Yeah, yeah - we totally get it - you’re sick of hearing about the increasing price of groceries (and just about everything else). We are too. We’re all feeling the pinch of inflation, which is why many are turning to social media to hunt for advice on how to lower their bills.

One of the popular money-saving tricks claims that you can save a few dollars by switching between supermarket stores ⁠— a practice that encourages you to shop around for similar items and stretch your money a little further..

Several users suggested that making the switch to ALDI has helped them save heaps of money, with one mum even claiming to have cut her annual grocery bill by a whopping $15,000 after making the decision to become a loyal customer of the German budget retailer.

While it's true that ALDI is offering some of the most tempting affordable alternatives, are the goods actually… well, any good?

Well, if you're curious to know the answer to this lingering question, we've got good news for you!

Consumer advocacy group Choice has put in the hard yards of investigating and testing some of ALDI's best-performing and popular products and contrasted them with some other ALDI products that you should probably think twice about before purchasing.

Several users claimed that they managed to cut down their grocery bills by making the switch to ALDI. Credit: CHOICE.​

So, without further ado, here are the best and not-so-good items you can purchase at ALDI:

Good buys:

• Dishwasher tablets

ALDI has some of the best performers in the cleaning category. The Logix Platinum 18-in-1 Dishwashing Tablets won the overall top score from CHOICE, besting leading brands that cost almost twice as much. Another item that CHOICE suggests is the Unamat Dishwashing Liquid from Aldi. It delivered the same results as some more well-known brands but costs much less.

• Laundry detergent

ALDI's Almat Laundry Powder Concentrate produces excellent results whether you have a front loader or top loader. The retailer's washing powder tied for the first spot in the top loader category and placed second in the front loader tests of CHOICE's laundry detergent review. The group recommends the item for both front and top loaders. (Aldi's liquid detergents didn't work quite as well so it is better to opt for the powder instead.)

• Gourmet ice cream

Need a reason to put a treat in the cart? Let us give you a good one! CHOICE taste-tested and ranked several premium vanilla ice creams, and Aldi's Monarc Indulge Vanilla Opulence came out on top. It's also the most affordable at $4.49 — less than half the cost of Connoisseur's Classic Vanilla — which achieved the same rating but costs $10! According to CHOICE experts, the ice cream from Aldi offers "a lovely, creamy mouthfeel and lingering flavour."

• Peanut butter

Aldi's Bramwell Peanut Butter Smooth won CHOICE's taste test for peanut butter, edging out renowned brands like Kraft, Bega, and Pic's. Along with its fantastic taste, the spread was also the least expensive peanut butter in the whole test.

• Chocolate

With a high score of 81%, Aldi's Moser Roth milk chocolate easily defeated well-known and even some upscale brands including Cadbury, Lindt, Darrell Lea, and Whittakers. (Lindt, the next-highest scorer, finished with a score of 77%). And if you decide to "embrace the dark side", Aldi has you covered with its Just Organic 70% dark chocolate and Moser Roth Finest Dark 70% cocoa, both of which came highly rated in CHOICE's taste test for dark chocolate.

ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted proved that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Butter

CHOICE revealed that ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted tied for first place in the unsalted butter category, demonstrating that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Despite costing nearly half as much as Lurpak, it obtained the same rating as the pricier brand.

• Hummus

ALDI's Deli Originals Fresh Traditional Style Hummus was the least expensive out of all the products CHOICE tested yet it still received the highest overall rating. CHOICE experts revealed that the item edged out more expensive brands Black Swan and Obela.

• Olive Oil

CHOICE's taste test for olive oils revealed that the best Australian olive oil can be purchased for a reasonable price. ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate, demonstrating that domestic olive oil can hold its own against imported oils while being far less expensive.

ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Sauces

ALDI's Colway Creamy Squeezy Mayonnaise came in third overall in CHOICE's condiment taste test. It competed favourably with well-known gourmet brands such as Praise, Kewpie, and S&W. ALDI also performed well in the tomato sauce test, coming in at the lowest price while still earning the CHOICE Recommended label.

• Pasta

ALDI's Just Organic Spaghetti received high marks in CHOICE's pasta test, garnering a score of 90% from experts. Although ALDI's Remano brand didn't fare as well, it still wasn't bad at 82%.

• Everyday items

Everyday things from ALDI are reasonably priced, and some of them perform on par with or better than brand-name goods. CHOICE experts suggest ALDI's Confidence Samson paper towels (but not Absorbit or Confidence Mighty Roll) and Confidence Hypoallergenic pocket tissue packs (but skip the 2-ply facial tissues - these only scored 51%). Despite only scoring 71%, ALDI's Confidence Extra Soft toilet paper is still a very safe pick. However, you should avoid the expensive shea butter variety and the 2-ply kind as they didn't perform well.

