Bargain hunters know that Aldi is one of the best places for great deals and quality products; but every Aldi shopper knows that not every item hits the mark. We want to make sure that our readers stay away from those less-than-satisfactory products, to make room in their baskets for the better-value items instead!
Most of us expect great value for money when we shop at Aldi, with the store known for its budget-friendly prices and quality essentials. However, as we previously mentioned, not every item lives up to those expectations.
After combing through countless online reviews, we’ve compiled a list of what we believe are some of the worst-value items to buy from Aldi at the moment. While many Aldi products are as excellent as we would hope for, the 17 items we have selected below don’t quite fit the bill, as they are classed as disappointments in terms of things like quality, taste, or longevity.
1. Produce
Aldi may have highly affordable produce—but it's important to consider the quality. Some customers complain that Aldi's fruit and veggies go bad too quickly. Take the bananas, for example.
According to one Redditor, "They are green when I buy them and brown the next day." Another person complained of the opposite scenario: "Mine stayed green for 2 whole weeks and I tried peeling one and it was like trying to pry bark off a tree." Maybe we're just better off getting our fruit elsewhere.
2. Sugar-Free Coffee Creamer
Everyone likes their coffee a little bit different. If you don't prefer it black but are trying to watch your sugar intake and avoid unhealthy ingredients, you may opt for sugar-free creamer. But shoppers warn that you may want to get it somewhere besides Aldi.
"I would’ve paid to see my own face when I took that first sip," one Redditor wrote. Many comments echoed this sentiment. "That stuff is nasty," wrote one person, with another confirming: "Absolutely awful." Noted!
3. Graham Crackers
When s'mores season rolls around, you may want to find another store to buy your graham crackers at. According to some Aldi shoppers on Reddit, Aldi's variety is highly disappointing—and that includes their bear-shaped snacks.
"I bought knock-off Teddy Grahams and they were completely inedible," one comment warns. Say it ain't so! Guess some name brand products are worth shelling out the extra bucks for.
4. Lobster Mac & Cheese
Frozen macaroni and cheese can oftentimes be a real treat. (Shout-out to Trader Joe's!) But when you add lobster to the mix, it shouldn't come as a surprise that it can be hit or miss. After all, microwavable seafood isn't necessarily the most appetizing thing around.
However, Reddit users had some strong feelings about Alid's Lobster Mac and Cheese. "This one is seriously disgusting," wrote one person—and many comments backed them up.
"Just trust me that it is the most disgusting food I've ever smelled or eaten," someone agreed. Another wrote: "This is my, hands down, number one answer. Even if I don't really like a food, I still tend to eat it, as to not waste it. This went directly into the trash." Noted!
5. Kitty Litter
There's no denying that not all kitty litter brands are created equal. While Aldi may offer cheap options with their Heart to Tail Scoopable brand, this is one item that you'll definitely want to consider the quality of.
And according to Aldi Reviewer, the money you'll save isn't worth the quality it lacks. As they note, the "liquid waste doesn’t always clump well." We'll spend a little more money to get the job done more effectively.
6. Toothbrushes
It's not a bad idea to save money on personal care essentials like toothbrushes by opting for generic brands. And no one does affordable generic brands quite like Aldi. However, according to The Krazy Coupon Lady, there's an even more affordable option you may want to take advantage of.
As it turns out, you can buy toothbrushes in bulk from Amazon. This will ultimately save you a good amount of money when compared to Aldi's prices.
7. Deodorant
Speaking of essentials, here's another item we all need. While you may be tempted to throw a stick (or a few) into your cart on your next Aldi trip, you may want to think twice.
Believe it or not, there are cheaper options out there that will keep you smelling fresh. That's because Aldi only carries name brand deodorant—no generic options in sight. Stock up elsewhere to save a few bucks.
8. Ziploc Bags
This one seems like it's hard to mess up, but according to Aldi customers, this is one of those instances where the brand name is worth the extra couple dollars.
