When I was married my wife used to buy only the most expensive stuff. Everything had to be branded, free range or organic. Needless to say our food bills were horrendous. One item she didn't like though was the branded Weetabix. She actually preferred the taste of the shop own brands. Now that we're divorced I can buy all the shops own branded stuff all I want. Being single has saved me a fortune! 😂

So, if you have 2 (whatever bix ha) daily. The Weetabix branded ones would cost £91.25. The Asda ones would cost you £23.42. That's an annual saving of £67.83. Not to be sniffed at, the way food prices are going. Another really useful video. 👍

I haven't bought brand name cereals for over 20 years. The way I look at it is "I'm paying for the product, I'm not going to pay for the design on the box anymore." It's saved me a fortune over the years. I used to wonder why some of my neighbours used to spend so much on shopping, it was because they always bought brand named products. I used to buy Rice Krispies when my daughter was still a child as she used to kick off with a temper tantrum if I tried to buy a cheaper version. I know it seems mean but I started to buy the Smartprice ones and put them in a Rice Krispies pack hoping she wouldn't notice. It worked! Sometimes you have to be a bit sneaky with kids to get them to accept that the cheaper version. 😉

This guy should have his own TV show. Very engaging and very informative. Great video

You're doing wonders for people on a budget. Keep up the good work👍

Australia. I worked part-time for Sanitarium in their "Weetbix" making - seeing what was going into making your version of them. After finishing Uni, I worked for 10 years in accounts/procurement. We made our flagship "Weetbix" but with the same ingredients and portions - put them in whatever box our supermarkets wanted, to which they sold at a cheaper price. Our price to suppliers was the same.

It's no myth that name-brand and own-brand are often the same product. Back in the 90's, I worked on a video project which explained the operation of automated bottle filllers. Name-brand orange juice cartons and supermarket own-brand cartons were filled from the same source. It's the same with non-food items such as shampoo.

Since a child I have been mixing 3 Weetabix in a bowl with hot milk, I now do it with Asda Smart Price Wheat Bisks, absolutely a no brainer!!

Aldi has some belters too! Aldi cheerio’s are spot on and a fraction of the price,I’m normally a brand person but these much lower priced ones have caught up a lot and in today’s price crazy world I’m going for the cheaper ones 👍🏻

Your Sir are a HERO! This is my kind of review, saving us foodies money. As may foodies will no doubt comment on, what’s in a name? It really does show how much we’re being ripped off, (almost) same statistics, same weight, probably manufactured by the same company? The one thing to be grateful for is that the supermarkets have budget brands! Can you imagine a supermarket that sold nothing but budget brand (white label) goods that were as good as the big-name brands? Such a supermarket would never be able to keep up with demand, especially these days. Another superb review Gareth, thank you. Keep it up pal.

Yes it's a no brainer, 77p for exactly the same product. That's a massive saving, there's a good chance they are made in the same factory. Just boxed up for different brands.

The Smart Price ones are excellent, but the higher tier Asda brand ones (Confusingly, also called Wheat Bisks.) are 100% indistinguishable from Weetabix. Shape, texture, taste. It's just Weetabix in a different box. Same goes with the Aldi, Lidl and Tesco ones. £1.50, from Asda, so if anybody is a bit fussy over the cheapest ones, it's still a £1.50 saving. I fail to see why anybody would waste money on the identical branded product, purely for the box art.

The funny thing is, the cheapest one is much healthier because of the low salt and sugar. Unfortunately I can't eat anything with any sweetener in at all, but that sugar content is so low that it might not be so much of a problem. Something that also surprised me is the same weight for both. The weetabix looks larger and thicker so it can't have more actual nutritional content in. Great idea seeing the comparisons, it's really helpful and I'm looking forward to seeing more. Cheers. :)

Just came across your videos a few days ago and I'm so glad I did. Your videos are a real eye opener, seeing all the ingredients and comparisons is unbelievable!!! You have totally changed how I will shop in future. Thank you so much for taking the time to do these videos. I'm sure this has been a huge help to a lot of struggling families. God Bless you xx

Thanks foodie guy for taking the time to do these comparisons, you are already saving me money

I love your videos - you're so entertaining and candid. I went and bought the Asda ones this afternoon - I'm totally converted, so thanks! I toured a famous biscuit factory last year (I work in advertising) and the non-branded products are often just a slight tweak on the branded versions; made and packaged under the same roof as the big names. With the branded products - much of the price difference is for funding their multi-million £ marketing budgets. Thanks for helping to save us money with your channel!

