If you’re still under the impression that store-brand products are inferior to their name-brand counterparts, it’s time to get with the program. Many retailers’ in-house brands are earning shoppers’ adoration for everything from reasonably priced groceries to home goods. Some items from places such as Costco, Target, and Walmart are so good that buyers are even a little fanatical about their finds — but the secret is out. Here are store-brand buys that customers rave about, many of which are much cheaper than their name-brand equivalents.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: 28 Surprisingly Good Products From Costco, Walmart, and Target
Target’s Project 62 Round Decorative Brass Wall Mirror
Price: $60Shop Now
Target has perfected the art of store-brand chic, so it’s no surprise that design lovers have gone gaga over a round brass mirror from its Project 62 home-decor line. The on-trend piece has inspired hundreds of happy reviews. As one buyer points out, it’s “literally 1/5 the cost of similar mirrors I’ve found elsewhere.”
Related: Target Shoppers Love These 50 Highly Rated Items
Walmart’s Ozark Trail Vacuum-Sealed Tumbler
Price: $9 Shop Now
A store-brand product doesn’t amass so many glowing reviews without being the real deal — and everyone says this tumbler is worth the hype. A dead ringer for the trendy, pricey Yeti tumbler, Walmart’s version performs just as well as the Yeti, reviewers say — but as Prevention notes, it’s less than a third of the price. “Recently I left it in my car while I was inside for several hours on a day near 100 degrees,” one buyer says. “When I returned the outside of the tumbler was extremely hot but the ice and liquid inside were still cold and frozen. I am sold and a believer!”
Related: These Walmart Tumblers Rival Yeti’s at a Fraction of the Price
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Vodka
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state where you can buy booze at Costco, Kirkland Signature vodka is a must, customers rave. Testers at The Kitchn prefer the warehouse’s French variety, even ranking it above pricier bottles of Chopin, Reyka, Ketel One, and Grey Goose. In fact, Kirkland Signature vodka is often compared to Grey Goose (although long-standing rumors that they’re actually the same have been debunked). And the Costco brand is roughly half the price.
Not a Costco member? Apply here.
Related: Best House Wines From Costco, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
Trader Joe’s shoppers have passionate feelings about its cookie butter — the spreadable confection made with cookies, spice and lots of sugar. Really passionate. One Influenster reviewer calls it “life-changing, and I’m not even exaggerating … It’s highly addictive, but worth every calorie.” Bon Appétit has even chronicled the rise of cookie butter in America, where the treat has even made it into Godiva chocolates and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Related: The 29 Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Aldi’s Moser Roth Chocolate
Aldi itself has gained quite a cult following for bargain-basement prices on everything from chips to cheese. One of the best finds, devotees say, is the imported chocolate — in particular, the higher-end Moser Roth line. Chocolate snobs at Food & Wine recommend the 70% Dark and Dark Sea Salt varieties, a steal at roughly $2 per bar.
Related: Aldi Products That Taste Like Name Brands — and Some That Definitely Don’t
Trending on Cheapism
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup
This organic Kirkland Signature syrup is a staple on most lists of what to buy at Costco, and reviewers have even taken to lauding it on Amazon, where some third-party sellers hawk it at a markup. “Hands down almost as good as maple syrup I had growing up in northern Michigan, straight from the tree,” one devotee says. It also gets the nod from Consumer Reports for tasting better than pricier brands.
Related: 15 Recipes to Try for Maple Syrup Season
Target’s Market Pantry Iced Sugar Cookies
You know those frosted, sprinkled Lofthouse sugar cookies sold at most groceries? Well, you probably either love ’em or hate ’em, but if you’re in the former camp, Target’s Market Pantry version is a dead ringer, many say. Hundreds of reviewers sing their praises on Influenster. “I don’t know what I would do if these were to suddenly stopped being made … I’d probably cry!” laments one.
Related: Which Store-Brand Chocolate Chip Cookie Beats the Big Names?
Walmart’s Great Value Spaghetti
Who knew it was possible to be passionate about spaghetti? But Walmart shoppers say the store’s Great Value brand definitely lives up to its name. “They are a great value for your money and taste like authentic homemade noodles,” one Influenster reviewer says. “They cook quickly and don’t get overly mushy if they’re cooked a tad too long.” You’ll also pay about 50 cents less for 32 ounces by going with Great Value instead of Barilla.
