One of the best things about big-box stores like Target and Walmart is their huge selection. In one shopping trip, you can pick up everything from bread to body wash, luggage to leggings—usually at affordable prices. But just because something is cheap and convenient doesn't make it a smart purchase. That's why we consulted retail experts to find out the best things to buy at Walmart. Read on for their advice and to learn the stand-out brands and product types to add to your next shopping list.
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1. Equate personal care items
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Consumer savings expertAndrea Woroch tells Best Life that Walmart's store brand Equate is a top pick for personal care items and toiletries: "It competes with national brands like Aveeno, Olay, and Neutrogena for an additional 20 to 30 percent in savings."
Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com, specifically recommends Equate's over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
"These value-priced pain relievers at Walmart are a huge money saver," she explains. "For example, you can purchase 100 200-mg Equate Ibuprofen for $1.98, whereas Advil is over $10 for a bottle of 130. Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medications—name brand or otherwise—you can rest assured that what you are buying is safe."
If you don't want to go with a generic for a particular item, Worch notes that "Walmart accepts manufacturer coupons for name brands."
2. Beautiful by Drew Barrymore appliance collection
Lifestyle influencerFarah Merhi says one of her go-to's is the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore appliance collection. The Beautiful brand was started by actress Drew Barrymore and Made by Gather founder and CEO Shae Hong in 2021.
According to a press release at the time, the line of small kitchen appliances and cookware "combines elegant design, contemporary colors, and modern silhouettes with innovative touchscreen technology." And how convenient that much of the brand is available at Walmart?
"I have searched high and low for appliances that work well but also match my kitchen decor," Merhi explains. "Your everyday appliances like your toaster, blender, griddle, and coffee machine can now be styled on your kitchen counters, making a statement and matching with the rest of your decor!"
Her personal pick is the white and gold, but other color options include black, cornflower blue, lavender, rose, gray, taupe, and sage green.
3. The Home Edit collection
Marie Kondo kicked off a trend that hasn't slowed down. The latest organization obsession is the Netflix show Get Organized With the Home Edit, which features The Home Edit founders Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin helping celebrities achieve their organization dreams. If you want to style your space in the same way, you can shop The Home Edit collection at Walmart.
"Whether you're looking to organize your cabinets and pantries or your closet, the collection has everything you need," says Merhi, noting that the items are also accessible and affordable.
Some bestsellers include a headband organizer (if you know, you know), a modular bathroom storage system, and the new weekender bag.
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4. Better Homes & Gardens decor
Dave and Jenny Marrs for Walmart
You probably know the long-time magazine Better Homes & Gardens, but did you realize it's also a home and garden brand at Walmart? Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews, says, "It's one of the more premium brands that Walmart has and has a ton of items that look more expensive than they really are."
This includes patio furniture, planters, and other outdoor items, but it also offers a full roster of interior decor and furniture. "You can pick up things like candles and complete dinnerware sets for a fraction of the cost of bigger brands," Ramhold notes.
She also points out that much of the Better Homes and Gardens line is "very similar to the sort of 'farmhouse chic' you might see in [Target's] Magnolia line from Chip and Joanna Gaines."
Case in point—in April 2022, Walmart launched the Marrs Collection for Better Homes & Gardens. Dave and Jenny Marrs became household names thanks to their HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous, in which they restored their own historic home. For their collaboration with Walmart, outdoor items feature "neutral colors and handcrafted elements with natural wood and clay, chunky open weaves and antique brass," according to a press release.
5. Scoop Collection clothing
Like Target, Walmart does clothing collaborations with big names like actress Sofía Vergara and menswear company Bonobos. But it's their Scoop line that really got the fashion world excited when they relaunched the brand in 2020.
The former NYC boutique was reborn in consultation with its founder Stefani Greenfield, but more recent collections have been overseen by well-known fashion designer Brandon Maxwell, who was hired as Walmart's consulting creative director in 2021.
Today.com described the brand as "a size-inclusive fashion line offering quality materials and the latest styles at an affordable price."
In a review of the 2024 spring Scoop collection, Real Simple said, "There are so many elevated basics, summer dresses, and colorful tops, with prices starting at just $10."
6. Love & Sports athleisure clothing
"This all-gender collection of athleisure includes joggers, crewnecks, and zip hoodies, and the styles are available in several colors for everyone on your list," says Bodge. "Designed for everyone and anyone, they are perfect for the cold weather, and you cannot beat the price!"
For example, Love & Sports leggings and joggers start around $20, while T-shirts are as cheap as $8.
"The joggers are in my regular rotation, and I prefer them to those that are more than double the price," shares Bodge.
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7. Time and Tru shoes and sandals
Go on TikTok right now, and it's almost guaranteed there will be videos detailing the latest high-end fashion dupes at Walmart. According to Woroch, you should check out the store's Time and Tru brand for shoe dupes "that look like expensive styles you see at high-end department stores for a fraction of the cost."
"For example, these buckle clogs look like Birkenstock clogs for just $19.99, saving you around $140.
8. Clarks shoes
Clarks has been around since 1825 and is considered one of the most trusted, well-made, and comfortable footwear brands. But, of course, all those accolades don't come cheap. For example, a pair of women's booties range in price from $130 to $220.
