In a detailed investigation, we rigorously tested 19 different kitchen rolls available in supermarkets to determine which offers the best value for money. Kitchen roll is a household staple used daily for tasks like mopping up spills, wiping surfaces, and storing food, yet discerning the most cost-effective option can be challenging. Over the past week, our testers spilled a quarter cup of black coffee on a kitchen worktop and measured how many sheets were required to achieve a squeaky clean finish, providing insights into efficiency and affordability.
Key Findings from the Kitchen Roll Test
The results revealed a clear trend: while premium brands demonstrated superior performance in terms of fewer sheets needed, the cheapest supermarket essentials rolls delivered better overall value for money. These budget options required significantly more sheets, but their lower price per sheet offset this disadvantage, making them more economical in the long run. However, if premium brands are on sale, the value equation could shift, highlighting the importance of checking for promotions.
Top Performers and Worst Performers
Best Kitchen Roll (Least Sheets Needed): Regina emerged as the most efficient roll, requiring only three sheets to clean up the spill, with two sheets doing an adequate job. This premium option is among the most expensive, priced at £4.74 for two rolls of supersized sheets, or 3.4p per sheet, resulting in a total cleanup cost of 10.2p.
Worst Kitchen Roll (Most Sheets Needed): Morrisons Savers roll ranked at the bottom, needing seven of its 240 sheets to clean the spill. At 0.49p per sheet, the total cleanup cost was 3.43p, which is much less than Regina but not the cheapest overall.
Cost Analysis of Cleaning Up
Most Expensive to Clean Up: Plenty, a well-known brand, cost 13.1p to clean the mess, requiring five sheets at 2.62p per sheet.
Cheapest to Clean Up: Lidl, Asda, and Sainsbury's essential ranges, along with Buffalo, all cost 2.94p to soak up the coffee, making them the most affordable options in the test.
Detailed Results and Observations
The test uncovered several interesting nuances. For instance, there was little difference between budget and own-brand rolls at Tesco and Sainsbury's, suggesting consumers can save money by opting for the budget versions in these supermarkets without sacrificing performance. All prices were based on packs of two kitchen rolls or the nearest equivalent, with the cheapest available prices hunted down, excluding any supermarket promotions.
Notable Brands and Their Performance
- Regina: Priced at £4.74 from Asda, with sheets measuring 32.0cm x 26.5cm, it felt thicker and more robust, requiring three sheets for cleanup.
- Nicky: Available at £2.95 from Ocado, it needed four sheets, with sheets measuring 21cm x 22.1cm, making it smaller but cheaper than Regina.
- Flash: Sold at £3.50 from Morrisons, it required four sheets, with slightly larger sheets than standard and a heavier feel.
- Plenty: Priced at £4.98 from Asda, it was hard to open and needed five sheets, with standard-sized sheets of 22.5cm x 22.5cm.
- M&S: At £2.50, it performed better than average with five sheets needed, despite thinner and smaller sheets.
- Aldi Power Force: The cheapest in the top 10 at £1.75, it required six sheets and had slightly bigger, thicker sheets than Lidl.
- Lidl Essential: Priced at £1.19, it needed six sheets and felt slightly thinner than Aldi's option.
- Morrisons Savers: At £1.19, it required seven sheets, with smaller sheets measuring 20.8cm x 20cm, ranking as the worst performer.
Conclusion and Recommendations
This comprehensive test underscores that while premium kitchen rolls like Regina offer superior efficiency, budget-friendly options from supermarkets such as Lidl, Asda, and Sainsbury's provide better value for everyday use. Consumers should consider their specific needs and look out for discounts on premium brands to maximize savings. For more tips and personal finance news, explore our Money blog for additional insights and guides.
