Whether you’re aiming to save by purchasing in bulk or preparing for potential future shortages, finding good deals at membership clubs like Costco might be a priority. Several factors give Costco an edge in offering lower prices. Unlike Walmart and Target, which stock a wide variety of products in smaller quantities, Costco focuses on a limited selection, purchasing these items in large volumes. This strategy reduces the per-unit cost for both the company and its members.
Costco also leverages its Kirkland Signature brand to provide affordable private-label bulk items, from applesauce to vitamins. While the annual membership fee can offset savings, especially if there’s no nearby Costco, you can still find significant savings on many household items by avoiding products like rugs, storage sheds, and certain brand-name items that are more costly.
In addition to seeking out low prices, another way to save at Costco is through Costco Direct, an online-only promotion. With over 1,200 products, the more you purchase, the more you save. For instance, buying three eligible items can save you $200 at checkout. Buying multiple household items at once helps Costco reduce freight costs, passing savings directly to members.
Paper Products
Paper towels, toilet paper, and other paper products are household staples best bought in bulk. Costco’s $24 Kirkland Signature Paper Towels are popular, with nearly 30,000 five-star reviews. Sold in a 12-pack, they are cheaper and more highly rated than similar products from Amazon Basics and Target’s up&up brand. Although slightly longer, the extra sheets are useful for bigger messes.
Similar savings can be found on Kirkland and Marathon brand toilet papers during sales, though Walmart’s Great Value Mega Rolls are consistently priced at $10 for 12 rolls, offering a more affordable option.
Stocking up on tissues at Costco is also wise. The Kirkland Signature Facial Tissue 30-pack offers thousands of tissues at about a penny each, which is cheaper than Target and Walmart brand tissues. However, if storage is an issue, these other options may be preferable. For brand-name options like Kleenex with Lotion, paying attention to the per-sheet price is key. Amazon’s regular price for an eight-pack of rectangular Kleenex boxes at $26 is lower than Costco’s $21 sale price for a 12-pack of square ones. Target charges significantly more per tissue for Kleenex.
Laundry Supplies
Costco offers substantial savings on washers and dryers compared to other big box stores, featuring brands like Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool. Sales on these bestselling sets can save hundreds, and membership benefits include free delivery, installation, haul away, and extended warranties, which home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes typically charge extra for.
For laundry detergents, Costco provides savings on brand-name products in bulk. A 156-count box of Spring Meadow Tide Pods costs $35 at Costco, less than at Amazon, Target, or Walmart. Similarly, Nellie’s Laundry Soda is over $70 at Walmart and Amazon but only $55 at Costco.
However, opting for store brands may not yield savings. Kirkland Signature UltraClean Detergent, though highly rated, is similar in performance and price to Amazon Basics, while Walmart’s Great Value or Target’s Lavender Bloom up&up detergents offer even greater savings. When it comes to sustainable laundry products like Clean Cult Concentrated Detergent, Costco’s $32 bulk price is slightly higher than Amazon’s but $13 less than Walmart’s.
Kitchen Staples
Shopping at Costco can help you stock your pantry economically with generous quantities of your family’s favorite foods. We found most kitchen items at Costco are better deals than those at big box stores. For small appliances, Costco offers savings on name-brand items like the KitchenAid Mixer, Gourmia Air Fryer, and Cuisinart Programmable Coffee Maker compared to Amazon and Walmart.
The $400 Vitamix Venturist Pro Blender, exclusive to Costco, is often compared to the pricier Vitamix 5200 by Reddit users. Buying from Costco saves $8 on OXO Pop Food Containers, $20 on a KitchenAid Vintage Stripe Towel Set, and $99 on a Mikasa Bone China collection compared to Amazon.
Trash bags are also a Costco staple, with nearly 10,000 reviewers rating Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech Trash Bags five stars. These bags, priced at just $0.11 each for a 200-count box, outperform similar options at Amazon, Target, or Walmart.
Around the House
Costco offers a wide range of electronics, from security systems to big-screen TVs. Monitoring sale prices, including Black Friday deals, ensures you get the best prices. While major retailers like Amazon often match prices on big-ticket items such as vacuums and sound bars, Costco’s 90-day return policy, free technical support, and extended warranties are more generous than the typical 30-day return window elsewhere. Additionally, Costco doesn’t charge a restocking fee, saving you money if an item doesn’t meet your needs.
Don’t overlook Costco for home decor items like bedsheets, light fixtures, and furniture. Although the quality might be slightly lower, Costco’s floor-length Ravena mirror is hundreds less than Pottery Barn’s similar Celine model.
However, avoid purchasing rugs from Costco to save money. The 9-by-13-foot Thomasville Timeless Classic Rug costs $450, but similar-sized, highly rated, machine-washable rugs from brands like RUUGME are available on Amazon for $250. Target also offers better rug deals, with a comparable 8-by-10-foot Peighton Area Rug priced at $200 versus Costco’s $250.
For the Yard
Costco provides savings on lawn and garden supplies. If overseeding or repairing bare lawn spots, consider Costco’s 25-pound bags of Scotts grass seed mixes. At $57, the cost of Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair is competitive with Amazon and Home Depot.
One of Costco’s best deals is a $29 set of Fiskars loppers and hand pruners, which costs $10 more at Walmart and $19 more on Amazon. A $35 Flexon 100-foot hose also offers savings compared to prices over $50 at Amazon or Walmart.
Consider shopping elsewhere for weed killer. Costco sells Roundup Dual Action Weed and Grass Killer for $60, but it’s available for half the price at Home Depot. Similarly, outdoor storage solutions like the Lifetime Vertical Storage Shed are slightly cheaper at Wayfair than Costco’s $350 price.
