To quickly identify if an aldehyde undergoes the Cannizzaro reaction, check for the presence of $\alpha$-hydrogen atoms.
Aldehydes like formaldehyde (HCHO) and benzaldehyde ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CHO}$) lack $\alpha$-hydrogen and will undergo Cannizzaro reaction, whereas acetaldehyde ($\text{CH}_3\text{CHO}$) contains $\alpha$-hydrogens and undergoes aldol condensation.