Canstar Blue’s chips review has seen brands such as Twisties, Smith’s, Doritos, Kettle, Cheetos, Pringles, Blackstone (ALD), Red Rock Deli and other family favourites compared on their taste, variety, packaging design, value for money and overall satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Aussies rated Twisties a cut above the rest in Canstar Blue’s inaugural chips review, scoring it five stars for taste and overall satisfaction. It achieved four stars on value for money, variety and packaging.
What type of chips do you eat with your BFFs? Friend-chips! Luckily, chips (or ‘crisps’ for the Brits) come in all shapes, sizes and flavours. So, whether you prefer cheese curls, corn chips, thin or crinkle potato chips – there’s always something to nibble on out there for everyone. Naturally, a third of our survey respondents (31%) said chips are their go-to snack, while 42% said they always buy some on their grocery shop. But which chips are the best? That’s the debate of the ages.
To finally put it to rest, we asked more than 2,000 Aussies for their feedback on the packets of potato chips or crisps they’ve purchased and enjoyed in the last three months. Respondents rated brands on their taste, value for money, packaging design, variety and overall satisfaction. Those which met the minimum required survey sample size (30 responses) were included in the results.
Our 2020 chips review featured a whopping 19 brands, but only one was rated best – Twisties! It scored five-star ratings for taste and overall customer satisfaction, with four stars for variety, value for money and packaging.
Here are the best chips in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s 2020 review:
Twisties edged out the fierce competition to claim the coveted title for best chips, earning a five-star rating for taste and overall customer satisfaction. Samboy, Red Rock Deli and Kettle also got the nod when it came to taste, similarly scoring top marks in this category.
The majority of the brands rounded out the results with a four-star rating for overall satisfaction. These included well-known favourites like Smith’s, Doritos, Cheezels, Grain Waves, Red Rock Deli and Kettle. Coles, CC’s and Burger Rings bottomed out on three stars overall.
Notably, ALDI reigned supreme in the value for money category with the supermarket’s private brands Sprinters and Blackstone the only entries to achieve full marks for the category. Similarly, only four brands rated five stars for variety – Blackstone (ALDI), Red Rock Deli, Smith’s and Kettle.
Not to sound cheesy, but everyone knows Twisties! It’s an Aussie snack icon that’s had a special place in our hearts (and stomachs) for over 50 years, thanks to its delicious crispy corn curls. The brand has two original flavours, cheese and chicken, as well as some special limited-edition options from time to time.
Sprinters is ALDI’s own brand of chips, snacks and crackers, available exclusively from the discount supermarket. Sprinters’ snack range includes crinkle and thin cut potato chips, with classic flavours such as original, barbeque, chicken, salt and vinegar available. The home brand favourite also offers corn chips and other snack foods like nuts and baked crackers.
Samboy promises to offer ‘big flavours that will really hit you’ (or rather your taste buds). The brand is iconic for its crinkled potato chips which come in popular flavours like original, chicken, salt and vinegar, atomic tomato and barbeque. Samboy chips are made in Australia.
Claimed to be packed with real flavour and 100% real ingredients, Natural Chip Co chips are said to taste great naturally and contain no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or added MSG. Plus, most Natural Chip Co products are gluten free. The brand offers tortilla strips, veggies rings and crinkle cut potato chips which come in gourmet flavours such as sea salt, honey soy chicken, sour cream and chives and more.
Blackstone is another ALDI brand offering deli-style snacks such as veggie straws, prawn, whole grain and potato chips. Blackstone also sells a variety of chip flavours like sea salt, honey soy chicken, chili, cheddar cheese and caramelised onion.
Red Rock Deli promises to deliver unique tastes and textures that capture your imagination with its selection of tortilla & potato chips and table nuts. The brand’s range of potato chips usually come in popular flavours like sea salt & lime and black pepper. There’s also limited-edition and deluxe lines to choose from, with these likely to boast more unique combinations like parmesan & black truffle oil, or maple glazed bacon & cheddar.
If you like full volume, full flavour and a full-on tooth rattling crunch, then look no further than Doritos! The brand offers a bold-tasting range of snacks which includes its famous Mexican style corn chips and salsa dips. There’s a variety of options to choose from, include original salted, nacho cheese, cool ranch, Mexicana cheese and other limited-edition flavours like barbeque meat lovers.
