We tried toilet roll from Aldi, Lidl and 6 more shops - the best was so soft (2025)

We put the cheaper options to the test to see if they are worth it

Toilet paper preferences can often be a contentious issue, with some favouring softness, while others prioritise thickness. However, the cost has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly for market-leading brands like Andrex.

Supermarkets across the nation, from Aldi to Sainsbury's, have now introduced their own brands to compete with the market leaders. Quilted, super soft, luxury, super saver and even ones infused with aloe vera - there's something for everyone.

With so many different types available, choosing the perfect one can be quite a puzzle. To save you the guesswork, we've tested everyday loo rolls from all the major supermarkets to determine which ones offer the best quality and value for money.

To conduct a fair test of the toilet rolls, I bought a four-pack of standard toilet rolls from each supermarket, folded two sheets from each roll together and squirted them each with the same amount of water. I also assessed how easily they tore after applying a bit of pressure.

Andrex

Andrex has always been my go-to brand as it performs its job rather efficiently, but considering it costs £2.95 for four rolls, I don't believe the price is justified. It features a unique 3D wave texture, which prevented it from tearing too easily, but the thickness of the paper left much to be desired. It scores well for softness, but compared to some of the other brands, it's only two ply.

Aldi

Bargain hunters are flocking to a cost-cutting supermarket that offers its own brand soft, softer, softest, and softest premium toilet rolls. Unfortunately, during a recent shopping trip, only the 'softer' range, advertised as "luxury" toilet roll, was available.

The £1.39 loo roll boasted a design almost mirroring that of Andrex, but although the quality isn't up to par due to poor water absorption and it being prone to tearing, it's not far off. It's cheaper price tag certainly makes it an appealing choice for savvy shoppers.

Lidl

Lidl's version retails at the same price as Aldi's, but unfortunately, the Floralys range didn't stack up in terms of comfort. Despite being robust and thick, it turned out to be rather rough and scratchy, falling short of its "luxury soft" promise.

Asda

Meanwhile, over at Asda, you can get your hands on a pack of their £1.38 toilet paper which proves to be excellent value for money. Not only does it feel strong and resist tearing, but its soft texture and effective water absorbency tick all the boxes for those looking to shave a bit off their bill.

Tesco

Tesco's own-brand toilet paper matches the price point of Aldi and Lidl. Demonstrating good resistance to splitting when wet and similar absorbency levels to that of Andrex, although it could be softer, it surpasses both rivals in terms of value.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's £1.90 option feels softer and thicker than Andrex, yet it doesn't quite hit the same smoothness. Performance in the water test was middling, showing some weakness under pressure when damp. But if you're eco-conscious, these rolls stand out as they're encased in paper packaging, making them the top environmentally friendly pick.

Morrisons

The Morrisons toilet paper was notably soft and smooth, however, its performance was let down by its tendency to disintegrate easily when wet, making its £1.75 price tag somewhat unjustified.

Waitrose

In contrast, Waitrose's offering, although soft and embossed, had small, two-ply sheets that tore easily. While it demonstrated good absorbency, the £2 price point seemed steep given its shortcomings.

M&S

As a regular shopper at Marks & Spencer for food and drink, I was pleasantly surprised by their household essentials range, which I had previously assumed would be too pricey. The toilet roll selection was varied, featuring options such as the "delicate" Spring Meadow and star-adorned Shining Stars designs.

I opted for the super soft, triple-layered variant, which retailed at 50p per roll. This proved to be an excellent choice, boasting impressive strength and a luxurious feel.

The verdict

In conclusion, this test has swayed me away from Andrex and towards M&S's superior toilet paper, which not only surpasses Andrex in terms of softness but also boasts greater thickness. Although £2 may be considered pricey for some, the quality justifies the expense.

For those on a tighter budget, Asda's £1.38 toilet paper presents a viable alternative.