• Toilet cleaner

You'd think it would be preferable to spend as much money as possible on items for cleaning the toilet bowl, but in CHOICE's toilet cleaners assessment, White King and ALDI tied for first place, with the ALDI product costing less than half as much.

Items you should avoid (or at least tread carefully with):

• TV

Denis Gallagher, CHOICE's resident TV expert, warned against purchasing a TV from ALDI.

"Over the years, Aldi has delivered quite excellent value on TVs, but nowadays there's more competition and costs are coming down across the board," he said.

"You're better off going with a branded device - the Aldi TVs we've tested in the past have had varied outcomes."

• Soundbars

The Bauhn soundbar sold by ALDI is best avoided as well. In CHOICE's soundbars test, it received a subpar score of 67%, with experts advising that you can purchase a better-performing soundbar for the same price.

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting, but ultimately unwise purchase at $120. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Capsule coffee machine

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting purchase at just $120, but it performed poorly in CHOICE's assessments of coffee makers, receiving a mere 45% rating.

• Surface cleaners

When experts from CHOICE tested multipurpose cleaning sprays, neither Aldi's Power Force Pro nor its Green Action multipurpose cleaners cracked the 50% threshold, scoring just 49% and 45%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the window cleaning category, ALDI's glass cleaner received a disappointing 42%, well below Windex's 81%, which received the highest grade.

• Vacuum cleaners

When ALDI revealed it would sell the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 900 robot vacuum cleaner for $399 (retail price is $999), eyes lit up all around Australia. So, is Aldi a good place to buy a robot vacuum? We don't want to ruin the fun, but this isn't the piece of tech that will fulfil all of your housekeeping fantasies.

Although this bargain is difficult to pass up, CHOICE experts believe there are much better options on the market if you're ready to spend a little more. It received a mere 39% in the assessment of robot vacuum cleaners.

So, there you have it, folks! Be sure to check out the reviews before you purchase these items so you can get the best value for money.

What are your thoughts on this? Any Aldi recommendations - whether positive or negative - to add? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Thecla]

Totally agree with the dishwasher tablets and Aldi's range of chocolate although I disagree with comments on the ALDI's Expressi coffee machine. I have been using ALDI's Expressi machines for 10 years or so and find their organic coffee capsules the best. Taste better than some barista-made coffee I have encountered.

When we first went to capsule coffee Aldi was our first port of call....we had three all up. All ended up with the same problem...leaking water everywhere.. Decided after five years and our son lending us his Nespresso machine we have turned.. Nespresso all the way for us now. If there is ever an issue you can call them and they talk you through it or if that fails and you need to send the machine in for a repair they even send the box out. I must say though whenever I need a new milk frother I always go Aldi as they are near a third of the cost of Nespresso ones. The last ones they had on special were Nespresso twins so as we are moving into a new house soon I bought one and put it away for that occasion..

 

[Poll]

I recommend that you never buy a Stirling brand appliance. WHEN it breaks / dies, Stirling will do anything to avoid repair/replacement.
I have had no problems with Aldi capsule coffee machine - touch wood.
I use DiSan because it is really good.
I am cautious about buying in Aldi, as I try to only buy Australian products. Aldi has improved its range of Australian brands since the supermarket arrived in Australia.

 

[rehandra]

Yeah, yeah - we totally get it - you’re sick of hearing about the increasing price of groceries (and just about everything else). We are too. We’re all feeling the pinch of inflation, which is why many are turning to social media to hunt for advice on how to lower their bills.

One of the popular money-saving tricks claims that you can save a few dollars by switching between supermarket stores ⁠— a practice that encourages you to shop around for similar items and stretch your money a little further..

Several users suggested that making the switch to ALDI has helped them save heaps of money, with one mum even claiming to have cut her annual grocery bill by a whopping $15,000 after making the decision to become a loyal customer of the German budget retailer.

While it's true that ALDI is offering some of the most tempting affordable alternatives, are the goods actually… well, any good?

Well, if you're curious to know the answer to this lingering question, we've got good news for you!

Consumer advocacy group Choice has put in the hard yards of investigating and testing some of ALDI's best-performing and popular products and contrasted them with some other ALDI products that you should probably think twice about before purchasing.

Several users claimed that they managed to cut down their grocery bills by making the switch to ALDI. Credit: CHOICE.​

So, without further ado, here are the best and not-so-good items you can purchase at ALDI:

Good buys:

• Dishwasher tablets

ALDI has some of the best performers in the cleaning category. The Logix Platinum 18-in-1 Dishwashing Tablets won the overall top score from CHOICE, besting leading brands that cost almost twice as much. Another item that CHOICE suggests is the Unamat Dishwashing Liquid from Aldi. It delivered the same results as some more well-known brands but costs much less.

• Laundry detergent

ALDI's Almat Laundry Powder Concentrate produces excellent results whether you have a front loader or top loader. The retailer's washing powder tied for the first spot in the top loader category and placed second in the front loader tests of CHOICE's laundry detergent review. The group recommends the item for both front and top loaders. (Aldi's liquid detergents didn't work quite as well so it is better to opt for the powder instead.)

