These photos of shrinking products show how easily companies can reduce what shoppers receive without making the change obvious. Over the past year, Reddit users have compared old and new packages of food, toiletries, cosmetics, and household essentials, often finding smaller quantities, thinner materials, or lower-quality replacements sold at similar prices. Together, these 20 examples reveal just how noticeable shrinkflation becomes when someone saves the original product for comparison.
Colgate Cut a Full Ounce but Kept the Long Box
The photo compares an older 5-ounce tube of Colgate toothpaste with a newer 4-ounce version, showing a 20% reduction in the amount of toothpaste. Reddit user SandboxSurvivalist said that “I’ve been noticing Walmart has started selling smaller 3.3 ounce tubes of Colgate Total.”
Don Francisco’s Coffee Shrunk From 12 Ounces to 10
The photo places an older 12-ounce can of Don Francisco’s Vanilla Nut coffee beside its new 10-ounce replacement. Even the brand name appears compressed to fit the smaller container. Reddit user HabricKapowski commented that “They actually squashed their own logo to fit on the smaller cans.”
Tide’s 15 “Free” Loads Disappeared
The photo shows two nearly identical bottles of Tide detergent at Lowe’s. The older 4.46-liter bottle promises 115 loads, while the newer 3.9-liter version provides 100. Reddit user TheSameMan6 commented that “Guess they got rid of the 15 ‘free’ loads.”
This Pop-Tart Barely Has Enough Frosting
The photo shows a Pop-Tart with a thin, uneven patch of frosting covering only part of the pastry. The product itself may not have become smaller, but the reduced topping makes it a clear example of shoppers feeling they are getting less quality for their money. Reddit user Katsu_39 said that “It’s intentional. I’ve had several Pop-Tarts the same way.”
Alpen Put Less Muesli in a Bigger Box
The photo compares an older 650-gram box of Alpen muesli with a redesigned 600-gram package that appears slightly larger despite holding 50 grams less cereal. The newer version also carries a higher regular shelf price and advertises a “new recipe”. Reddit user polytriks commented that “The classic bigger box, less product trope. And a new recipe too!”
Trending on Cheapism
NARS Cut Its Makeup Stick From 14 Grams to 8
The photos compare an older NARS Multiple makeup stick with its much smaller replacement. The amount of product dropped from 14 grams to 8 grams, a reduction of nearly 43%, while the newer version still reportedly costs about $40. Reddit user CodenameZoya commented that “That honestly looks like less than half to me.”
These Coloring Pencils Leave Half the Box Empty
A wide package of self-sharpening coloring pencils contains the products in only one narrow section, leaving much of the box empty. The strange design makes the package look fuller than it is. Reddit user sassysassysarah commented that “I’m on board with all of that but the packaging is horrendous.”
This Cereal Bag Looked Mostly Empty
A newly opened bag of Honey Bunches of Oats occupying only a small portion of its outer box, despite packaging that advertises 25% more granola. The amount of empty space and the cereal’s ingredient balance frustrated shoppers. Reddit user hotinhawaii commented that “Honey comes AFTER salt!”
Sign up for our newsletter
Marathon Toilet Paper Rolls Became Noticeably Narrower
This comparison of an older roll of Marathon toilet paper with its replacement, reveals that the newer roll is considerably narrower even though the packaging reportedly uses the same product barcode. Reddit user Significant-Ad-341 said that “the wide variety in packs and plys and sizes is only done so they can hide this kind of thing easier.”
Airheads Xtremes Left a Huge Gap in the Package
Airheads Xtremes candy strip that falls far short of the plastic tray and outer wrapper surrounding it. Reddit user Fuzzy_Churroz commented that “Why bother wasting plastic by making the package longer, when the product is so small these days.”
Kinder’s Seasoning Lost Product and Added Fillers
The photo compares two containers of Kinder’s Cowboy Butter seasoning, with the newer Sam’s Club version holding 9.7 ounces instead of 11.5 ounces, a reduction of about 16%. Reddit user lam1117 commented that “This is one of the worst I’ve seen in a while. Large decrease in size and quality at the same time.”
Entenmann’s Donuts Lost Several Ounces
The photos show Entenmann’s donut boxes that look almost unchanged from the front while the listed weights have dropped sharply. Commenters also complained that the donuts themselves now look unusually thin. Reddit user Ancient_Guidance_461 said that “They went from 5 or 6 in a bag. Now 4.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken Is Serving Half-Filled Sauce Pouches
A sealed packet of Dave’s Hot Chicken sauce that appears only half full, continuing what the customer described as a series of portion cuts. According to the post, the chain had already replaced its sauce cups with smaller versions before filling those cups with less sauce. Reddit user whyyoufollowingme commented that “I wonder what they calculated they were saving by filling them up halfway.”
Great Value Canned Chicken Dropped From 10 Ounces to 8
The photo shows Great Value canned chicken in the same familiar can, but the listed weight has fallen from 10 ounces to 8 ounces while the shopper says the price remained unchanged. Reddit user mutual_raid commented that “this to me is the single most sinister form of shrinkflation. At least with prices changes and box changes, you can tell.”
Kids’ Juice Boxes Dropped From 6 Ounces to 4
A 6-ounce Country Pure juice box with a much smaller 4-ounce version that appears to have replaced it in the shopper’s setting. The reduction leaves children with one-third less juice. Reddit user cohonan commented that “if the larger size is being replaced here for the smaller size, for the same price, that is shrinkflation.”
Smucker’s Jam Shrunk From 32 Ounces to 30
A comparison of Smucker’s familiar 32-ounce strawberry jam jar with a redesigned 30-ounce version, cutting two ounces while keeping the containers visually similar. Reddit user rejeremiad said that “16oz to a pound. That is why it was 32oz. What is 30oz? Other than proof they have left the consumer behind.”
Costco’s Fabric Softener Lost 37 Ounces
Two jugs of Kirkland Signature fabric softener. The older container held 1.43 gallons and promised 220 loads, while the redesigned version holds 1.14 gallons and claims 201 loads. Reddit user Wickedestchick commented that “Making the packaging even bigger while simultaneously giving out less product is actually so heinous.”
Harry’s Replaced Its Metal Razor Connection With Plastic
The photos compare a Harry’s razor handle from 2016 with a newer version that uses plastic around the cartridge connection instead of metal. Reddit user Petite01Nbusty said that “my old handle from years back still feels way better. The new ones just don’t hold the blade right.”
This Pain Reliever Lost 100 Pills as the Price Rose
Two bottles of Equate naproxen sodium that look almost identical, but the newer bottle contains 200 tablets instead of 300. According to the shopper, the price also climbed from about $4 to $9, turning the reduction into an especially steep increase in cost per pill. Reddit user CerebralSauce commented that “So this was two years ago, right? I am so curious what it is now.”
Cora Tampons Became Thinner and Less Dense
The photos compare an older Cora tampon with its replacement, showing that the newer version appears thinner, less dense, and fitted with a redesigned applicator. The shopper described it as an almost entirely different product. Reddit user eyeintotheivy commented that “The regulars definitely seem smaller. The regular seems more like a light size now.”
