We Tried 6 Great Value Candy Bars… And The Results Were Frightening!
Great Value candy bars might ring up at nearly half the price, but it will cost ya half the taste, too! 😝
If you were considering cutting back a few dollars this spooky season and trying Walmart’s Great Value candy bars instead, here’s your friendly reminder that cost doesn’t always beat quality.
My kiddos & I onlinepared the top 6 candy bars to their Great Value counterpart and here’s our honest feedback:
1. KitKat vs. Great Value Milk Chocolate Crispy Wafer Bar
Price difference: 54¢
Although the GV crispy wafer bar was the most similar in packaging and shape, also giving the classic 4-stick bar, the chocolate had almost a ‘greasy’ appearance. And, while the wafer was tolerable, the milk chocolate was too rich.
My 6-year-old daughter said it perfectly that this chocolate was “too sour”.
2. Twix vs. Great Value Cookie & Caramel Bars
- Twix 1.79 oz. bars – $1.32
- Great Value Cookie & Caramel 1.79 oz. bars – 78¢
Price difference: 54¢
Somehow, these cookie bars are the same weight, and yet the GV bars look smaller in person. The chocolate is also more ‘grayish’ in color, with almost a dusting layer over it. These bars gave a similar crunch from the cookie center but lacked the smooth and chewy caramel finish, leaving it overall unsatisfying.
3. Snickers vs. Great Value Peanut, Caramel, & Nougat Bar
Price difference: 54¢
If you crave the irresistible crunch of a peanut-y Snickers bar, you’ll want to skip the GV version, as the peanut layer is practically nonexistent. 😭 Not only is the iconic peanut and caramel layer thinner than a classic Snickers, but the peanuts are also significantly smaller, chopped pieces, unlike the large peanut texture we’re used to.
You won’t get that crunch, and you’ll be adding 10 extra calories and 2g of extra fat to your midday snack – no thanks!
4. Hershey’s vs. Great Value Milk Chocolate Bar
Price difference: 20¢
You might think you’re getting a bigger bar for less money, plus fewer calories, fat, and sodium per bar, but after tasting, I couldn’t even bring myself to melt this chocolate to recycle into other treats. 👎
Maybe it’s that the GV bar is sweetened with vanilla or the chocolate liquor that’s also in the ingredient list, but either way, this chocolate had a very ‘artificial-y’ taste, and all the added “benefits” can’t beat the creaminess of true Hershey’s.
5. Miky Way vs Great Value Caramel & Nougat Bar
- Milk Way King Size 3.6oz. Bar 2-Pack – $1.97 OR 98¢ per bar
- Great Value Caramel & Nougat 1.84oz. Bar – 78¢
Price difference: 20¢
The GV caramel & nougat bar is another great example where you might be paying less, but you’re also getting less – just look at the difference in thickness in the two candy bars above.
You’re also submitting yourself to 20 extra calories and 2g of extra fat per bar, along with undesirable ingredients like glucose and fructose syrup, sorbitol, and mono– and diglycerides. 🫠
6. 3 Musketeers vs. Great Value Nougat Bar
- 3 Musketeers Sharing Size 3.82oz. bar – $1.97 (51¢ per oz.)
- Great Value Fluffy Nougat 1.92oz. bar – 78¢ (40¢ per oz.)
Price difference: 11¢ per ounce
Not only does this GV candy bar have some of the worst (and most onlineical 😂) reviews, but even after just unwrapping, it almost looks too unappetizing to eat. The nougat is more brownish in color, feels chewy instead of fluffy, and has a whopping 40 more calories than the original!
And don’t just take my word for it! None of these bars have more than a 3-star rating and here is what customers have to say…
Tastes nothing like a 3 Musketeer you can drive a nail with how hard these are.
It was sweet but not very flavorful. Definitely doesn’t onlinepare to other caramel and nougat candy bars. Great Value products are usually closer to the brand, but this wasn’t even worth considering.
Just pay the extra for the name-brand version. I don’t mind generics but this one didn’t make the cut. :/
Bought it cause it was 78 cents and instead of tasting what I thought would be an off-brand 3 Musketeers bar I tasted something that felt like a sin.
Here at Hip, we’re typically big fans of all things Great Value. The taste is usually very close if not better than, and you can’t beat the price! But this reviewer said it best:
“Great Value products are usually closer to the brand, but this wasn’t even worth considering.”
However, while this taste test didn’t turn out how we were expecting, you’ll still find us shopping these Great Value favorites:
- Teenager–approved chicken tenders
- Fall baking favorites
- And these 13 Great Value staples that WIN every time!
Have you tried these Great Value candy bars? Let us know if your taste buds approved! 😜
