Breakfast Cereal | 2020 Brand Reviews & Ratings – Canstar Blue

Check out the best breakfast cereal brands in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s latest review:

1. GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits (ALDI)
2. Uncle Tobys Plus
3. Uncle Tobys Vita Brits
4. Sanitarium Weet-Bix
5. Kellogg’s Sultana Bran
6. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain
7. Kellogg’s Special K
8. Kellogg’s Coco Pops
9. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes
10. Kellogg’s Just Right
11. Nestle Milo
12. Coles Corn Flakes

GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits (ALDI) cleaned up in our ratings review, scoring a stellar five-star rating across all categories while most brands landed a satisfactory four-star mark, with the exception of Coles Corn Flakes which finished on just three stars across the board.

Aussie favourites Uncle Tobys and Kellogg’s ranked relatively well for taste and consistency with four stars. But it was Uncle Toby’s Vita Brits which stood out, with its performance in the texture/consistency category, placing it as the only brand other than GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits to earn a five-star rating in any category in our 2020 breakfast cereal review.

Breakfast Cereal

GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits (ALDI)

GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits is one of ALDI’s long list of exclusive brands. Most of their breakfast cereal range is made in Australia from locally sourced and imported ingredients. Here are just some of the options from the GoldenVale range:

• GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits
• Goldenvale Just Bran
• Goldenvale Choc Rush
• Goldenvale Extras Antioxidant Sultana & Berry
• Goldenvale Extras Hi Fibre
• Goldenvale Bran & Sultanas
• Goldenvale Special Flakes Natural
• Goldenvale Corn Flakes
• Goldenvale Extras Vitality
• Goldenvale Honey Nut Corn Flakes

GoldenVale cereals typically cost about $3.50 from ALDI stores.

• GoldenVale Wheat Biscuits (ALDI) received top marks for taste, texture/consistency, value for money, packaging design and overall satisfaction.

Uncle Tobys Plus

Uncle Tobys is one of Australia’s original cereal makers circa 1861, first operating under the brand name Parsons Bros. Uncle Tobys Plus is a spin-off from the brand’s wide range of cereals, containing a blend of whole grain flakes and no artificial colours. Uncle Tobys Plus comes in seven varieties, including:

• Uncle Tobys Plus Antioxidants
• Uncle Tobys Plus Calcium
• Uncle Tobys Plus Fibre
• Uncle Tobys Plus Iron
• Uncle Tobys Plus Muesli Flakes
• Uncle Tobys Plus Omega 3
• Uncle Tobys Plus Protein

A box of Uncle Tobys cereals can cost anywhere between $5 and $7.50 depending on retailers.

• Uncle Tobys Plus scored four stars across the board. It rated second-best for overall satisfaction and taste, but came third in the categories of packaging design and texture/consistency.

Uncle Tobys Vita Brits

Another assortment of Uncle Tobys’ extensive range, Uncle Tobys Vita Brits is marketed as the ‘classic, all-natural way’ to start your day. Uncle Tobys Vita Brits are said to be high in fibre and low in fat, with 99% wholegrain wheat and no added sugar.

• Uncle Tobys Vita Brits impressed on texture/consistency, achieving the only other five-star rating for the category besides ALDI. It rated four stars for taste, value for money, packaging design and overall satisfaction.

Sanitarium Weet-Bix

Sanitarium is one of Australia’s most famous food companies and the brand behind the breakfast cereal with the malty flavour we all love – Weet-Bix. Packed full of whole grain wheats, the Weet-Bix range features a variety of healthy cereal blends, including:

• Weet-Bix (original)
• Weet-Bix Cholesterol Lowering
• Weet-Bix Gluten Free
• Weet-Bix Blends
• Weet-Bix Bites
• Weet-Bix GO
• Weet-Bix Protein
• Weet-Bix Kids
• Weet-Bix Organic

The price point for Weet-Bix products is between $3.50 and $4 from selected stores.

• Sanitarium Weet-Bix scored four stars across all categories – taste, texture/consistency, value for money, packaging design and overall satisfaction.

