What Items at Aldi Are Surprisingly Expensive? These 10 Ones

Some items at Aldi are surprisingly expensive! It’s crazy!

You probably know that Aldi is one of the grocery stores that’s quite gentle on your finances. Unfortunately, things are a bit different now, and some items at Aldi are way over the budget. Since the German grocery chain first launched in the United States in the mid-1970s, shoppers who appreciate a good deal and are more than willing to save a ton of money on their grocery bills have been drawn to this store.

Aldi’s goal is to offer products at the lowest cost possible without sacrificing quality. With more than 1,600 locations in 35 states, it’s one of the most popular stores in the country. What’s great about it is that 90% of their products are Aldi-exclusive brands, hence why it’s so affordable.

Even though this is generally a budget-friendly store, some items at Aldi are pretty expensive, so it might be worth checking out a different grocery store. Without further ado, here are all the products that will hurt your wallet if you get them at Aldi:

1. Berries

Berries are some of the most delicious fruits you could eat. They’re packed with antioxidants and vitamins and help keep your skin clear and plump. If you get them at Aldi, you might be shocked to find them bad or bruised after only a few days.

Even though they might not cost a lot, the quality isn’t exceptional, so you’ll have to get others sooner than intended. In the end, you spend more money than you want. I recommend you skip the fresh berry section here and go to a bigger grocery store, where products are rotated at a much faster pace. If you have a farmer’s market in your neighborhood, make sure you get your berries from there, because they’ll taste a lot better.

2. Meat

If you go to Trader Joe’s regularly, you know the meats there rarely go on sale. Aldi occasionally has reduced chicken and beef, and when this happens, you should RUN there, because it’s fantastic!

If not, their meat costs aren’t very low as compared to other grocery stores, and you might get them for less money at your neighborhood market. Experts say that organic ground beef is the only exception, as it’s a premium product available here at a significantly reduced cost.

3. Name-brand cereal

Let’s continue with these items at Aldi, because some of them might surprise you. As some shopping experts say, if Aldi isn’t able to produce an item that is superior to the name brand, they will stock the name brand.

Sadly, they only have a small selection of brands when it comes to cereal, so get ready to spend more for those marshmallow morning treats and cornflakes. Cereal can cost more than $3 a box here, so even if you get them on sale, it’s still far more expensive than a regular grocery store.

…Keep reading to discover other items at Aldi that are shockingly expensive!

4. Toiletries

While Aldi carries hair care, deodorant, dental, and related products, you will only find well-known brands there, and rarely at a discounted price. These items at Aldi can be more expensive than in other stores, so you should think twice before putting them in your cart.

You will spend more money on name-brand toothpaste, shampoos, and conditioners here, just like you would on cereal. These products usually go on sale at larger grocery stores, so check other retailers’ sales, because you might be surprised.

5. Chips

If you love chips as much as I do, I recommend you get them from a different place because they’re not that affordable. While the price seems right and the taste is pretty great, the bags are more likely to be filled with a ton of air, so they’re more expensive per ounce. So, if you’re in the mood for a delicious snack, you should stick to other items at Aldi, such as their incredible chocolate selection.

As for the chips, you can get them here if you don’t mind the bad bing filled halfway. And don’t forget that they’re not as tasty as traditional name brands, often on sale at similar prices at other stores.

6. Lunch meat

Do you want to purchase ham and turkey for your lunch sandwiches? Then you should probably go to different grocery stores because you could get disappointed. Switching from a name brand such as Boar’s Head to Aldi’s might not save you as much money as you’d imagine, and the quality is not that great.

While I love to buy several items at Aldi, I have to admit that their lunch meat tubes are priced similarly to name brands, but I don’t love their taste.

7. Premade dough

The coupon issue resurfaces each time you purchase premade cookie dough, buns, and other baked items at Aldi. If you use coupons at different grocery stores, you might probably get these things for less money. However, you shouldn’t skip this grocery store entirely because, apart from the premade dough, you can find amazing deals on cheese, milk, and butter.

8. Wine

There are different views among customers when it comes to purchasing wine at Aldi’s. The good news is that it’s practically impossible to find a bottle of wine here that costs more than $10. If you enjoy wine, the possibly bad news is that Aldi has a wider range of reasonably priced wines in the UK and Europe. In the US, on the other hand, Trader Joe’s offers a wider variety of similarly priced wines, including the popular Two Buck Chuck, which is budget-friendly and delicious.

9. Paper products

As with toiletries, many customers claim that paper goods like tissues, toilet paper, and paper towels aren’t the best bargain at Aldi. One drawback of shopping for these items at Aldi is that manufacturer coupons aren’t accepted there.

Instead, you might typically get coupons on paper goods and weekly specials at other, less expensive grocery stores. Stocking up on paper goods at a place like Costco can also make more financial sense, depending on the size of your household. Speaking of Costco, if you want to know more about the amazing deals and products they have there, check out this article: 10 Kirkland Signature Items You Should Definitely Buy From Costco

10. Soda

If you’re a big soda drinker, you should probably check out other grocery stores to save some money. Aldi has its own soda line, which is indeed more budget-friendly compared to name brands, but it’s not a replacement for the beloved Pepsi or Coke in terms of taste.

Moreover, if you prefer to have a stash of soda at home, be prepared to spend more at Aldi than you would elsewhere. These products are heavily discounted in the summer at several grocery stores, and you can use coupons too. Sometimes, shopping around is the best thing you can do for your finances, am I right?

Do you know any other items at Aldi that seem to be affordable but actually aren’t? Let us know in the comments below, because we all love a good deal! If carrying your groceries is getting harder and harder, I recommend you check out this incredible senior cart. Trust me, it will make a huge difference!

If you enjoyed reading this article and you’d like to check out something else from us, here’s a good one for you: Trader Joe’s Hacks Every Shopper Should Know