'We compared supermarket toilet roll - one cheaper brand was softer than Andrex'

Daily Mirror

18-05-2025

From Andrex to supermarket own brands from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S, there seems to be a toilet paper for everyone - but which is the best value for your money? We put them to the test to find out...
The debate over toilet paper can often be contentious, with some favouring softness while others prioritising thickness. However, the cost of this everyday essential has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly for market-leading brands such as Andrex.
Supermarkets across the nation, including Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S, have now introduced their own brands to compete with these industry giants. Whether you're after quilted, super soft, luxury, super saver or even aloe vera-infused rolls, there's something to suit everyone's preferences.
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With such a vast array of options available, selecting the perfect loo roll can be quite the puzzle. To spare you the guesswork, we've put everyday toilet papers from all the major supermarkets to the test to determine which offer the best quality and value for money, reports the Express.
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To ensure a fair comparison, we purchased a four-pack of standard toilet rolls from each supermarket, folded two sheets from each roll together and squirted them each with an equal amount of water. We also assessed how easily they tore when subjected to a bit of pressure...
Andrex
Andrex has always been our go-to brand as it gets the job done rather effectively. However, considering it costs £2.95 for a pack of four rolls, we're not convinced that the price is justified.
It features a unique 3D wave texture, which prevents it from tearing too easily, but the paper's thickness leaves much to be desired. While it scores well on softness, it only boasts two ply compared to some of the other brands.
Aldi
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The budget-friendly supermarket chain is offering its own brand toilet paper in soft, softer, softest, and softest premium varieties; however, we only managed to spot the softer range, labelled as "luxury" toilet roll.
Despite boasting a design strikingly similar to that of Andrex, the £1.39 lavvy roll doesn't quite match up in quality with poor water absorption and a tendency to tear too easily – but it's not without its merits, being just shy of the mark in terms of overall performance and offering a more wallet-friendly alternative.
Lidl
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Priced the same as Aldi's bathroom tissue, Lidl's Floralys proved to be the less impressive choice. The paper may be robust and thick, but it disappoints with its coarse and abrasive texture, failing to live up to its "luxury soft" billing.
Asda
On the other hand, Asda's loo roll, at £1.38, represents solid value for money, proving to be sturdy and unlikely to rip upon use. It felt gentle on the skin and does a commendable job of soaking up moisture. A worthy pick for those keen to pare down their shopping expenditure.
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Tesco
Tesco's own toilet paper displayed admirable strength and didn't come apart when subjected to water. In my experience, its absorbency was on par with Andrex, but it fell short in the softness stakes. Yet, priced in line with offerings from Aldi and Lidl, Tesco's version emerges as the superior budget-friendly option.
Sainsbury's
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Meanwhile, Sainsbury's £1.90 variant was noticeably softer and thicker than Andrex's, albeit not quite as velvety. It put on an ordinary show in the water test, breaking down under minimal pressure when drenched.
A noteworthy perk is its paper packaging – a unique feature among the rolls tested, making it an excellent selection for the environmentally conscious shopper.
Morrisons
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The Morrisons own-brand loo roll may feel sumptuously smooth and gentle, but it tanked in the soggy test – disintegrating at the merest hint of moisture. You'd expect more bang for your buck than what the £1.75 price suggests.
Waitrose
Waitrose's offering boasts a plush feel with an embossed pattern to boot, yet those two-ply sheets are miserably small and prone to early tears, hardly justifying their £2 price tag from the posh supermarket.
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M&S
Marks and Sparks is our usual haunt for foodie delights and tasty tipples, renowned for their top-notch quality and exquisite finds. But buying household staples there seemed like a wallet-wrenching idea until now.
In the toilet roll section, Spring Meadow teased with a "delicate" floral motif, while Shining Stars dazzled with starry designs. We were drawn to the super soft option brandishing triple-layered luxury. At a 50p per roll cost, M&S's plush tissue was not only tender to the touch but also impressively resilient, thanks to its triple-layer build.
Our review - it's Andrex who?
After these trials, we're wholeheartedly sold on M&S loo roll! It trumps Andrex's offerings with superior softness and robust three-ply construction.
While spending £2 on toilet paper might be unnecessary, this switch ensures that quality is not sacrificed. For those on a tight budget, we recommend opting for Asda 's £1.38 toilet paper.