What Not To Buy At Aldi [15 Products To Skip When Shopping]

Aldi is amongst the most popular grocery stores in the United States. Customers go to the popular Aldi retailer to save money on their shopping. And while you can get some really good deals at the popular grocery retailer, the Aldi food quality you’ll have to settle for can be pretty low.

And as a result of that, there are some products that customers generally should avoid spending money on as they are quite simply not worth it.

And in this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of those products – so you know what not to buy when shopping at Aldi.

What Not To Buy At Aldi In 2023

In this article, we will go over 15 different products that you shouldn’t spend your money on while shopping at Aldi. The list will include both Aldi special buys and general items.

And note, this article isn’t about being negative towards Aldi and their attempts at helping customers save money but rather to share some personal as well as community opinions that have been shared around.

1) Baby Formula

The baby formula that can be found in the average Aldi store is amongst the most avoided items that customers tend to skip.

This is because the quality is reportedly not great compared to some other slightly more expensive alternatives like Enfamil or Similac.

In addition, people have complained about how the powder often doesn’t dissolve properly – resulting in a nasty and gritty formula for the baby.

And as people are a lot more conscious about their health, they want the best for their children, and as a result, the baby formula at Aldi is often overlooked.

2) Diapers

Just like their baby formula, Aldi’s diapers are another popular baby product that people avoid buying as a whole.

This is because customers have complained about the diapers and how often they leak through or do not fit well enough – which ultimately leads to friction burns and discomfort for the baby. 

And as diapers are something that babies go through a lot of, it’s important to have good quality and reliable brand to save you both money and time while keeping the baby comfortable at all times.

3) Toilet Paper

Aldi’s toilet paper is often seen as one of the worse quality options on the market. This is because people have complained about the thinness and roughness of the paper – making it not only ineffective but also quite harsh on the skin.

In addition, people have complained about how there are often fewer sheets per roll than other brands, which can be really frustrating if you have to go through a lot of toilet paper all the time.

4) Toothpaste

The toothpaste that Aldi sells is often seen as a poor quality option when compared to other brands that you can buy at Costco, Target, and Walmart.

Reportedly, customers have said that the toothpaste sold at Aldi doesn’t foam up properly and leaves a filmy residue on the teeth after use.

This can be a huge turn-off for people as they want their teeth to feel clean and sparkling after brushing – and unfortunately, Aldi’s toothpaste doesn’t always deliver that.

5) Batteries

Aldi is known for their cheap prices on batteries – but unfortunately, the quality of the batteries often isn’t great. This is because people have complained about how the batteries die quickly, sometimes only lasting a few months before needing to be replaced.

And as most people would rather not have to replace their batteries all the time, they often avoid buying them at Aldi and go for a more expensive but longer-lasting option.

6) Meat

The meat that is sold at Aldi has been a topic of discussion for a while now. And as a result, customers often ask – is Aldi meat good?

And the general consensus seems to be that the quality of the meat is not great – often being tough, gristly, and chewy. In addition, people have complained about how the meat is often overpriced and not as fresh as it should be, which makes people go to alternative stores to do their meat shopping.

7) Produce

The produce that Aldi sells is often seen as a poor quality option when compared to other stores like Walmart or Target.

This is because the produce is often wilted, bruised, and not as fresh as it should be. Customers have also complained that in a lot of cases, a lot of the fresh produce is also pretty tasteless, which is never a good sign and says a lot about the Aldi produce quality.

In addition, people have complained about how the selection of fruits and vegetables is often quite limited, which can be frustrating if you’re looking for something specific.

8) Frozen Foods

Frozen food, particularly highly processed options like burgers, pizzas, and other similar products are amongst the things you should never buy at Aldi. And it makes sense. If Aldi can’t get their fresh produce and meat right, why would it be any different for the food that can be found in the freezers?

9) Alcohol

Although their prices are sometimes hard to beat, customers often avoid buying alcohol at Aldi.

This is because the quality of the alcohol isn’t great – with people reporting that the wines often taste like vinegar and the beers are often skunky. In addition, there have been reports of bottles that have exploded or leaked, which can be both dangerous and messy.

10) Clothing

The clothes sold at Aldi are also not the best of quality. Customers have reported that some of the clothes that they have bought at the retailer often fade, shrink, and tear after only a few washes.

In addition to that, there is very little information regarding the origin of the clothing that is stocked up on the shelves at Aldi in the United States. Some customers believe it comes from China, which is also why many people wonder if Aldi buys food from China.

There is also not a whole lot of information regarding that on the Aldi website.

11) Aldi Name Brands

As Aldi is amongst the cheapest grocery stores out there – they don’t actually stock up on any well-known brands. Rather, what they do is mimic these products and sell them for significantly less.

That way, people think they are getting a product that is quite close to the original at fraction of the price. This often isn’t the case, and the quality can be way off.

As a result, any Aldi name brands are recommended to be avoided and if you want the full experience, taste, flavor, and quality, you should buy the original product.

12) Frozen Sushi

Sushi is supposed to be filled with flavor and melt in your mouth. This isn’t quite the case with the sushi that can be found at Aldi.

As a result of that, it is one of the products that are generally avoided as the sushi experience is far from what authentic and well-made sushi tastes like.

13) Granola Bars

Granola bars are often seen as a healthy snack option and something that is perfect while on the go. However, the granola bars that are stocked at Aldi are often dry, bland, and not very satisfying.

In addition, they are also quite unhealthy as they are often loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

14) Pet Food

Animals, like humans, need to eat healthy and well-made food. This is crucial for their general well-being. Unfortunately, the pet food that is sold at Aldi is quite far away from that.

This is because a lot of the ingredients that are used in their pet food products are seen as lower quality – and in some cases, even dangerous.

15) Cleaning Supplies

The cleaning supplies that Aldi sells are often seen as harsh and not very effective. And as a result, they are often a waste of money as they don’t serve their purpose. For that reason, Aldi customers often buy cleaning supplies elsewhere – despite having to pay a little bit extra.

Conclusion – Things Not To Buy At Aldi

So, these are some of the things that you should never buy at Aldi. Although their prices can be tempting, it’s often not worth it in the end due to the low quality of the products.

In addition, if you’re looking for something specific, there’s a good chance that you won’t find it at Aldi as their stock is quite limited.