Alright, let’s get real for a moment: who doesn’t adore potato chips? They’re the co-star of movie nights, the accompaniment to each sandwich, and sometimes, we won’t lie, they’re actually dinner. But what exactly makes a basic potato chip more desirable than another? We set out to determine that.
Our search was all about the essentials crunch, salt, and real potato flavor. No frills, no flavorings to mask behind, just the essentials. What we discovered may come as a shock to you, and it certainly inspired some heated arguments along the way.
So grab your snack, because here’s how 13 assorted bags of plain potato chips measured up when we tested them out.
Great Value Ripple Potato Chips
Ripple Potato Chips by Great Value lagged behind, but that doesn’t imply that they lacked charm in any way. The crunch was evident, but it was a bit forced, nearly as if the chip was working too hard. For flavour, the salt overwhelmed whatever actual potato flavour was present.
One taster called them “chips you eat because they’re there, not because you want them.” That sums it up nicely. They were not offensive, though they were also not memorable at all.
- Crisp factor: good but slightly artificial
- Saltiness: too forceful
- Potato flavour: subdued and not easy to detect
In short, they’ll do in a pinch, but you likely won’t crave them.
The Fresh Market Sea Salt Kettle Chips
These kettle chips had promising thick-cut, rustic, golden looks. But appearances deceived. They over-relied on salt and oil, which overwhelmed the natural potato flavor.
The crunch was uncontestable, nearly jaw-testing at times, but edged close to brutal. Several tasters likened them to “chewing on fried cardboard.” Not quite the rave review they perhaps had wished for.
- Excellent crunch, but too much of it
- Too salty, having you reaching for water
- Potato flavor takes back seat
They’re chips trying to be gourmet, but lose sight of the essence of what makes a good plain chip great.
Kroger Wavy Original Potato Chips
Kroger’s Wavy Chips presented as functional but unremarkable. They featured the comforting ridges, which were great in dips, but when consumed on their own, the taste was insipid. The potato was there but reserved, as if it didn’t want to commit.
Texture-wise, they fell somewhere in the middle: not flimsy, not kettle-hard, just middle-of-the-pack. But “middle-of-the-pack” does not take home many accolades in a blind tasting. These chips were the unobtrusive background music of the group.
- Perfect for dipping in onion dip or ranch
- Non-offending, mild flavour
- Middle-of-the-pack crunch
If you require a surefire dip delivery system, these will suffice. But for straight-from-the-bag snacking, they simply do not impress.
The Fresh Market Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
These came in a bit higher than their Sea Salt relatives, largely due to improved equilibrium. The crisp was assertive, but not as aggressive, and the oiliness appeared that much more in check. Nonetheless, they were more texture-driven than flavour-driven.
One of the testers reduced them to: “Nice bite, not much personality.” That was pretty much the tale here crunchy, salty, but not that warm, earthy potato zing we were seeking out.
- Very robust kettle-cooked crunch
- Less oily than some of the other Fresh Market varieties
- Still short on potato personality
They’re okay for picnicking with a group, but you won’t be stealing additional handfuls when nobody is looking.
Sprouts Original Potato Chips
Sprouts introduced us to a lighter chip that was a shock to some taste testers. The texture was crisp and not heavy, and the salt content was more subtle than is typically the case. Sadly, the potato taste was still somewhat understated.
These chips are accurately described as “inoffensive.” They won’t sabotage your snack time, but they won’t be keeping you awake at night dreaming about them, either. A few tasters mentioned they’d buy them if they were already at Sprouts, but wouldn’t go out of their way.
- Light crunch that won’t wear down the jaw
- Salt level is nice
- Flavour is muted, almost too deferential
They’re nice, accessible chips, but they don’t shout.
Aldi Clancy’s Original Wavy Potato Chips
Aldi’s Clancy’s Wavy Chips showed up as the dependable budget pick. The ridges gave them a sturdy crunch, and the salt was dialled in nicely. Still, much like Kroger’s vers.ion, they lacked that true potato-forward flavour.
That said, for the price, these are hard to beat. Our testers noted that they’d happily throw these into a shopping trolley when planning a party. They may not win awards, but they definitely win on value.
- Great for dips
- Crunchy without being too thick
- Budget-friendly favourite
If you’re feeding a crowd, these are a solid choice.
