\n
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n
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Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nT<\/span>here are a few things you can rely on at Easter: foil-wrapped eggs, supermarket aisles turned pastel \u2013 and the creeping suspicion that the thing you\u2019re about to buy is smaller than it used to be.<\/p>\nShrinkflation has become as much a part of the season as chocolate itself. Reports this year suggest shoppers could be paying as much as 73 per cent more per 100g for some Easter eggs compared with just a couple of years ago, as manufacturers juggle rising cocoa costs, supply chain pressures and the delicate art of not scaring customers off.<\/p>\n
The result? Eggs that look familiar but quietly contain less chocolate. Boxes that feel generous, but open to reveal something closer to the suggestion of an egg than the real thing. And extras \u2013 bars, truffles, sweets \u2013 that range from genuinely decent to borderline tokenistic.<\/p>\n
So, we did the maths.<\/p>\n
We compared 260 Easter eggs across Tesco, Sainsbury\u2019s, Waitrose, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and M&S, looking at weight, price and, crucially, price per 100g, as well as what you actually get alongside the egg. Some come with a full-size bar, others, a single truffle. Some include a proper bag of mini eggs, others, a handful of something vaguely chocolate-adjacent. <\/p>\n
Not all eggs are created equal \u2013 and not all eggs cost the same amount at different supermarkets \u2013 so here\u2019s what\u2019s actually worth buying this year. And what isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
The best value mainstream eggs:<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>
The budget aisle wins again \u2013 where smaller boxes often mean smarter buys (The Independent)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis is where most people are shopping: standard hollow eggs with a familiar extra. A Creme Egg, a Twirl, a tube of Smarties. And here, the biggest takeaway is simple: the discounters are miles ahead.<\/p>\n
Aldi Large Skittles <\/strong>Easter Egg<\/strong> (225g) \u2013 \u00a32.25<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a31.00<\/p>\nOn paper, this is the cheapest egg in the entire dataset, but it comes with a caveat. A good chunk of that weight is Skittles, which aren\u2019t chocolate, so it\u2019s not quite a fair fight. If you\u2019re buying purely on price, fine. If you actually want chocolate, keep reading.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nAldi Bounty Large Easter Egg (177g) \u2013 \u00a32.25<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a31.27<\/p>\nNow we\u2019re talking. A recognisable branded egg at a price that feels faintly illicit. You get the coconut hit, a proper chocolate shell, and none of the filler \u2013 one of the clearest \u201chow is this so cheap?\u201d options on the shelf.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nAsda Maltesers Medium Easter Egg (96.5g) \u2013 \u00a31.40<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a31.45<\/p>\nSmall, yes, but sharp on value. Comes with a bag of Maltesers, which at least makes sense alongside the egg. Proof that going smaller can still be the smartest move if the price is right.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nLidl Smarties Medium Easter Egg (100g) \u2013 \u00a31.49<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a31.49<\/p>\nAnother compact win. The kind of egg that doesn\u2019t shout, but quietly outperforms most of the bigger, pricier options. A useful reminder that \u201clarge\u201d often just means more packaging.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\n
At the more typical \u00a34 to \u00a35 mark, value becomes more varied:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>
At \u00a34.50, some eggs still deliver, if you know which ones to pick (The Independent)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTerry\u2019s Chocolate Orange Egg with Mini Eggs (200g) \u2013 \u00a34.50<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a32.25 <\/p>\nOne of the strongest performers in the standard \u00a34.50 bracket. You get a hollow chocolate orange egg and a pack of Terry\u2019s Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs, which makes it feel properly generous rather than technically bundled. It\u2019s also identical in price per 100g to the white chocolate version at Tesco and to the Sainsbury\u2019s version, so there\u2019s no penalty for buying the classic.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nRowntree\u2019s Fruit Pastilles Egg (198g) \u2013 \u00a34.50<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a32.27 <\/p>\nA very solid bit of mid-range value. The extra here is a full tube of Fruit Pastilles, not a token sweet or two, and the overall weight holds up well against similarly priced branded eggs. Sainsbury\u2019s matches Tesco on both price and price per 100g, so this is one of the more consistent buys across shops.