South African consumers have once again cast their votes in the country’s most comprehensive independent product survey. Product of the Year South Africa is proud to announce the 40 winners of the 2026 Product of the Year Awards, recognising products and services that have stood out for innovation, relevance, and real consumer appeal.
The awards were held on 28 May 2026 at Luxx Venue in Sandhurst, bringing together leading brands and industry guests for an evening celebrating consumer choice and the products South Africans trust.
Winners were selected through an independent, nationally representative study conducted by research partner Kantar, with 2,600 South African consumers evaluating products across key measures including appeal, relevance, uniqueness, satisfaction and purchase interest.
“As the programme continues to grow, it is a clear signal that brands recognise the value of consumer choice, and what it can unlock at shelf,” says Edith Venter, General Manager of Product of the Year South Africa. “Shopping patterns are evolving. Consumers are not only looking for the cheapest option, but they’re also looking for products that deliver real value. The Product of the Year seal is a trusted shortcut at the point of purchase, helping shoppers choose with confidence in a cluttered retail environment.”
Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year, reinforced the commercial value of the programme, describing Product of the Year as “a hugely important tool” in the marketing toolbox that helps brands build differentiation and competitive advantage, and encouraging winners to actively use the logo to maximise impact.
Full list of 2026 category winners
CATEGORY PRODUCT BRAND/MANUFACTURER
Adult Health Bioplus Energy Gummies Adcock Ingram
Baby Diapers Cuddlesome Nappies Cuddlesome
Baby Food Pouches Clicks Made 4 Baby Puree Clicks
Baby Pants Clicks Made For Baby Pants Lil Masters
Baby Wipes Clicks Expert Gentle Care Baby Wipes Clicks
Banking – Virtual Cards Standard Bank Virtual Card Standard Bank
Banking – Youth Accounts Under 16s Standard Bank Youth Account For Under 16s Standard Bank
Beauty – Body Scrub Sorbet Watermelon Summer Crush Foaming Salt Scrub Sorbet
Beauty – Eyebrow Razor Schick Intuition Touch Up Tool AMKA
Beauty – Skin Care LEANDS Advanced 2.0 Skin Firming Oil LEANDS
Body Hygiene Sorbet Watermelon Summer Crush Foam Wash Sorbet
Body Soap Clicks Hydrate Purifying Glycerine Soap Clicks
Cakes Chateau Gateaux Chateau Gateaux
Chewing Gum Marvellous Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Spearmint Marvellous
Curry Powder Rajah Curry Powders Rajah
Face Make Up Smudge Smooth Pore Minimising Primer Smudge
Food Spices Robertsons Braai & Grill / Chicken Spice / Steak & Chops Robertsons
Frozen Pizza Dr Oetker Ital Pizza Dr Oetker
Fruit Juice Rhodes Limited Edition 100% Fruit Juice Blend Rhodes
Funeral Planning Standard Bank Flexible Funeral Plan Standard Bank
General Wipes Clicks Xtreme Power Fabric Stain Removal Wipes Clicks
Hairspray Sorbet Hairbar Forever After Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray Sorbet
Health Bars Deli Gourmet Snacks Muesli Bar Dipped in Milk Chocolate & Cranberry & Raisin Deli Gourmet Snacks
Health Snacks Clicks Smartbites Rice Pops Cream Cheese & Chives Flavoured Clicks
Heel Repair Sorbet Salon-Pro Urea Heel Repair Mousse Sorbet
Household Cleaners Blixem Foamer All-Purpose Cleaner Blixem
Junior Breakfast Clicks Made 4 Tots Cereal Original Maize Clicks
Junior Snacks Clicks Made 4 Tots Corn Puffs Cheese Clicks
Kitchen Cleaners Blixem Kitchen Cleaners & Degreaser Blixem
Lawn Fertilizer Wonder Lawn & Leaf 7:1:3 Wonder / Agro-Serve
Lip Balm Sorbet Hydrating Lip Balm Watermelon Sorbet
Nicotine Pouches VELO Breezy Mango BAT
Pool Chemicals Trident BLU52
Ready-to-drink Smoothies Henties Strawberry Delight Smoothie Henties
Stock Cubes Knorrox Stock Cubes Knorrox
Stock Powder Knorrox Stock Powders Knorrox
Sweet Treats D’Licious Bakery Wafer Sticks Tiramisu Flavoured D’Licious Bakery
Vapes Vuse Pro One BAT
Water Storage Tanks Jojo 1,000 Litre Slimline Storage Tank Jojo
Women’s Health Optihealth Women’s Probiotic 10 Billion CFUs Vegi Capsules Optihealth
For brands, earning the Product of the Year title isn’t just a badge of honour. It is a proven accelerator of trust, visibility and consumer engagement, backed by the votes of real shoppers. For consumers, it’s a shortcut to quality and innovation in a cluttered market. As the 2026 winners celebrate their achievement, the Product of the Year seal continues to signal one thing clearly: this is a product South Africans believe in.
Entries for the 2027 Product of the Year Awards will be accepted from September 2026.
For more information about the programme visit www.productoftheyear.co.za.
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Franco D’Onofrio from Twiga Communications on behalf of Product of the Year South Africa.
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