I put the supermarket own-brand wheat biscuits to the test to find the best value alternative to Weetabix.
I compared Weetabix against Aldi, Lidl and 6 more supermarket versions – 1 clear winner(Image: Angela Patrone)
Cereal isn’t typically part of my morning routine, but for countless households across the country, it’s an absolute staple. Weetabix is one of the most recognisable names on the cereal aisle, pairing wonderfully with sliced bananas and strawberries.
However, the price of Weetabix has risen considerably in recent years, putting a noticeable dent in an already stretched weekly shopping bill.
I was genuinely surprised during a trip to Sainsbury’s to find that a standard 24-pack of Weetabix now retails at £3.50, especially given that most supermarket own-brand alternatives sit comfortably between £1.70 and £2.
With that in mind, and in a bid to save a few pennies while establishing whether any rivals could hold their own against the original, I set about tasting every supermarket wheat biscuit I could get my hands on from Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer.
I compared Weetabix to Aldi, Lidl and 6 more supermarket versions (Image: Angela Patrone)
Some were disappointingly bland, though my top pick turned out to be one of the cheapest on the list. Throughout the taste test, I used the same amount of milk for each biscuit to gauge how quickly it was absorbed.
TescoCost: £1.80
Getting off to a strong start and among the best value of the bunch, the Tesco wheat biscuits were a genuine delight. Boasting a hearty flavour and a solid texture that holds up well in the bowl, these are a brilliant own-brand alternative and a worthy saving.
Rating: 9/10AldiCost: £2.19
While perusing the cereal aisle at Aldi, I discovered they only had a 36-pack of wheat biscuits available. That said, this size is perfect for ensuring the entire household has breakfast without running out too quickly.
The instant I added milk to the breakfast biscuit, I noticed it was soaking it up remarkably fast, rendering it disappointingly mushy. It fell apart in my mouth and was completely tasteless and dull.
Rating: 4/10
Tesco and Aldi wheat biscuits(Image: Angela Patrone)
LidlCost: £2.19
Like Aldi’s, Lidl’s wheat biscuits were only sold in a 36-pack. These wheat biscuits were just as quick to soak up milk and turn soggy – alarmingly so. The flavour was rather underwhelming.
Rating: 3/10AsdaCost: £1.77
Moving on to the cheapest wheat biscuits on our list, we come to Asda. These ranked among my top three choices as they held their shape and texture remarkably well when milk was added, and the flavour was quite enjoyable.
Rating: 7/10
Lidl and Asda wheat biscuits(Image: Angela Patrone)
WaitroseCost: £2.25
Falling from the top three to the second-lowest-rated choice, the Waitrose wheat biscuits were quite a letdown, especially given their cost. While the texture was acceptable, the off-putting flavour substantially damaged their rating, pushing them towards the bottom.
Rating 3/10M&SCost: £2.10
Priced identically to Waitrose, I had higher expectations regarding the taste. The flavour was reasonably pleasant, though it failed to maintain its texture as effectively as several rival wheat biscuits.
Rating: 6/10
M&S and Morrisons wheat biscuits(Image: Angela Patrone)
MorrisonsCost: £1.90
The Morrisons wheat biscuits not only absorbed the milk at an astonishingly quick rate but also had a flavour that left much to be desired. These wheat biscuits ranked last in this taste test – they had a dreadful, cardboard-like taste that lingered for quite a while.
Rating: 2/10WeetabixCost: £3.50
Before trying it, one thing I liked about Weetabix was the paper packaging – it was much easier to open than the supermarket versions. Having not eaten Weetabix for ages, I was expecting great things, but they didn’t taste the way I remembered.
The flavour was disappointing, though the texture was spot on. They were pretty unremarkable, so I don’t think they’re worth the £3.50 price tag.
Rating: 6/10
When tasting all of the brands, I used the same amount of milk for each(Image: Angela Patrone)
Sainsbury’sCost: £1.46
If it weren’t for the box, I would’ve thought this was a top brand. These wheat biscuits were my absolute favourite.
They had the perfect texture, flavour and sweetness. After I added the milk, they kept a bite without being dry.
If you like wheat biscuits and want to save nearly £2 on your shopping, I’d definitely suggest switching to the Sainsbury’s own-brand option.
Rating: 10/10