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nCadbury Marvellous Creations Shell Egg (197g) \u2013 \u00a34.50<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a32.28 <\/p>\nA surprisingly strong showing from Cadbury. The extra is a pack of Marvellous Creations Jelly Popping Candy, which at least feels distinct from the usual one-bar add-on, and the overall maths is better than a lot of more familiar branded eggs in the same price bracket. A good example of an egg that actually earns its shelf space.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nVerdict:<\/strong> All offer a decent amount of chocolate plus a recognisable extra that feels like more than an afterthought.<\/p>\n
At the weaker end, still within the same price bracket:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>
Same price, less chocolate: where branding starts to outweigh value (The Independent)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nM&M\u2019s Crispy Bunny Easter Egg (149g) \u2013 \u00a34.50<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a33.02 <\/p>\nThis is where things start to wobble. You\u2019re paying the same \u00a34.50 as stronger mid-range options, but getting significantly less chocolate in return. The Crispy Bunny extra doesn\u2019t quite make up for it either \u2013 it\u2019s smaller, sweeter and feels more like filler than a proper add-on. One of the weakest-value eggs at this price point.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nMaltesers Teasers Easter Egg (155g) \u2013 \u00a34.50<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a32.90 <\/p>\nBetter than the M&M\u2019s, but still not great. You get a pack of Maltesers Teasers, which at least makes thematic sense, but the overall weight is low for the price. Compared to others at \u00a34.50, pushing closer to 200g, this feels like you\u2019re paying for branding rather than chocolate.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nAnd then there\u2019s the part that really stings: where you shop matters just as much as what you buy.<\/p>\n
Take the Cadbury Mini Eggs Egg (181g). It\u2019s \u00a34.50 at Tesco and Sainsbury\u2019s (around \u00a32.49 per 100g), \u00a33.97 at Asda (closer to \u00a32.19), and \u00a35.50 at Waitrose (\u00a33.04). That\u2019s a swing of nearly 40 per cent for essentially the same product. The same pattern repeats across Celebrations eggs and Terry\u2019s Chocolate Orange XL eggs \u2013 identical chocolate, wildly different deals.<\/p>\n
Verdict:<\/strong> If you\u2019re buying a standard egg, Aldi and Lidl are consistently the safest bets. If you\u2019re sticking with brands, check both the weight and the shop \u2013 because two eggs at \u00a34.50 can offer very different value.<\/p>\n
The best premium eggs (and when to spend more):<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>
When paying more actually gets you more: thicker shells, better extras, fewer regrets (The Independent)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nNot all expensive eggs are bad value \u2013 but they do need to justify themselves. Some premium eggs at least offer substance.<\/p>\n
M&S Collection Extra Thick Pistachio & Milk Chocolate Easter Egg (485g) \u2013 \u00a320<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a34.12 <\/p>\nExpensive, yes, but at least it earns it. This isn\u2019t your standard hollow shell; it\u2019s thick, layered with pistachio truffle and properly weighty in the hand. The kind of egg that feels closer to a dessert than a novelty, and one where the higher price per 100g makes more sense once you see what you\u2019re actually getting.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nWaitrose No 1 Pistachio Easter Egg (320g) \u2013 \u00a317<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a35.31<\/p>\nLeaning harder into luxury, and priced accordingly. You\u2019re paying a premium for pistachio, presentation and the whole No 1 positioning, and while it\u2019s rich and substantial, the maths is less forgiving than M&S. This is one for people who care more about what\u2019s inside than what it costs.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nAfter Eight Dark Chocolate Mint Easter Egg (400g + 200g extras) \u2013 \u00a310<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a32.50 <\/p>\nA bit of an outlier, and a very welcome one. You get a large dark chocolate egg plus a full 200g box of After Eights, which makes the overall weight (and value) far more generous than most in this bracket. Not exactly cutting-edge, but quietly one of the smartest buys if you want quantity without completely sacrificing quality.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nAt the other end, value starts to slip \u2013 and often for the same reason.<\/p>\n
