When you should buy name brand goods over generic

Diapers

Name brand: Huggies Little Movers, 136 count (29¢/diaper) Generic: Kirkland Costco Brand, 201 count (18¢/diaper) Our verdict: Buy generic. Absorbency rates are similar and there’s no medical reason why generic brands are unsafe for your baby. It’s all about fit. Reader verdict: 62 percent agree.

MP3 Players

Name brand: Sony 4GB Video MP3 Player, $60 Generic: Hipstreet 4GB Video MP3 Player, $30 Our verdict: Buy name brand. Software on generic brands isn’t as user friendly and the battery won’t last long, not to mention the poor sound quality. Reader verdict: 67 percent agree.

Garbage bags

Name brand: Glad Size Large, 15-pack, $6.99 Generic: Life Size Large, 40-pack, $8.49 Our verdict: Buy name brand. Name brand bags tend to be more durable reducing the chances of stinky mess. Reader verdict: Take the poll.

Paint

Name brand: Origins by Benjamin Moore, 3.7-L can, $40 Generic: Premier, 3.7-L can, $27 Our verdict: Buy name brand. Generic brands tend to be thinner, so you may need extra coats and it may not last as long. Reader verdict: 62 percent agree.

USB flash drives

Name brand: Hewlett Packard 8GB USB Flash Drive, $29.95 Generic: Hipstreet USB 8GB Flash Drive, $8.99 Our verdict: Buy generic. As long as it’s virus-free, any storage device will keep your documents equally safe. Reader verdict: 80 percent agree.

Pet food

Name brand: Whiskas, 3 kg bag, $10.78 Generic: Special Kitty, 4 kg bag, $7.97 Our verdict: Thanks to stringent labeling laws, experts say you’ll know exactly what you’re feeding your furry friend no matter which bag you choose. Reader verdict: 58 percent disagree.

Sunscreen

Name brand: Coppertone SPF 30, 237 ml, $12.99 Generic: Life SPF 30, 240 ml, $10.49 Our verdict: Buy generic. Generic and name brand formulas offer the same UVA/UVB protection when used as directed. Reader verdict: Take the poll.

Batteries

Name brand: Duracell AA, 4-pack, $8.47 Generic: Eco AA, 4-pack, $4.93 Our verdict: Buy name brand. You'll have to replace generic batteries more often and they may not pack enough punch for high-tech devices like remote control helicopters. Reader verdict: 63 percent disagree.

Cereal

Name brand: Kellog’s Raisin Bran, 350 g, $4.99 Generic: Simply Food Raisin Bran, 475 g, $3.99 Our verdict: Buy generic. Basic cereals that have few ingredients hardly vary between brands so try the cheaper option and let your taste buds be the judge. Reader verdict: Take the poll.

Cotton swabs

Name brand: Q-Tips, 400-pack, $5.49 Generic: Life, 400-pack, $4.49 Our verdict: Buy name brand. Name brand swabs are plusher therefore better suited for delicate jobs. Reader verdict: 78 percent disagree.

Condiments Name brand: French's yellow mustard, 400 ml, $3.49 Generic: Simply Food yellow mustard, 400 ml, $2.79 Our verdict: Buy generic. Most condiments are full of preservatives to maintain shelf life so you aren't necessarily getting better quality when you spend more. Reader verdict: Take the poll.

*All prices as of May 2013.

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