13 Things You Should Get at Aldi Instead of Walmart

Walmart has built a reputation on "everyday low prices," and for the most part, it delivers. But if you automatically assume Walmart is always the cheapest option, you could be leaving money on the table.

Thanks to its no-frills model, smaller stores, and heavy focus on private labels, Aldi undercuts Walmart on a surprising number of household essentials. From pantry staples to paper goods, these 13 items let you save money at Aldi, and the savings add up quickly over the course of a year.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Paper towels

Aldi: $5.95 per six rolls

Walmart: $8.12 per six rolls

Paper towels come in handy for tackling everyday messes, big and small, but it's the price discrepancy that's the shocker here. It's a lot cheaper to stock up on six Boulder two-ply rolls at Aldi without sacrificing absorbency or quality.

Paying two dollars more for six two-ply Great Value brand rolls isn't worth it when you consider you're not getting anything extra in the deal.

Applesauce

Aldi: $2.15 per six cups

Walmart: $2.57 per six cups

That's a savings of 42 cents per pack, which can add up if applesauce is a regular item on your grocery list.

Stocking up at Aldi is an easy way to spend less on a family-friendly snack. The single-serve cups also make portioning easy and help cut down on snack prep.

Toilet paper

Aldi: $8.79 per 12 rolls

Walmart: $9.98 per 12 rolls

Many Walmart shoppers are shocked to realize that paper products are actually cheaper at Aldi. After all, Walmart prides itself on low everyday prices for non-negotiables.

At $0.73 per roll, Aldi's soft and strong bath tissue is $0.10 cheaper than its Great Value competitor, which is enough to save you big in the long run.

Bottled water

Aldi: $3.55 per 24-pack

Walmart: $3.97 per 24-pack

That's a savings of 42 cents per case, which can add up if you regularly buy bottled water for your household.

It's another simple way to trim your grocery bill without giving up convenience. Bottled water is a great option to offer at parties and get-togethers. It's also essential to keep on hand for weather-related emergencies or power outages.

Trash bags

Aldi: $6.59 per 40-count

Walmart: $7.44 per 40-count

For this comparison, we looked at the Boulder 40-count product from Aldi and the Great Value 40-count product from Walmart.

It makes sense to save $0.85 for every 40 bags you buy. Since they're nonperishable, it's not like they'll go to waste so you can stock up and really see the savings.

Pasta

Aldi: $1.25 per pound

Walmart: $1.88 per pound

Pasta is an affordable, easy-to-store pantry staple and source of healthy carbs.

Aldi's Reggano rotini pasta is made in Italy, just like Walmart's more well-known Barilla rotini, so you're not missing out on the authentic taste and texture by paying $0.63 less per pound.

Cookies

Aldi: $2.35

Walmart: $2.57

To make things easy, we've picked the same cookie style to compare across store brands: striped shortbread cookies.

Aldi's cookies cost 22 cents less than Walmart's, giving shoppers a small but easy way to save on a sweet treat. If cookies are a regular addition to your grocery cart, those savings can add up over time.

Apples

Aldi: $1.99 per 3-pound bag

Walmart: $2.18 per 3-pound bag

We picked affordable Gala apples at both stores. The price difference is small, but Aldi still comes out ahead.

If you're wondering about the quality of Aldi's produce, social media users constantly praise the "quality and freshness" of fruit and vegetables, which they find "last much longer" than Walmart's offerings.

Coconut oil

Aldi: $5.75 per 14-ounce jar

Walmart: $7.27 per 14-ounce jar

That's a savings of $1.52 on the same amount of product, making Aldi the better choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

Coconut oil is a versatile pantry staple that can be used for baking, cooking, and sautéing. If you use it regularly, buying it at Aldi can help keep grocery costs down.

Organic black beans

Aldi: $1.05 per can

Walmart: $1.13 per can

While the difference is only 8 cents, choosing Aldi can still help you save when buying multiple cans.

Black beans are an affordable pantry staple that works well in tacos, burrito bowls, soups, salads, and other easy meals. Keeping a few cans on hand makes it simple to add protein and fiber to your favorite dishes without spending much.

Chicken breasts

Aldi: $3.29 per pound

Walmart: $4.92 per pound

Fresh chicken breast is a must-buy at Aldi. One pound of Kirkwood antibiotic-free chicken breast is $1.63 cheaper at Aldi than Walmart's similar Guaranteed Fresh chicken breast.

That's a significant discount, especially for families who go through several pounds of chicken each week. Use it for everything from grilled chicken and salads to casseroles and stir-fries.

Butter

Aldi: $4.39 per 8 ounces

Walmart: $4.96 per 8 ounces

Do you love Irish butter? Then, you know the creamy taste and luxury price are unmatched by domestic products.

While cheaper butter options are available at both stores, Aldi's Countryside Creamery product won accolades in 2020 for its delicious taste despite costing less per pound than Walmart's Kerrygold butter.

Coffee

Aldi: $0.52 per ounce

Walmart: $0.53 per ounce

Comparing store-brand 100% Colombian medium-dark ground coffee from Aldi and Walmart reveals that Aldi's Barissimo is $0.01 cheaper per ounce than the Walmart equivalent.

This isn't a huge win, but if you're an avid coffee drinker and enjoy a robust roast, it's a better deal to buy coffee at Aldi.

Bottom line

While Walmart still wins in the name-brand and one-stop convenience categories, Aldi often comes ahead on essentials. Its private-label products match national brands in quality while costing significantly less, making it a strong choice for shoppers who want to save money on groceries.

Before assuming a store is always cheaper, compare your most frequently purchased items at both retailers. Sometimes, alternating between Aldi and Walmart for specific categories (like buying pantry staples at Aldi and name-brand items at Walmart) can help you maximize savings.

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