Lindt eggs, in particular, look the part but don\u2019t always deliver on quantity. Depending on the version, you might get one truffle, or three, or a few more \u2013 but rarely enough to justify the \u00a35.77 to \u00a36.56 per 100g price tag. The same goes for Ferrero Rocher eggs (\u00a37.40 per 100g), and Lindt Gold Bunny sets, where a lot of the cost is tied up in branding, gifting appeal and that familiar gold foil rather than the amount of chocolate you\u2019re actually getting.<\/p>\n
Verdict<\/strong>: Premium eggs can be worth it when they\u2019re thick, filled or genuinely substantial. If they\u2019re still mostly hollow, you\u2019re probably paying for packaging and perception.<\/p>\n
The worst offenders: all box, no bite:<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>
Big boxes, bigger prices, but not always much more chocolate inside (The Independent)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis is where things get a bit silly. The poorest-value eggs in the dataset tend to fall into three camps: toy-led eggs, gift-style branded eggs and small-format luxury products.<\/p>\n
Standouts include:<\/p>\n
Kinder Surprise Easter Eggs (100g-220g) \u2013 \u00a37.50\u2013\u00a317.85<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a37.50-\u00a38.11<\/p>\nA reminder that you\u2019re not really paying for chocolate here. Across both sizes, the toy is doing most of the heavy lifting, and while that might make sense for children, the maths is brutal. Fine as a gift, less convincing if you\u2019re thinking in terms of chocolate per pound.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nLindt Gold Giant Bunny (1kg) \u2013 \u00a385<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a38.50 <\/p>\nImpressive, theatrical, faintly absurd. A kilo of Lindt chocolate shaped into a bunny sounds fun \u2013 until you clock the price per 100g. This is less an Easter egg and more a statement piece, with a price tag to match.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nNo 1 Caramel Ganache Easter Egg Tin (110g) \u2013 \u00a310<\/strong><\/p>\nPrice per 100g<\/strong>: \u00a39.09 <\/p>\nThe most expensive in the dataset on a per-gram basis \u2013 and it\u2019s not even especially large. What you\u2019re buying here is presentation and filled chocolates rather than volume, but even so, the numbers are hard to ignore. A proper indulgence, just not a particularly efficient one.<\/p>\n
Buy here<\/em><\/p>\nIn most cases, you\u2019re not just buying chocolate \u2013 you\u2019re buying a toy, a tin, a brand, or a sense of occasion. Which is fine. But it\u2019s worth knowing what you\u2019re paying for.<\/p>\n
Verdict<\/strong>: The worst-value eggs aren\u2019t always the smallest \u2013 they\u2019re the ones dressed up as gifts.<\/p>\n
The bottom line<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n Easter eggs have always been a bit of a con \u2013 a hollow shell in a box twice its size. But this year, the maths is harder to ignore.<\/p>\n
Between shrinking weights, rising prices and wildly inconsistent extras, the same \u00a35 can now buy very different amounts of chocolate depending on what \u2013 and where \u2013 you choose.<\/p>\n
The rule is simple: ignore the size of the box, check the weight, and always look at the price per 100g.<\/p>\n
And if in doubt? Aldi is probably cheaper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more There are a few things you can rely on at Easter: foil-wrapped eggs, supermarket aisles turned pastel \u2013 and the creeping suspicion that the thing you\u2019re about to buy is smaller than it used to be. Shrinkflation has become as much a part of the season as chocolate itself. Reports this year suggest shoppers could be paying as much as 73 per cent more per 100g for some Easter eggs compared with just a couple of years ago, as manufacturers juggle rising cocoa costs, supply chain pressures and the delicate art of not scaring customers off. The result? Eggs that look familiar but quietly contain less chocolate. Boxes that feel generous, but open to reveal something closer to the suggestion of an egg than the real thing. And extras \u2013 bars, truffles, sweets \u2013 that range from genuinely decent to borderline tokenistic. So, we did the maths. We compared 260 Easter eggs across Tesco, Sainsbury\u2019s, Waitrose, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and M&S, looking at weight, price and, crucially, price per 100g, as well as what you actually get alon…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13798,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13797"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13797"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13797\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}