I took the same grocery list to Aldi and Amazon. Both had good deals, but I was stunned by the latter's prices and quality.

2 weeks ago 17

Review by Savannah Born

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Author Savannah Born smiling with groceries on counter in kitchen

I never thought I'd order groceries online, but my Amazon Grocery cart came out nearly as cheap as Aldi — and it's so much more convenient. Savannah Born
  • Shopping Amazon Grocery items feels like a cheat code for budget-conscious and convenience shoppers.
  • Amazon had competitive prices and quality produce. As a Prime member, my order shipped for free.
  • My $59.64 Amazon haul was $52.85 at Aldi, but now I know what to get where. I'll shop at both.

I've been a diehard Aldi shopper ever since I got my own credit card. It checks almost every box for budget-conscious individuals like me.

As such, you'll never find me at ritzy grocery stores like Fresh Thyme or Erewhon. Knowing I can get similar items for a fraction of the price at Aldi makes shopping anywhere else feel wasteful.

The only things I shun more than high-end grocery stores are delivery services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Shipt. Though many swear by them, I never believed they'd be a good enough value for me when I could just drive to Aldi.

But when a (perceived) flat tire left me marooned at home, I was forced to partake in my personal nightmare: ordering groceries online.

Amazon caught my eye with its new Grocery line featuring hundreds of items for under $5.

Amazon prime grocery bags on counter

After my Amazon haul arrived, I visited my local Aldi to compare the prices and quality of the groceries I purchased. Savannah Born

As I began researching where to order groceries, I found many had inflated in-store prices, sky-high delivery fees, limited selections, or even membership requirements.

I felt discouraged until I stumbled upon Amazon's new Grocery line of budget-friendly offerings. I found hundreds of items from the label for under $100 listed alongside name-brand staples.

I had to do a double-take once I filled my cart. My order came out just $6.79 more than a comparable haul would've been at Aldi … and I didn't even leave my apartment.

First, I was surprised by the quality of the Amazon produce.

Bananas, raspberries, spinach, lettuce, onion, tomato, on counter

My Amazon produce haul looked great. Savannah Born

I always sift through stores' produce sections to pick the "best" of everything, so I didn't expect Amazon to deliver on the quality front — especially with berries.

However, my $0.99 raspberries were juicy, and the bananas were ripe, unlike the green bananas available at Aldi.

My $1.48 fruit haul would have been $2.97 at Aldi.

The fresh veggies gave Amazon another leg up.

Romaine lettuce from Amazon

The lettuce I ordered from Amazon was crisp. Savannah Born

The veggies delivered to me from Amazon appeared to be in much better condition than many of the ones I found in store at my local Aldi.

My spinach arrived wilt-free, and my romaine was perfectly crisp. The only exception is the spaghetti squash, which looked similar to the ones I saw at Aldi.

Amazon has fixed produce prices.

Aldi's produce section with fruit, vegetables in cardboard boxes in fridge

At Aldi, I can pay for my items more accurately by weight. Savannah Born

Although Amazon lists prices by weight, produce costs are predetermined.

I weighed each item upon arrival and discovered that I overpaid for the tomato and underpaid for the onion and bananas.

For example, Amazon's organic Roma tomatoes were listed at $0.47 a pound, about half the price of Aldi's conventional ones. However, due to fixed prices, I paid $0.75 for a 3.6-ounce tomato from Amazon that would've been $0.21 at Aldi.

Since I underpaid for two other items, the prices sort of evened themselves out. I still enjoy the predictability of fixed prices, even though it's not as accurate as weighing items in-store at Aldi.

For me, Amazon's produce section wins in terms of quality and variety.

Roma tomato

I liked that I was able to order just one Roma tomato from Amazon. Savannah Born

I'm a creature of habit and look for similar produce each week, but Amazon has a much larger selection that isn't limited to seasonal availability or physical shelf space.

I also found more single-unit options at Amazon than at Aldi, allowing me to buy only what I need and prevent food waste.

Aldi still has the best deal on Greek yogurt I've ever found.

Friendly Farms Greek yogurt next to 365 Greek yogurt

I often buy Friendly Farms Greek yogurt. Savannah Born

At $3.19 for a 32-ounce tub, Aldi's Friendly Farms nonfat Greek yogurt's value is hard to beat.

Amazon only had Greek yogurt from big-name brands like Chobani, Stonyfield, and Oikos, which I typically skip unless they're on sale for the sake of frugality.

After trying the cheapest alternative I could find on Amazon — a variety from Whole Foods' 365 brand — I prefer Aldi's version. It was smoother and tasted less sour, plus it cost $1.30 less.

Between Aldi's Greek yogurt and Amazon's brand-name butter, dairy was a fairly even playing field.

