Dr Mobeus
Supermarket Price Comparison 2026 — Which Is Actually Cheapest?
We all have our go-to supermarket, but are you actually getting the best deal? We compared prices across the UK’s biggest supermarkets on a typical weekly shop to find out once and for all which is cheapest in 2026. The results might surprise you.
How We Did the Comparison
We built a representative weekly shop of 33 everyday items — the stuff most UK households buy every week. Milk, bread, eggs, chicken, pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, cereal, tea, coffee, butter, cheese, fruit, veg, loo roll, washing up liquid — the lot. Then we priced it all up at Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S.
Prices were checked online in May 2026. We used each store’s own-brand or cheapest equivalent where possible. Multi-buy offers and loyalty card prices were included where they applied.
The Results — Total Weekly Shop Cost
Here’s how the 33-item shop broke down:
- Aldi — £28.47
- Lidl — £29.13
- Asda — £33.86
- Tesco (Clubcard prices) — £34.92
- Morrisons (More prices) — £35.71
- Sainsbury’s (Nectar prices) — £36.44
- M&S — £44.18
- Waitrose — £46.32
The gap between Aldi and Waitrose on a standard weekly shop? Nearly £18 a week. That’s £936 a year if you shop weekly. Even switching from Sainsbury’s to Aldi saves about £8 a week — over £400 a year.
But It’s Not Just About Price
Of course, the cheapest basket doesn’t tell the whole story. Here’s what each tier of supermarket actually gives you.
The Discounters: Aldi and Lidl
Verdict: Cheapest, but limited range.
Aldi and Lidl consistently win on price — no surprise there. But their trade-off is range. You won’t find 15 types of pasta sauce; you’ll find 2-3. No loyalty scheme (though Lidl Plus gives you a scratchcard for potential discounts). Limited branded goods — mostly their own labels, which are often made in the same factories as the big brands anyway.
The Specialbuys and middle aisle are a dangerous place for your wallet though. Nobody went in for a bread maker and came out with just groceries.
Best for: Weekly staples, fresh produce, baking ingredients, snacks.
Weaker on: Specific brands, world foods, specialty items, large packs.
The Mid-Tier: Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s
Verdict: Better range, loyalty deals matter more than ever.
These four are where most UK households do their main shop. The key thing in 2026? Loyalty card pricing has changed everything.
Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury’s Nectar now lock their best prices behind their apps. If you don’t scan your card, you’ll pay significantly more — sometimes 20-30% more on individual items. It’s essentially a requirement now, not a nice-to-have.
Morrisons’ More card gives you points but fewer instant discounts. Asda doesn’t have a loyalty scheme at all, which is oddly refreshing — the price on the shelf is the price you pay.
Best for: One-stop shopping, branded goods, click & collect, home delivery.
Watch out for: Loyalty-only pricing — always scan your card or you’re overpaying.
The Premium Tier: Waitrose and M&S
Verdict: Best quality, but you pay for it.
Waitrose and M&S charge a clear premium — roughly 60% more than the discounters on a comparable shop. But their quality is consistently higher on fresh produce, meat and ready meals.
The smart move? Cherry-pick. Waitrose Essentials range is surprisingly competitive on basics like milk, eggs and butter. M&S Remarksable value line has real bargains. Use them for quality items and the discounters for everything else.
Also worth knowing: Waitrose’s free coffee for MyWaitrose members (if you spend £10+) is genuinely a perk that adds up if you’re there regularly.
The Smart Way to Shop — Mix and Match
The biggest savings come from not being loyal to one supermarket. Here’s the strategy that works in 2026:
1. Do Your Main Shop at Aldi or Lidl
For 70-80% of your weekly items — bread, milk, eggs, pasta, rice, tinned goods, frozen veg, snacks, cleaning products — the discounters are simply cheaper. Save £5-10 a week here and that’s £250-500 a year.
2. Top Up at a Mid-Tier for Specific Items
That particular brand of curry paste your family loves? The specific allergy-friendly bread? World foods? Go to Tesco or Sainsbury’s for the stuff you can’t get at the discounters. Use the loyalty card, obviously.
3. Use the Premium Stores Selectively
Waitrose for a roast chicken that actually tastes like chicken. M&S for a birthday treat or when Remarksable value has something good. Not your weekly shop.
Online vs In-Store — Does It Cost More?
In 2026, most supermarkets charge for delivery. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Aldi — Click & collect free. Delivery via Deliveroo (limited range, delivery fees apply)
- Lidl — Click & collect at some stores. No home delivery
- Tesco — Delivery from £2.50-£7 depending on time slot. Click & collect free on £40+
- Sainsbury’s — Delivery from £1-£4 for Nectar members. Click & collect from £1
- Asda — Delivery from £3. Click & collect free on £40+
- Morrisons — Delivery from £1.50. Click & collect free on £40+
- Waitrose — Free delivery on £60+ for MyWaitrose members
- Iceland — Free delivery on £40+ (worth mentioning — not in our main comparison but great for frozen)
If you’re paying £5 for delivery every week, that’s £260 a year. Click & collect is free at most stores and takes 10 minutes. Worth thinking about.
Loyalty Schemes — What They’re Actually Worth
In 2026, loyalty cards are no longer optional at some stores — they gate the best prices. Here’s what each one gives you:
- Tesco Clubcard — Unlocks “Clubcard Prices” which are 15-25% cheaper on hundreds of items. Also earns 1 point per £1 (1 point = 1p). The real value is the discounted prices, not the points.
- Sainsbury’s Nectar — Similar to Clubcard. Nectar Prices are substantially cheaper. Also earn points spendable at Sainsbury’s, Argos and eBay.
- Morrisons More — Points-based. Earn 10 points per £1, occasional targeted vouchers. Less aggressive on instant discounts than Tesco/Sainsbury’s.
- Lidl Plus — Scratchcard after each shop (chance of winning money off). Weekly coupons. No points system.
- MyWaitrose — Free coffee, member-only offers, some competitive Essential lines.
Read our full guide to UK loyalty schemes to get the most out of every card in your wallet.
The Bottom Line
Aldi is cheapest. Lidl is close behind. The mid-tier supermarkets cost roughly 20% more but offer far more choice. Waitrose and M&S cost 60% more for consistently better quality on fresh items.
The smartest move? Split your shop. Discounters for the bulk, mid-tier for the specifics, premium for the occasional quality treat. Do that and you could save £400-900 a year compared with doing your whole shop at one supermarket.
And while you’re saving on groceries, check our dealstore for the latest discount codes and offers across all your favourite UK stores. Every little helps — especially when it’s actually a good deal.
