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Best toilet paper for your buck

HOUSTON – Excuse us while we use some potty words. We're going into the bathroom to talk toilet paper.

It's a household staple that is likely on your shopping list at least once a month. But a recent Consumer Reports test discovered you may be paying too much for your T.P.

The offerings in the shopping aisle are endless. Toilet papers claim they're "ultra-soft," "plush" and "strong." Consumer Reports put those claims to the test, rating 21 rolls on strength, softness, tearing ease and how well the paper disintegrates when you flush.

The results revealed the most expensive brands are not the best, and the lower cost brands aren't always the worst.

The magazine's third-highest rated toilet paper was Scott Extra Soft, that costs just 20 cents a roll.

No. 2 (no pun intended) was Nice Premium Ultra Walgreens store brand at 33 cents a roll.

And the highest rated toilet paper in the test was Walmart's White Cloud Ultra Soft and Thick at 25 cents a roll.

Big name brands like Charmin Ultra Strong, that cost 40 cents a roll, ranked 13 out of 21. Researchers found this specific type to be tough on your pipes because it doesn't disintegrate easily.

While Walmart's White Cloud Ultra Soft and Thick got the top pick, its Great Value bathroom tissue that costs 6 cents a roll came in dead last because testers say it's not soft or strong. It does a fair job disintegrating, but it's easy to tear.

For the reasons that Consumer Reports ranked each type of toilet paper, you'll have to subscribe, but here is the order in which researchers ranked them:

  • White Cloud Ultra Soft & Thick  (Walmart)
  • Nice Premium Ultra (Walgreens)
  • Scott Extra Soft
  • White Cloud Ultra Strong & Soft (Walmart)
  • Quilted Northern (Ultra Plush)
  • Cottonelle Ultra ComfortCare
  • Total Home Premium Ultra Soft (CVS)
  • Up & Up Ultra Soft (Target)
  • Charmin Ultra Soft
  • Soft Naturals Tube Free
  • Angel Soft bath tissue
  • Scott Rapid Dissolving
  • Charmin Ultra Strong
  • Cottonelle CleanCare
  • White Cloud Green Earth Bath Tissue (Walmart)
  • Kirkland Signature (Costco)
  • Seventh Generation Bath Tissue
  • Charmin Basic
  • Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong with CleanStretch
  • Scott 1000
  • Great Value Bathroom Tissue (Walmart)

  • About the Author
    Amy Davis headshot

    Passionate consumer advocate, mom of 3, addicted to coffee, hairspray and pastries.