Fish fingers are a staple in many households and Birds Eye is the brand to beat — Emily Malia put the biggest supermarket brands to test to see where they stand15:17, 23 Jun 2026There's nothing more quintessentially British than fish and chips, and when it comes to a quicker, fuss-free version at home, fish fingers are the go-to option — whether tucked into a sandwich or served up for the kids alongside chips and peas, they're a household staple.‌Yet many of us automatically reach for Birdseye without realising there are far cheaper, equally delicious alternatives sitting right there on the supermarket shelf.‌It's a simple dish, but fish fingers are one the whole family keeps coming back to — so why not find out if a budget-friendly option could tempt you away from the big-name brands?‌Emily Malia decided to put some of Britain's leading supermarket own-brand fish fingers to the test in the Daily Record. She sought out to find if they can hold their own against the likes of Bird's Eye — or whether, when all's said and done, spending more really does mean better, more flavoursome fish.All fish fingers were cooked for around 12-14 minutes at 200 degrees in the oven to keep things fair, though other methods such as frying are also an option.‌Asda - £1.12The standard orange-coloured breadcrumbs were pleasingly crispy and crumbly, though the overall flavour was rather underwhelming.So mild, in fact, that they're dangerously easy to keep munching through — but after dinner, you want to feel satisfied, not still peckish.In terms of flavour, Emily felt the fish taste simply didn't pack enough of a punch for her liking. The texture, however, was a different story — a melt-in-your-mouth experience once you broke through the crispy coating.‌3/5M&S - £2.50Straight away, Emily knew this would be a top-tier fish finger because it delivered on taste, far stronger and chewier, so you genuinely feel like you're eating some proper protein.The batter was crispy but thinner compared to the likes of the Asda option, though still delicious.‌Emily says she would buy these again in a heartbeat, although £2.50 is pricier than the Birdseye itself, making this more of a luxury option. Personally, she thinks it's worth it.5/5‌Sainsbury's - 80pEven picking up a Sainsbury's fish finger, you can feel it's almost half the size in thickness compared to the likes of the M&S option. It feels thin and cheap, with a higher breadcrumb-to-fish ratio.Flavour-wise, Emily thought it felt very similar to the Asda option, where it didn't offer much taste, but in this case there was also not a nice texture. It doesn't melt in your mouth or have a good chew to it either; it's a pretty bang-average eating experience.Perhaps grilling them could produce better results for those willing to give it a shot, and at a mere 80p, Emily reckons it's worth a punt.‌2/5Bird's Eye - £2.10These were delicious, and while being visibly thinner and lighter in colour, they were a lot chewier and tastier. They are a well-known brand for a reason, and their fish speciality shines through.Although their batter was crispier and less crumbly, like a traditional fish finger, which Emily thinks is tasty, and their original style is a lot more cosy and nostalgic for her.‌She'd still argue M&S beats these fish fingers, but they certainly come close, and for the sake of 40p, you know this is a trusted option that will still deliver.4/5Tesco - £1.15At a more sensible price, these fish fingers make for a brilliant budget-friendly alternative, with creamy fish, as opposed to the more powerful tastes.Article continues belowFor flavour, they did deliver, with a much more subtle fish flavour for those who prefer it, paired with a melt-in-your-mouth sort of texture with less chew.Although the results were slightly mushier than some of the others and less crispy on the outside than Emily would prefer, falling apart a lot easier and sticking to the tray slightly.4/5