• Gourmet ice cream

Need a reason to put a treat in the cart? Let us give you a good one! CHOICE taste-tested and ranked several premium vanilla ice creams, and Aldi's Monarc Indulge Vanilla Opulence came out on top. It's also the most affordable at $4.49 — less than half the cost of Connoisseur's Classic Vanilla — which achieved the same rating but costs $10! According to CHOICE experts, the ice cream from Aldi offers "a lovely, creamy mouthfeel and lingering flavour."

• Peanut butter

Aldi's Bramwell Peanut Butter Smooth won CHOICE's taste test for peanut butter, edging out renowned brands like Kraft, Bega, and Pic's. Along with its fantastic taste, the spread was also the least expensive peanut butter in the whole test.

• Chocolate

With a high score of 81%, Aldi's Moser Roth milk chocolate easily defeated well-known and even some upscale brands including Cadbury, Lindt, Darrell Lea, and Whittakers. (Lindt, the next-highest scorer, finished with a score of 77%). And if you decide to "embrace the dark side", Aldi has you covered with its Just Organic 70% dark chocolate and Moser Roth Finest Dark 70% cocoa, both of which came highly rated in CHOICE's taste test for dark chocolate.

ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted proved that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Butter

CHOICE revealed that ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted tied for first place in the unsalted butter category, demonstrating that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Despite costing nearly half as much as Lurpak, it obtained the same rating as the pricier brand.

• Hummus

ALDI's Deli Originals Fresh Traditional Style Hummus was the least expensive out of all the products CHOICE tested yet it still received the highest overall rating. CHOICE experts revealed that the item edged out more expensive brands Black Swan and Obela.

• Olive Oil

CHOICE's taste test for olive oils revealed that the best Australian olive oil can be purchased for a reasonable price. ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate, demonstrating that domestic olive oil can hold its own against imported oils while being far less expensive.

ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Sauces

ALDI's Colway Creamy Squeezy Mayonnaise came in third overall in CHOICE's condiment taste test. It competed favourably with well-known gourmet brands such as Praise, Kewpie, and S&W. ALDI also performed well in the tomato sauce test, coming in at the lowest price while still earning the CHOICE Recommended label.

• Pasta

ALDI's Just Organic Spaghetti received high marks in CHOICE's pasta test, garnering a score of 90% from experts. Although ALDI's Remano brand didn't fare as well, it still wasn't bad at 82%.

• Everyday items

Everyday things from ALDI are reasonably priced, and some of them perform on par with or better than brand-name goods. CHOICE experts suggest ALDI's Confidence Samson paper towels (but not Absorbit or Confidence Mighty Roll) and Confidence Hypoallergenic pocket tissue packs (but skip the 2-ply facial tissues - these only scored 51%). Despite only scoring 71%, ALDI's Confidence Extra Soft toilet paper is still a very safe pick. However, you should avoid the expensive shea butter variety and the 2-ply kind as they didn't perform well.

• Toilet cleaner

You'd think it would be preferable to spend as much money as possible on items for cleaning the toilet bowl, but in CHOICE's toilet cleaners assessment, White King and ALDI tied for first place, with the ALDI product costing less than half as much.

Items you should avoid (or at least tread carefully with):

• TV

Denis Gallagher, CHOICE's resident TV expert, warned against purchasing a TV from ALDI.

"Over the years, Aldi has delivered quite excellent value on TVs, but nowadays there's more competition and costs are coming down across the board," he said.

"You're better off going with a branded device - the Aldi TVs we've tested in the past have had varied outcomes."

• Soundbars

The Bauhn soundbar sold by ALDI is best avoided as well. In CHOICE's soundbars test, it received a subpar score of 67%, with experts advising that you can purchase a better-performing soundbar for the same price.

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting, but ultimately unwise purchase at $120. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Capsule coffee machine

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting purchase at just $120, but it performed poorly in CHOICE's assessments of coffee makers, receiving a mere 45% rating.

• Surface cleaners

When experts from CHOICE tested multipurpose cleaning sprays, neither Aldi's Power Force Pro nor its Green Action multipurpose cleaners cracked the 50% threshold, scoring just 49% and 45%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the window cleaning category, ALDI's glass cleaner received a disappointing 42%, well below Windex's 81%, which received the highest grade.

• Vacuum cleaners

When ALDI revealed it would sell the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 900 robot vacuum cleaner for $399 (retail price is $999), eyes lit up all around Australia. So, is Aldi a good place to buy a robot vacuum? We don't want to ruin the fun, but this isn't the piece of tech that will fulfil all of your housekeeping fantasies.

Although this bargain is difficult to pass up, CHOICE experts believe there are much better options on the market if you're ready to spend a little more. It received a mere 39% in the assessment of robot vacuum cleaners.