Amazon Grocery dairy products on counter

I paid the same for butter at Aldi and Amazon. Savannah Born

At the time I shopped, butter from Land O'Lakes cost me the same as sticks from Amazon Grocery, so I chose to order the former. Aldi's generic butter was the same price as both, $3.49, which levels the playing field.

Shredded cheese prices were identical, too.

Amazon's selection of frozen veggies is a game changer.

Amazon grocery frozen cauliflower with aldi rice cauliflower

I was impressed by the frozen cauliflower rice at Amazon Grocery. Savannah Born

Both retailers have top-notch frozen veggies that microwave in minutes (which I love), but Amazon's were cheaper.

Cauliflower rice was only $1.15, compared to $1.49 at Aldi. Both bags are 12 ounces, yet Amazon's seemed to provide me with more volume when cooked. I use cauliflower rice to bulk up stir-fries and skillet dishes, so volume is key.

California veggie blends are another must-have in my freezer, and they were $0.89 on Amazon — but $1.15 at Aldi.

Eggs were way cheaper at Aldi, but I usually just buy egg whites.

Amazon grocery egg white carton with carton of a dozen eggs

I'd probably just buy eggs at Aldi if I ate them often. Savannah Born

On Amazon, the cheapest carton of a dozen eggs I could find cost $4.19.

At Aldi, a carton was only $1.96 — an absolute steal, especially since I only use eggs for baking and don't like to spend too much on them.

On the other hand, egg whites are a staple in my diet, and they were only $0.70 more from Amazon Grocery. Given that a carton lasts me two weeks, I'm not that worried about the price discrepancy.

Aldi had more affordable bread and bagels … for now.

Aldi L'Oven bagels in store

I love Aldi's cinnamon bagels. Savannah Born

I've been buying Aldi's $2 six-packs of L'Oven Fresh cinnamon bagels for years. I find the quality of the private label's offerings is in line with what I'd get from bigger-name brands like Thomas.

At the time I ordered, Amazon didn't have its own bread or bagels, leaving only pricier name brands. However, I did see "not yet released" six-packs of Amazon Grocery bagels listed for $1.99. I look forward to trying them once they're available.

Until then, I'll continue shopping for bagels and bread at Aldi.

Name-brand cereal, however, seems to be quite a bargain on Amazon.

A box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal

Cinnamon Toast Crunch cost me almost double at Aldi. Savannah Born

I spent $1.96 on a 12-ounce box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch on Amazon. Aldi sold the same box for $3.16.

That's 16 cents an ounce at Amazon compared to a whopping 26 cents an ounce at Aldi.

Regular and grass-fed ground beef were less expensive at Aldi.

Ground beef at Aldi

Aldi's ground beef was selling for a decent price. Savannah Born

I buy ground beef often because I make tacos, chili, or spaghetti at least once a week. Luckily, both Amazon and Aldi sell it.

The 80% lean/20% fat beef I purchased cost about $1.34 less at Aldi, though I preferred Amazon's convenient 1-pound packaging.

However, Aldi takes the cake for grass-fed beef, offering a pound for less than Amazon's non-grass-fed variety.

Overall, Amazon's grocery delivery is a good option for Prime members.

Bagels, cream cheese, beef, yogurt, cereal, on kitchen table

Non-Prime members pay about $13 for same-day delivery on any size grocery order. Savannah Born

A Prime membership costs me $139 a year, but I get free shipping on all orders over $25, including grocery orders. I use my account for everything, from buying homewares to streaming movies, so I would pay for the membership regardless.

Non-Prime members can shop for same-day grocery delivery — if they're willing to pay a $12.99 fee that could potentially cancel out any meaningful savings.

All things considered, I'm switching to shopping primarily on Amazon — but I'll still grab a few things at Aldi.

Amazon Grocery cauliflower rice, pumpkin, yogurt next to same items from Aldi on counter

Aldi and Amazon Grocery both have some great products. Savannah Born

Comparable items in my $59.64 Amazon cart came to $52.85 at Aldi.

The few bucks I would've saved in Aldi, I would've paid for with my time. Convenience is a major factor, especially as a busy professional who drives 15 minutes each way to the nearest Aldi.

Between free shipping, which saves me gas money, and competitive prices, Amazon just feels like the more cost-effective option.

Still, I can't pass up Aldi's Greek yogurt, bagels, egg whites, and grass-fed ground beef — or the chaotic aisles that somehow feel like home — so I'll make the trek once or twice a month.

But from here on out, I'll be grabbing all my other groceries from Amazon, adding products from its new budget-friendly line to my cart whenever possible.

My groceries from Amazon arrived neatly on my doorstep, in peak condition, and in just a few hours. It felt like a life hack.

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