Potato chips are a favorite snack for a reason, they are crispy, delicious, good on their own, great with a dip and usually fairly affordable. That being said, some chips are definitely preferred over others. For the purposes of this list, we stuck to strictly potato based chips, leaving off delicious (but flour or corn based) things like tortilla chips, Doritos, Fritos, Cheetos and Takis. I grabbed my teenage daughter (a self-proclaimed potato chip expert) for a second opinion, and we ranked all the brands we could find. And while we all have our favorite flavors, we sampled the original flavor to make a level playing field. Here’s what chips you should grab for your next party.
11. Munchos
The texture of these is similar to Pringles, but the airy quality of these just lacks in flavor and tastes kind of bland. They would be fine loaded with some delicious dip, but they are our least favorite on their own.
10. Baked Lays
If you are looking for an option with less fat, these are them, but they don’t have the original addictiveness of original Lays.
9. Wavy Pringles
It’s a great concept. A wavy chip holds flavor and goodness in the folds, but in execution, these just don’t succeed.
8. Wise Chips
Thin and crispy, which is a bonus, but they can get a little greasy.
7. Herr's
Thin and crispy, which is a bonus, but they can get a little greasy.
6. Kettle Brand
Here’s where my kid and I began to differ in opinions. I absolutely love kettle cooked chips, with their extra crunchiness and odd shapes, but she’s not a super fan. I like Kettle Brand, but not quite as much as another variety that appears later on the list.
5. Utz
This Pennsylvania based company is known for their pretzels, but don’t sleep on their potato chips. The Ridge cut ones are great, and so are their little shoestring Potato Stix, which are great for a lunchbox snack.
4. Lay's
A great stand-by and a longtime fave, but they can tend to be a little too oily and sometimes you just don’t want to have greasy fingers. But taste wise, they are great and pack a punch.
3. Pringles
The packaging for these alone earns them a spot higher up on the list than they may otherwise get. They aren’t the best chips, but they are packed with flavor and the cardboard tube minimizes broken ones. They can be hard to share… and hard to keep yourself from eating an entire container.
2. Cape Cod
If you are looking for kettle cooked chips, these are the ones to buy. They are light and crunchy at the same time, and their original flavor needs no dips or anything to make them taste great. If you are splurging on a flavor, try the Sweet Mesquite Barbeque or their Sweet and Spicy Jalapeno.
1. Ruffles
A perfectly wavy potato chip that is structurally sound, perfect for withstanding all kinds of dips and rich in flavor.
Angel Madison is a commerce editor for Hearst, covering LEGOs, trending products, toys, plus-size fashion, wellness, home, tech and more. Previously she covered entertainment, pop culture, and parenting for a variety of publications. When she's not at her desk you can find her hanging with her daughter and cat, finding offbeat roadside attractions, or doing crafts.
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