So, there you have it, folks! Be sure to check out the reviews before you purchase these items so you can get the best value for money.

What are your thoughts on this? Any Aldi recommendations - whether positive or negative - to add? Share them with us in the comments below!

I have been keeping this to myself but will now share it with everyone. I buy the pack of

Milfina Mini Frozen Yogurt Sticks 14pk / 504g​

from Aldi on a regular basis. Price $3.99 Anyway I was in Coles some months ago and they had the Bulla 14 mini frozen yoghurt sticks at half price which was just slightly under the Aldi price so decided I would try them. I was gobsmacked when I opened one up and found that they looked and tasted just like the Aldi ones. Had the same flavours. I bet my bottom dollar they are made in the same factory but packaged under the Milfina label. The difference is that full price the Bulla ones are $7.50 as opposed to Aldi $3.99 a pack. When the Bulla ones are on half price which they are at the moment($3.75)I buy them and when they are not I buy the Milfina from Aldi.

 

[MC12]

I recommend Aldi's frozen chicken tenders - 8 pieces for under $4 and much nicer than Inghams or Steggles.

 

[rehandra]

I recommend Aldi's frozen chicken tenders - 8 pieces for under $4 and much nicer than Inghams or Steggles.

Agree and I also recommend the 2kg packs of chicken wings and drumsticks...cheaper than the other stores

 

[Gaena]

I love a lot of Aldi products and try to go there first which is not always possible because I don’t drive. But always have to go elsewhere for the things not available at Aldi. Their meat is also very good.

I was quite excited when Aldi finally opened a store in our regional Town (yeah, I need to get a life!!) but I was also wary of its location as parking in that particular shopping center has always been difficult. Enlisting my husbands help (he parks way better than I do, is great in supermarkets, wheels the trolley around and puts everything on the conveyor belt, as well as being happy to pack the bags) I bounced through the doors only to be really disappointed that all the great products that I had been hearing so much about were nowhere in sight. I was really unhappy with the available range, could not find any of the products that I was looking for and do not get me started on the chaotic way that everything is scanned at the checkout.
Talked with some friends in the car park and their views were the same as mine, as far as I know none of us have been back to the store and are still shopping at either Woolies or Coles

 

[Gaena]

I like the soap powder, it is so fine it dissolves easily in cold water and doesn't leave white marks on clothes

Thanks for that, I have been spending way too much on liquid laundry soap because of the white marks thing. Now that I know that the powder dissolves well I may be tempted to go into Aldi just to buy the choice recommended one.

 

[Zoya]

Love the Aldi stain remover it is amazing

I get that too. Works wonders.

 

[rehandra]

I was quite excited when Aldi finally opened a store in our regional Town (yeah, I need to get a life!!) but I was also wary of its location as parking in that particular shopping center has always been difficult. Enlisting my husbands help (he parks way better than I do, is great in supermarkets, wheels the trolley around and puts everything on the conveyor belt, as well as being happy to pack the bags) I bounced through the doors only to be really disappointed that all the great products that I had been hearing so much about were nowhere in sight. I was really unhappy with the available range, could not find any of the products that I was looking for and do not get me started on the chaotic way that everything is scanned at the checkout.
Talked with some friends in the car park and their views were the same as mine, as far as I know none of us have been back to the store and are still shopping at either Woolies or Coles

Starting with the scanning lol....yes, you need to be on your mettle. The trick is Gaena, get a trolley (Aldi now have smaller one I believe or in the throes of getting them as well as the large ones) and you just put everything back in the trolley as they are coming at you and then you move to the packing bench or elsewhere and pack your bags to your liking. It is hopeless trying to pack bags at the checkout when the items are coming thick and fast. No, you cannot get everything at Aldi....I knew that so what I cannot get at Aldi I get at Coles or Woolies. I shop across all three stores and you do save a lot of money. The toilet cleaner is brilliant (was judged best) and cheap, and the unsalted butter which I have used for ages is slightly cheaper and better as well...the chocolates....yum! Please dont give up on Aldi....give them another go!

 

[Gaena]

Starting with the scanning lol....yes, you need to be on your mettle. The trick is Gaena, get a trolley (Aldi now have smaller one I believe or in the throes of getting them as well as the large ones) and you just put everything back in the trolley as they are coming at you and then you move to the packing bench or elsewhere and pack your bags to your liking. It is hopeless trying to pack bags at the checkout when the items are coming thick and fast. No, you cannot get everything at Aldi....I knew that so what I cannot get at Aldi I get at Coles or Woolies. I shop across all three stores and you do save a lot of money. The toilet cleaner is brilliant (was judged best) and cheap, and the unsalted butter which I have used for ages is slightly cheaper and better as well...the chocolates....yum! Please dont give up on Aldi....give them another go!