If you cook both cereals in hot milk instead of eating it cold and straight as is, you'll notice a significant difference in texture and taste. I always head for the cheaper brands as price is often a reflection to branding. However, concerning this food type specifically and when cooked, the cheaper one is what I imagine eating bits of cardboard is like. There is always undissolved pieces of what feels like wood-chips, it's an unpleasant eating experience and the taste isn't great. I only buy Weetabix when on offer. I don't agree with such a steep price but I do find the texture and taste more pleasing.

Hi, Gareth. Thanks for another extensive review. This is an eye opener. Just goes to show how some people pay extra for the branded stuff when own brand is just as good. Definitely not a cereal killer lol. Keep up the spot on work. Best wishes from Scotland.

hi gareth, this is exactly what was needed luv, someone doing comparisions just shows whats real etc, well done

I buy aldi,s just as good & Yes I use to put butter on em as a child too

Thanks for this, Gareth. I really thought the Weetabix would be heavier - it shows how looks can be deceiving! I hardly ever buy branded food anymore. Always try the cheaper version of everything, you might like it, and you could save £££'s! On the other hand if its crap, then you haven't wasted too much money, but 9 times out 10 its going to be fine.

Hi Gareth. You've convinced me. Its now added to my shopping list. Ive never really tried smart price stuff that much but youve made people aware that some of it is good. I already get the asda cheap chilli con carme thanks to you. Looks like this is now going to be another regular item on my list too. I do like my Weetabix (but spread with with butter.on though) . So this, thanks to your wonderful review, is defientley worth checking out. Cheers Gareth. 👍.

I used to always buy Weetabix, but when they started getting expensive years ago I started buying the store branded ones and there was no difference and now over 15yrs later I still buy the cheaper brand and I've done it with lots of different cereals over the years.

Usually with the cheaper food options they are the ones with more salt or sugar, so this is quite a surprise. Nicely done, dude. This is how direct comparisons should be - direct, simple and factual.

Love your vids and the truth about what we pay as a nation, thank you Gareth 👌👌

well, its about time! gareth , , you are a hero sir! i have been saying this for years and as far as i know, this has not yet been done on youtube. at the end of the day, weetabix have the trademark and the fancy brand name packaging, but that is all they have. without it they would be just like any other company large or small producing cereals. the side by side info comparisons worked, the difference in packaging is negligible, the taste difference is non existent, and the rate at which the belly fills up is identical. it annoys me that some people wont buy the identical cheap versions just because it is not in a bright yellow brand name box. they should by the cheap ones and fill their empty yellow boxes with them, one will ever know the difference. BRILLIANT REVIEW GARETH. hats off to you mate!

I usually get supermarket brand Asda ones not the Smartprice ones are literally Weetabix in a different box I like the Asda's own of Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes

I learned my lesson on buying branded when I was 16 working in an ice cream factory. Used to make Arctic Rolls, sponge on the outside and ice cream on the inside. I remember them stopping the machine that wrapped them in cellophane in the middle of a run, changed the plastic and changed the boxes they were put in. Exactly the same rolls on the conveyor. One was going to Fulton's selling at about 30p and the other was going elsewhere (I forget where now) but they sold at £1.50 EXACTLY the same product, from the same factory.

