I tried Marks and Spencer’s cheapest and most expensive crisps – there was one clear winner

I taste-tested Marks and Spencer’s premium Collection Extra Virgin Olive Oil crisps against their budget ready salted to find out which is really the best.

The more expensive crisps weren’t quite what I expected(Image: Nicola Roy)

Crisps are my weakness. Whilst others might fancy something sugary following dinner, I’m constantly after that savoury hit, and I’d go as far to say I’ve tried most of what’s available in stores right now.

That changed when Marks and Spencer launched a new crisp collection last year that appeared so upmarket I didn’t need to glance at the price tag to know this. My instincts were correct – the Collection Extra Virgin Olive Oil crisps with Mediterranean sea salt carry a hefty £3.90 price tag per bag.

So I decided to carry out a comparison between these and the shop’s most affordable crisps to determine if any there were any real differences – and one definitive champion emerged.

For fairness, I needed a cheap packet of crisps in a similar flavour. Whilst the Collection range offers various options, from unsalted to truffle flavoured (which really appealed to me), I ultimately selected the standard salted version as this seemed simplest to match, reports the Express.

The Collection crisps have only three ingredients (Image: Nicola Roy)

As mentioned, this was £3.90 for a 125g bag, which seems steep. But the ingredients seem very high quality, with the product description stating: “Expertly crafted with the best-quality potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and salt from Alicante salt flats, these golden crisps have a delicate texture and a rich flavour.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum, I grabbed an ordinary ready salted packet priced at £1.50. I believe there’s an even cheaper crinkle cut variety available for £1.20, but none were available at my local branch, so this would have to do.

Expensive crisps

The two packets couldn’t look more different (Image: Nicola Roy)

I tried the pricier crisps first. Or rather, made an attempt to, as the packaging was near-impossible to open. Whilst it definitely had a more upmarket quality, was it worth the hassle?

Eventually, I resorted to scissors to cut along the top, and fortunately I had some to hand at home, but imagine attempting that whilst out and about?

Regardless, the packaging does appear and feel superior to the budget alternative. However, that’s not particularly important – what matters is the flavour.

I’d expected a crunchier crisp, similar to the thicker consistency of a Kettle chip. They were unexpectedly delicate, and tasted wonderful as well.

They weren’t overly greasy and you can certainly detect the extra virgin olive oil in every bite.

It’s common knowledge that olive oil is really expensive right now, so it’s not shocking that these crisps are so costly. They contain three ingredients as well – simply potatoes, EVOO and salt – making them ideal if you’re attempting to reduce your ultraprocessed food consumption.

Cheap crisps

The packet was bigger, with a lot more crisps in there(Image: Nicola Roy)

Turning to the cheaper option, I instantly noticed that this packet felt more substantial. I checked the weight, and this one was 150g – 25g heavier than the premium crisps, and evidently at a lower price point too.

I spotted considerably less air within the packaging upon opening – and it was far simpler to open as well.

These also lacked the substantial crunch I value in a crisp, and I had to admit they possessed a noticeably more budget texture. Nevertheless, I genuinely couldn’t fault the taste whatsoever.

They delivered a pleasant saltiness without becoming overwhelming, and upon looking at the ingredients, I was surprised to discover just three – potatoes, sea salt and sunflower/rapeseed oil.

The verdict

There’s no disputing that the premium crisps tasted more costly. You cannot avoid that distinctive EVOO flavour, and I would have gladly polished off the remainder of these.

I also know that the ingredients are unquestionably superior, contributing to the higher price point. But honestly, the more affordable option satisfied my craving just as effectively, whilst being a lot more budget-friendly too.

I’m curious about the other varieties in the Collection range, so they will undoubtedly find their way onto my shopping list at some stage over the coming weeks. They’d be excellent for taking to someone’s house if you really wanted to make an impression.

However, if I had to select one to purchase again, I’m opting for the £1.50 version.