Over the years, Aldi has made a name for itself thanks to the discounted prices of its offerings. Despite this, you should not load your cart with everything that you can get your hands on! Hold your horses, ladies and gentlemen. There are certain things that you should buy from the grocery store chain, but there are also certain items that you need to avoid. We are here to tell you which is which so that you can get the best bang for your buck on your next shopping trip. Let’s start.
Not Everything Is A Bargain At Aldi, So Let Us Help You Figure Out The Good Deals
European Sweets (Buy)
Since Aldi has its roots in Germany, it is a good idea to go to the candy area and buy European sweets there. You are not only going to find tasty treats not available in other American shops, but the price is also hard to beat. There are many brands and types over there, so you can have your pick in terms of flavors, sizes, and types. Hip2Save asked readers to reveal their favorite Aldi bargains, and chocolate was one of the most common answers. A netizen confessed, “Aldi dark chocolate is my crack. $1.99 for a decadent large 4.4 oz bar has made me an official junkie.”
European Sweets (Buy)
Pure Maple Syrup (Buy)
It is also a good idea to grab a bottle of Aldi’s Pure Maple Syrup. It has a price tag that will keep even the thriftiest among us happy. However, it is the taste that truly makes it stand out. Good Housekeeping decided to rank the most popular syrup brands on the market right now. In the end, the winner was Aldi maple syrup since it was “not overwhelmingly sweet.” On top of that, the tests also said that “the rich, complex notes of floral, roasted grains, and Christmas spices” took them by surprise. You should see for yourself and add it to your cart on your next trip to the grocery store.
Pure Maple Syrup (Buy)
Aldi Cereals (Skip)
We know that it can be tempting to get your cereals when you are at Aldi, but there are better places to buy it. There is a wide array of knock-cereals there, but the quality and taste do not measure up to the real thing. Even though they have a lot of name brand cereals as well. You might think that the price is good, but the truth is that you will find better deals at other grocery stores. Coupons will get you even better deals. Here is some advice from Forbes magazine: “You can often find better deals on name-brand cereals at your local store when combining coupons and sales.”
Aldi Cereals (Skip)
Aldi Soda (Skip)
If you love soda, you might want to tone down your excitement about the knock-off brand at Aldi. You might be able to save money, but the taste is not worth it. The flavor is simply substandard compared to name brands. We highly recommend that you save your money by leaving this item on the shelf. On top of that, you should not buy name-brand soda from there either. The Coke products are not actually a bargain since they go for the same price as any other grocery store. On top of that, Aldi does not offer big discounts on this item.
Aldi Soda (Skip)
Seasonal Items (Buy)
There is an aisle that you should never fail to check out when you are at Aldi. We are talking about the seasonal area! You will find awesome deals on everything that goes with the season. Whenever spring rolls in, the shelves are going to be full of camping essentials at a bargain. It is a good idea to use this opportunity to stock up on camping gear. Not only that, but it is also the place to be when you are looking for items related to Christmas or Valentine’s day. Buy seasonal food or fun gifts for whatever holiday is around the corner.
Seasonal Items (Buy)
Gluten-Free Products (Buy)
Those with dietary restrictions and food allergies are going to be happy to hear that there are lots of gluten-free products at Aldi. They are actually delicious as well. The grocery store carries its own very own LiveGFree brand, which offers various products from baking mixes to frozen food. If you are looking for a sweet snack or craving a pizza, this aisle is not going to disappoint you. It is not uncommon for gluten-free items to suffer in terms of flavor and texture. The good news is that the options here are actually satisfying and priced reasonably!
Gluten-Free Products (Buy)
Fresh Produce (Skip)
When you go to Aldi, you should expect the fresh produce to be hit or miss. We are not telling you to stop buying the fruits and vegetables over there, but you need to do it with caution. Many customers have gone home with a bag of apples or strawberries only to find that there are rotten ones in there. It is a good idea to look hard at produce before adding it to the cart. Cheat Sheet said that in a 2015 survey done by Consumer Reports, Aldi mostly got high marks, but perishable items brought down the score.
