Sometimes in life, you need to settle. Maybe you dreamed of buying a Rolls-Royce, but after the sticker shock, you settled for an Audi. You may have wanted your honeymoon in the Maldives, but instead chose the Bahamas as it’s more affordable. On a much smaller scale, when budgets are tight, people often skip name-brand foods and household goods and instead opt for generic brands to save money.
Well, I have good news for you! Sometimes, generic items are just as good, or even better, than name-brand products. Strategic shopping can mean you save money and get the best items. It’s the ultimate win-win situation. Let’s dive into which generic products are better than their name-brand counterparts.
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Top-Rated Generic Products
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But what starts as an imitation can lead to something even better. This often happens with generic brands that base a product on a popular name-brand item, then make small adjustments that improve it.
Here’s a peek at some of the copycats that outshine the originals based on user ratings.
Products are listed in order of the degree to which they outperformed the name-brand rating.
10. Kirkland Signature Laundry Detergent
–Generic rating: 4.8
–Name-brand rating: 4.7
Costco shoppers don’t like the in-store Kirkland Signature brand—they love it. It’s common to find sky-high reviews for products under the brand umbrella, and that includes Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Free & Clear HE Liquid Laundry Detergent, which boasts a consensus rating of 4.8 stars out of a possible 5.
That’s enough to have the edge against name-brand All Free & Clear Plus+ HE Liquid Laundry Detergent, which earns 4.7 stars.
A review of Kirkland Signature’s laundry detergent explained how they did a comparison between the two brands:
“I bought this laundry detergent to save on the major ALL brand … I did a side by side comparison of the ingredients in this and the major free and clear brand. They were 1-1 comparable, so I took a risk and tried it,” the reviewer says, “NO irritation at all! So, unless I find the other brand on a major coupon sale, I have just replaced it with Kirkland. In my opinion, these are identical. So, for anyone with an exclusive ALL requirement, consider using this.”
9. Kirkland Signature Aller-Flo Allergy Spray
–Generic rating: 4.9
–Name-brand rating: 4.8
Another raved-about Kirkland Signature product is Aller-Flo Allergy Spray. Reviewers laud its efficacy, saying it works just as well as (or even better than) Flonase, which has the same active ingredient.
They’ve rated it higher, too—Aller-Flo earns a whopping 4.9 stars, edging out Flonase’s 4.8 rating and even putting it among Costco’s best Kirkland Signature products period.
“I remained loyal to the brand even though the Kirkland brand costs much less,” says one reviewer who had used Flonase for years. “I finally gave the Kirkland brand a try and I’ve actually been much happier with the product than with Flonase. The product work[s] equally as well, but more importantly the Kirkland Signature Aller-Flo has a much better applicator/sprayer that delivers a more consistent spray.”
We’ll note that like with many store-brand products, the price tends to be more compelling, too.
Related: Avoid Buying These 10 Products at Costco
8. Great Value Snack Bags
–Generic rating: 4.8
–Name-brand rating: 4.6
Walmart shoppers express a high level of satisfaction with Great Value Fresh Seal Zipper Square Snack Bags, with the Walmart store brand earning a consensus 4.8-star rating.
Reviewers commonly compliment the size of the snack bags and mention they’re great for packing lunches.
Ziploc—the gold standard of snack bags—has nothing to be ashamed of with its own 4.6-star rating. Many more recent reviews give it a full five stars. But if you scroll for a while, you’ll see occasional complaints about the seal … and those not-fully satisfied customers help give Great Value the edge.
Related: Consumers Should Avoid These 10 Products at Walmart
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7. Favorite Day Moose Tracks Ice Cream
–Generic rating: 4.4
–Name-brand rating: 4.1
Favorite Day Moose Tracks Ice Cream is a Target store brand’s version of “moose tracks”: vanilla-flavored ice cream with miniature peanut butter cups and swirls of chocolate fudge.
Target customers give this dessert a high consensus rating of 4.4 stars out of a possible five stars. “Hands down the best [ice cream] I’ve ever had!!! (and I’m old),” one happy consumer says.
At the moment, Favorite Day enjoys a better rating than the moose tracks ice cream from Kemps—a popular independent brand that’s sold at Target, Walmart, Kroger, and more. The 4.1-star rating is good … just not good enough to beat out the Target store brand.
6. Market Pantry Strawberry Preserves
–Generic rating: 4.5
–Name-brand rating: 4.2
Market Pantry, another one of Target’s private-label food brands, offers up strawberry preserves that enjoy a consensus 4.5-star rating. A recent review reads: “So good. It’s better than smuckers or whatever the brand is. I’ve been eating it for months and I literally cannot get enough. Try it and save $$$ too.”
Don’t doubt yourself, reviewer! You got the name right!
And on the whole, other shoppers seem to feel the same way; Smucker’s strawberry preserves earn a rating of 4.2 stars—respectable, but below the generic brand. Among the reviews that weighed on Smucker’s score were a one-star complaint that the preserves were “like mush,” and another that bemoaned a lack of strawberry chunks.