When I was a kid in the 70's my mother ate Weetabix with butter on and all the family ate Weetabix with boiling water and a dash of milk, and before everybody thinks yuk it's only like ready break of porridge. Mind you my husband of 33 years thinks it's disgusting...🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Great review a change from the usual stuff and cheeper on the fuel bill 😜

I like mine absolutely soaked in milk! 🍼 But, you're bang on. Tesco's do their own brand too, but they do an even cheaper brand, by the name of "Stockwell," (rectangular shaped) which are even cheaper. I'm buggered if I can tell the difference between them and the proprietary brand........and in these days of rising prices, it's a no brainer!

Yes ref just changing wrappers my mum used to work in a biscuit, crisp factory in the 1960s and 70s. She used to say they just changed the wrappers for the different companies and that was in those days. She said for M&S that they used a slightly better standard of potato with crisps but that was all. Therefore knew this from being very young and have never been a brand snob!

Fab review- and something I can eat, haha! Other than the packaging, the shape and of course the price, it's a no brainer and you couldn't tell the difference. We already buy Asda own brand Fruit and Fibre cereal and that is ace too. Btw. Same as you I can't eat any cereal once it goes soggy- other than porridge. Thanks for this comparison.

Hi Gareth, excellent vlog as always. What a saving! Just goes to show that branded products are sometimes a rip off! Can you also think about doing a comparison on walkers ready salted crisps and supermarkets own brand label as ive noticed that walkers crisps are £1.95p for a pkt of six. They have shot up in price. Keep up the good work my friend.

I recently bought Lidls Rice Krispies, couldn't tell the difference between them and Kelloggs. Bought Aldis Cornflakes, same as Kelloggs, 59p vs £2. Though I've not compared ingredients. I bought the Rice Krispies for Rice Krispie buns and Cornflakes for Cornflake nests. Saved me a bit of money. Very good video.

I do like them with warmed milk. It would have been interesting how they react to your milk. Just been to Aldi and helped myself to the tinned stew for dinner, not something I'ld usually buy but with extra white pepper and salt it' tremendous. Keep up the good work

I believe at this time where people need to choose between what they most need to spend money on in order to keep warm and everyone fed these videos are a public service! 👌

I get my cereals from Lidl. They taste fine and have pretty much the same ingredients just like the two in this video. Still do have the wheat bisks with butter on and maybe a bit of jam as well!

Having had both of those before, I think the only real difference is texture. The cheap ones are a little more coarse (but if you wait for the milk to soak in and mash them up they are completely identical)

I rem ever when Kwick Save was around,they did a range of budget foods called No Frills ,no fancy packaging or anything like that ,that was always pretty cheap 👍

It's mental how the popular food companies can charge so much more! It's all the same just fancier packaging! Great review as always 😁

Great comparison! Also worth noting, I once went down the whole breakfast cereal isle and almost EVERY cereal had LOADS of sugar and some salt (apart from Shredded Wheat which is inedible IMO without sugar or honey etc. on it). Get your kids on Weet Bix! :)

As supermarket brands become better and better, i wonder if the 'named' brands will feel the affect on sales and maybe reduce their prices? I buy Sainsbury's 'Dailys' cornflakes at 60p for 500g and they are amazing. Another great video Gareth, all the best to you, and i hope you and your family are well.

We used to buy Weetabix but they got very expensive so we went on to the TESCO cheapo brand. They tasted just the same to me. Back in the 1950's my mother used to pack me a couple of Weetabix for school mid-morning break. She spread them with butter and honey. Really enjoy these comparison videos!

Great video. I did the same with All Bran. The kellogg's were almost £3 and the cheapest brands were under £1. The actual cereal shreds were a bit thicker and slightly less sugar/salt in the cheaper ones, but hardly any difference. People who buy Kellogg's must be basically doing it out of habit, and are easily brainwashed by fancier packaging.

