Additional Coverage:
- 16 Things You Should Get at Costco Instead of Sam’s Club (financebuzz.com)
Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Where Your Dollar Buys More
**Local Shoppers, rejoice! ** If you’re pondering which warehouse club membership truly delivers the most bang for your buck, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve rolled up our sleeves and gone aisle-by-aisle, comparing prices at Costco and Sam’s Club to help you decide where to spend your hard-earned cash. While both giants offer fantastic deals on bulk groceries, everyday essentials, and popular items, our investigation uncovered a clear winner in several categories: Costco.
(A quick note from the editor: Prices and availability are always on the move, and what you find might vary by your local store. Keep an eye out for those in-store surprises!)
Here are some of the standout Costco bargains that edged out Sam’s Club:
1. Multivitamins
Staying in tip-top shape shouldn’t empty your wallet. At Costco, a hefty 400-tablet pack of Kirkland Signature Mature Multivitamins will set you back just $17.99.
While Sam’s Club offers its Member’s Mark Men’s 50+ for a penny less at $12.98, you’re only getting 275 tablets. Costco delivers more supplements for your health investment.
2. Almond Butter
Is your family going nutty for almond butter? Costco’s 27-ounce container of creamy Kirkland almond butter is a steal at $9.69.
While Sam’s Club’s 24-ounce Member’s Mark version is cheaper upfront, Costco’s price per ounce ($0.36) beats Sam’s ($0.37). Plus, we even spotted the Kirkland brand for an incredible $5.99 in-store!
3. Ninja Foodi Air Fryers
For those looking to cook up a storm, both clubs carry the popular two-basket Ninja Foodi air fryers at competitive prices. However, Costco takes the prize with its 10-quart model for $149.99, nearly $20 less than Sam’s Club’s slightly smaller eight-quart Ninja air fryer, which sells for $169.72.
4. Protein Bars
Fuel your fitness for less at Costco! A 16-count box of Trubars (featuring “Oh Oh Cookie Dough” and “Get In My Belly PB and Jelly” flavors) is under $18. Sam’s Club offers a smaller 14-piece pack for $18.68, featuring fewer of your favorite flavors.
5. Parchment Paper
Bakers, take note! Costco’s Kirkland brand parchment paper offers two 205-square-foot rolls for a mere $12.99. Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark, for the same quantity, costs $14.48.
6. Ground Coffee
Ditch the pricey coffee shop habit and save big on your morning brew. Costco’s 48-ounce (three-pound) bag of Kirkland 100% Colombian Supremo coffee is $14.99.
While Sam’s Club has cheaper generic Colombian grounds at $11.98, you only get 40 ounces. Costco wins on the price-per-ounce comparison: $0.27 versus $0.30 for Member’s Mark.
7. Snow Melter
Prepare for winter without freezing your budget! A 50-pound bag of Safe Step’s Fast-Acting Ice Melter is a chilly $13.99 at Costco. To get the same quantity at Sam’s Club, you’d need two 25-pound bags of Snow Joe, totaling $18.54.
8. Artisan Rolls
Elevate your dinner table with delicious artisan rolls from Costco’s bakery. Get 12 doughy buns for $5.99, beating Sam’s Club’s eight rolls for $4.48. That’s $0.49 per roll at Costco compared to $0.56 at Sam’s.
9. Cheese Pizza
Family pizza night just got more affordable at Costco. A four-pack of their store-brand pies is $11.79.
Sam’s Club offers three Member’s Mark pizzas for $12.98. While Sam’s might offer a heavier pie, Costco’s quantity feeds more hungry mouths.
10. Rotisserie Chicken
This one’s a classic! There’s barely a cent separating Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken from Sam’s $4.98.
However, many loyal Costco fans swear their chickens are not only tastier but also noticeably larger. A Reddit user, tggrinc, noted, “Costco’s chickens are super cheap and very popular…Sam’s offers rotisserie chickens, but they are much smaller.”
11. Generic Cough Medicine
When sniffles strike, both clubs offer relief. Costco’s 84-pack of Kirkland brand cough medicine is $19.99 ($0.24 per tablet), while Sam’s Member’s Mark Mucus Relief is $14.98 for 56 tablets ($0.27 per tablet).
12. Golf Balls
Fore a great deal! Score two dozen urethane-covered Kirkland golf balls at Costco for under $30.
We even found a 24-count box for $27.99 in local stores! Sam’s Club doesn’t have a store-brand equivalent, offering Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls for $48.26.
13. Plastic Plates
Planning a party? Costco and Sam’s have similar advertised prices for heavyweight plastic disposable plates.
However, you’ll get 50 plates for $14.99 at Costco versus 48 for $14.98 at Sam’s Club. Plus, we spotted Costco’s 50-count pack for an even lower $12.99 in-store!
14. Hair Conditioner
For luscious locks on a budget, Costco is your go-to. Their 33.8-ounce Kirkland brand conditioner is a steal at under $10. Sam’s Club lacks a store-brand option, pushing customers towards pricier name-brand haircare.
15. Organic Maple Syrup
Sweeten your savings with Costco’s organic generic maple syrup. A 33.81-ounce bottle is just $11.89. Sam’s Member’s Mark organic maple syrup is $12.98 for a smaller 32 ounces.
16. Walnuts
Nutty about nuts? Costco offers a better bargain on shelled walnuts at under $9 for a three-pound bag. Sam’s Club charges over $11 for the same quantity.
The Bottom Line
Saving money on groceries, home goods, and other essentials can be a challenge, but warehouse clubs make bulk buying a breeze. From multivitamins to frozen pizza and even kitchen appliances, our comparison found that Costco generally offers better bargains.
That’s not to say Sam’s Club doesn’t have its own fantastic deals. A savvy shopping strategy that incorporates both stores can truly maximize your savings and keep more cash in your wallet. Happy shopping!
Read More About This Story:
- 16 Things You Should Get at Costco Instead of Sam’s Club (financebuzz.com)