Related: Walmart vs. Target: 10 Big-Box Price Comparisons
5. Good & Gather Organic Corn Tortilla Chips
–Generic rating: 4.7
–Name-brand rating: 4.4
Good & Gather, another Target brand, covers a variety of grocery categories, including (but not limited to) meat, dairy, produce, snacks, beverages, cheese, coffee, and frozen foods.
Among the best-rated Good & Gather products are the Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, which currently boast a rating of 4.7 stars. A review by “Lizzy” reads, “These chips are SO good. We get them every Target trip- good price and amazing flavor! We even eat them on their own, they are that good.”
That puts Good & Gather over Tostitos’ Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, which earn 4.4 stars. The reviews are largely positive, but one can’t help but wonder whether fans are still salty over Tostitos ending its Fiesta Bowl sponsorship years ago.
Related: Cooking Costs Heating Up? Here’s How to Save Money Cooking
4. Member’s Mark Select & Tear 2-Ply Paper Towels
–Generic rating: 4.9
–Name-brand rating: 4.6
Member’s Mark Select & Tear 2-Ply Paper Towels have earned a spot among highly rated Member’s Mark products, and it’s easy to see why. The Sam’s Club store brand’s paper towels enjoy a remarkable 4.9-star rating across 134,000 reviews.
“I think these are stronger than the ‘other’ popular, more expensive brand-name paper towels. Perforated sheets tear off easily, and have the half sheet option,” reviewer “Cindy” states. “Rolls are large, and equivalent to 1.5 times larger than a standard roll and seem to last 2-3 days in my heavily used kitchen.”
The reference to other, more costly brand-name paper towels might be throwing shade at Bounty. Their name-brand Select-A-Size 2-Play Paper towels have an also-high 4.6-star rating and a bevy of positive reviews … but some people complain that the brand is participating in shrinkflation, and a handful think the quality has gone down.
Related: 10 Items You Should Never Buy at Aldi
3. Kirkland Signature Dishwasher Detergent Pacs
–Generic rating: 4.6
–Name-brand rating: 4.2
Another Kirkland Signature product that has outdone the competition is the Kirkland Signature Platinum Performance UltraShine Dishwasher Detergent Pacs, with a lofty 4.6-star rating.
One recent shopper explains that they used to have a name-brand dishwasher detergent that didn’t work well and clogged the dishwasher detergent basket, but that they didn’t have this problem when they switched to Kirkland Signature.
The competition? Finish Powerball Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Tabs. While there’s nothing wrong with the product’s 4.2-star rating, it’s not Kirkland good. The most common complaint by reviewers is that the tabs leave a strong scent on whatever runs through the dishwasher.
Related: 10 Sneaky Grocery Store Scams to Avoid
2. Great Value Mustard
–Generic rating: 4.6
–Name-brand rating: 4.2
Does Great Value Yellow Mustard, ahem, cut the mustard?
Metaphorically? Absolutely—the Walmart store brand’s yellow mustard earns a fantastic 4.6-star rating. Literally? No—Walmart shoppers seem to think it’s every bit as flavorful as name-brand mustard.
“It’s a reasonable price for yellow mustard, and to me there isn’t any taste difference between name brand and great value,” one reviewer writes. “I’m satisfied with the product.”
That’s a tall wall to climb for French’s—too tall, if we ask Walmart shoppers. French’s receives mostly positive reviews, but the 4.2-star rating is a good deal below Great Value.
Related: Walmart Lovers: Don’t Make These Shopping Mistakes
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1. Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
–Generic rating: N/A
–Name-brand rating: N/A
Trader Joe’s is extremely well known for its store-brand products. While the most-talked-about foods tend to have unique flavor combinations, the store carries classics, as well, including spinach and artichoke dip.
You won’t find customer ratings on Trader Joe’s site, so I can’t quantify its superiority to other dips—but I think I’ve gathered sufficient evidence to make an argument.
The item description says, “This dip has the ideal blend of ‘chokes and spinach, with Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, and just the right amount of herbs and spices.” But we don’t need to take TJ’s word for it: It was voted the #1 Appetizer Winner for Trader Joe’s 16th Annual Customer Choice Awards.
On Reddit, consumers rave about this spinach dip as well. A recent Reddit post states, “In my opinion it’s way better (and cheaper) than the [TGI] Friday brand. I should have got more than one!” The comment section unanimously agrees that it’s delicious.
In a different Reddit thread, the top comment reads, “The frozen dip is my life. I had to stop buying it. It’s too good. I got a little baking dish for it, I just throw it in the oven at like 375ish for 30 minutes or so until it looks delicious.” This food is also versatile and I’ve seen several people online say they use it as a pasta sauce and one person claims it makes for a “stellar egg bake.”
OK, it’s not as scientific as comparing ratings … but it has the votes and the reviews.
Related: 10 Best Trader Joe’s Shopping Tips
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