Potato Chips: Reviews

Updated December 2008

Sure, it's not the most critical topic, but who wouldn't enjoy testing potato chips? In finding the best crunchers, we discovered no shortage of taste tastes that evaluate chips for "integrity," potato flavor and texture. Below are the most dip-worthy chips.

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Best kettle-style potato chips

Kettle brand Lightly Salted Chips

*Est. $2.50 for 5 oz. Compare Prices

Kettle-style chips are processed differently from regular potato chips: they're cut more thickly, and aren't rinsed before cooking at lower temperatures. The result is a substantial, crunchier potato chip. Reviews say… expandthat Kettle brand Lightly Salted Chips are nicely browned, with a robust potato flavor and just enough salt. They easily beat classic-style chips in taste tests. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Rosengarten Report: David Rosengarten, a self-proclaimed "potato chip maniac," samples dozens of potato chip brands as part of his fun-to-read foodie website.

AOL Food: Editors at AOL Food sample nearly 60 kinds of plain potato chips, rating them on "crunch, salt and grease levels, flavor, and overall appeal." Kettle brand Lightly Salted Chips are judged "nicely balanced" and "very appealing."

The New York Times: Writer Kim Severson reports that editors of the Dining section spent three days testing potato chip brands.

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Cook's Illustrated editors test eight kinds of potato chips; the methodology here is very sound, and most tasters are professional chefs.

Slate.com: Eight types of chip were rated on "gustatory pleasure alone" in a blind taste test.

Amazon.com: There aren't really that many reviews at Amazon.com for potato chips, but among chips garnering five or more reviews, Kettle brand Lightly Salted Chips earn a high average rating.

Taquitos.net: Editors of Taquitos.net evaluate hundreds of varieties of snacks.

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for $37.45

Best classic chips

Lays Natural Thick-Cut Sea Salted Chips

*Est. $3 for 9 oz. Learn More

Fans of thin and crispy classic-style potato chips say that their straightforward flavor and compact size makes them a better match for strong-flavored dips than kettle-style chips, and some prefer them for recipes. The… expanddownside is that they usually carry a heavy load of salt and oil. Reviewers say that Lay's Natural Thick-Cut Sea Salted Chips are a nice compromise between the classic and kettle styles, and sea salt is subtler than table salt. These chips are also said to be less fatty than Lay's Classic potato chips. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

AOL Food: AOL Food editors try out more than 60 kinds of plain potato chips.

Taquitos.net: Editors of Taquitos.net evaluate hundreds of varieties of snacks, but their qualifications are vague.

Get More Information at FritoLay.com

Reduced-fat chips

Cape Cod 40% Reduced Fat Chips

*Est. $2.50 for 8 oz. Compare Prices

Misleading name aside (these chips contain 40 percent less fat than the average chip but only 25 percent less fat than Cape Cod's regular chips), critics find a lot to love about these "light" chips. While a few wish they… expandwere saltier, most praise their crunchy texture and earthy flavor. Everyone agrees that reduced-fat chips taste far better than baked potato crisps, which are said to be hard in texture, with unappealing powdered flavorings. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors at Consumer Reports evaluate low- or reduced-fat versions of potato chips, comparing their flavor to full-fat varieties.

Taquitos.net: Reviews at Taquitos.net tend to be brief, and reviewers are not identified.

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Amazon

for $19.99

"Cult" potato chips

Rusty's Island Chips

*Est. $2 for 4 oz. Learn More

Reviews say that Rusty's Island Chips are a truly artisanal snack: The company packs and seals every bag by hand. Rusty's chips are said to be big, bronzed, crunchy and profoundly potato-y. The company charges a little… expandmore for its Private Reserve Chips, which are hand-sorted and guaranteed to be whole, with no crumbs, but the less expensive Island Chips also receive excellent reviews. The only downside is that these chips can be tough to find outside of California, and shipping is expensive. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Rosengarten Report: Editor of his own subscription foodie website, David Rosengarten, a self-proclaimed "potato chip maniac," gives Rusty's Hand Made Potato Chips an endorsement.

AOL Food: In this hands-on potato chip taste test, AOL Food editors sample about 60 kinds of plain potato chips.

Real Simple: Editors recommend chips in categories such as "Best to Eat with a Burger," "Best to Eat with a Beer," "Best to Eat on Their Own" and "Best Unflavored." Rusty's earns praise for its "hefty crunch" and "potato punch."

Purchase Directly from RustysChips.com

Flavored potato chips

Kettle brand Spicy Thai Chips

*Est. $2.50 for 5 oz. Compare Prices

In general, Kettle brand's flavored chip lineup is packed with winners in reviews. While not all the flavors work (the Aztec Chocolate Chips are said to be a flop), tasters rave about the Spicy Thai, Death Valley… expandChipotle, Buffalo Bleu and Salt 'n' Vinegar varieties. These innovative flavor combinations are vibrant yet balanced, say critics, and unlike many of the best flavored chips, Kettle brand is relatively easy to find in stores. The Spicy Thai variety came about as a result of customer flavor suggestions. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Rosengarten Report: David Rosengarten, author of a well-known foodie newsletter and website, regards Kettle brand as the best producer of flavored potato chips.

AOL Food: Editors at AOL Food test 100 bags of chips in five flavor categories.

SeriousEats.com: In this roundup, five panelists try unusual flavors such as Kettle brand's Twisted Chili Lime, Dragon Five Spice and Royal Indian Curry potato chips.

Real Simple: Real Simple editors recommend chips in several categories, and editors try some food pairings.

The Nibble: It isn't clear how many potato chip brands were tested, and the testers aren't identified.

Amazon.com: There aren't many chip reviews at Amazon.com.

Taquitos.net: Taquitos.net is a website that covers hundreds of snack foods.

Slashfood.com: In this brief review, blogger Sarah J. Gim declares Kettle brand Spicy Thai Chips tangy but overly sweet.

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