Gareth, hope your well bud, as always yet another brilliant review, due to the "Cost of living" rise of fuel and food, reviews like this are invaluable, you should be proud of the effort you put into the reviews, the savings could then go towards the heating bills , is a Yellow box going to keep somebody warm in there own home this winter ? More review's like this, and hopefully you may help keep someone safe this Winter Nice one bud ❤️

I love watching these brand named products verses the basic range comparisons... It's almost criminal that manufacturers of branded products like this... Charge the sky high amounts that they do to the customer!... You can't tell me that Weetabix are justified in charging an extra £2.23... When their product contains identical ingredients to the budget product... And as you stated... That apart from the yellow packaging and the fact that Weetabix are made with rounded ends rather than squared ends... There's absolutely no difference between them... They're even the same weight too at 20g each... If you were to crush and crumble one of each of these products into separate bowls... You wouldn't be able to tell them apart... You could buy four boxes of the basic branded product... For just an extra eight pence more than it would have cost you to buy the brand named Weetabix box of 24 at £3.00... If you're struggling as most people are these days... Then we all need to start having more faith in the supermarkets basic ranges... Most these days are very good... And almost on par with the big brands... And in some cases they're even better... I think this review will give people a gentle nudge towards trying more of the supermarkets basic range products... All the best Gaz... Cheers mate. 🍺

The only thing I'd say in Weetabix's defence is that they invented the product, marketed it, and made it popular. Then all the supermarkets stood on their shoulders and were able to charge less. And also, didn't have to pay the margin to Weetabix, they just went straight to the company (probably the same one) who makes the "real" brand. However, the almost 400% price uplift is very difficult to justify, so thanks for the info. I wish Asda would do the same for Speckled Hen beer 🤣

I think you're spot on and highlighting this will save your viewers some money. Big brand names are always more expensive. We dont need fancy packing. Just a plain box will do. Take Heinz beans. To me they don't taste any different from the cheap brands but they cost a whole lot more. Cheers Gareth. Some more of the same please!

Hi Gareth - David, the owner of a hotel we stay at in Bournemouth , told us this story - Two guys came down for breakfast, one had a bowl of cereal. Suddenly he started bashing the sh1t out of the contents of the bowl with his spoon. David watched, waited a few seconds, then asked him politely what he was doing. The other guy said " He's a cereal killer". True story. Another great video, as Mick Ohara posted , your videos give us a great guide to the quality of the cheaper alternatives.

Weetabix is one of the cereals where you can get away with the cheap version, crunchy nut cornflakes on the other hand 😀

Hi I get the Morrisons saver one's 75p

It's a long time (years) since I tried the Asda ones but they used to have harder/sharper edged bits within the biscuits. Time to try again. That said I found retrying their rice crispies and corn flakes showed a vast improvement over those I'd tried years ago so I have little doubt they'll have sorted most of their own brand products. Are there any own brand you've found that are best avoided?

Consider doing this with other cereals like cornflakes

As a person who has had to buy the cheaper stuff for several years now I can safely say it IS edible, but IF I had the money I would go Weetabix EVERY time as the taste is superior

I tried a supermarket bargain basement version and nearly broke my teeth. Several grains were toasted until they were stones and not flaked. Since then I’ve used the supermarket own brand ( but not their cheapest version) with out issue. My feeling was that the ingredients maybe the same between branded and non branded, but the quality of the grains used might be different.

Why don't you get your other half to put a plate over the two products and go blind and see which ones taste the best Branded or the budget one ! Just a thought??

I worked at a well known (expensive) babies nappy producer once. What happens is when the nappies are being produced there is quite a lot of waste. This is collected and sold on to the more cheaper affordable brand makers. I know this is nothing to do with food but I have no doubt that this happens in the food industry too. So it's all the same stuff that has just been recycled

Thanks for that video I'm definitely going to try some now ! I worked in food production for over 30yrs and the only difference in some products is that some may use better graded /more refined or expensive raw materials of herbs and spices . For example , to make the seasoning for a sausage roll they would use a better type of ground white pepper compared to the pepper in a smartprice sausage roll . When I first started working in the food manufacturing side I was amazed to see just how many different types there was of the same ingredient, like 10 -15 types of black pepper .

Great comparison. I say this about a lot of products. You’re paying for the name. Brilliant vlog. Thank you 🙏

I love the little chuckles..had me giggling along with you..

I'm going to try this so thank you for this review!

This fellow has one big advantage over other KZfaq contributors. He is not boring.

