Dairy Milk may be a trusted staple for chocolate-loving Brits, but it’s far from the only option available — and one budget buy proved surprisingly delicious07:07, 03 Jul 2026Updated 07:07, 03 Jul 2026The chocolate industry in the UK is frequently dominated by a titan of the trade – Cadbury's. Like countless others up and down the nation, the sugary snack is a personal favourite of mine, particularly its Dairy Milk variety.‌Established in Birmingham during the 19th century, the purple-packaged brand has evolved into one of the globe's most recognisable names through the decades. With approximately 95 per cent of Brits said to eat chocolate, it's hardly surprising supermarkets have scrambled to introduce their own version of the iconic bar.‌So which major retailer emerges victorious? I sampled seven to discover the answer, ranking them from worst to best.‌8. Sainsbury'sSainsbury's version is surprisingly flavourless, and it feels like it might be better suited as cooking chocolate. It's somewhat on the hard side as well, and lacks the smooth, creamy quality we all associate with Cadbury.All in all, it's a disappointingly bland offering and doesn't hold a candle to other options at the same price point. And with that in mind, I'd give this one a miss.Score 4.5/10‌7. Tesco's Milk Chocolate 200g - £2.30Intriguingly, each of the three £2.30 bars in this list delivers something slightly different. Tesco's provides a noticeably smoother texture.It's marginally wanting in flavour initially until a delicate aftertaste begins to emerge. Overall, it's a respectable bar: sweet yet understated, though lacking the milky quality found in others.‌Unlike Sainsbury's, it boasts an appealing texture; crucially, it isn't hard. However, it still falls short of the bars you'll discover further down this list.Score 5.5/106. MorrisonsMorrisons’ bar is pleasant but more toned down — though a little bland. It has a simple flavour that again feels better suited to cooking than eating straight from the wrapper, although I found myself liking this more.‌It's sweet, smooth, milky, and not particularly sickly. I could easily make short work of it without feeling too worse for wear.That said, that's probably where the danger lies.Score: 6/10‌5. Asda's Milk Chocolate 200g - £1.95Asda's budget-friendly option surprised me. It starts with a hard bite, but the milky flavour that follows is far better than I expected for the price.It's a pity, really, because the flavour is the big selling point here: it's delicious, sweet and moreish without being overpowering - very easy to scoff.‌The texture lets it down, however. It's chunky and quite hard, and when compared with Dairy Milk, there's no contest.If Asda could soften it up, though, it could easily outstrip Marks and Spencer.Score 6.5/10‌4. Marks and Spencer's Smooth Milk Chocolate 180g - £3.50I was immediately struck by how much richer and sweeter this chocolate was compared with Cadbury's. In fact, a couple of bites were enough for me to call it a day and put the bar back in the fridge.It's delicious, indulgent, smooth and clearly high-quality in both appearance and taste, but it won't be to everyone's liking. If you prefer the occasional nibble, or you usually find other brands hard to put down, it's a solid choice - but anyone hoping to really gorge may end up feeling a bit queasy.Score: 7/10‌3. Aldi's Dairyfine Milk Chocolate 200g - £1.95A surprise front-runner, Aldi's bar is rich and creamy, with a soft, luxurious texture that outshines pricier options.It sits closer to the milky Dairy Milk end of the spectrum than more decadent choices, and it's even a touch softer than its upcoming budget-supermarket rival, though it ultimately comes down to personal taste.‌For me, the next bar edges it, but Aldi is a very close second.Score: 8/102. Lidl's Fin Carre Milk Chocolate 200g - £1.95I was particularly impressed by this budget offering from Lidl. It has some of the qualities you'd expect from the more luxurious Marks and Spencer bar, yet it's moreish and less sickly.‌Sweet and indulgent, it even reminded me of a certain Swiss chocolate brand many of us reach for at Christmas. While it isn't quite as soft as Cadbury, it still has that melt-in-the-mouth quality that chocolate lovers crave.An easy contender for the top spot, it comes tantalisingly close to the giants.Score: 8.5/10Article continues below1. Cadbury Dairy Milk 180g - £2.75 from MorrisonsInstantly recognisable from the first bite, Cadbury's signature silky chocolate undoubtedly takes some beating. My go-to brand since childhood, Dairy Milk's iconic packaging continues to draw the eye on the shelves.From classics like Caramel and Fruit and Nut to newer spins including Oreo and Marvellous Creations, it delivers sweetness without being overpowering - and it more than earns its place as a timeless British classic.Score: 9/10