Fresh Produce (Skip)
Aldi Zipper-Top Bags (Skip)
If you consider yourself picky, you should not buy Aldi zip-top bags. The quality just does not hold up to the standards set by other brands. They do not only break easily, but there are customers who said that the quality of the plastic has gotten worse as well. Frugally Blonde agrees with the sentiment. A reviewer said, “I have noticed that Aldi ziplock bags have a plastic smell to them that I just can’t get past. The idea of putting my food in there grosses me out. They really aren’t that good of a deal either.”
Aldi Zipper Top Bags (Skip)
Wine (Buy)
We have good news for all the wine lovers out there. There is a great wine selection at Aldi, and it has a great price point. You should not miss this opportunity to stock up on this essential. The offerings might be cheap, but they are delicious! There are many bottles that go for below $10. The Guardian said that one of the top choices would be the Exquisite Collection Limoux Chardonnay. Even so, there is no wrong choice when it comes to Aldi wines. They do not go easy on the quality, so go ahead and buy them!
Wine (Buy)
German Beer (Buy)
Aldi truly shines in terms of the beer selection too. The store hails from Germany, so you should not be shocked to hear this. While not all that big, but you will find good varieties. You are going to be happy with the price and the quality of the beers. Kiplinger said that it is possible to bring home a decent German beer at a discount. A reviewer said, “Its six-packs of Broegel Bock Beer go for $6.99, not bad for an imported beer. Brewed in Belgium, this bock scores a 3.8 on a scale of 5 as rated by Beer Advocate.”
German Beer (Buy)
Paper Towels And Toilet Paper (Skip)
You might think that it is a great idea to buy toilet paper and paper towels from Aldi, but the truth is that you should skip these items. The problem does not have anything to do with the quality since these products are going to do the job just fine. However, the price is not going to help you save as much money as possible. Kiplinger said that the prices of these products are similar to the prices offered by Aldi. One insider explained, “Once you stack frequent shopper discounts or manufacturer coupons on top of those low prices, the big chains sometimes come out ahead,”
Paper Towels And Toilet Paper (Skip)
Frozen Sushi (Skip)
The frozen sushi at Aldi is not worth your money either. In general, you should be wary of grocery store sushi but this one tastes pretty bland. A true fan of sushi is not going to be impressed with it, that is for sure! On Cheapism.com, Aldi Nerd explained, “If I lived somewhere rural where sushi joints were few and far between and I had a serious hankering for it, I may buy this. But I live less than a mile from a really delicious sushi restaurant and the frozen Fusia just doesn’t compare.”
Frozen Sushi (Skip)
Specialty Cheeses (Buy)
At Aldi, the specialty cheeses happen to be customer favorites. The amazing selection is going to wow you even if you are a picky cheese connoisseur. There is a lot of varieties available, and the price tag is even more impressive. The cheese ranges from $2 to $5. Aside from the price, a couple of the cheeses bagged awards and received great reviews from Redditors. A netizen said, “I really like the specially selected roasted garlic cheese wedge. There are a few varieties in the box, but that one is my favorite. The vintage aged white cheddar is good too.”
Specialty Cheeses (Buy)
Bread (Buy)
If you are thinking of buying bread, you should go wild when you go to Aldi. You are going to find a bread that will suit you. After all, you can get anything from baguettes to bagels! It is a good idea to see what they have at the bread aisle on your next trip. “You can snag a 20-ounce loaf of Aldi’s L’oven Fresh white bread for just 85 cents. That same size loaf of bread at Walmart sells for 88 cents under the Great Value store brand. Giant was offering a 22-ounce loaf of its store-brand white bread for $1.89,” revealed Kiplinger.
Bread (Buy)
Small Appliances (Skip)
Aside from food and toiletries, you will also find small appliances at Aldi. However, keep in mind that many of these items have gotten mixed reviews. This means that it is a hit or miss in terms of quality. If you are thinking of buying a product from the Ambiano Kitchen Supplies line, do your research first. A Redditor even said, “I bought the Ambiano single-serve coffee pot to replace a Keurig that died. WORST COFFEEPOT EVER! From the beginning, it blew out the k-cup (many different brands) and had coffee grounds over counter, cup and coffee machine every time.” Do not let the price tag tempt you!
