If you’ve ever stood in the toilet paper aisle at the grocery store wondering whether you need to splurge on an expensive brand or if you can cut costs and buy cheap, this article is for you. When you buy toilet paper, comfort is perhaps the most important consideration. However, you also want a brand that provides value, holds up well, and is eco-friendly. There are so many different brands, andchoosing one can get overwhelming. You don’t want to spend too much money on a brand that isn’t worth it. Nor do you want to settle for rough and uncomfortable toilet tissue.
To help you choose, we gathered information from several sources: Good Housekeeping, the New York Times, and USA Today, to provide a list of the best options out there. All the brands were reviewed based on comfort, strength, eco-friendliness, and value. For details on how the picks were made, see the New York Times methodology, Good Housekeeping methodology, and USA Today methodology. We’ve highlighted the top nine here, in alphabetical order. (Also see Avoid All Diaper Brands Except These 8.)
Why Does This List Matter?
Source: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com
Although choosing toilet paper may seem like an afterthought, there are significant differences in the quality of brands. Cheap toilet paper can feel scratchy and rough, while overly priced brands are a waste of money. Even worse, brands that don’t dissolve well can damage septic systems, causing the need for expensive repairs.
Amazon Presto Ultra-Soft Toilet Paper
Chosen by: TheNew York Times
Best option for:Budget buyers
Pros: Serviceable, reliable, not scratchy, doesn’t rip too easily and leaves little lint behind. Also, gentle on skin and your septic system, according to an Amazon reviewer.
Cons: None.
Berkley Jensen Ultra Soft
Chosen by: Good Housekeeping
Best option for:Everyone
Pros: Best overall pick, perfect score on absorbency tests, and soaks up more water than most other brands. Dissolves quickly in water, and earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.
Cons: Not as strong as other brands when wet. Only available to members of BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Charmin Essentials Soft
Chosen by: USA Today
Best option for:Budget buyers
Pros: Best value pick at USA Today. Durable and comfortable at its price point. The texture is similar to Charmin Ultra Strong, but it is not quite as durable.
Cons: Dissolves slowly in water. Not ideal for septic systems or homes prone to plumbing woes.
Charmin Ultra Soft
Chosen by: USA Today
Best option for:Everyone
Pros: USA Today’s best overall toilet paper option. Soft, strong, and comfortable. Does not tear while in use and dissolves in water, but not too quickly. Reviewers considered it the best toilet paper for extended, everyday use. In addition, this was found to be the softest option in tests by Good Housekeeping.
Cons: Not as durable as Charmin Ultra Strong
Charmin Ultra Strong
Chosen by: The New York Times
Best option for:Everyone
Pros: The best traditionally produced pick at The New York Times. Strong, low-lint, readily available, plushy, durable, and comfortable.
Cons: None
Cottonelle Ultra ComfortCare
Chosen by: Good Housekeeping
Best option for: Those looking for strength
Pros: Top pick for strength with the best wet and dry scores combined. Rippled texture to help clean, absorbent, lint-free, and layers don’t separate.
Cons: None
Great Value Ultra Soft
Chosen by: Good Housekeeping
Best option for:Budget buyers
Pros: Best value pick, provides good bang for the buck, according to reviewers. Ranks high for thickness, dissolves quickly, and is softer than more expensive rolls.
Cons: Only sold at Walmart
Scott Small Core High Capacity
Chosen by: Good Housekeeping
Best option for:Bulk buyers
Pros: Two-ply, offers double the sheets than other brands, and scores well in dissolvability tests.
Cons: The small core may not fit on certain toilet paper holders. Also, the paper is thinner than others.
Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Extra Soft & Strong
Chosen by: TheNew York Times and Good Housekeeping
Best option for:Eco-friendly buyers
Pros: Made with 100% recycled materials. Soft, sturdy, and lint-free. Priced comparably to more conventional options and unanimously liked by testers.
Cons: None.
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