It can be hard to figure out where to shop when there are so many options. We decided to compare two of the best stores known for value products and pricing to see which one rose to the top.
Below you'll find 30 products in total, 15 from each store. We compared similar store-brand products to determine which had the best value.
Our hope? To ease your budget a bit, the next time you head to the store. Knowing that you can go to one store for your needs and still save money is a great stress reliever.
Disclaimer: Prices listed reflect Aldi and Walmart online pricing at the time of writing. Actual prices may vary by location, inventory, and promotions.
Flour
Both flour products are in 5-lb bags, where they varied is the price point.
The Aldi flour is $2.45, while the Walmart flour is $2.38. At the time of writing this, the flour at Aldi was on sale for $2.05. For comparison purposes, we always list the "real" price, since sales are short-lived. Showing the real pricing helps balance budgets and prepare.
With a price difference of only .07, there isn't much savings to be had between shopping at one store or the other for flour.
We've baked and used both of these flours in cookies and desserts and haven't noticed a difference between them.
Milk
Milk is a product in high demand in many households. Using it for baking, cooking, drinking, or breakfast makes those gallon jugs run out quickly.
We compared 2% milk gallons and noticed a significant price difference. Aldi milk costs $2.79 per gallon, while Walmart milk costs $3.14. These were the regular daily prices listed, neither on sale.
Our household drinks and goes through a lot of milk, and we've been happy with both of these brands, no complaints with taste or texture.
Trash bags
Trash bags are a household staple, so finding the best value is essential. We compared pricing for the 13-gallon bags with the 45-count bags for each brand.
Aldi trash bags cost $6.05, while Walmart trash bags cost $6.98. Both have a drawstring closure, which we feel is essential for easy removal from the trash bags and for keeping them closed once out.
One big difference is that the Walmart trash bags are labeled as "flex", which means that they're stretchier and could potentially hold more trash. Is that worth spending more for? That's up to each shopper to decide.
Ice cream
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. And lower prices. Both stores had a wide variety of store-brand ice cream flavors, but we stuck to the good old classic vanilla bean for comparison.
Aldi vanilla bean ice cream costs $3.25 for a 48-ounce container. Walmart ice cream is $3.27 for the same size. The Aldi ice cream states that it has no added hormones, flavors, or high-fructose corn syrup and is made with fresh vanilla bean.
We actually prefer Aldi's ice cream to the Walmart brand because it has a creamier texture and a stronger vanilla flavor.
Supreme pizza
Both stores have a good variety of store-brand pizzas, with thin crust, thick crust, gluten-free, and more. Just know that both stores offer take-and-bake pizzas, meaning you grab them and go home to cook them in the oven yourself.
Before discussing the pricing, it's worth noting that these pizzas are extra-large. Both are 16-inch pizzas, which is equivalent to nine servings.
Aldi Supreme Pizza is priced at $8.79, while Walmart's is $10.97. From what we could tell, the same toppings were used on both pizzas.
We have tried both pizzas, and we really like Aldi pizzas. Their crusts are delicious, and they are always loaded with toppings. The Walmart pizza is good too, but we just enjoyed the Aldi one a little bit better.
Zero sugar jerky
Have you seen the prices of beef jerky lately? It feels like they shot through the roof overnight.
We couldn't find exact products to compare at each store, but we got close. Both stores offer a zero-sugar option, which is excellent because why would you have sugar on jerky, anyway?!
The Walmart jerky is made with 100% beef and costs $12.97 for a 6.5-ounce bag. This also has 14 grams of protein per serving. The Aldi jerky is made with a beef/pork mixture and costs only $7.95 for a larger, 9.5-ounce package. However, the protein content of this serving is lower, at only 9 grams.
Fully cooked bacon
Fully cooked bacon is popular for several reasons. First, you don't have to clean up grease splatters while cooking. Then, there's the fact that you can warm them up quickly and use them for sandwiches, salads, or even as a quick side for breakfast.