Whole Foods 365 Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
Whole Foods’ store brand caught us off guard with how well-balanced it was. The crunch was assertive but never overpowering, and the salt was there without taking over. What really contributed was a truer potato flavour than many of the others.
These seemed like chips that were quite sure what they wanted to be: plain, dependable, and slightly more natural-tasting. They never approached “wow” levels, but they had a self-assured quietness to them.
- Solid crunch kettle
- Excellent salt and potato balance
- Bit cleaner finish than the competition
If you prefer your chips plain and to the point, this bag will do just fine.
Market Pantry Wavy Original Potato Chips
Target’s Market Pantry chips rose higher than we expected. Crunch was consistent, flavor mild but pleasant, and the salt was well-balanced. These weren’t standouts, but they had a retro, comfort-food quality.
They reminded a few testers of childhood lunchbox snacks reliable, comforting, and simple to crunch without overthinking. That nostalgic angle provided an added kick.
- Ridges make them convenient to dip
- Even saltiness
- Light nostalgia factor
These are the type of chips you purchase for a party, and you find yourself sneaking extra ones yourself.
Ruffles Original Potato Chips
Ruffles are legendary, and they reminded us why. The ridges provide that classic crunch that’s assertive without being too forceful. The flavor was more toward the potato side than most of the name-brand generics.
A number of tasters conceded they’d forgotten how great Ruffles could be in their own right, dip-free. Salt content was just right, and the chips possessed that unmistakable “classic American chip” character.
- titanic ridged crunch
- strong potato flavor
- Works just as well on its own or with dip
Ruffles aren’t sophisticated, but they’re a party favourite with longevity.
Cape Cod Original Kettle Cooked Chips
Cape Cod is familiar with kettle chips, and it pays off. These produced one of the best crunches of the entire test firm, crusty, and beautifully fried. The potato flavour at last began to come through here, balanced with a judicious sprinkle of salt.
They weren’t oily, making them stand out from a few of the others. Each bite was substantial, like you were actually consuming something solid, not salty wind.
- Intense crunch
- Fresh potato-led flavour
- Not too greasy
They tasted like the chips you’d crave eating at a picnic on the beach with a sandwich.
Utz Original Potato Chips
Utz nailed the traditional thin, crunchy chip flavor. The crunch was less than kettle but still rewarding, and the taste relied heavily on potato. Salts were perfectly balanced, providing an equal bite every time.
These chips struck the perfect balance of being simple to munch on in handfuls without fatiguing your jaw. They possessed a retro-like character that impressed a number of tasters.
- Light, crunchy bite
- Distinct potato flavor
- Well-balanced salt
Utz reminded us that sometimes less is more.
Wise Original Potato Chips
Wise nearly swooped in and took the top spot. Their thin, crispy chips boasted a genuine potato flavor that tasted real and true. The salt was judiciously added, never dominating, always elevating.
A number of tasters reported they could finish the entire bag without pausing, which is roughly the best praise a chip can receive. The chips tasted like summer road trips and picnics thanks to their nostalgic flavour.
- Equilibrated, snackable taste
- Light, airy crunch
- Addictive “stop-at-nothing” flavor
Wise demonstrated that frills are unnecessary to be unforgettable.
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
It may seem formulaic, but Lay’s won out. Their thin, golden slices hit the perfect balance of potato flavor, salt, and crunch. Each taster immediately knew the taste and couldn’t help but admit how much they enjoyed it.
Lay’s chips aren’t attempting to be gourmet they’re simply always good. That consistency, combined with their light, airy crunch, made them the test champion.
- Iconic, immediately familiar taste
- Ideal combination of crunch and salt
- Widely enjoyed and readily available
- The old adage about less being more certainly applies here.
The things we learned from this taste test are that not all plain potato chips are created equal. Some relied too heavily on salt or crunch, and others neglected to allow the potato to be the star. But when all the pieces fell into place, the sheer simplicity of a correctly prepared chip was unstoppable.
If you’re looking for plain ol’ nostalgia and equilibrium, Lay’s will never disappoint. If you’re looking for something with a bit more crunch and rougher texture, Cape Cod is well worth picking up. And if you’re seeking true old-school flavor, Wise or Utz won’t disappoint.
Ultimately, the most excellent chip is the one you continually come back to, bag after bag. And now, with our taste test, you know which ones really deserve that distinction.
