I tried toilet paper from Aldi, Tesco, M&S & more - 1 was softer than Andrex

Daily Mirror

4 days ago

Retailing at 50p per toilet roll, this M&S one was super soft and nice to the touch (Image: Angela Patrone)
The humble loo roll can often spark debate, with some preferring softness while others value thickness. However, prices have soared in recent years, especially for market leaders like Andrex.
Supermarkets nationwide, from Aldi to Sainsbury's, have now introduced their own brands to compete with these industry titans. Quilted, super soft, luxury, budget-friendly, and even aloe vera-infused - there's something to cater to everyone's taste.
With such a wide variety of choices, picking the perfect one can be quite a conundrum. To save you the trouble, we've tested everyday toilet papers from all major supermarkets to determine which provide the best quality and value for money.
To ensure a fair comparison, I bought 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. I also evaluated how easily they ripped under pressure, reports the Express.
Aldi's (on left) toilet roll has an almost identical wave pattern to Andrex (on right) (Image: Angela Patrone)
Andrex has been the brand I've always reached for as it does the job pretty efficiently, but given that it costs £2.95 for four rolls, I don't think the price justifies it.
This toilet paper features a unique 3D wave texture, which boosts its resistance to tearing. However, the thickness is somewhat lacking; it's soft, but at two-ply, it doesn't quite measure up to other brands.
Rating: 7/10
The budget-friendly supermarket Aldi presents its own range of toilet rolls, from soft to premium softness. Unfortunately, only the "luxury" softer range was available for review.
Echoing Andrex's wave pattern, this £1.39 roll doesn't quite hit the mark in terms of quality, struggling with water absorption and tearing more readily. Nevertheless, its low price makes it an attractive option.
Rating: 6/10
Retailing for the same price as Aldi's toilet roll, Lidl's Floralys ended up being worse. While the paper is tough and thick, it is also rough and scratchy. Contrary to its "luxury soft" claim, Lidl's product fails to impress in the comfort department.
Rating: 4/10
Asda's toilet roll was of better quality than Lidl's (Image: Angela Patrone)
The Tesco toilet paper was quite resistant and didn't split when wet (Image: Angela Patrone)
At £1.38, Asda's toilet paper represents good value for money, feeling robust without succumbing to tears. It's gentle to the touch and performs well in water absorption tests. A solid pick for those looking to trim their grocery expenses.
Rating: 8/10
The Tesco toilet paper was quite resistant and didn't split when wet. I found that it had similar absorbency to Andrex, although the softness was lacking.
Costing the same as Aldi and Lidl, this was better than both of them, so this a a great value option to go for.
Rating: 6.5/10
Standing out for its commitment to the environment, it was the only brand presented in paper packaging, earning it praise as the top eco-friendly choice.
Sainsbury's £1.90 version felt soft and thicker than Andrex, although not quite as smooth.
It had average performance in the water test, with the paper splitting under a small amount of pressure when wet.
Rating: 8/10
Sainsbury's £1.90 version felt soft and thicker than Andrex (Image: Angela Patrone)
The Waitrose toilet paper was pretty absorbent, but I would have expected better from a £2 pack (Image: Angela Patrone)
Morrisons' toilet paper felt very smooth and soft. Unfortunately, it didn't do well in the water tests as it fell apart easily when it was wet. For the price of £1.75, I wouldn't say they're worth the spend.
Rating: 6/10
This toilet paper was soft and nicely detailed, but the two-ply sheets were small and tore very easily. Despite showing good absorbency, one might expect a bit more luxury from a £2 packet at this upmarket retailer.
Rating: 7.5/10
Faced with a selection of loo rolls, I came across Spring Meadow with its "delicate" floral pattern and Shining Stars featuring celestial motifs. Opting for the super soft type, it boasted triple-ply sheets.
At 50p per roll, this option stood out for its exceptional softness and strength, attributed to its three layers.
Environmentally aware shoppers will be pleased to know it includes at least 15% recycled material, blending indulgence with eco-friendliness.
Rating: 9/10
Retailing at 50p per toilet roll, this M&S one was super soft and nice to the touch (Image: Angela Patrone)
Following this experiment, I can confidently declare that I've switched loyalties from Andrex to M&S's toilet paper. It's not just softer than Andrex, but also boasts a thicker texture.
While £2 may seem a bit much for toilet tissue, opting for Waitrose won't compromise on quality compared to Andrex. For those watching their budget, Asda's £1.38 offering is my recommendation.