Kellogg’s Sultana Bran

Kellogg’s has been a household name in Australia for the better part of a century and best known for bringing the first corn flakes to our breaky bowl. Kellogg’s boasts a large product range of breakfast cereals with dozens of flavours available. This includes various protein, high-fibre, whole grains, vegan and even FODMAP-friendly options. Kellogg’s Sultana Bran is made with wheat bran flakes and sultanas and comes in three blends, including:

• Kellogg’s Sultana Bran Original
• Kellogg’s Sultana Bran Buds
• Kellogg’s Sultana Bran with Oat Clusters

A box of Kellogg’s goodness can set you back about $6 at the checkout.

• Kellogg’s Sultana Bran scored a four-star rating for taste, texture/consistency and overall satisfaction. It received three stars for value for money and packaging design.

Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain

Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain is marketed as one of the highest-protein cereals and the perfect breakfast for champions. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain product range includes spin-off bar, trail mix and oatmeal options. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain breakfast cereal comes in one original malty flavour.

• Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain was rated four stars in all categories: taste, texture/consistency, value for money, packaging design and overall satisfaction.

Kellogg’s Special K

Apparently created with women’s wellness in mind, Kellogg’s Special K is a unique blend of rice, whole wheat and oats containing different proteins, fibres, as well as essential vitamins and minerals to support women’s health. Kellogg’s Special K comes in a variety of flavours, including.

• Special K Original
• Special K Cashew, Macadamia & Coconut
• Special K Gluten Free
• Special K Fibre Advantage

A box of Kellogg’s Special K can cost $7 or more.

• Kellogg’s Special K scored four stars in most categories, including taste, texture/consistency, packaging design and overall satisfaction. It rated three stars for value for money.

Kellogg’s Coco Pops

Kellogg’s Coco Pops is a breakfast favourite among generations of Aussies kids. That nostalgic chocolate milkshake flavour and crunchy taste is just hard to forget, even as we grow up. Kellogg’s Coco Pops tasty chocolatey breakfast cereal comes in three different blends, including:

• Kellogg’s Coco Pops (Original)
• Kellogg’s Coco Pops Chex
• Kellogg’s Coco Pops Chex Cookies & Cream

A box of Kellogg’s Coco Pops can set you back about $7.50 at the checkout.

• Kellogg’s Coco Pops got a four-star rating for taste, texture/consistency, packaging design and overall satisfaction, but fell short in the value for money category with three stars.

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes is the original Kellogg’s breakfast cereal made with crisp, FODMAP-friendly flakes of sun-ripened corn. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes product range includes the following blends:

• Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Original
• Kellogg’s Corn Flakes with Real Honey
• Kellogg’s Corn Flakes with Real Almond & Honey
• Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Real Strawberry Puree

A box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes can cost between $3.50 and $4.50.

• Kellogg’s Corn Flakes received four-star ratings for taste and overall satisfaction, and scored a moderate three stars in texture/consistency, value for money and packaging design.

Kellogg’s Just Right

Kellogg’s Just Right is said to contain ‘just the right amount’ of flake crunch and fruity flavours. It’s marketed as the perfect blend of wholesome grains, sultanas and apricot pieces – providing the right balance of fibre, whole grains and essential vitamins for a nutritious breakfast. Kellogg’s Just Right comes in one wholesome original flavour.

• Kellogg’s Just Right scored four stars for taste, texture/consistency, packaging design and overall satisfaction, but received only three stars for value for money.

Nestle Milo

Nestle Milo cereal is described as a wholesome blend of whole grain wheat and corn, that’s loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium and vitamin D, with a dash of delicious Milo taste! The Milo cereal from Nestle comes in three flavours, including:

• Nestle Milo Whole Grain Energy & Fibre
• Nestle Milo Duo Energy + Calcium
• Nestle Milo Protein Clusters

A family pack box of Nestle Milo costs about $7.50.

• Nestle Milo was rated four stars for taste and overall satisfaction, but received three stars for texture/consistency, value for money and packaging design.

Coles Corn Flakes

Coles Corn Flakes is a generic brand sold exclusively in Coles stores. The supermarket cereal is said to be a good source of folate and iron minerals and vitamin B, and is free from artificial flavours or colours.

Which breakfast cereal should I buy?

Beyond the colourful packaging designed to catch your eye, separating the best breakfast cereal from the rest isn’t easy. But the upside to having so much variety is that you can be choosy with your breaky.

If you want to make cereal the healthy centrepiece in your morning routine, start by looking for whole grain cereal, which is higher in fibre content and typically seen as a healthier option than corn flakes, for example. Scan the ingredients list on the back of your cereal box for whole grains like wheat, oats, barley and rice.