M&M’s and Skittles are both in America’s top ten favorite candy and are also a favorite in many other countries worldwide. They look very similar, and their bright colors make them irresistible to kids.
Although they look similar, they taste very different, with one being fruity and the other chocolate-based, but is one better than the other when it comes to certain factors such as nutrition, price, and flavor?
In this article, I’ll be comparing M&M’s head-to-head in various categories to find out which candy wins the most categories to help you decide which is best for you or your kids.
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Ingredients Comparision
To compare different food, the best place to start is the ingredients to get an idea of the main ingredients and how they can impact nutrition.
When comparing Milk Chocolate M&M’s and skittles (see the chart below), the main difference between the two is that M&M’s main ingredient is chocolate, whereas the main ingredient of Skittles is sugar and corn syrup.
Both types of candy contain various color additives to make up the various colors that we know and love.
Of the two Skittles are suitable for a vegan diet, but M&M’s are not because they contain milk, which makes them also unsuitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
| M&M (Chocolate Candies) Ingredients | Original Skittles Ingredients |
| Milk Chocolate (sugar chocolate, skim milk, cocoa butter, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, salt, natural flavors), sugar, cornstarch, less than 1% of: corn syrup, Dextrin, colors (includes blue 1 lake, yellow 6, red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, blue 2 lake, blue 2), carnauba wax, gum acacia. | Sugar, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil; Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Modified Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), Carnauba Wax. |
M&Ms Nutritional Comparison
Moving on to the nutritional comparison, which will be based on a weight-to-weight comparison of each candy to keep things fair and accurate.
For clarification, I will be comparing Milk Chocolate M&M’s against Original Skittles in this category (although other flavors are available).
The recommended serving of M&Ms and Skittles is the same at 28g (or 1oz).
Best for Calorie Content
When it comes to calories, the candy with the least calories per serving is Skittles which compare 110kcal per 28g compared to Milk Chocolate M&Ms, which contain 140kcal.
While neither candy can be classed as nutritionally beneficial in any way, if calories are a consideration for you, Skittles are the best option between the two.
| Candy Type | Calories Per 28g Serving |
| M&M’s (Milk Chocolate Candy) | 140kcal |
| Original Skittles | 110kcal |
Best For Other Nutrition
When it comes to the remaining nutritional categories, both types of candy are high in carbs and sugar, although M&M’s are slightly lower in sugar between the two with 18g per serving compared to skittles which have 21g.
While M&Ms are slightly lower in sugar, because of the chocolate element, they have more fat, saturated fat, and a small amount of cholesterol and are slightly higher in sodium.
Compared to Skittles, M&M’s have a small amount of dietary fiber and contain low levels of a few vitamins and some calcium.
Overall, M&M’s have come out better in more nutritional categories when compared to Skittles which are mainly carbs and sugar.
| Nutrition Type | M&M’s (Milk Chocolate Candy) | Original Skittles |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 26g |
| Sugar | 18g (17g added sugar) | 21g (added sugar 21g) |
| Protein | 1g | 0g |
| Fat | 5g | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g | – |
| Cholesterol | 5mg* | – |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | – |
| Sodium | 20mg | 5mg |
| Vitamin A | 2% | – |
| Vitamin C | 2% | – |
| Calcium | 4% | – |
mg = milligram (1000th of a gram)
Best for Flavor/Texture
We need your help to find out which candy is the best for flavor and texture between M&M’s and Skittles so we can show impartial data on public opinion.
Please take part in the poll below (no personal information required) to tell us your favorite, and once you vote, you’ll be able to see the results so far.
Most Popular
According to travelandleisure.com, the most recent data (from 2020) confirms that M&M’s and Peanut M&Ms were the most popular candy in America, and Skittles came in at number 6.
Based on this information, M&M’s won the most popular candy category between the two, although this is based on data from 2020, and we don’t have the most recent statistics, so this may change over time.
Best for Price
For consistency, I’ll be comparing original Milk Chocolate M&M’s against Original Skittles because different varieties vary in cost.
Because M&M’s and Skittles are sold in different sized packs, I’ve compared the cost per ounce to keep things fair and accurate.
Keep in mind that smaller packs cost more per ounce than larger bulk bags, which are cheaper per weight.
At the time of writing this article, Milk Chocolate M&M’s cost an average of 28.9-36.3¢ per ounce depending on the pack size compared to Skittles which cost an average of 19.2-21¢ per ounce.
Based on this information, Skittles are the cheaper option when you compare them against M&M’s. Please note this may vary between pack sizes and the store where you buy them.
Overall Winner
We’ve now compared both kinds of candy in all categories, and the winners are – joint!
While Skittles are lower in calories of the two, M&M’s are slightly better when you compare nutrition, and they contain less sugar.
Skittles are best for price, whereas M&M’s are the most popular of the two, so it really comes down to which you like best; everyone has a favorite!
| Comparison Category | Winner (M&M’s or Skittles) |
| Best for Calorie Content | Skittles |
| Best for Nutrition | M&M’s |
| Most Popular | M&M’s |
| Best for Price | Skittles |
| Best for Flavor | You decide |
| Overall Winner | Joint Winners |
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References Used for this Article
To ensure the nutritional information used in this article is accurate, I have used data from the manufacturer; the links below contain the source information: