Consumer Reports: Getting The Best Value At Target, Walmart
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Walmart and Target are known for value, but a good price is only key if you're getting a good product.
So how can you tell if something is a smart buy?
Consumer Reports takes us into the labs to get a handle on what to get, and what to forget.
Let's start with Target.
Up and Up toilet paper is worth considering.
Consumer Reports found it to be exceptionally soft. And though in tests it isn't particularly strong, it's one of the cheapest in the ratings.
"Up and Up is one of Target's private labels that promises quality for less," said Dan DiClerico with Consumer Reports. "There's also the more upscale Archer Farms brand and there's Market Pantry, which is a bit more basic."
Consumer Reports judged Market Pantry ketchup just as good as Heinz -- and found Market Pantry mayonnaise rivals Hellmann's.
Also pick up Target's Archer Farms pure maple syrup. It's thick, with bold flavors.
But don't pour it on the Market Pantry home-style waffles. Testers found them slightly bitter.
Skip Market Pantry Classic Roast coffee too. It's second from the bottom in Consumer Reports' ratings.
Switching now to Walmart.
Great Value LED light bulbs are a good buy, including the 60-watt equivalent, A-19 and several Great Value floodlights.
"LEDs are typically very expensive, but after 3,000 hours of testing, we found several from Walmart that are cheap and really good," said DiClerico.
Consumer Reports regularly includes Walmart's Great Value brand in blind taste tests against big brands -- and found several winners, including ranch dressing, vanilla ice cream and mozzarella cheese.
Consumer Reports' says some of Walmart's paper products are also good bargains.
Great Value Facial Tissues with lotion are ultra-soft, as is the top-rated toilet paper - White Cloud, 3-ply ultra.
And Walmart paper towels are both strong and absorbent.
But testers in the laundry labs found not every low price is a great value.
The Great Value Natural Laundry detergent had downright dismal performance in the latest tests.
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