Be A Wise Shopper
Costco has a rep for best deals, oversized everything, and that glorious $1.50 hot dog combo. But not everything in the warehouse is a bargain. Some items are worth hauling home in bulk, while others sneakily cost more than you'd think. If you're shopping for savings or want to buy all your essentials from one place for convenience, this list is for you. Here’s a breakdown of 10 affordable items at Costco—and 10 you might want to skip. Let’s start with the better deals.
JJBers from Willimantic, Connecticut, USA on Wikimedia
1. Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s 3-pound rotisserie chicken hasn’t budged in price for years. It still costs $4.99. Whole Foods charges over $18 for the same weight. Even Walmart’s bird is smaller and pricier per pound. For size, taste, and value, nothing touches Costco’s famous chicken.
All Of Your Costco Rotisserie Chicken Questions Finally Answered by Mashed
2. Gas
Costco gas stations consistently undercut local prices by 20–25 cents per gallon. Fill up regularly, and your membership practically pays for itself. If you drive a lot or commute daily, this alone makes Costco worth the stop.
3. Batteries
Kirkland Signature AA batteries are priced at $17.99 for a 48-pack. This means a single battery costs about 37 cents. That’s less than half the price of Duracell—and they’re made by the same manufacturer. Whether it’s toys, remotes, or flashlights, this bulk pack is a smart buy for any household.
Are Kirkland (Costco) batteries worth it? by Vicki P
4. Prescription Medicines
You don’t need insurance to score deals at Costco’s pharmacy. Generic medications like Metformin can cost as little as $10.99 for 180 tablets. Compared to online or retail options, that’s a massive difference, especially if you manage long-term conditions.
Prescription Drugs : The Costco Kickbacks - The Fifth Estate by The Fifth Estate
5. Organic Maple Syrup
Costco’s 33.8-ounce bottle of pure organic maple syrup costs $14.99. At Whole Foods, you’ll pay around $20 or more for something similar. So, what Costco offers has the same sweetness and quality, just a lot more affordable in bulk.
Kirkland Limited Edition 100% Pure Organic Maple Syrup - Costco Product Review by The Tiny Reviewer
6. Olive Oil
For cooking or dipping, Costco’s olive oil brings premium quality without the premium markup. The 2-liter organic extra virgin olive oil by Kirkland costs $24.99 and holds up against top-tier brands. California Olive Ranch sells for more—and in smaller bottles.
Kirkland Limited Edition 100% Pure Organic Maple Syrup - Costco Product Review by The Tiny Reviewer
7. Wine
For cooking or dipping, Costco’s olive oil brings premium quality without the premium markup. The 2-liter organic extra virgin olive oil by Kirkland costs $24.99 and holds up against top-tier brands. California Olive Ranch sells for more—and in smaller bottles.
Sommelier Tries Every Costco Wine | World Of Wine | Bon Appétit by Bon Appétit
8. Mixed Nuts
Fresher and cheaper than online choices like Planters, a 2.5-pound jar of mixed nuts at Costco comes in at $16.59. Ideal for snacking, baking, or hosting, this bulk buy delivers top quality without the fancy snack aisle price tag.
Quick & Easy: Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Unsalted Mixed Nuts by Costco
9. Detergent
Tide Pods at Costco cost less per pod than Target or grocery chains—$0.22 versus $0.27 adds up fast over 156 pods. With trusted results, a better price, and fewer store runs, it’s one of the easiest household wins at Costco.
Tide pods laundry detergent #tidepods by R&R With Oksana
10. Toilet Paper
Kirkland Signature’s 30-roll pack runs $20.49 and offers more sheets per roll than name brands like Charmin. At over $30 elsewhere for the same count, you’re literally flushing money if you skip Costco on this one.
Kirkland Signature 2-Ply Bath Tissue - 30 Rolls by SammyLu ReviewsHowever, not everything sold in bulk means it’s a bargain. The next 10 items often cost more at Costco, or go to waste before you can use them up.
1. Cereal
Costco sells two giant Cheerios boxes (20.35 oz each) for $9.99—around 25 cents per ounce. Target’s sale price is $3.99 for 18 oz, or 22 cents per ounce, which means you’ll actually pay more at Costco. So, grabbing a box or two on sale elsewhere makes more sense.
2. Milk & Dairy Products
It’s easy to overestimate how much milk or cheese you’ll actually use. The low price at Costco encourages bulk buying, but spoiled dairy means wasted money. Grocery stores let you buy only what you’ll realistically finish while it’s still fresh.
What You Need To Know About Milk, Eggs & Butter at Costco by Healthy Living Rite
3. HDMI Cables
A 2-pack of Monster HDMI cables means $29.99 at Costco. On the flip side, sellers like Amazon Basics price a 2-pack for just $9.99. That’s a huge difference. For those who aren’t big on branding, there’s no reason to spend triple for the same video quality.
4. Juice Boxes
Costco sells a 40-pack of Honest Kids Organic Juice for $14.99—around 37 cents per pouch. Walmart’s 8-pack runs $3.98, or 50 cents each. But rollbacks often drop it to 30 cents. The verdict? Smaller packs usually cost less.
Honest Kids Organic Berry Lemonade Juice Drink by Everything in here
5. Air Fryers
Options like the Ninja AF101 cost $119.99 at Costco, but Best Buy often drops it to $89.99 during sales. Amazon matches or beats that price, too. If you’re not in a rush, waiting for a deal elsewhere easily saves thirty dollars.
Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer | Unboxing | Demo | Costco Buys by Random Home Gadgets
6. Mayo
That 64-ounce jar of mayo might seem smart—until you toss it half-used. Bulk condiments like this often expire before you use them up. Additionally, regular grocery stores usually have cheaper, smaller jars, especially with brand promos.
Easy Costco Recipe # 1: For lunch or snack by SimpleJoyWithAnh
7. Printer Ink
Got a printer at your place? Don’t buy ink at Costco. Ink is overpriced everywhere, and warehouse clubs usually aren’t the place to score a deal. Amazon lists the same item for less, and it gets even cheaper with Subscribe & Save. So, stick to online shopping in this case.
8. Body Wash
Costco’s three-pack of Dove (24 oz each) goes for $19.99. As for Target, they sell 22-oz bottles for $6.99 or 2 for $12 during promos. Unless you’re a fan of that body wash, a drugstore deal saves money, and you don’t have to store gallons.
9. Hardcover Books
The selection is super limited at Costco, with a few hot titles. Plus, Amazon usually sells them cheaper with doorstep delivery. Between Kindle deals and online discounts, you're better off scrolling and clicking than tossing a book in with your bulk groceries.
COSTCO BOOKS SHOPPING WALKTHROUGH 2022 by Reis World
10. Brand-Name Snacks
Chips, crackers, and cookies in bulk may look cheaper at Costco, but supermarkets often run sales or coupons that beat the per-ounce price. You’re also stuck with huge boxes, which may go stale if you don’t plow through them quickly.