Smith’s began making crisps in the UK in the 1920s before reaching Australian shores a decade later. The brand cemented its reputation as ‘Australia’s favourite chip’ maker after introducing us to the first chicken-flavoured chips in 1961. Today, the brand offers a wide range of thin and crinkle cut potato chips in a variety of classic flavours like cheese and onion, salt and vinegar, as well as limited edition alternatives.
Kettle is passionate about crafting great-tasting chips. That’s why its potato chips are slow cooked in sunflower oil and seasoned with 100% natural flavours. The brand offers a wide assortment of thin and crinkle cut potato chips, from classic and cheesy, to spicy and tangy, there’s not a flavour Kettle doesn’t serve.
Cheezels is the brand behind the crunchy, cheesy ring-shaped snack with the finger-sized hole that both kids and adults have come to love. It’s the perfect snack for any occasion! Cheezels provides a range of cheesy flavour options including original cheese, cheese and bacon as well as ‘mini’ options for kids.
Tyrrells crisps are marvelously crunchy, apparently thanks to the traditional English method used to slow cook potatoes in batches with the jackets on. Tyrrells potato chips come in deli-style flavours including sea salt original, sea salt & cider vinegar and mature cheddar cheese and chives. Tyrrells claims its products don’t contain any nasties and are gluten free.
Thins, as the name suggests, are light and crispy thin cut potato chips that make a perfect afternoon snack when entertaining friends (or anytime really). The Thins range includes classic and gourmet flavours such as salt and vinegar, light and tangy, tzatziki and Himalayan pink salt. Thins are gluten free and said to contain no artificial colours and flavours.
Sunbites Grain Waves are a range of wholegrain snacks that are both tasty and good for your waistline, supposedly containing 30% less fat than crinkle cut potato chips. Grain Waves come in a variety of flavours such as sweet chili, sour cream and chives, and cheddar. Grain Waves products are made with Australian wheat, corn and oats and contain no artificial nasties.
Woolworths has a home brand line of ‘low-price’ every day essentials for your home, kitchen and snacking needs! The Woolies chips range has cheese rings, classic corn and crinkle cut potato chips and stacked chips. Some flavours include original, supreme cheese and sour cream and chives.
Cheetos are a go-to if you’re after a crunchy cheesy treat, but be warned you can’t eat them without licking the signature ‘cheetle’ off your fingers! Cheetos offers a range of ‘flaming hot’ cheesy sticks and puffs for those looking to spice things up and some milder options for the rest of us. Flavour options include white cheddar, lemon cheese, chipotle ranch cheese and more.
Pop open a can of Pringles for a party snack that will keep everyone satisfied. Pringles is a range of stacked potato chips packaged in long cans. The brand offers a variety of flavours, including cheese toastie, chicken salt, sour cream and onion, plus more. Pringles also offers Grab & Go and mini-sized multipack options.
Coles’ own brand is the supermarket chain’s range of ‘great-value’ household and pantry essentials. The private label offers a small range of thin and crinkle cut potato chips which come in flavours like original, chicken and barbeque.
CC’s stands for corn chips, which definitely makes sense as a brand that sells some of the most popular tortilla chips. The products are said to be made using Aussie ground corn, lightly seasoned, and topped off with added cheese baked into the chip. Need we say more? Some flavours available include tasty cheese, nacho cheese, CC’s original and chilli peppers & sour cream.
Burger Rings bring you that big burger taste in a ring-shaped snack. The brand offers one unique burger-licious flavour that no other snack brand can match! Burger Rings are made in Australia.
In terms of flavour choice, this will depend on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re snacking on chips while binge watching your favourite Netflix series, then anything goes right? However, if you’re pairing your chips with dips or spreads then it’s important to choose a flavour that will complement your condiments. On the other hand, if you’re nibbling on chips as an appetizer before a meal, then a more subtle or classic flavour will be your best bet, so as not to distract from the main course.
Our survey found Aussies had most recently purchased the following flavours of chips:
Lastly, our survey found that taste and value for money were the two biggest drivers of satisfaction for consumers when it comes to chips. You can use our guide as a starting point to see how Aussies rated different brands in these categories. And enjoy!
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.
Canstar Blue surveyed more than 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have purchased (from a supermarket or grocer) and consumed a packet of potato chips/crisps in the last three months — in this case 2,330 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.