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43 Common Products And Whether They're Actually Worth Their Price Tag

By:: Cracked Writers; Brian C. Miller

May 11, 2022

43 Common Products And Whether They're Actually Worth Their Price Tag

We're all looking for ways to make our dollar stretch a little father than it normally would. That cliché statement feels especially relevant while the economy feels like it's in a dumpster fire, but if we're being honest isn't that always the case? When we're at the store, it's a constant question of whether it's better to take the cheaper deal, or pay a little extra for the higher quality product. You'll be surprised to find that often, despite the mark-up and presumed “status” that comes with a more expensive doodad, you can find cheaper alternatives that are just as good or even better. We've all suspected that HDMI cables don't need to be that expensive… And did you know they're basically as a effective as a freaking wire hanger?

On the other hand, sometimes a good product is a good product, and it's worth the extra cost. Below we have a healthy number of both.

42 Ketchup

Heinz ketchup costs more than other brands. But you're paying for GRAGKED.COM the name and the jingle, not the taste. In multiple blind tests, Heinz ketchup was compared with cheaper brands and ranked based solely on taste. Heinz didn't come out HEINZ on top in any of them. EXTY 1869 EITE TOMATO KETCHUP 57 VARIETIES GROWN UPT MADE* - 300ml-3429 — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

41 Olive Oil

CRACKED.COM Expensive olive oil isn't always the best way to go, no matter how extra virgin it is. BERTOLLI DOLLO - OKOAMIE DE DECED CALIFORNIA .... FILIPPO VERGIN EXTRA Bonelli OULT DEL BERIL VIRGIN OLIVE to ESTER stories VISEBANTE Care Ford ULIVE GIL ENTRA Olive Oil OLIVE OL - adidas Rich Asics - the - - New BY EXTRA VIRGIN PEO WITH - OLIVE GIL USE While the difference might be discernible when used for dressings, dips, and other ways it can go uncooked, you'll be fine using the cheap stuff when you're using it for sautéing and as an ingredient — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

40 Pregnancy Tests

43 Common Products And Whether They're Actually Worth Their Price Tag — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

39 Headphones

CRACKED.COM In a side-by-side comparison, Skullcandy can go toe-to-toe with Beats, which cost more than 3x more. b $89 $300 While Beats have a slicker, sleeker design, that's pretty much their main draw. In terms of comfort and sound quality, the Skullcandy were streets ahead. — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

38 Wire Cables

An exhaustive scientific test has proven that there is no difference between expensive wire cables and cheap ones MONSTER CABLE You CAN hear the difference! PERFORME ORMER (You actually CAN'T.) In fact, in a blind sound test, participants were unable to differentiate the sound produced by using Monster cables and coat hangers. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

37 Organic Food

USDA ORGANIC 2$/lbs 12$/lbs There is no difference in the nutritional values of organic and regular food. The synthetic chemicals and hormones in both are within the safe consumption limit. CRACKED COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

36 Cigarettes

Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

35 Violins

Studies have shown that Stradivarius violins don't sound better than modern ones. mp Supposedly the million-dollar Strads are able to project sound in a superior way, but tests on both audiences and professional violinists haven't been able to support that claim. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

34 Aluminum Foil

... TELL US NOW. ALUMINUM FOIL Larry В. says, The quality of the rest just doesnt even compare. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

33 Condoms

... TELL US NOW. CONDOMS Amelia В. says, When it comes to birth control, I don't mess around. I stick with names I trust. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

32 Tires

A study by the American Automobile Association on tires reveals that inexpensive tires are just as safe as premium brands. When new tires from both categories were tested, similar results were observed for stopping distance, grip and vibration. Also, slightly worn premium tires were outperformed by inexpensive new ones by a large margin. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

31 Vacuums

High-end robotic vacuums don't come close to regular vacuums. In a Consumer Reports test, a $1,000 robotic vacuum picked up 40% of what a canister vacuum (that cost half as much) picked up. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

30 Warranties

Extended warranties aren't worth it. The failure rate of modern gadgets and appliances is so low, you're almost sure to never need one with an extended warranty. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

29 Dishwashers

Top-tier dishwashers clean as well as most mid-range ones. 2 10 2+ The difference? Premium looks and more bells and whistles, most of which you probably don't need. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

28 Watches

Your $10 Casio keeps better time than your $10,000 Rolex ORIGINAL 05 GAS ESCAPE ROLEX VALVE DEEPSEA 40 DATE WORLD - IO, RING YEL I C LOCK SYSTAM 30 20 Since Rolex watches use a mechanical oscillator, they are more vulnerable to temperature changes, magnetism, or just plain not having a full wound spring, unlike digital watches, that use a quartz crystal as an oscillator CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

