Most tinned tuna in UK supermarkets looks similar on the shelf, but once opened, the difference in quality is dramatic. Many brands are watery, mushy, overly fishy, or packed with tiny flakes rather than proper chunks.
I tested eight popular UK tuna brands across texture, flavour, sustainability claims, and value for money. Here’s the clear ranking from worst to best.
The Brands to Avoid or Approach with Caution
John West Once a trusted household name, John West has faced repeated criticism over sustainability. Despite promising to switch to pole-and-line fishing by 2016, only around 2% of its tuna met that standard according to Greenpeace investigations. Many customers now report a noticeable drop in quality, with tins often containing shredded, watery tuna and very little solid meat once drained. At around £1.06 per can, it no longer feels worth the price for many people.
Princes Princes sits in a similar price bracket to John West but frequently disappoints on texture. Reviewers commonly describe it as mushy and overly wet. There have also been past concerns about species mislabelling and elevated mercury levels in some tested products. It performs adequately when mixed into pasta or heavily flavoured dishes, but it lacks the firm, meaty quality expected from a premium-priced tin.
Tesco Tuna At just 65p per tin, this is one of the cheapest options available. While the low price is attractive, quality is inconsistent. Some tins contain more water than tuna, and the texture can feel dry or uneven. There is very little transparency about sourcing, and it often feels like a product made purely for price rather than quality.
Aldi Fishmonger Tuna Another budget option at 65p per tin. It has a notably strong fishy smell and tends to be mushy with lots of broken flakes. Many people find it bland despite the saltiness. It can work in heavily sauced dishes like pasta bakes, but it is one of the weakest options for sandwiches or salads.
Nixe (Lidl) Nixe sits in the mid-price range (£2.89 for a four-pack). Quality is inconsistent — some tins are acceptable, while others have a metallic taste or mushy texture. The sunflower oil version performs better than the brine or spring water options. It’s an average supermarket tuna that doesn’t particularly stand out in either direction.
The Better Options
Kingfisher Tuna Available in Tesco, Kingfisher markets itself as a more premium, sustainably caught option using pole-and-line methods. It stands out for having a stronger, richer tuna flavour and much firmer chunks compared to most supermarket brands. The texture holds together well and feels closer to proper tuna steak. The main downside is the higher price (£5.82 for two tins), which makes it less practical for everyday use.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Albacore Tuna This is one of the strongest supermarket options. The ventresca (tuna belly) in olive oil is particularly impressive, with a buttery texture and delicate flavour that feels noticeably higher quality. The regular albacore steak in extra virgin olive oil is also excellent — pale, firm, and clean-tasting. It’s MSC certified and pole-and-line caught. At around £2.85 per tin, it’s more expensive than standard options but many people feel it’s genuinely worth the extra cost.
Wild Planet (Best Overall) Wild Planet is the clear winner in this test. It contains proper, meaty chunks of tuna rather than shredded flakes, with a clean, fresh taste and no harsh metallic aftertaste. The brand uses pole-and-line or troll fishing methods and packs the tuna in its own natural juices. The skipjack variety is also a smart choice for lower mercury levels. At £4.76 per pack, it is expensive, but it delivers restaurant-quality tuna in a can and is the only brand that consistently feels like a genuine step up from supermarket options.
Quick Summary
| Rank | Brand | Texture & Quality | Sustainability | Value for Money | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | John West | Poor | Poor | Average | Avoid for everyday use |
| 7 | Princes | Poor | Average | Below average | Only for mixed dishes |
| 6 | Tesco | Below average | Poor | Good | Budget option only |
| 5 | Aldi Fishmonger | Poor | Average | Good | Only for cooking |
| 4 | Nixe (Lidl) | Average | Average | Good | Acceptable mid-tier |
| 3 | Kingfisher | Good | Good | Below average | Good quality, expensive |
| 2 | Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference | Very Good | Good | Good | Strong supermarket choice |
| 1 | Wild Planet | Excellent | Excellent | Average | Best overall quality |
Final Verdict
If you want the best quality tuna, Wild Planet is the clear top choice, followed closely by Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference (especially the ventresca in olive oil).
For everyday use on a budget, most supermarket own-brand options are disappointing. The big traditional brands like John West and Princes have lost significant ground in both quality and sustainability perception in recent years.