Related: The Top Deals at Walmart Right Now
Sign up for our newsletter
Aldi’s Little Journeys Diapers
Yup, Aldi carries its own line of baby products, including diapers. Shoppers say they’re an amazing value — about 15 cents a diaper, compared with closer to a quarter each for national brands such as Huggies or Pampers — and one blogger even says they’re her second favorite in a test of seven brands. “These are by far the best diapers I have used!” raves one reviewer. “Soft and flexible. Nice fit, not bulky. They are very comparable to the expensive name brands but cost much less.”
Have Aldi’s items delivered directly to your door with Instacart. Sign in here to shop.
Related: 20 Items You Should Avoid Buying in Bulk
Target’s Favorite Day Monster Trail Mix
It’s salty. It’s sweet. Target-obsessed Redditors gave it a thumbs-up under its original Archer Farms branding, and so did The Kitchn. But all the recommendation you really need comes from one Target reviewer: “Do not be alarmed when you unscrew the plastic lid from the Monster Mix tub. That noise you hear is the joyful singing of the seraphim from on high, because Monster Mix is good enough to be distributed straight from Heaven.” Okay, then. We’ll take 10.
For more smart shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
Aldi’s Mimosa Wine
Related: 20 Toast-Worthy Sparkling Wines for $20 or Less
CVS Health Manuka Honey Adhesive Pads
Symbolic of CVS’ attempt to surprise customers with some higher-brow store-brand products, its Manuka Honey Adhesive Pads have turned heads in a good way. Made with medical-grade honey, they’re a natural alternative to slathering antibiotic ointment on bandages. “Will never use another product if possible … I have very sensitive skin and everything on it leaves a mark — tags, wool, name it,” one user says. “Everything, apparently, except for those pads. I don’t feel them on my skin. Who can ask for anything more?”
Related: 14 DIY Cold Remedies From Around the World
Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
TJ’s long list of cult favorites wouldn’t be complete without a spot for Everything but the Bagel, a mix of sesame, garlic, onion, salt, and poppy seeds that customers say is irresistible. “The flavor of this is really good, as it does resemble an everything bagel,” one Amazon reviewer says. “I bought it to season veggies, but I find I’m sprinkling it on lots of different foods. I put it on my grilled chicken and even on my salad. It’s really versatile.” Epicurious suggests a lot more uses — you can even garnish a Bloody Mary with it.
Related: 15 Spices and Spice Blends That Will Make Almost Any Meal Better
AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Notable mostly for cheap chargers and office supplies, Amazon’s AmazonBasics line has expanded in some unexpected directions — including with this Le Creuset lookalike that has made a big splash among chefs who don’t have a few hundred bucks to drop on an enameled cast iron pot. “There aren’t many noticeable differences,” notes Mental Floss. “Both come with loop side handles, a secure lid, and a glossy enamel glaze.” One former Le Creuset owner concurs: “This is every bit as good for much less money.”
Related: Kitchen Essentials That Are Built to Last
Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar
Related: 19 Ways to Make an Ordinary Grilled Cheese Extraordinary
Amazon Elements Baby Wipes
In the battle of the baby wipes, Amazon has acquired a surprising foothold. More than 10,000 buyers say the online giant’s own brand of sensitive wipes are as good or better than pricier stalwarts such as Pampers or Huggies. “They are thick and get the job done. They have no scent and we’ve not had any issues using them on sensitive bottoms,” one reviewer says. “They hold up great while changing diapers, wiping little hands, removing makeup, and anything else you can use a wipe for.” After systematic wipes tests, Your Best Digs praises the Amazon wipes for value and transparency regarding ingredients.
Related: 14 Creative Alternatives to Household Products in Short Supply — and 4 to Skip
Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Soft Sea Salt Caramels
Emblematic of Sam’s newly aggressive focus on its in-house Member’s Mark brand, its sea-salt caramels are unexpectedly high-brow for the Walmart-owned warehouse club. They’re handmade in copper kettles using a traditional recipe, and customers rave about the results. “Bought these on a whim and WOWZA they are fantastic,” one buyer says. “The price was right and the taste, oh my. The caramel is soft and delectable, the chocolate fabulous and the sea salt is the perfect complement.”Not a Sam’s Club member? Apply here.
Related: American Candymakers With Treats Almost Too Pretty to Eat
