15 Walmart Items That Are Cheaper Elsewhere
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Walmart is often considered a go-to destination for affordable prices and convenience when shopping for everyday items. Known for its vast selection of groceries, household essentials, and electronics, many consumers assume Walmart offers the best deals. However, Walmart’s competitive pricing is not always the cheapest option for specific products.
Cereal
Various popular cereals like Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, and Special K are available at Walmart, costing between $3 to $5 per box. These prices are competitive for name-brand cereals but may be one of the cheapest options.
If you are purchasing for a large family or looking for budget-friendly alternatives, it’s worth exploring other grocery chains or discount stores. While Walmart stocks its own Great Value brand, Aldi’s private-label Millville brand can provide comparable quality at a lower price point, often between $2 to $4 per box.
TVs
A wide range of TVs, from budget-friendly brands to more established names like Samsung, LG, and Vizio, can be found at Walmart. Depending on the brand and features, a 50-inch LED TV costs $300 to $500. While these prices are standard across big-box retailers, cheaper deals can often be found elsewhere. Best Buy, for example, is known for offering competitive deals, especially during promotional periods like Black Friday or President’s Day sales, where you can often find the same 50-inch TV for $280 to $350.
Amazon is another retailer that frequently undercuts Walmart’s TV prices, especially during major sales events like Prime Day. You can save up to 15% compared to Walmart’s everyday prices by purchasing during these sale windows.
Best Buy offers price matching and sometimes open-box discounts, further enhancing your savings potential. For high-ticket electronics like TVs, it’s usually worth checking alternative retailers before committing to Walmart.
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen generally cost between $4 to $6 for a bottle of 100 tablets at Walmart. While these prices are competitive, especially for their Great Value and Equate brands, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens often have deals that can offer better value.
For instance, during sales or with coupons, you can sometimes find a bottle of pain relievers for $3 or less at these stores.
Jeans
Budget-friendly jeans under brands like George Time and Tru are available at Walmart, with prices generally ranging from $15 to $30. While these jeans offer decent quality for the price, fashion-forward shoppers can often find better deals elsewhere.
Stores like Old Navy regularly run promotions, and during sale events, you can find jeans priced as low as $15. Similarly, Target’s in-house brands, like Universal Thread and Wild Fable, often offer jeans at comparable prices, especially when combined with clearance sales or special promotions.
Detergents
A 100-ounce bottle of Tide detergent typically costs around $10 to $12 at Walmart, making the price competitive but not necessarily the cheapest. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club often offer larger bottles or multi-packs of detergent at lower per-ounce prices.
For example, Costco’s 150-ounce Kirkland Signature detergent is priced at $8.50, offering significant savings over the name brands sold at Walmart.
Shampoo
Pantene or Head & Shoulders shampoo is typically sold for $5 to $7 for a 12-ounce bottle at Walmart. While these prices are standard for national retailers, better deals are often found at drugstores like Rite Aid or beauty retailers like Ulta.
For example, Rite Aid frequently runs buy-one-get-one promotions, which can reduce the effective cost per bottle to as low as $4. Ulta’s sales events often include similar deals on major shampoo brands, and their rewards program offers further incentives for frequent shoppers.
Pet Food
A 16-pound bag of Purina Cat Chow usually costs between $15 and $18 at Walmart. While this price may seem reasonable, online retailers like Chewy.com often offer similar pet food at a lower price, especially when taking advantage of their auto-ship and subscription services.
Chewy, for example, gives Purina Cat Chow for around $13 to $15 with the added benefit of free shipping on orders over a certain amount. The auto-ship feature guarantees a steady supply of food and provides ongoing discounts for repeat purchases.
Blenders
Budget-friendly blenders like the Black+Decker model can be found at Walmart for around $25 to $30, making it a convenient option for shoppers looking for inexpensive kitchen appliances. However, stores like Bed Bath & Beyond often offer discounts and promotions that can reduce the price of similar models.
With a 20% off coupon, which Bed Bath & Beyond frequently provides to shoppers, a blender that usually costs $30 can drop to around $24, offering a savings of about 20% compared to Walmart.
Patio Furniture
At Walmart, basic patio furniture sets typically range from $100 to $150, a reasonable price for an outdoor table and chair set. However, home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s often have competitive pricing, particularly during seasonal sales.
A similar patio set at Home Depot may be available for $80 to $120 during a summer clearance event. These stores frequently offer free delivery or discounts on bulk purchases, making it easier and cheaper to furnish an entire patio.
Dumbbells
A set of 5-pound dumbbells costs between $15 and $20 at Walmart, depending on the brand and availability. While this price is reasonable for casual fitness enthusiasts, specialized fitness retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods often offer discounts and sales on workout equipment.
For example, during significant promotions or clearance sales, a set of dumbbells might be marked down from $12 to $18, offering small but valuable savings. Amazon is another excellent option for fitness gear, where dynamic pricing often means you can catch these items at lower prices, particularly during flash sales.
Board Games
Popular board games like Monopoly or Scrabble typically cost between $20 and $30 at Walmart, which aligns with other major retailers. However, during major sale events, Target frequently offers sales or promotions that decrease prices, sometimes as low as $15 to $25.
Target’s Circle Rewards program also provides additional discounts for frequent shoppers, making it possible to stack savings and reduce the overall cost of entertainment for families.
Books
A selection of bestsellers and popular titles is available at Walmart, with hardcover books generally priced between $15 and $20. While this is relatively affordable, Amazon consistently offers lower book prices, particularly for new releases.
You can often find the same hardcover bestsellers on Amazon for $10 to $15, especially if you take advantage of pre-orders or shop during special events like Prime Day. Also, Amazon’s Kindle versions are usually cheaper, offering further savings for readers who prefer eBooks.
Bedding
At Walmart, mid-tier bedding items like sheet sets or comforters generally range from $25 to $35. Although this price is competitive, retailers like Kohl’s and Bed Bath & Beyond often provide better deals, particularly during frequent sales.
At Kohl’s, it’s not uncommon to find quality sheet sets for as low as $20 to $30, while Bed Bath & Beyond frequently offers 20% off coupons that can drive prices down even further. These discounts make these stores a better option for those looking to upgrade their bedding at a lower cost.
Notebooks
Essential notebooks sold in three-packs generally cost around $5 to $7 at Walmart, which is competitive but only sometimes the best deal. Office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot often run back-to-school sales where the same three-pack of notebooks can be priced as low as $4.
These stores frequently offer bulk discounts or limited-time promotions, making stocking up on school or office supplies significantly cheaper than Walmart’s everyday prices.
Holiday Decorations
Seasonal decorations like Halloween or Christmas range from $10 to $30 at Walmart, depending on the specific item. However, craft stores like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby often offer better deals, particularly during clearance sales at the end of each holiday season. With discounts of up to 50% off, these stores make it easy to stock up for the next year at a fraction of Walmart’s price. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby also frequently offer weekly coupons that can be applied to regular-priced items, adding even more savings potential.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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