Cheapest supermarket UK: the best supermarkets for February 2026 - including Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, and Asda

• Which? has analysed UK supermarket prices for, comparing big and small shops.
• The research looks at typical baskets of popular branded and own-brand groceries
• Loyalty schemes and special offer prices are included, but multibuys are excluded
• The study highlights how shopping habits and store choices affect your grocery bill
• The results provide a practical guide for where shoppers can expect value this month

Shoppers hunting for the best value in February 2026 now have a clearer picture of where to stretch their pounds, thanks to the latest analysis from consumer watchdog Which?

The findings highlight not just who is cheapest, but how loyalty schemes, product ranges, and shopping habits can affect your grocery bill.

Although Which?’s analysis was conducted in January 2026, it provides a useful guide for shoppers looking to find the best grocery bargains in February 2026.

But which supermarket is the cheapest this month, and where are you most likely to get more bang for your buck? Here is everything you need to know about it...

The cheapest supermarket for ‘big shops’

Which? carries out a monthly analysis of the UK’s biggest supermarkets, looking at the average cost of a “typical shop” across multiple stores.

They use two predefined baskets of items to do this. Their ‘large shop’ basket includes 228 popular items, covering a wide range of branded and own-brand groceries. This represents a weekly shop for a family buying a full set of essentials.

For the first time since December 2024, Tesco has claimed the top spot for the UK’s cheapest big shop... but there is a catch.

Which? found that customers using a Clubcard could purchase the basket of 228 items for £588.96 in January – £1.45 less than at Asda.

But Tesco’s discounts are only available to Clubcard holders, meaning certain shoppers, such as under-18s, miss out.

Without the loyalty card, the same shop costs £641.09, significantly higher than Asda, whose prices are available to all customers.

At the top end of the scale, Waitrose was the most expensive, with a big shop averaging £679.20, 15% more than Tesco with a Clubcard.

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The cheapest supermarket for smaller shops

For its research on ‘smaller’ shops, Which?’s predefined basket contains essential staples like bread, milk, butter, and frozen vegetables, and is more reflective of a typical shop for one or two people.

In January, Aldi once again emerged as the cheapest supermarket for smaller shops, beating Lidl by £1.79.

The basket of 89 popular items, including Birds Eye peas and Hovis bread, cost £164.74 at Aldi, compared with £166.33 at Lidl with a Lidl Plus loyalty card. Even without the card, Lidl remains competitive at £166.53.

Other supermarkets showed wider price gaps. Sainsbury’s small shop averaged £189.24 with a Nectar card, rising to £194.58 without savings. At Waitrose, a smaller shop cost £221.53, over a third more than Aldi.

What does it mean for shoppers?

Which?’s analysis factors in special offer and loyalty prices, but excludes multibuys, giving a realistic view of what shoppers pay in a typical month.

Reena Sewraz, retail editor at Which?, said: “While Aldi is the cheapest supermarket this month, the ongoing price competition among the discounters means Lidl also remains a strong money-saving choice for many shoppers, according to our latest price analysis.

“For those who prefer a wider range of branded products, shopping at Tesco with a Clubcard can offer good value. However, it’s worth noting that Tesco’s loyalty-linked discounts aren’t accessible to everyone.

“Tesco must do more to ensure under-18s and other groups who may not be eligible for the Clubcard don’t miss out on those savings.”

The results show that while discounters like Lidl and Aldi remain king for bargain-hunters, supermarkets with loyalty schemes can still deliver value, but only if you qualify.

For shoppers, knowing which store and which card to use can save tens of pounds on your weekly shop.