We tested all of the cheap Weetabix alternatives — and one was more brick than cookie

Of all of Weetabix’s own-brand competitors, only one is worth switching, with most cereals on the market disappointing our reviewer for being too flaky

Brits are crazy about Weetabix and together we buy over 300 million pounds of corn every year.

But the popular breakfast cereal has spawned a variety of private label alternatives — all at a more affordable price.

With rise cost of living Skimping on the essentials like muesli isn’t something you should do without.

This week a reviewer out lances live set out to see if they could switch to a cheaper version of the cereal classic.

The author bought a box of 24 Weetabix knockoffs Sainsbury’s Morrisons, Asda and Aldi compared price taste and overall breakfast experience.

Each box was compared to the standard 25-pack of Weetabix, which costs between around £2.75 and £3 in supermarkets. This comparison would have included Lidl’s “Bixies”, but the reviewer was unable to source any.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s wheat biscuits

Name: wheat biscuits

Price: £1.95

Taste and texture: 1/5

“Right from the start I knew this was going to be disappointing.

“Before I took them out of the plastic wrap, they started falling into pieces right in my hand. A single shake of the packet told me it was just full of shards of the wheat biscuits and I wasn’t looking forward to opening them.

“Carefully—to avoid making a mess—I placed them in a bowl and poured the rest in. Both cookies were crumbled and honestly there wasn’t much on them. Even with milk, they were just as crumbly and dry, but after a minute, when the milk had seeped through, they were much more edible, just not exactly edible.

“For just under a pound less than the real deal, I’d probably just skip this cereal.”

Morrisons

Morrison’s wheat biscuits

Name: wheat biscuits

Price: £1.49

Taste and texture: 1.5/5

“Being just under 50p cheaper than the Sainsbury’s box I was hoping these would be better because I would be saving a lot more money each month if they were. But they were almost identical. The cookie wasn’t exactly that crumbly the packet, but when I tried to pry them out they just fell apart in my hands too.

“Again, the cookies were quite small and very flaky – an odd texture even with milk – and I had to clear my throat every few spoonfuls because the flakes would get stuck in my throat. The only redeeming factor came when they were saturated with milk, but then again, if you don’t like Weetabix, this isn’t the box for you.

“There seemed to be a little better flavor when they weren’t so bone dry, so half a point was given for that alone.”

Aldi

Wheat biscuits from Aldi

Name: Protein Wheat Cookies

Price: £1.79

Taste and texture: 1/5

“I wouldn’t classify that as Weetabix, I think that’s more like Melba Toast that you have in a bowl of milk. No other comparison came to mind as I bit into this brick-like cookie. It wasn’t the texture I expected nor wanted for breakfast.

“There were virtually no crumbs, and while that gave me hope, the tightly shaped rectangular – not the usual oval – cookie was somehow just as bone dry. Milk didn’t seem so much of a savior here and there. It took a full 60 seconds to overcome the dryness – even then, the crunch in the middle was far too loud for my liking.”

Asda

Asda wheat biscuits

Name: wheat biscuits

Price: £1.50

Taste: 4/5

“I had to save the best for the rest simply because the rest was so shockingly disappointing. It’s not hard to consider that weetabix are notoriously dry and some would say it’s a boring breakfast option. I wouldn’t – I love them and as a kind of saving grace, Asda has made its mark as a brilliant scammer worth the swap.

“This comes closest to the original in shape, size, dryness and taste. Yes, they’re dry, yes, they’re crumbly, but in a way you’d expect and know all too well. The flavor is pretty much the same as the branded cookies and I’m sure in a blind test between the two I’d have trouble picking out the fake.

“At £1.50 you could be saving around half the amount you would normally save on the branded box each month and for larger families who are quicker to go through the boxes this small saving would certainly add up.”