The Zero-Sugar Coffee Creamer We'd Never Try Again Comes From This Popular Store Brand

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Coffee creamer has been a staple in the U.S. for decades. An ingredient that adds an indulgent layer to any morning cup, its evolution over the years has seen it go from an experimental powdered substance to a versatile kitchen must-have for millions of homes. There are many types available from countless brands, including a ton of great sugar-free options. But there is one we recommend veering away from: Walmart's Great Value Sugar-Free French Vanilla Creamer.

An expert Tasting Table recently ranked zero-sugar coffee creamers from seven different brands, including market leaders like Coffee Mate and International Delight. Some dairy-free options were analyzed for good measure, as were affordable store-brands like Great Value. Our expert went into the test with a completely open mind, making it clear that there weren't too many things they wouldn't consume but, unfortunately, the Great Value Sugar-Free French Vanilla Creamer turned out to be one of them.

They found the creamer to be completely unpalatable. The taste of artificial sweetener was far too strong, and it left their coffee with a terrible flavor. The texture was completely flat, which can probably be put down to the fact that there is no cream listed in the ingredients on the bottle, and the corn syrup and sunflower oil left a terrible aftertaste. Everything was off: The flavor, the aroma, the mouthfeel. Our tester ended up throwing the bottle away, concluding that they would rather drink their coffee black.

A lot of Walmart shoppers seem to enjoy the creamer, if online reviews are anything to go by. However, there are some people who have had similar feelings to our tester. One said in a review left on Walmart's website, "Not a fan of this creamer. It has no real genuine taste. It's flat. It's like drinking water and milk. There's no real French vanilla flavoring." Other customers pointed out the ingredients, saying, "It's not a bad creamer, it's just made of a variety of oils and bio-engineered ingredients, these aren't healthy ingredients. Which explains why it's inexpensive."

A 32-ounce bottle of the creamer costs $2.78, which is a lot cheaper than our tester's number one pick, Nutpods. A 25.4-ounce container of Nutpods Unsweetened French Vanilla Creamer is priced at $4.97 at Walmart, but our tester thought it was worth the extra money. Despite being dairy-free, it added a rich, decadent taste and even consistency to their coffee. It wasn't overly sweet, and it was so delicious that it was enjoyable to sip on its own. 

If you want to try some other Walmart options, there are a lot more Great Value creamers available. We ranked six from worst to best and loved the Chocolate Caramel. It was the full-sugar version, but there are other coffee creamers for people who want less sugar. You can always make your own too. Here is a DIY coffee creamer recipe that's ready in under five minutes.