Food
10 Chip Brands Ranked From Worst To Best
Chips are one of the most popular snacks in the world. The salty, crunchy, snacks that come in a variety of delicious flavors are a go-to for many. However, there is a huge disparity when it comes to chip brands. Some are great and others…well, maybe not so great. So here are the top 10 Chip Brands Ranked From Worst To Best.
10. Old Dutch
Old Dutch chips are old news and aren’t as popular as they once were. Old Dutch was founded in 1934. Today their product line includes Old Dutch Potato Chips, Dutch Crunch, Ripples, Cheese Pleesers, and Restaurante Style Tortilla Chips. The Old Dutch chips come in standard flavors like original, BBQ, Sour Cream and Onion and Ketchup (for the Canadians, of course), along with a few unique flavors like Smokey Bacon and Onion & Garlic. The problem with the Old Dutch brand is that the chips aren’t tasty enough. Their quality rating used to be a lot higher. Until their competitors began showing up on shelves next to them, they were wildly popular with kids. Old Dutch just failed to keep up with the times. One commenter on a review site perfectly encapsulated their decline, saying they “used to be my favorite, but the new kettle type chips sure put these under the table”. The commenter went on to say how they wished the chips themselves were better, that they were really thin and can get oversaturated with oil as a result. The Old Dutch BBQ chips have more of a tangier flavor, whereas most prefer a sweeter barbecue taste on potato chips. The brand has been around for many years, so they have picked up some loyal chip fans, but they are no longer a popular favorite like some of the relatively new kids on the block.
9. Sun Chips
First off, Sun Chips are made with whole grains instead of potatoes so these may qualify as a “healthier” chip. But if they aren’t made with potatoes can they even be considered chips? Sun Chips are fried, rippled, multigrain chips produced by Frito-Lay. We have to give them credit though. They wanted to be different so they created what they call a “one-of-a-kind chip”. They do have some pretty good flavors like Harvest Cheddar, French Onion, Sweet and Spicy BBQ, and Garden Salsa. Although the flavors are yummy, some chip connoisseurs don’t enjoy the multi-grain taste these chips serve up. But in the late 2000s, Frito-Lay decided to make their bags compostable. While this was a step in the right direction for the environment, unexpected backlash occurred. The newly formulated compostable bags made way more noise then a standard chip bag. Yes, this was an actual complaint, and many people disliked the extra noise the bag made while snacking on Sun Chips. The sales of Sun Chips actually experienced an 11 percent drop around that same time period! That sprung execs into action to create a, you guessed it, quieter Sun Chips bag. But maybe they should have focused on upgrading their chips as well as their bags.
8. Tostitos
Tostitos are merely shovels used to dig up copious amounts of salsa, cheese, and guacamole. It’s very uncommon for someone to grab a bag of Tostitos chips if they don’t plan on heavily dipping them in some sort of sauce. Don’t take this the wrong way – they are a good chip for these types of dips, but overall they lack flavor and excitement. That’s why they come in scoops or massive sized hexagons and triangles, the makers intended on them being used as a dipping chip and not one that is enjoyed all on its own. This makes Tostitos a mediocre chip when standing next to other stand-alone chips. You’ll find a bag of these on the table at most parties and almost every Super Bowl get-together but it is not necessarily a pantry staple. The restaurant-style Tostitos are ideal for making nachos! The popular tortilla chips also make a great sidekick to Mexican dishes especially with their hint of lime flavor. According to a few blogs and university polls, Tostitos don’t even make it to the top of the list for best tortilla chips! Sorry Tostitos, but the more popular choices are Calidad, Late July, Santitas and Mission tortilla chips.
7. Pringles
Pringles are an American brand of stackable snack chips owned by Kellogg’s. The chips have been around for ages and even though it feels like we are eating chips from a tennis ball container, no one cares because they are that awesome. These are potato and wheat-based chips and offer a good crunch with the perfect wave shape in a variety of flavors. They are made from a dough made of dried potatoes, wheat starch, potato flour, corn flour, and rice flour. Pringles look like they were made to survive anything in those cylindrical containers. Their commercials are good at convincing us that once you pop the top you can’t stop. This is definitely true – we’ve all been there – staring down into that empty Pringles tube, wondering what happened. Still, Pringles remains a hit-or-miss with many chip lovers. Some snack aficionados would probably prefer some of the other brands on this list. But why would someone omit a chip that pops with fun? Well, one reason might be because Pringles contain 2.5 times more saturated fat per serving, which is one of the worst types of fat you can consume. Maybe this is why they came out with a reduced-fat version. One of the coolest aspects of eating Pringles is the vast array of flavors they come in! Things start to get really crazy when you look into international, local flavors, but even here in America there’s plenty of flavors abound, though often available for a limited time only. But unique flavors like Mozzarella Sticks, Pecan Pie and Seaweed flavored Pringles are actually the norm for this delicious chip brand!
6. Ruffles
Ruffles is another chip company that puts a little spin on the average potato chip. It’s the ridges that make this chip stand out. The name is a direct reference to the “ruffle” made when folds are created. The chips were sold using the slogan “RRRuffles Have Ridges!” The idea of these ruffled chips was for them to not only be a sturdier and crunchier potato chip but also less likely to break in the bag. This might be a great concept, but the bottom of the bag still ends up with broken pieces. An extra bonus feature when it comes to Ruffles is that they are the perfect chip for standing up to stiffer dips. Ruffles are best known for their All Dressed chip flavor. Like Drake, these used to be exclusive to Canada, but now they can be found in other places too. Ruffles All Dressed are the perfect combination of the holy trinity of chip flavors: ketchup, salt and vinegar, and BBQ. Let’s not forget the other awesome flavors Ruffles has like original, which is crunchy and has just the right amount of saltiness. They also have sour cream and onion, cheddar and sour cream, and unique flavors like poutine and beer-battered onion rings. The ridges, and their classic taste, are what gives this chip a leg up on some of the other brands out there.