Small Appliances (Skip)
Cheap Coffee (Skip)
There are so many bargains to be had at Aldi, so it might get overwhelming to figure out what to buy and what to avoid. What we can tell you is to be careful when you buy coffee there. There are lots of brands and flavors on offer, but they are not all created equal. The cheapest brand is called Daily Basics ground coffee, which sounds like a must-buy at 17 cents per ounce. However, the flavor will likely not satisfy you! For the same price, you can actually buy more delicious coffee at a different grocery store.
Cheap Coffee (Skip)
Spices (Buy)
Many smart shoppers are aware that Aldi is the perfect place if you are thinking of buying spices. The Stonemill brand is comparable to name brand ones. We are sure that the price will put a smile on your face! A container only goes for 95 cents, so it is pretty great. Even though there is not an extensive selection, it would be wise to take advantage of what they have. At Aldi, you can stock up on kitchen essentials without breaking the bank! You can now make many tasty dishes for a fraction of the cost.
Spices (Buy)
Canned Goods (Buy)
There is an extensive array of canned goods at Aldi as well. If you think that it is time to fill your pantry, there is no better place than this aisle. Do not worry about the quality since it is just as good as the ones that you will get at a big box store. On top of that, your wallet is going to be pleased. Aldi has your back if you need canned veggies, applesauce, and soup. You will not only save more money than usual, but you will always have something to fall on whenever you are too tired to cook for the whole family.
Canned Goods (Buy)
Meat (Skip)
It is not a secret that Aldi does not offer the highest quality meat out there. While you can get cheap chicken, meat, and fish, it might not be worth the savings that you will receive. We know that it can be tempting to buy cheap items, but do not be fooled. You will be able to find meat that does not only taste better but also goes for cheaper at another store. Redditors have given the meat at Aldi mixed reviews, but they are mostly negative. A commenter chimed in, “The meat is a miss for me. Since they never have a sale, I can almost always get better prices from the draw sales at major chain supermarkets.”
Meat (Skip)
Toiletries (Skip)
Aldi offers shampoo, deodorant, soap, razors, and more You are going to find many toiletry choices, but you should not bother with them even if they look like bargains. Cheapism.com revealed that it is possible to get better deals on these products if you go to a different store. Target is a good alternative for these items. “For instance, we saw that a liter-size bottle of Aldi’s Dentiguard mouthwash was 10 cents more than Target’s store brand, Up & Up. Throw in Target’s better selection, frequent sales, and REDcard discounts, and it makes more sense to stock up there,” a reviewer explained.
Toiletries (Skip)
Baking Products (Buy)
Do you love to cook and make tasty desserts for your loved ones? If so, you are going to save a lot of money if you do shop at Aldi instead. The grocery store has a private label called Baker’s Corner, which offers various baking products for very low prices. This is where you should go if you need pure cane sugar, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and more! They normally cost two times more at other places.
Baking Products (Buy)
Mayonnaise (Buy)
Mayonnaise has to be one of the most used condiments out there. It is so versatile, although it is not always cheap. The brand is going to dictate just how pricey it can be. However, you can find Burman’s mayonnaise at Aldi. It is not just tasty, but it is also very cheap. You can get an 887-ml jar for $1.89!
Mayonnaise (Buy)
Chips (Skip)
It is always a great idea to have chips in the pantry. After all, you have no idea when you are going to be struck by that craving! On top of that, this is a good thing to have them handy when visitors are around. However, you should probably ditch Aldi and visit a different store for this item. Trust us, you are not going to be happy with the taste of the Clancy’s chips at Aldi. Simply stick to Lays and other big brands.
Chips (Skip)
Butter (Skip)
It is amazing when you consider all the things that you can do with butter. This should be considered a kitchen essential since it goes well in just about any dish that you can think of. While you can get cheap butter at Aldi, customers have advised against doing this. They said that even though you will be able to save some money, you will end up wishing that you bought a better one when it is time to use it in your dish.
Butter (Skip)
Milk (Buy)
Are you planning to buy some milk? If so, you should head on to Aldi. Everyone, young and old, likes to drink milk! We are glad to report that the grocery store offers highly competitive prices. For the sake of comparison, you should know that one gallon of Great Value milk goes for $2.53 at Walmart. Meanwhile, Giant offers it for $3.29. Clearly, Aldi is the winner since $2.48 is going to get you a gallon of Friendly Farms whole milk. Drink your milk, and make sure that it comes from Aldi!
Milk (Buy)