Thank you for your tip on how to get through the checkout with out losing your temper, great advice and one my husband is happy to try, I tempted him with my confession on the recommended Aldi soap powder as I am paying way too much for the brand I usually buy which is the only one able to clean his work clothes but still takes 2 full washes to accomplish all the dirt removal required, so savings on water and electricity as well as the soap powder sealed the deal. We have a "Shopping Date" for the next time he is home

 

[rehandra]

Thank you for your tip on how to get through the checkout with out losing your temper, great advice and one my husband is happy to try, I tempted him with my confession on the recommended Aldi soap powder as I am paying way too much for the brand I usually buy which is the only one able to clean his work clothes but still takes 2 full washes to accomplish all the dirt removal required, so savings on water and electricity as well as the soap powder sealed the deal. We have a "Shopping Date" for the next time he is home

Gaena, do let me know how you fare doing it my way with the trolley. I am sure you will very happy . Also if you like Ricotta cheese...I just love the Emporium brand Smooth Ricotta...around $2.79 I think from memory. I have it with just about everything. Had never eaten it before buying this. I also like their Colway brand Djion mustard but at the moment it is hard to find. Been empty shelves for about 2 months now. Hopefully they will get some in soon. Also another thing I like is the Peri Peri spice which I use on chicken wings straight into the airfryer for around 30 mins (turning after 15 mins).That is scarce at the moment and last time they had it I purchased three bottles. It comes in a tall container. $3.99

 

[Peirsol]

Totally agree with the dishwasher tablets and Aldi's range of chocolate although I disagree with comments on the ALDI's Expressi coffee machine. I have been using ALDI's Expressi machines for 10 years or so and find their organic coffee capsules the best. Taste better than some barista-made coffee I have encountered.

I have been using the Expressi coffee pod machine for about 3 years now and love the coffee and the machine - have no worries with it whatsoever! And I love the chocolate as well.

 

[Peirsol]

Yeah, yeah - we totally get it - you’re sick of hearing about the increasing price of groceries (and just about everything else). We are too. We’re all feeling the pinch of inflation, which is why many are turning to social media to hunt for advice on how to lower their bills.

One of the popular money-saving tricks claims that you can save a few dollars by switching between supermarket stores ⁠— a practice that encourages you to shop around for similar items and stretch your money a little further..

Several users suggested that making the switch to ALDI has helped them save heaps of money, with one mum even claiming to have cut her annual grocery bill by a whopping $15,000 after making the decision to become a loyal customer of the German budget retailer.

While it's true that ALDI is offering some of the most tempting affordable alternatives, are the goods actually… well, any good?

Well, if you're curious to know the answer to this lingering question, we've got good news for you!

Consumer advocacy group Choice has put in the hard yards of investigating and testing some of ALDI's best-performing and popular products and contrasted them with some other ALDI products that you should probably think twice about before purchasing.

Several users claimed that they managed to cut down their grocery bills by making the switch to ALDI. Credit: CHOICE.​

So, without further ado, here are the best and not-so-good items you can purchase at ALDI:

Good buys:

• Dishwasher tablets

ALDI has some of the best performers in the cleaning category. The Logix Platinum 18-in-1 Dishwashing Tablets won the overall top score from CHOICE, besting leading brands that cost almost twice as much. Another item that CHOICE suggests is the Unamat Dishwashing Liquid from Aldi. It delivered the same results as some more well-known brands but costs much less.

• Laundry detergent

ALDI's Almat Laundry Powder Concentrate produces excellent results whether you have a front loader or top loader. The retailer's washing powder tied for the first spot in the top loader category and placed second in the front loader tests of CHOICE's laundry detergent review. The group recommends the item for both front and top loaders. (Aldi's liquid detergents didn't work quite as well so it is better to opt for the powder instead.)

• Gourmet ice cream

Need a reason to put a treat in the cart? Let us give you a good one! CHOICE taste-tested and ranked several premium vanilla ice creams, and Aldi's Monarc Indulge Vanilla Opulence came out on top. It's also the most affordable at $4.49 — less than half the cost of Connoisseur's Classic Vanilla — which achieved the same rating but costs $10! According to CHOICE experts, the ice cream from Aldi offers "a lovely, creamy mouthfeel and lingering flavour."

• Peanut butter

Aldi's Bramwell Peanut Butter Smooth won CHOICE's taste test for peanut butter, edging out renowned brands like Kraft, Bega, and Pic's. Along with its fantastic taste, the spread was also the least expensive peanut butter in the whole test.

• Chocolate

With a high score of 81%, Aldi's Moser Roth milk chocolate easily defeated well-known and even some upscale brands including Cadbury, Lindt, Darrell Lea, and Whittakers. (Lindt, the next-highest scorer, finished with a score of 77%). And if you decide to "embrace the dark side", Aldi has you covered with its Just Organic 70% dark chocolate and Moser Roth Finest Dark 70% cocoa, both of which came highly rated in CHOICE's taste test for dark chocolate.

ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted proved that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Butter

CHOICE revealed that ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted tied for first place in the unsalted butter category, demonstrating that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Despite costing nearly half as much as Lurpak, it obtained the same rating as the pricier brand.

• Hummus

ALDI's Deli Originals Fresh Traditional Style Hummus was the least expensive out of all the products CHOICE tested yet it still received the highest overall rating. CHOICE experts revealed that the item edged out more expensive brands Black Swan and Obela.

• Olive Oil

CHOICE's taste test for olive oils revealed that the best Australian olive oil can be purchased for a reasonable price. ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate, demonstrating that domestic olive oil can hold its own against imported oils while being far less expensive.

ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Sauces

ALDI's Colway Creamy Squeezy Mayonnaise came in third overall in CHOICE's condiment taste test. It competed favourably with well-known gourmet brands such as Praise, Kewpie, and S&W. ALDI also performed well in the tomato sauce test, coming in at the lowest price while still earning the CHOICE Recommended label.

• Pasta

ALDI's Just Organic Spaghetti received high marks in CHOICE's pasta test, garnering a score of 90% from experts. Although ALDI's Remano brand didn't fare as well, it still wasn't bad at 82%.

• Everyday items

Everyday things from ALDI are reasonably priced, and some of them perform on par with or better than brand-name goods. CHOICE experts suggest ALDI's Confidence Samson paper towels (but not Absorbit or Confidence Mighty Roll) and Confidence Hypoallergenic pocket tissue packs (but skip the 2-ply facial tissues - these only scored 51%). Despite only scoring 71%, ALDI's Confidence Extra Soft toilet paper is still a very safe pick. However, you should avoid the expensive shea butter variety and the 2-ply kind as they didn't perform well.

• Toilet cleaner

You'd think it would be preferable to spend as much money as possible on items for cleaning the toilet bowl, but in CHOICE's toilet cleaners assessment, White King and ALDI tied for first place, with the ALDI product costing less than half as much.

Items you should avoid (or at least tread carefully with):

• TV

Denis Gallagher, CHOICE's resident TV expert, warned against purchasing a TV from ALDI.

"Over the years, Aldi has delivered quite excellent value on TVs, but nowadays there's more competition and costs are coming down across the board," he said.

"You're better off going with a branded device - the Aldi TVs we've tested in the past have had varied outcomes."

• Soundbars

The Bauhn soundbar sold by ALDI is best avoided as well. In CHOICE's soundbars test, it received a subpar score of 67%, with experts advising that you can purchase a better-performing soundbar for the same price.

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting, but ultimately unwise purchase at $120. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Capsule coffee machine

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting purchase at just $120, but it performed poorly in CHOICE's assessments of coffee makers, receiving a mere 45% rating.

• Surface cleaners

When experts from CHOICE tested multipurpose cleaning sprays, neither Aldi's Power Force Pro nor its Green Action multipurpose cleaners cracked the 50% threshold, scoring just 49% and 45%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the window cleaning category, ALDI's glass cleaner received a disappointing 42%, well below Windex's 81%, which received the highest grade.

• Vacuum cleaners

When ALDI revealed it would sell the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 900 robot vacuum cleaner for $399 (retail price is $999), eyes lit up all around Australia. So, is Aldi a good place to buy a robot vacuum? We don't want to ruin the fun, but this isn't the piece of tech that will fulfil all of your housekeeping fantasies.

Although this bargain is difficult to pass up, CHOICE experts believe there are much better options on the market if you're ready to spend a little more. It received a mere 39% in the assessment of robot vacuum cleaners.

So, there you have it, folks! Be sure to check out the reviews before you purchase these items so you can get the best value for money.

What are your thoughts on this? Any Aldi recommendations - whether positive or negative - to add? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Peirsol]

The Ferrex items sold by Aldi were not mentioned in this article, but I am totally wrapped in the Ferrex Cordless Lawnmower. I actually got it on a super special of $199.00 about 9 months ago. Prior to this I had ordered a Bosch cordless mower through Amazon. it worked twice and then refused to start. Checked everything I could but would not work, so returned it (and Amazon were amazing with the return and gave me a full refund of over $400 and free freight for the return). The Ferrex mower was less than half the cost of the Bosch, has a wider mowing circle and is easy to navigate around the yard. Has twin batteries which charge fairly fast and well and truly last to mow my whole yard. Love this mower.

 

[rehandra]

The Ferrex items sold by Aldi were not mentioned in this article, but I am totally wrapped in the Ferrex Cordless Lawnmower. I actually got it on a super special of $199.00 about 9 months ago. Prior to this I had ordered a Bosch cordless mower through Amazon. it worked twice and then refused to start. Checked everything I could but would not work, so returned it (and Amazon were amazing with the return and gave me a full refund of over $400 and free freight for the return). The Ferrex mower was less than half the cost of the Bosch, has a wider mowing circle and is easy to navigate around the yard. Has twin batteries which charge fairly fast and well and truly last to mow my whole yard. Love this mower.