5. Miss Vickie’s
Next on the list is a fine kettle chip if there ever was one. There are so many intriguing flavors in this chip family. Miss Vickie’s doesn’t get any better than their Salt & Vinegar chips, however they do have several other flavors that stand out. Each flavor is as delicious and crunchy as the next. There is a fan for every chip Miss Vickie’s has come out with, especially Jalapeno! Dare we say that there is a possible tie for top spot when it comes to Miss Vickie’s chips? “Kettle” chips have become widely popular and loved by many. They come with a delicious kettle-cooked crunch. Some online forum contributors claim Miss Vickie’s are a healthier and better-for-you option because you can eat more Miss Vickie’s chips than you can other chips for the same amount of calories. But who’s counting calories when snacking on chips anyway? Miss Vickie’s delivers a chip with the perfect amount of seasoning. Once you open a bag, you don’t put it down until it’s empty. Miss Vickie’s has very high reviews for their kettle chips; a lot of people love the extreme crunchiness of this brand. The chips themselves are medium and small-sized instead of the big chunky chips that can’t fit in your mouth with one bite. So, when it comes to kettle chips, the crunchier the better!
4. Cheetos
While maybe not technically being an actual chip, Cheetos have been a long time favorite. They are addictive. One reviewer commented how they love the orange cheesiness and the crunch that comes with Cheetos. Doesn’t everyone? They are great to serve at parties because no dip is required. Cheetos are a much-loved cheesy treat that is fun for everyone. Kids can’t eat Cheetos without licking the signature “cheetle” off their fingers once done. It might even be the best part! Cheetos came out with a flaming hot crunchy version everyone has been ranting and raving about. Whether snacking on them in the car during traffic, or on the couch binge-watching Netflix, these Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have also been a hit on social media. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have many 5-star reviews with people claiming they are addicted to them because they have a great “kick” in addition to the crunch. A highly recommended option for those who like extra cheese or some heat! Katy Perry dressed up as a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto for Halloween back in 2014, complete with a Cheetos handbag. Even she’s letting us know they will light up your taste buds like fireworks. And of course, they do have one of the coolest mascots around in Chester Cheetah.
3. Doritos
Now these are common tortilla chips you can find at most parties and friendly gatherings. They are not only flavorful but their perfect crunch and shape is ideal for salsa dipping and more. There are so many Doritos flavors including Zesty Cheese, Bold BBQ, Jalapeno, Spicy Nacho, Sweet Chili Heat, and Flaming Hot Nacho. Some flavors taste similar to others but who’s complaining when they are all equally tasty? Who doesn’t love a little spice or extra cheesy flavor on their chips! Doritos Nacho Cheese is the OG in terms of tortilla chip popularity! The original Doritos were not flavored. They then released a taco flavor but they didn’t stop there. In 1972, their third flavor came out: Doritos Nacho Cheese. Today it’s better and cheesier than ever. Every crunchy bite is packed with a burst of bold and cheesy flavor. It’s impossible to eat just one or two, whether it be Cool Ranch, Cheese Supreme, or Salsa Verde! Even Avengers stars Chris Evans & Chris Hemsworth are big fans of Doritos, and claim to prefer the Cool Ranch flavor, which seems questionable, Nacho Cheese all the way!
2. Loads of Flavor by President’s Choice
Literally, like the name says, there is loads of flavor in every chip in every bag you open. The Loads of Flavor chips by President’s Choice brand — also known as PC — are a Canadian private label owned by Loblaws Companies Limited. Their chips can be found in many different stores besides Loblaws. Sadly, for all those outside of Canada you might have to do a little ordering online to try all the different flavors but trust us when we say it’s worth it. The PC brand has high ratings online for their taste and the quality of the chips. You can find a variety of PC loaded flavors: including loads of ketchup, loads of all dressed, loads of barbeque, loads of sour cream and onion, and loads of creamy dill pickle. President’s Choice describes their chips as “seasoned to the max for extreme snacking satisfaction, these delicious rippled chips are loaded with flavor and pack a mighty tasty crunch”. Those who have tried these chips and then can’t get their hands on them get very frustrated – and with good reason. A fan craving their ketchup chips commented how they grew up in Canada and now live in the States and can’t get these anymore… Any time friends or family come down from Canada they always make sure to bring a couple of bags. Like, we said before, these chips are worth the wait.
1. Lay’s
Lay’s is arguably the most popular brand of potato chips out there. They sell their chips all over the world in almost every country in countless flavors. They are thinly sliced to perfection and have wonderful flavor. There are Lay’s fans globally with one loyal fan stating that they have loved Lays for 50 years and the chips were always of a good size and color and great tasting. There never was a better chip. Lay’s has become a staple in many cupboards across the world. Their classic original flavor is one of the most popular and well-loved. A classic plain chip that you cannot go wrong with. Lay’s original are not too salty and perfect to eat alone or with a dip. Like their slogan says… betcha can’t eat just one! Lay’s chips have also become a popular side for sandwiches, burgers or hot dogs. People enjoy an added crunch and it’s usually the original flavor that wins out when served with a hoagie or sub. Lay’s always gets creative with funky, fun and unique flavors people worldwide love to try! Like Thai Sweet Chili, Deep Dish Pizza, Chili Con Queso, Cajun Spice and more! Lay’s also knows how to get healthy eaters’ attention. They launched their own style of baked chips and these have also done very well since they can’t seem to stay on store shelves for long.