Best mixed candy assortments

Top pick: Mars Snickers, Twix & More Minis variety bag — the safest crowd-pleaser. It's a big 200-piece bag of individually wrapped mini bars, so it works for a candy bowl, a party table or handing out, and it's the highest-rated of the bunch by a wide margin.

Who the others suit:

• Mars M&M's, Snickers & Milky Way fun-size bag — the classic chocolate mix if you want a smaller, familiar assortment.
• Charms Party Pack (80 oz) — peanut- and gluten-free, so it's the one to grab when allergies are a concern.
• Canel's El Piñatero piñata mix — fruity, non-chocolate candy for kids' parties and piñatas.
• Airheads variety bag — chewy, fruit-flavored only; good for a school treat or a lighter option.
• Bubs and Swedish pick-'n'-mix bags — for anyone who wants gummy/Scandinavian sweets instead of chocolate.
• Hershey Miniatures bulk bag — chocolate variety in a very large quantity for big events.

If you want a single bag that pleases almost everyone, take the Mars minis; go peanut-free with Charms, or fruity with Canel's.