16 Things You Should Get at Costco Instead of Sam's Club

An annual membership at a warehouse club offers savings on bulk buys and more. But which retailer is the best option for your family?

Don’t worry; you won’t have to waste time or gas money driving from store to store. We’ve compared prices to answer the age-old question — is it easier to save money at Costco or Sam’s Club? While both offer high-quality, low-price groceries, everyday essentials, and other popular picks, we spotted a few must-have Costco bargains that beat Sam’s prices.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Costco Price: $12.99

Staying healthy shouldn’t break the bank. And at Costco, it won’t. We found a 400-tablet pack of Kirkland Signature Mature Multivitamins for $12.99. Sam’s Club charges one penny less for its store-brand Member’s Mark Men’s 50+ version. Even though you’ll only pay $12.98 at the other warehouse club, Sam’s only gives you 275 multis.

Costco Price: $7.49

Are peanuts a no-go in your family? Snag Costco’s 27-ounce container of creamy almond butter for $7.49. The Kirkland find is slightly more expensive than Sam’s 24-ounce Member’s Mark version, but you’ll get more for your money.

When you break down the value by price per ounce, Costco’s generic is $0.27 versus $0.29 at Sam’s Club. And if you’re looking to save even more, visit your local Costco store for a better deal. We spotted the peanut-free product for $5.99.

Costco Price: $149.99

Both warehouse clubs sell two-basket Ninja Foodie air fryers at prices lower than what you could find at department or specialty stores. But Costco wins out when it comes to total value. Costco’s $149.99 price for a 10-quart model is almost $20 less than Sam’s $169.72 for a slightly smaller eight-quart Ninja air fryer.

Costco Price: $17.99

Snag a 16-count box of name-brand Trubars at Costco for less than $18. This bargain buy includes eight “Oh Oh Cookie Dough” and eight “Get In My Belly PB and Jelly” plant-based protein bars. Sam’s sells a smaller 14-piece pack of seven “Oh Oh Cookie Dough” and seven “Daydreaming About Donuts” for $18.68.

Costco Price: $12.99

Bakers can get a bargain on parchment paper at Costco. The store’s Kirkland brand generic sells for $12.99. You’ll get two 205-square-foot rolls for under $13. Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark costs $14.48 for the same quantity.

Costco Price: $14.99

You already pass on pricey barista blends. But skipping Starbucks isn’t the only way to save. Costco’s Kirkland 100 percent Columbian Supremo coffee is $14.99 for 48 ounces (three pounds). 

Sam’s charges less for its generic Columbian Classic grounds ($11.98) — but you’ll only get 40 ounces. In an ounce-by-ounce price comparison, Costco comes out ahead at $0.27 versus $0.30 for the Member’s Mark version.

Costco Price: $13.99

A 50-pound bag of Safe Step’s Fast-Acting Ice Melter is a cold-weather deal for $13.99 at Costco. Sam’s Club also sells a premium melting product — a 25-pound bag of Snow Joe for $9.27. To get Costco’s quantity, you would have to pay $18.54 at Sam’s.

Costco Price: $11.79

Costco sells a four-pack of its store-brand pies for $11.79, while Sam’s charges $12.98 for three from Member’s Mark. The Sam’s Club buy is heavier, but you can feed more people with the larger quantity Costco option.

Costco Price: $5.99

The bakery sections of both warehouse clubs offer affordable options, ranging from frosted cakes to these artisan rolls. Costco’s bulk buy includes 12 doughy buns for $5.99, but Sam’s only gives you eight for $4.48. The per-roll price comparison is $0.49 at Costco and $0.56 at Sam’s Club.

Costco Price: $4.99

There’s only one cent difference between Costco’s $4.99 and Sam’s $4.98 ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken. That makes this a toss-up. But die-hard Costco fans think that this warehouse club has the tastier value. Redditor tggrinc posted, “Costco’s chickens are super cheap and very popular…Sam’s offers rotisserie chickens, but they are much smaller.”

Costco Price: $29.99

Score two dozen of Costco’s urethane-covered Kirkland gold balls for under $30. And you can pick up a pack at most local stores (that’s where we found the 24-count box for an even lower price — $27.99). Sam’s Club doesn’t have a store-brand equivalent, but they do sell Callaway’s Supersoft Golf Balls for $48.26.

Costco Price: $19.99

You can find inexpensive generic cough and cold medicine at both of these members-only stores. Costco sells an 84-pack of its Kirkland brand for $19.99 ($0.24 per tablet), while Sam’s Member’s Mark Mucus Relief is $14.98 for 56 ($0.27 per tablet).

Costco Price: $14.99

Costco and Sam’s have almost identical advertised prices for heavyweight plastic disposable plates. But you’ll get 50 for $14.99 at Costco and 48 for $14.98 at Sam’s Club. And you could get an even better deal at your local Costco store. We found the 50-count pack for $12.99.

Costco Price: $9.99

Beauty bargains are a major reason to choose Costco. The store’s 33.8-ounce Kirkland brand conditioner is a steal for under $10. Sam’s Club doesn’t have a store-brand option, forcing customers to buy pricier brand-name haircare products.

Costco Price: $11.89

Save $1 with this Costco Kirkland purchase. The organic generic is only $11.89 for 33.81 ounces. Member’s Mark also has an organic maple syrup. But Sam’s charges $12.98 for 32 ounces.

Costco Price: $8.69

While these warehouse clubs offer affordable deals on shelled nuts, Costco has the better bargain at under-$9 for a three-pound bag. Sam’s Club charges over $11 for the same quantity.

It’s not always easy to save money on groceries, home goods, and everything else on your shopping list. Luckily, warehouse clubs have bulk buys to keep your budget in check.

Whether you need to stock up on multivitamins, frozen pizza, or small kitchen appliances, we found better bargains at Costco. But that doesn’t mean you can’t score deals at Sam’s, too. 

A smart shopping strategy that includes both stores can maximize your savings and leave cash in your wallet.