Wow sounds so fantastic...sorry I no longer have a lawn to mow LOL

 

[Esma Rose]

you all know I have had Aldi in two stores from its inception, Croydon & Chirnside Park. Even our 2 TVs have had nothing wrong with them, so how lucky can we be all this time.

 

[Thecla]

I was quite excited when Aldi finally opened a store in our regional Town (yeah, I need to get a life!!) but I was also wary of its location as parking in that particular shopping center has always been difficult. Enlisting my husbands help (he parks way better than I do, is great in supermarkets, wheels the trolley around and puts everything on the conveyor belt, as well as being happy to pack the bags) I bounced through the doors only to be really disappointed that all the great products that I had been hearing so much about were nowhere in sight. I was really unhappy with the available range, could not find any of the products that I was looking for and do not get me started on the chaotic way that everything is scanned at the checkout.
Talked with some friends in the car park and their views were the same as mine, as far as I know none of us have been back to the store and are still shopping at either Woolies or Coles

I use to work at woolies and enjoyed the small staff discount when I shopped there. I was loyal When Aldi opened up in the same town my hubby influenced me to shop there. I really didn't want to I still worked at Woolies and what about my 5% discount for being an employee and also the discount petrol ticket (same as everyone else here gets) I folded!!! with trusty shopping list in hand I entered the store, by the time I got to the end of the first aisle I had nothing in my trolley and was quite agitated....we left and went back to woolies. About 18 months later we went to France and as we were fending for ourselves for about 10 days had to do shopping. So off to the supermarket we went. Lidle (sp) was the name and a sister shop to Aldi. WE WERE IMPRESSED. When arriving back home we gave Aldi another try and wow the experience was great. and I saved $70 on my shop, which filled my car with petrol. Yes ok I couldn't buy absolutely everything there and had to get some things from Woolies, but not very much but that $70 bux in my hot little hands more than satisfied me. And now....Aldi are ploughing ahead with more and more products. Yes some weeks the shelves are a little bare, I put that down to shopping on a Monday when the shelves are stocked either Thursday or Friday and of course the supply chain issues. There are still some things I go to Woolies for but overall I am very pleased with Aldi.....oh oh oh and the aisle of enchantment...what a delight they are.

 

[Lizzy]

Yeah, yeah - we totally get it - you’re sick of hearing about the increasing price of groceries (and just about everything else). We are too. We’re all feeling the pinch of inflation, which is why many are turning to social media to hunt for advice on how to lower their bills.

One of the popular money-saving tricks claims that you can save a few dollars by switching between supermarket stores ⁠— a practice that encourages you to shop around for similar items and stretch your money a little further..

Several users suggested that making the switch to ALDI has helped them save heaps of money, with one mum even claiming to have cut her annual grocery bill by a whopping $15,000 after making the decision to become a loyal customer of the German budget retailer.

While it's true that ALDI is offering some of the most tempting affordable alternatives, are the goods actually… well, any good?

Well, if you're curious to know the answer to this lingering question, we've got good news for you!

Consumer advocacy group Choice has put in the hard yards of investigating and testing some of ALDI's best-performing and popular products and contrasted them with some other ALDI products that you should probably think twice about before purchasing.

Several users claimed that they managed to cut down their grocery bills by making the switch to ALDI. Credit: CHOICE.​

So, without further ado, here are the best and not-so-good items you can purchase at ALDI:

Good buys:

• Dishwasher tablets

ALDI has some of the best performers in the cleaning category. The Logix Platinum 18-in-1 Dishwashing Tablets won the overall top score from CHOICE, besting leading brands that cost almost twice as much. Another item that CHOICE suggests is the Unamat Dishwashing Liquid from Aldi. It delivered the same results as some more well-known brands but costs much less.

• Laundry detergent

ALDI's Almat Laundry Powder Concentrate produces excellent results whether you have a front loader or top loader. The retailer's washing powder tied for the first spot in the top loader category and placed second in the front loader tests of CHOICE's laundry detergent review. The group recommends the item for both front and top loaders. (Aldi's liquid detergents didn't work quite as well so it is better to opt for the powder instead.)

• Gourmet ice cream

Need a reason to put a treat in the cart? Let us give you a good one! CHOICE taste-tested and ranked several premium vanilla ice creams, and Aldi's Monarc Indulge Vanilla Opulence came out on top. It's also the most affordable at $4.49 — less than half the cost of Connoisseur's Classic Vanilla — which achieved the same rating but costs $10! According to CHOICE experts, the ice cream from Aldi offers "a lovely, creamy mouthfeel and lingering flavour."

• Peanut butter

Aldi's Bramwell Peanut Butter Smooth won CHOICE's taste test for peanut butter, edging out renowned brands like Kraft, Bega, and Pic's. Along with its fantastic taste, the spread was also the least expensive peanut butter in the whole test.