Both options are 2.1 ounces. Aldi bacon is priced at $4.15, while Walmart's bacon is priced at $3.77. Walmart states that the bacon is hickory-smoked, while Aldi states that their bacon is just smoked, with no specific flavor.
Chopped walnuts
Chopped walnuts are an everyday staple. Not only do you save time by not having to chop them by hand, but you can use them for so many recipes, from cheese balls to cookies.
Both stores offer the chopped walnuts in a resealable 8-ounce package. Aldi is priced at $3.09, and Walmart is priced at $5.28. There don't appear to be any differences between the two products except the price. Here, Aldi is the clear winner.
Whipped topping
Stocking up on whipped topping is never a bad idea. Both stores also offer a sugar-free option, but we compared the regular for our pricing list.
The Aldi whipped topping is $1.09, and the Walmart brand is $1.12. You can freeze both brands, so stock up if either goes on sale. Many people buy them when they're on sale and freeze them for later. They thaw really well and even taste good when they're frozen.
Coffee creamer
If you start your day with a cup of coffee, you might want to add some coffee creamer. Both stores have flavor options besides French vanilla, but Walmart definitely has more. We could only find French vanilla and hazelnut at Aldi, but they do sometimes have holiday flavors as specialty products, too.
Aldi coffee creamer costs $2.65 for 32oz, while Walmart coffee creamer costs more, $3.74 for only 15oz. You would need to buy two of those, and they would still be less than the 32-oz Aldi version.
We drink a lot of coffee creamer, and we really like the Aldi brand. It's creamy and delicious, and you only need a little to get a sweet flavor. It lasts longer than some other brands because you use less each time.
Plain Greek yogurt
Adding Greek yogurt to your diet is a great way to increase your protein intake. It can be used as a soup topping or topped with berries and drizzled with honey for a healthy breakfast.
Aldi Greek yogurt is $3.55 for 32 ounces, while Walmart is $3.36 for the same size. The Walmart brand has 17 grams of protein per serving, while the Aldi brand has only 16 grams.
Apple cider vinegar
If you're a fan of making your own salad dressing, you know that having apple cider vinegar on hand is key. Aldi has a 33.8-ounce bottle of organic apple cider vinegar for $5.29, while Walmart offers a non-organic variety for $2.48. The Walmart option is slightly smaller at 32 ounces.
Quick oats
Quick oats are one of those pantry staples that bakers should keep on hand. Adding them to cookies, protein balls, or no-bake treats makes them an easy choice at the store.
Aldi has a 42-ounce container for $4.29, while Walmart costs $4.38 for the same size.
Pistachios
Pistachios are a great snack. They're easy to portion and ready to grab and eat right from the bag. A 16-ounce bag at Aldi costs $6.59, while Walmart offers the same size for $7.52.
Both are offered in a sealable bag, making them great for grabbing a quick snack and keeping them fresh.
Unsweetened applesauce cups
Some people don't like eating apples and would prefer applesauce instead. Having applesauce cups is also great for school lunches or portioning out some fruit for the day that doesn't have any added sugar.
A six-count of applesauce cups from Aldi costs $2.15, while Walmart offers them for $2.08.
Final verdict
Comparing two stores with two different store-brand products was really eye-opening. As shoppers, we tend to get into the habit of going to one store or forgetting to check prices, which can easily cost a lot more.
You always hear people talk about how cheap Walmart is or how inexpensive it is to shop at Aldi, but which statement is actually true? While the items above were just a small sampling, the savings were quite different once we added them all up.
For all the Aldi products that we researched, the total was $64.13, compared to $73.44 for the similar items from Walmart. Aldi pricing is $9.31 less, which is a 13% savings!
Does that mean that every Aldi product comparison is going to be cheaper than Walmart? Absolutely not.
So, who really has the cheaper prices? The answer is simple: the shopper who compares, strategizes, and refuses to overpay.
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