"Do NOT buy their version of Ziploc bags," one person commented. "I have never gotten a good seal." The last thing you want is a bag of stale chips or a dried out sandwich. Or worse, spilled pretzels or goldfish all over your bag. There's plenty of other things to save a couple extra bucks on at Aldi. Splurge here!
9. Confetti Brownies
Who doesn't love those delicious Cosmic Brownies? Like many of our favorite snacks, Aldi carries their own version of this classic treat—but shoppers complain that it really misses the mark, especially compared to the real thing.
"Their knock off version of cosmic brownies were the biggest disappointment in my entire life," one shopper lamented. "These tasted so foul. I wish I could sue for someone making something so disgusting." Sad!
10. Pizza Rolls
Ah, pizza rolls. If you have a craving for something cheesy, you're simply too lazy to cook up a real meal, or you're scrambling for a late-night snack, they're always a good choice—except, apparently, when it comes to Aldi's brand.
"Even drunk me had to throw them in the trash," one comment reads. It seems many feel the same way. "Repulsive," says one reply.
Some people think it's a brand-wide issue, claiming that the frozen pizzas are also poor quality: "Some about that Mama Cozzi’s brand has terrible sauce." Guess we'll stick to Totino's!
11. Apple Juice Boxes
First up on our list is the Aldi brand apple juice boxes. Perfect to pack into a school lunch box or for on the go entertainment for your kids, $1.89 for a pack of 8 juice boxes seems like a no-brainer. However you might want to think twice before you add these to your cart, because according to one user on Reddit, they "tasted like citric acid."
And it's not just one person, either. Another user replied to the original comment writing, "they're just so bad."
12. Deli Meats
This one is a pretty unanimous feeling among Redditors. Whether it's turkey, ham, bologna, or any other meat you get fresh from the deli, it's not a good idea if it's from Aldi. "The deli turkey and ham are nasty," one person wrote. "Slimy, rubbery, all the disgusting adjectives you can think of, that's the deli meat from Aldi."
"Most of their deli meat is vile," another person agreed. "They're disgusting!" added another.
13. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Sometimes there's nothing better than a warm, creamy, comforting bowl of mashed potatoes, and sometimes, you don't have the energy to make them from scratch. That's where instant mashed potatoes come in. Easy to make and usually delicious, as long as you can get past the fact it used to be a powder, it's hard to mess up instant mashed potatoes.
But Aldi has apparently found a way. "Their brand instant mash potatoes taste like cardboard," one Reddit user reported.
14. Bagel Skinnys
Apparently a cardboard taste is a theme in Aldi's carbohydrate products. Redditors have confirmed that the Aldi brand Bagel Skinnys are definitely an item to be left on the shelf. While it may seem like a great low-calorie or low-carb option, the consensus among loyal customers is you're better off not having it or having a real bagel, because "they taste like cardboard!"
"I'm never buying their 'skinny' bagels again." another person wrote. "If I'm going to have a bagel, I'll just have a bagel."
15. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Another delicious option for a quick meal, it might be tempting to grab a nice steaming cup of broccoli cheddar soup, but if it's from Aldi, you may want to skip it.
Here's a review from an Aldi superfan: "I just recently bought the broccoli cheddar soup, and wasn’t a fan. It smelled super weird, and tasted weird, and it turns out everyone here hated it lol. I dipped my finger in it to taste it and dumped it out." Safe to say we'll be opting for the tomato soup!
16. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is already an acquired taste for most people, so for the people that do like it, a negative review means a lot. And one person on Reddit didn't hold back: "I absolutely despise their cottage cheese! Hard pass."
If you're feeling curious and want to give cottage cheese a try (it's actually really good for you!), maybe look for it at a different grocery store.
17. Tartar Sauce
Another one that seems difficult to mess up, and yet! "Just bought the tartar sauce recently," one customer shared. "Do not buy!! Do not buy!! Horrible!"
"It has a consistency of snot," another person described. "You're so much better off making your own." "Worst tartar sauce ever," agreed a third person. "Couldn’t even grasp it."