• Chocolate

With a high score of 81%, Aldi's Moser Roth milk chocolate easily defeated well-known and even some upscale brands including Cadbury, Lindt, Darrell Lea, and Whittakers. (Lindt, the next-highest scorer, finished with a score of 77%). And if you decide to "embrace the dark side", Aldi has you covered with its Just Organic 70% dark chocolate and Moser Roth Finest Dark 70% cocoa, both of which came highly rated in CHOICE's taste test for dark chocolate.

ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted proved that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Butter

CHOICE revealed that ALDI's Beautifully Butterfully Butter Unsalted tied for first place in the unsalted butter category, demonstrating that superior flavour does not always have to come at a premium price. Despite costing nearly half as much as Lurpak, it obtained the same rating as the pricier brand.

• Hummus

ALDI's Deli Originals Fresh Traditional Style Hummus was the least expensive out of all the products CHOICE tested yet it still received the highest overall rating. CHOICE experts revealed that the item edged out more expensive brands Black Swan and Obela.

• Olive Oil

CHOICE's taste test for olive oils revealed that the best Australian olive oil can be purchased for a reasonable price. ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate, demonstrating that domestic olive oil can hold its own against imported oils while being far less expensive.

ALDI's homegrown "The Olive Tree" held its own against more well-known brands like Bertolli and Cobram Estate. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Sauces

ALDI's Colway Creamy Squeezy Mayonnaise came in third overall in CHOICE's condiment taste test. It competed favourably with well-known gourmet brands such as Praise, Kewpie, and S&W. ALDI also performed well in the tomato sauce test, coming in at the lowest price while still earning the CHOICE Recommended label.

• Pasta

ALDI's Just Organic Spaghetti received high marks in CHOICE's pasta test, garnering a score of 90% from experts. Although ALDI's Remano brand didn't fare as well, it still wasn't bad at 82%.

• Everyday items

Everyday things from ALDI are reasonably priced, and some of them perform on par with or better than brand-name goods. CHOICE experts suggest ALDI's Confidence Samson paper towels (but not Absorbit or Confidence Mighty Roll) and Confidence Hypoallergenic pocket tissue packs (but skip the 2-ply facial tissues - these only scored 51%). Despite only scoring 71%, ALDI's Confidence Extra Soft toilet paper is still a very safe pick. However, you should avoid the expensive shea butter variety and the 2-ply kind as they didn't perform well.

• Toilet cleaner

You'd think it would be preferable to spend as much money as possible on items for cleaning the toilet bowl, but in CHOICE's toilet cleaners assessment, White King and ALDI tied for first place, with the ALDI product costing less than half as much.

Items you should avoid (or at least tread carefully with):

• TV

Denis Gallagher, CHOICE's resident TV expert, warned against purchasing a TV from ALDI.

"Over the years, Aldi has delivered quite excellent value on TVs, but nowadays there's more competition and costs are coming down across the board," he said.

"You're better off going with a branded device - the Aldi TVs we've tested in the past have had varied outcomes."

• Soundbars

The Bauhn soundbar sold by ALDI is best avoided as well. In CHOICE's soundbars test, it received a subpar score of 67%, with experts advising that you can purchase a better-performing soundbar for the same price.

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting, but ultimately unwise purchase at $120. Credit: CHOICE.​

• Capsule coffee machine

ALDI's Expressi Multi-Beverage Capsule Machine 595 is a tempting purchase at just $120, but it performed poorly in CHOICE's assessments of coffee makers, receiving a mere 45% rating.

• Surface cleaners

When experts from CHOICE tested multipurpose cleaning sprays, neither Aldi's Power Force Pro nor its Green Action multipurpose cleaners cracked the 50% threshold, scoring just 49% and 45%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the window cleaning category, ALDI's glass cleaner received a disappointing 42%, well below Windex's 81%, which received the highest grade.

• Vacuum cleaners

When ALDI revealed it would sell the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 900 robot vacuum cleaner for $399 (retail price is $999), eyes lit up all around Australia. So, is Aldi a good place to buy a robot vacuum? We don't want to ruin the fun, but this isn't the piece of tech that will fulfil all of your housekeeping fantasies.

Although this bargain is difficult to pass up, CHOICE experts believe there are much better options on the market if you're ready to spend a little more. It received a mere 39% in the assessment of robot vacuum cleaners.

So, there you have it, folks! Be sure to check out the reviews before you purchase these items so you can get the best value for money.

What are your thoughts on this? Any Aldi recommendations - whether positive or negative - to add? Share them with us in the comments below!

I stop in every couple of weeks and try a new product, but honestly can't find anything I really like better or priced better, their tasty cheese tasted alright but the pack was smaller, so cheaper than what I usually buy. The cooking bacon was advertised made in Australia but of 100% imported ingredients