Discover the cheap items that outperform big-name brands
- Replies 16
For years, many believed that buying the most expensive products meant buying top-quality items. However, after learning from some savvy Aussie shoppers, this isn’t always the case.
There are cheaper finds that can compete with, and in some cases, outperform their more costly counterparts—which is good news and holds particular importance, especially in the context of the increasing inflation in Australia.
A recent social media post shared inexpensive buys, from a $12 Target Bamboo Underwear to ALDI’s $7.49 Logix Platinum Dishwashing Tablets, that outperform name brands.
One woman started the online thread when she asked users for any recommendations for ‘random cheap products’ that ‘do a great job’. She also shared her top picks starting with a $5 Hair Turban from Kmart.
'They're a bamboo mix, and bamboo is an extremely absorbent fibre. They do a good job on shoulder-length, very thick hair,' she explained.
'Better than a $50 micro-fibre one I splurged on that had great reviews. I use three in a row, and my hair is only damp after.'
The shopper was also impressed with the quality of Uniqlo's Plain T-shirts, which are priced between $14.90 and $19.90.
'They're cheap for how crazy long they last,' she added.
She also has begun purchasing caffeine pills from iHerb to provide an energy boost instead of buying or brewing coffee.
'They are super cheap, the cheapest way of getting caffeine into your system on the days you don't have time for a coffee or don't wanna spend the money,' she stressed.
More quickly chimed in with their suggestions, including a mum who mentioned using Kmart's reusable Cotton Nappies for $22 a 12-pack.
'Not to actually use as nappies, but you can get a 12-pack from Kmart super cheap and they are so handy,' she said.
'Use them to clean up baby messes, spit up, as towels, under baby for nappy change to protect the floor or that super expensive nappy change mat you got as a gift. I think every parent of human babies should have a pack.'
A few pointed out that the upscale supermarket chain Harris Farm Markets can offer more affordable prices for fruits and vegetables if you know where to shop.
‘They have an imperfect fruit and vegetable section. It's all seasonal and the quality of their “scruffy” fruits and vegetables are better quality than the premium ones at Coles/Woolworths,' one shopper said.
'I've been buying five avocados for about $3, and three mangoes cost me $2.80.'
Additional responses include ALDI's $7.49 40-Pack Logix Dishwasher Tablets, Target's $12 Bamboo Bikini Briefs, Coles' $2 Laundry Liquid Lemon Fresh 2L, Scrub Daddy Sponges, and Kmart's Plain T-shirts.
'Coles brand Frozen Chicken Tenders are SO MUCH better than Steggles, Inghams, etc. and (last time I looked) about half the price at most,' one woman shared.
‘The ALDI Power Force Mould Away 500ml Spray is better than Exit Mould and is only $2.79,' a second wrote.
'Reject Shop has really good pricing when it comes to school snacks and cleaning products. Dishwasher tablets are super expensive at the supermarket but crazy cheap at Reject Shop,' a third added.
'Reject Shop Cat Litter, Coles $4.50 Urban Colour Volume Mascara Black and Lavazza A Modo Mio Coffee Pod Machine,' a fourth noted.
'$50 on Amazon, and their pods at Coles are $0.50 each. Café quality coffee and crema. It's paid itself off several times over,’ they added.
One woman also mentioned buying a $2 Chip Cutter, which has saved her hundreds over time.
'Work out what 4kg of frozen chips cost you, then work out what 4kg of potatoes cost you. (My chip cutter) is still going strong and saving me money,' she shared.
Another woman was a fan of the affordable skincare brand, The Ordinary.
'Very affordable, simple, and effective products that are a fraction of the price of some other skincare brands. Loving their retinol and peptides formulations,' she explained.
On the other hand, one user mentioned quitting expensive cleaning products and switching to using bicarb soda and vinegar.
'A paste of bicarb soda and water will clean just about anything. Buy the home brand one in the baking aisle. Bicarb soda in the cleaning aisle has the price hiked up,' they said.
'Same with white vinegar in the cooking aisle vs cleaning vinegar in the cleaning aisle (although the strength of cooking vinegar can be different).'
Please note that prices may change at any time.
Members, do you have suggestions for more affordable items that outperform well-known brands? Feel free to share your choices in the comments below!
