When you’re looking down the supermarket aisle, the choices can be Store brands vs name brands daunting. On one hand, you see name-brand products, with their vibrant packaging and heavy advertising. On the other hand, there are generic items, which are often cheaper but not as well-known. Opting for store brands can be a smart way to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Private label products are manufactured by outside manufacturers, but sold under the retailer’s name. Often, these items are very similar to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Store brands don’t include the high costs of advertising that national brands build into the price.

Many people assume that cheaper products are not as good, but blind taste tests have shown that shoppers often can’t distinguish between generic brands and popular brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like salt, the product is virtually the same.

For over-the-counter medications, the core ingredients are monitored and must meet the same standards, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or store-brand versions, you’re getting the same thing at a lower price.

In other categories like cleaners, you might feel more hesitant to switch to generics, but it’s often worth it. In case a product isn’t quite right, the money saved will compensate over time. Many retailers even provide money-back guarantees on their private-label items, making it risk-free to try.

The key is that you can start small. Swap out a few staples initially—like baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or basic groceries. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve saved. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without missing out on the quality you expect.