And if so, does it work as well?
We asked mum-of-three, Lynsey Hope, to try out some supermarket versions to see how they compared to the best-seller. Here is what happened:
Aldi Saxon Ultra Kitchen Towels
- £2.29 for 200 sheets
- £1.14 per 100 sheets
Read more on taste tests
Lynsey says: “The Aldi towels were very strong and robust, helping me to clean up spills fast and it remains strong even when wet.
"This to me was just as effective, if not more so, than more expensive brand.
"Plus they come in 30 per cent recycled packaging, another plus. A great value product from Aldi.”
EFFICIENCY: 10/10
VALUE: 10/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 10/10
TOTAL SCORE: 30/30
Asda Shades Power Towels
- £4.75 for 400 sheets
- £1.18 per 100 sheets
Lynsey says: “A great budget option from Asda. These did the job at a great price.
The towel was absorbent and great for clearing up mess. It didn’t fall apart when wiping up water as some others did. I’d be very happy to use this week in, week out.”
EFFICIENCY: 9/10
VALUE: 9/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 9/10
TOTAL SCORE: 27/30
Essential Waitrose 2 Kitchen Rolls
- £2.75 for 200 sheets
- £1.37 per 100 sheets
Lynsey says: “Good strong paper towels that were great for mopping up all spills. Strong, thick and absorbent.
Nothing to complain about though Waitrose's weren’t the cheapest. You can’t go wrong with these.”
EFFICIENCY: 8/10
VALUE: 6/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 7/10
TOTAL SCORE: 21/30
Morrisons Multi XL Kitchen Towel - wrapped in paper no plastic
- £2 for 100 sheets
Lynsey says: “Not the cheapest but big sheets and the roll lasted a long time, probably as I wasn’t using as much each time.
Each square is very large and extremely absorbent. I really liked that the Morrisons towel came in paper wrapping too so there was no plastic wrapping to throw in the bin.”
EFFICIENCY: 9/10
VALUE: 4/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 7/10
TOTAL SCORE: 20/30
Lidl Simply Kitchen Towels
- 99p for 240 sheets
- 37p for 100 sheets
Lynsey: “This is VERY thin kitchen paper but at only 37p for 100 sheets from Lidl, who cares?
"It’s not much different in quality to Sainsbury’s so if you are only using it for a quick wipe here and there it might be ok.
"If you are mopping up lots of spillages or go through a lot of kitchen towel though I’d probably choose a thicker one.”
EFFICIENCY: 3/10
VALUE: 9/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 8/10
TOTAL SCORE: 20/30
Plenty The Original Kitchen Roll
- £5 for 200 sheets
- £2.50 per 100 sheets
Lynsey says: “Very expensive compared to own brand options but it absorbed well and seemed to retain more water.
It promises to be wringable but when I tried to wring the water out I just ended up with a sloppy mess of tissue in my hands.
It was great for clearing up though and there is no doubt it lasts a lot longer than some rolls.
If you can pick these up while on offer, it might be worth buying and save you money in the long run. Otherwise Aldi and Asda both offer great alternatives.”
EFFICIENCY: 9/10
VALUE: 3/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 6/10
TOTAL SCORE: 18/30
Tesco kitchen towel
- £1.74 for 100 sheets
Lynsey says: “Lovely and soft and a good price but not the most absorbent. It felt sogging wet as I tried to mop up some water from the floor, but it didn’t seem to soak much of it up.
I had to use far more of the Tesco towel to mop up spills then I did some of the others so while the price is good I’m not sure it’s good value.”
EFFICIENCY: 4/10
VALUE: 4/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 4/10
TOTAL SCORE: 12/30
Super Absorbent Kitchen Towel by Sainsbury’s
- £2.25 for 200 sheets
- £1.13 for 100 sheets
Lynsey says: “This disintegrates the minute you try and mop up any water. Definitely not as strong or effective as others.
"While it’s a good price, it’s very thin and you need loads of it to clear up a bit of water. It’s not cost effective.
"If you are happy with a basic roll then the Lidl one is not much different in quality but far cheaper. Try that instead.”
EFFICIENCY: 2/10
VALUE: 2/10
OVERALL MOP RATING: 2/10
TOTAL SCORE: 6/30
We've also tested supermarket brand orange squash against Robinson's and the winner is a third of the price.
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We also tried at-home draft beer pumps and we loved pouring a pint in our kitchen for £3.25.
And we tested supermarket own brand burgers and the £3.50 winner was perfect for a BBQ.