There are cheaper finds that can compete with, and in some cases, outperform their more costly counterparts—which is good news and holds particular importance, especially in the context of the increasing inflation in Australia.
A recent social media post shared inexpensive buys, from a $12 Target Bamboo Underwear to ALDI’s $7.49 Logix Platinum Dishwashing Tablets, that outperform name brands.
One woman started the online thread when she asked users for any recommendations for ‘random cheap products’ that ‘do a great job’. She also shared her top picks starting with a $5 Hair Turban from Kmart.
'They're a bamboo mix, and bamboo is an extremely absorbent fibre. They do a good job on shoulder-length, very thick hair,' she explained.
'Better than a $50 micro-fibre one I splurged on that had great reviews. I use three in a row, and my hair is only damp after.'
One shopper loved Kmart's $5 Bamboo Hair Turban, while another said $22 Reusable Cotton Nappies are a must for parents as they can tackle any mess. Image source: Kmart
The shopper was also impressed with the quality of Uniqlo's Plain T-shirts, which are priced between $14.90 and $19.90.
'They're cheap for how crazy long they last,' she added.
She also has begun purchasing caffeine pills from iHerb to provide an energy boost instead of buying or brewing coffee.
'They are super cheap, the cheapest way of getting caffeine into your system on the days you don't have time for a coffee or don't wanna spend the money,' she stressed.
More quickly chimed in with their suggestions, including a mum who mentioned using Kmart's reusable Cotton Nappies for $22 a 12-pack.
'Not to actually use as nappies, but you can get a 12-pack from Kmart super cheap and they are so handy,' she said.
'Use them to clean up baby messes, spit up, as towels, under baby for nappy change to protect the floor or that super expensive nappy change mat you got as a gift. I think every parent of human babies should have a pack.'
A few pointed out that the upscale supermarket chain Harris Farm Markets can offer more affordable prices for fruits and vegetables if you know where to shop.
Some found Harris Farm Markets, particularly the hidden ‘imperfect fresh’ section, to be more affordable for fruits and vegetables. Image source: Harris Farm Markets
‘They have an imperfect fruit and vegetable section. It's all seasonal and the quality of their “scruffy” fruits and vegetables are better quality than the premium ones at Coles/Woolworths,' one shopper said.
'I've been buying five avocados for about $3, and three mangoes cost me $2.80.'
Additional responses include ALDI's $7.49 40-Pack Logix Dishwasher Tablets, Target's $12 Bamboo Bikini Briefs, Coles' $2 Laundry Liquid Lemon Fresh 2L, Scrub Daddy Sponges, and Kmart's Plain T-shirts.
'Coles brand Frozen Chicken Tenders are SO MUCH better than Steggles, Inghams, etc. and (last time I looked) about half the price at most,' one woman shared.
‘The ALDI Power Force Mould Away 500ml Spray is better than Exit Mould and is only $2.79,' a second wrote.
'Reject Shop has really good pricing when it comes to school snacks and cleaning products. Dishwasher tablets are super expensive at the supermarket but crazy cheap at Reject Shop,' a third added.
'Reject Shop Cat Litter, Coles $4.50 Urban Colour Volume Mascara Black and Lavazza A Modo Mio Coffee Pod Machine,' a fourth noted.
'$50 on Amazon, and their pods at Coles are $0.50 each. Café quality coffee and crema. It's paid itself off several times over,’ they added.
One woman also mentioned buying a $2 Chip Cutter, which has saved her hundreds over time.
'Work out what 4kg of frozen chips cost you, then work out what 4kg of potatoes cost you. (My chip cutter) is still going strong and saving me money,' she shared.
Another woman was a fan of the affordable skincare brand, The Ordinary.
'Very affordable, simple, and effective products that are a fraction of the price of some other skincare brands. Loving their retinol and peptides formulations,' she explained.
On the other hand, one user mentioned quitting expensive cleaning products and switching to using bicarb soda and vinegar.
'A paste of bicarb soda and water will clean just about anything. Buy the home brand one in the baking aisle. Bicarb soda in the cleaning aisle has the price hiked up,' they said.
'Same with white vinegar in the cooking aisle vs cleaning vinegar in the cleaning aisle (although the strength of cooking vinegar can be different).'
Please note that prices may change at any time.
.png){kind=icon}