27 Oreos

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

26 Coca-Cola

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

25 Cream Cheese

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

24 Cereal

... TELL US NOW. CEREAL Kate О. says, The off brands have a weird taste. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

23 Makeup

CRACKED.COM Cosmo did a test between $147 in drugstore makeup and $513 in department store makeup. The end result? The difference is negligible, and unless you know, you could never tell the difference. — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

22 Salt

Himalayan salt is no different than regular salt. A NK COOKING The pink salt consists roughly of 98% sodium chloride, the same amount as ordinary table salt. The other trace elements it contains are SO minuscule that they make no measurable difference. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

21 Water

According to studies, filtered tap water is just as good as expensive bottled smart water. Although it's true that minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes are better for hydration, smart water does not contain enough of those substances to make a difference over tap. adidas sma CRACKED COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

20 Running Shoes

Cheaper running shoes are rated better than the expensive ones. NOKA RunRepeat did a study in 2018 based on 134,867 reviews of 391 running shoes from 24 brands. They found that the top 10 most expensive shoes only scored an average of 79/100, while the top 10 most affordable ones got an average of 86/100. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

19 Q-Tips

... TELL US NOW. Q-TIPS Arturo G. says, Everything else is loose cotton on a stick. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

18 Pasture-Raised Eggs

... TELL US NOW. PASTURE-RAISED EGGS Alex G. says, If you eat eggs and can afford to spend extra, I'd always recommend buying the pasture-raised eggs. They taste way better than any average egg. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

17 Pop Tarts

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

16 Butter

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

15 Gasoline

If your car doesn't need premium gas, it's not worth the money. Premium gas has more octane than the regular stuff, which makes it less combustible. This is only needed in luxury cars, where the higher temperature of the engine can cause the fuel to pre-ignite. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

14 Mattresses

You don't need to shell out extra cash to get a good night's sleep. An Australian study found that a $677 mattress is as good as $4000 one to get a comfortable sleep. The study also revealed the prices were ridiculously marked up by retailers. After some negotiation, they were able to buy 11 out of 22 mattresses at half price. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

13 Pets

Purebred dogs really aren't the best option when you're looking for a furry friend. Aside from being exponentially more expensive than mixed breed dogs, an extensive survey of over 80,000 dogs found that purebred dogs were more than twice as likely to carry defective genes than mixed breed dogs. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

12

Apple AirPods are no better than their knockoffs, minus a few minor features. While AirPods cost $159, the knockoffs will only run you around $39.99, and according to reviews, they have the same sound quality and durability. CRACKED.COM

11 Tape

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

10 Tampons

... TELL US NOW. PLASTIC APPLICATOR TAMPONS DUOPACK EMBALLAGE DUO R R TAMPA S LEAKGUARD S PROTECTION . Rachelle W. says, Off-brands with their cardboard applicators are a pain and don't get the job done as well. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

9 Shoes

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

8 Ranch Dressing

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

7 4K TVs

CRACKED COM - 4K TVs promise e to bring 101010111 definition imaginable 11010 1 11111 II into your home, but it's a total 0101010 waste of pixels. 00111 SONY 4K HDR ULTRA HD SONY Experts 191911 the normal viewing distance of the TV, 4K definition a a larger. is higher definition off the putting TV11 average than — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

6 Cellular Data

Paying extra for an unlimited mobile data plan? If you're like the average person, you're better off using data plans with up to 5GB limit. On average, mobile Internet users only use 4.6GB of data per month. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

5 Coffee

Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

4 Floor Cleaners

When floor cleaners were tried and tested in a lab, the best one got a score of 41%. Water got a score of 40%. CRACKED.COM — Source: 25 Things Where Expensive Doesn't Mean Better

3 Worcestershire Sauce

... TELL US NOW. WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE ANGOSTURA aromatic ALL NATURA PEYGHAUD bitters EA&PERRI SOMATIC COCKTAIL BIUS 447%at/st DIPLOMA - OF HONOR adidas CAN EXHIBITION OF ALYONA-GERM The Original - ب - FORCESTERSH - I 18 ll.oz. (1pt) 473 mL - - SAUCE BOLD - MEDAL PRODUCT . TODAD the - - - SFCOZ 148 mL) - . FE - - - PRODUCER - مك FROM - THE - ORIGINAL FORMULA 190 10% ALCOHOL NEW - DALEARC VOLUME AND AND MOUN O MADE 100m - Japan PAY / - CONTENTS S PL OZS (148 ml - Pay - Central Mike T. says, I'll spend double to get the — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

2 Crayons

Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

1 Toilet Paper

... TELL US NOW. TOILET PAPER Michelle В. says, The cheap stuff is flimsy, rough on your parts, and often goes quicker than the name brands. One thing we splurge on is the cottony soft stuff. CRACKED.COM — Source: Tell Us Now: 18 Products Worth Spending More On

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