Thank you for your comparisons. 👍🏻👏

Awesome great you are doing this so many people struggling out there it's so sad.

Thank you so much for the comparison!

Hi Gareth. Just going to watch your Weetabix video ( after my shower!) When we are on holiday in UK, from our home here in Thailand, we raid the Mornflake cereal section in Aldi. Quality stuff, good weights and good prices. We also have an Aldi Bramwells Salad Cream container, brought back home in 2018 and refilled many times, with a Thai Pure Foods product similar to Bramwells. Used most days, I like salad cream on veg, fish, potatoes( sweet and normal type) and chips !! Keep up the shows, a bit of honest opinion is unusual today !

Love them with hot milk, little bit sugar and 3 to a portion, going to try the Asda ones now for that price, great review yet again, massive saving on them your mr money saver in our house now

Well done mate. With things the way they are at the moment, more comparison videos like this would be great!!

We never buy branded cereals. They would have to be on a very special offer to persuade us to buy. Your comparison test affirmed what I've always thought i.e. brand names come at a price! Keep up the good work Gareth!!

Excellent video...Glad you popped up today...Great tip, I like your kitchen.

Great video I’ve been getting store brands for years on most things.. I’ve noticed more & more store products out of stocks since these price hikes & just hope stores don’t put these prices up!

Great work Gareth for this very valuable information , especially for families on a tight budget.

Its been 40+ years and you've just reminded me i used to have butter on top of a dry weetabix when i was a nipper, too. Thanks Mum (RIP)

Great review Gareth and an eye opener for some. A lot of folks are having to make cutbacks of late and your comparisons are most welcome. We usually have Morrisons own brand fruit and fibre and there's not much difference to Kelloggs. Keep them coming. Cheers Gareth

Food is the biggest con game going! Great channel, always watch a couple every week 👍

Great review I’m changing my brand what a great savings .Fantastic review! Thanks G xx 💙👍🏼🤩🙏🏽

My my. That's an eye opener Gareth. Thanks for that mate. I will definitely buy some.

Great video it’s just mad how we all go for good packaging and most things taste almost the same thanks for sharing x

just catching up on your videos! very informative and entertaining

Spot on review mate. All the best

Great these comparisons I'd normally gone for the branded one out off single mindness so now I'll get the shop brand one

I have been having the Asda ones for ages and like you I can't taste any difference whatsoever. It's worth trying the value items. Thank you for putting this on here and hopefully it will help others.

Great video gaz I'd love to see more videos like this they are really helpful especially now everything is going up in price

Hi Gareth, I have been watching you in my kitchen on telly so not been commenting but just wanted to say I'm chuffed with how well your channel is thriving.... This video was fab too! I've missed your lives hope to catch you when you do another one xx

I dont actually eat cereal. BUT....this has been a real eye opening video. well done.

These comparisons are really useful videos, a lot of people don't buy the cheap option incase they are crap but this one just goes to show, often the brands are just a rip off.

Deepest respect to you sir, thank you.

Nice one- bread and jam on the top and eat like a biscuit! Used to love them like that as a kid.

You have just reminded me of a childhood memory I had forgotten all about - butter on weetabix, lovely

Nice taste test. Thanks, Gareth!

Great review. Interesting how the none frill brands taste just so good.

This was a brilliant insight Gareth.... Thank you very much. Your teaching me a lot and saving me wasting my precious pension. 👏👏

Great comparison!!

Really enjoyed this,thanks.

Great video, and I think sometimes it’s just people just go with what they know. But your right it’s just throwing money away buying the better looking box. Which as you say is ridiculous. Look forward to watching more of your videos. 👍👍

A timely video as I eat my Lidl brand Honey Nut Clusters. Half the price and just as good. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for doing this I'm going try the smart price ones & hopefully save some money👍

Cheers Gareth 👍🏻 What an eye opener I’ve just shown the missus and we’ll be buying smart price weetabix from now on so SPOT ON 👍🏻

New subscriber,.... loving this content...very useful especially during these difficult time as prices on almost everything have gone up!!!