Are Big Bags of Chips Really Cheaper? The Price Per Ounce Truth

What You'll Find in This Article

• The Big Bag Illusion
• How to Calculate Price Per Ounce
• Our Analysis of Popular Chip Brands
• When Bigger IS Better (and When It's Not)
• Smart Shopping Tips for Maximum Savings
• Where to Find the Best Deals on Chips
• FAQs About Chip Pricing

Quick Answer

While larger bags of chips often have a lower price per ounce, this isn't always the case. Our analysis shows that family-sized bags typically offer 15-30% savings compared to regular-sized bags, but promotional pricing on smaller packages can sometimes make them the better deal. At Bargain Boxed, we constantly monitor these price differences to bring you the best value on all chip sizes.

The Big Bag Illusion: Are You Really Saving Money?

We've all stood in the snack aisle, debating between the regular-sized bag of chips and the family-sized option. The larger bag costs more upfront but promises more chips for your dollar. But is this always true?

At Bargain Boxed, we've analyzed countless chip bags to uncover the truth about pricing, and the results might surprise you.

The concept seems straightforward – buy in bulk, save money. However, manufacturers and retailers are well aware of consumer psychology. Sometimes, that family-sized bag isn't the bargain it appears to be.

The key to smart chip shopping isn't just looking at the sticker price – it's understanding the price per ounce, which is the true measure of value when comparing different sized packages.

Understanding Price Per Ounce: Your Secret Weapon

Price per ounce (or price per unit) is the most reliable way to determine whether you're getting a good deal on chips or any packaged food. Here's how we calculate it:

Price per ounce = Total price ÷ Number of ounces

For example, if a 10-ounce bag of chips costs $4.00: $4.00 ÷ 10 = $0.40 per ounce

While a 16-ounce family bag priced at $5.60: $5.60 ÷ 16 = $0.35 per ounce

In this example, the larger bag saves you 5 cents per ounce – about 12.5% savings. Over time, these savings add up, especially for chip enthusiasts.

Our Analysis: The Truth About Popular Chip Brands

We've conducted extensive research across major chip brands and sizes, and here's what we found:

Name Brand Potato Chips

• Regular size (8 oz): Average $0.50 per ounce
• Family size (14 oz): Average $0.41 per ounce
• Party size (18+ oz): Average $0.38 per ounce

Savings with largest size: Approximately 24%

Tortilla Chips

• Regular size (9.5 oz): Average $0.42 per ounce
• Family size (13 oz): Average $0.36 per ounce
• Party size (18 oz): Average $0.33 per ounce

Savings with largest size: Approximately 21%

Value Brand Potato Chips

• Regular size (8 oz): Average $0.31 per ounce
• Family size (14 oz): Average $0.25 per ounce
• Party size (16+ oz): Average $0.22 per ounce

Savings with largest size: Approximately 29%

At Bargain Boxed, we consistently offer prices lower than these averages across all sizes, with our bulk options providing even greater savings for savvy shoppers.

When Bigger IS Better (and When It's Not)

When to Go Big

1. For Frequently Consumed Flavors: If your household goes through chips quickly, larger bags almost always provide better value.
2. For Shelf-Stable Varieties: Many chips remain perfectly tasty well past their best-by date when stored properly in a cool, dry place. At Bargain Boxed, we find that properly stored chips maintain quality for months, making bulk purchases practical.
3. For Entertaining: When hosting gatherings, the price per ounce savings on party-sized bags is substantial.

When Smaller Might Be Smarter

1. During Sales: Sometimes smaller bags go on deep discount, temporarily making them the better value.
2. For Portion Control: If a large bag tempts overeating, the slight premium on smaller packages might be worthwhile.
3. For Variety Seekers: If you enjoy trying different flavors, a selection of smaller bags might provide more satisfaction than one large bag.

Smart Shopping Tips for Maximum Chip Savings

Based on our research and experience at Bargain Boxed, here are our top strategies for getting the most chip for your dollar:

1. Always Check Price Per Ounce: Don't assume bigger is cheaper – do the quick math or look for unit pricing on shelf labels.

2. Watch for Sales Cycles: Most chip brands run promotions every 4-6 weeks. Stock up during these times on larger bags for maximum savings.

3. Consider Storage: Chips stored in airtight containers or properly sealed bags stay fresh longer than you might think. Most chips remain perfectly good for months past the best-by date when stored properly.

4. Compare Across Brands: Sometimes the value brand's family size offers better quality and price than the name brand's regular size.

5. Buy Online in Bulk: Online retailers like Bargain Boxed offer significant discounts on bulk purchases that you won't find in traditional stores.

Where to Find the Best Deals on Chips

While many retailers offer competitive pricing on chips, we consistently find that Bargain Boxed (that's us!) offers the best value for several reasons:

1. No Membership Fees: Unlike warehouse clubs, we don't charge membership fees that eat into your savings.

2. Bulk Pricing Without Bulk Requirements: Get wholesale pricing without having to buy enormous quantities.

3. Continuously Rotating Inventory: Our inventory system allows us to offer exceptional deals on a variety of chip brands and flavors.

4. Free Shipping on Qualifying Orders: Save even more with our free shipping options on larger orders.

5. Beyond the Best-By Date Value: We often offer incredible deals on perfectly good chips that are near or just past their best-by date, allowing for substantial savings on products that are still delicious and safe to enjoy.

FAQs About Chip Pricing

Are chips really cheaper when bought in larger bags?

Usually, yes. Our analysis shows an average savings of 15-30% when buying family or party-sized bags compared to regular sizes. However, always check the price per ounce to confirm.

How long do chips last after the best-by date?

When stored properly in a cool, dry place, most chips remain perfectly tasty for 1-3 months past their best-by date. The date is about optimal freshness, not safety. At Bargain Boxed, we've found unopened chips can maintain quality much longer than many consumers realize.

Why do some stores seem to have better deals on chips than others?

Various factors affect chip pricing, including store type (discount vs. premium), location, promotional cycles, and buying power. Bargain Boxed leverages direct relationships with distributors and flexible inventory management to offer consistently lower prices than traditional retailers.

Are value brand chips really worth the savings?

Many value brands use similar ingredients and manufacturing processes as premium brands. In our taste tests, several value brands scored nearly identically to their more expensive counterparts. The savings are often well worth any minor difference in taste.

Is it better to buy chips online or in-store?

Online retailers like Bargain Boxed typically offer better pricing on chips than physical stores due to lower overhead costs. Plus, buying online allows for easy price comparison and the convenience of bulk purchasing without the heavy lifting.

What about chip variety packs – are they a good deal?

Variety packs typically cost 10-15% more per ounce than single-flavor large bags. However, they can be economical if you want variety without committing to large quantities of each flavor.

Conclusion: Size Matters, But So Does Smart Shopping

After extensive analysis, we can confirm that larger bags of chips do generally offer better value in terms of price per ounce. However, the savings aren't always as significant as packaging might suggest, and sales on smaller packages can sometimes flip the equation.

At Bargain Boxed, we're committed to offering the best possible prices on chips of all sizes. We believe that smart shoppers should have access to their favorite snacks without overpaying, which is why we consistently monitor market prices to ensure our offerings provide exceptional value.

Remember to always check the price per ounce, take advantage of sales when they occur, and don't hesitate to stock up on shelf-stable favorites when you find a great deal. With these strategies, you'll never overpay for chips again.

Visit Bargain Boxed today to see our current chip offerings and experience the savings for yourself!