This is why Caitlyn Parish, founder and CEO of bridesmaid brand Cicinia, suggests buying your shoes from Walmart's Clarks line.
When comparing women's booties, some of the pairs at Walmart are still pricey, but many are under $100. Parish says to pay special attention to the care instructions. "With proper care, your Clarks shoes will last for many years to come."
And for what to wear inside your shoes, Parish says Walmart's SmartWool socks are a must. The high-quality merino wool socks are "perfect for hiking, running or just everyday wear," and they are machine-washable and dryer-safe, she notes.
9. Wonder Nation kids' clothing
There's no arguing that kids go through clothing quickly, whether it's because they've had a growth spurt or ruined something while playing. That's why Woroch recommends stocking up on inexpensive basics from the children's clothing line Wonder Nation.
"Walmart's Wonder Nation is a great option for tees, shorts, and even uniform polo shirts for kids," she shares. "Here's a six-pack of bike shorts for just $10. Meanwhile, you're looking at dishing out $5 per shorts at Target."
RELATED: 5 Walmart Clothing Items That Are "Better Than Target," Shoppers Say.
10. Parent's Choice baby supplies
As any new parent can tell you, baby supplies get very expensive. According to Ramhold, Walmart's Parent's Choice brand offers affordable diapers, wipes, and training pants, as well as accessories, including bottle brushes and warmers, crib sheets, eating utensils, food, and more.
"Given that in 2022, the cost of raising a child from babyhood through high school has jumped to over $300,000, it helps to save in every area that you can, and with Parent's Choice, products start at just 62 cents each," notes Ramhold.
11. Spark Create Imagine toys
If you have a young child, chances are you've heard of Melissa & Doug's wooden educational toys. They're great, but they're not available everywhere.
For something comparable, Ramhold suggests Spark Create Imagine toys: "They're a Walmart brand, which means you won't find them elsewhere, and they cover a wide variety of categories, so pretend play sets, stuffed animals, musical toys for kids, and more."
She notes that they're not necessarily cheaper than Melissa & Doug, but "very often the Spark Create Imagine toys have more pieces to them compared to the bigger brand."
Ramhold calls out the Spark Imagine Create toy pressure cooker, "which looks like an adorable Instant Pot, makes 'realistic cooking sounds' and even releases 'realistic steam' if you add water." She says it's the first time she's ever seen a toy pressure cooker, plus it's only around $14 at Walmart.
12. Mainstays utility cart
Walmart
DIYers love utility carts, transforming them into everything from gift wrap stations to rolling garden benches. And according to Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert for MySavings.com, the Mainstays utility cart from Walmart is a great deal.
"I am currently using mine to store baby products to keep within reach during those middle-of-the-night feedings. I will eventually use this in my laundry room," she tells Best Life. "I'm really impressed with the quality for the price. It's only $27.98 and comes with three storage baskets and wheels that make any space organized."
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13. High-end earbuds
ShutterstockEarbuds have become almost an extension of our body. But the high-quality pairs are pretty up there in price.
Christen Costa, CEO of Gadget Review, says Walmart is a great place to find Apple AirPods and Beats headphones "for impressively low prices." He advises shoppers to "be on the lookout for sales/clearance events" for even more savings.
14. Great Value spices
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Spices are a pantry staple that seems so inexpensive but can add up (especially when you realize half your spice cabinet expired five years ago!). For that reason, Dan Gallagher, a registered dietician at Aegle Nutrition, suggests buying Walmart's Great Value spices.
"It’s pretty widely known how low Walmart’s spice prices are, especially for this brand," he says. "It’s worth stocking up your spice cabinet—especially since Great Value is a pretty high quality for the value."
15. Snacks
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While you're in the grocery department, Woroch recommends stocking up on snacks.
"Unless you're looking for party-size packages of your favorite snacks, Walmart has the best deal on a variety of chips, crackers, granola bars, and other snacks," she says.
"Bonus savings tip: You can earn cash back by taking pictures of your Walmart receipts using a free rewards app like Fetch and check their Special Offers section to see what brands or products sold at Walmart will get you more points faster," she adds. "For example, you can earn 600 points when you buy Polar Seltzers at Walmart or 1,200 points when you buy $12 worth of General Mills products. You can then redeem the points you earn when scanning receipts for gift cards to Walmart to offset future store purchases."
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16. Ozark Trail camping gear
Walmart
"Walmart's outdoor and camping brand, Ozark Trail, has affordable camping chairs, beach tents, and insulated mugs for great prices and way less than competitors," says Cid.
"The Ozark Trail 10-foot pop-up canopy shade is perfect for both tailgating, outdoor parties, or to use as shade at the beach for only $49.97," she shares. "I've been buying this canopy for many years to protect my family from the intense Florida sun at the beach. When it needs to be replaced it's no big deal with the price being so low."
"Ozark Trail also makes an insulated stainless steel tumbler for $9.97 which is a great alternative to the pricey Stanley tumblers that are four times the price," she adds.
17. Pen+Gear office supplies
Whether you need office supplies or school supplies, Ramhold says Walmart's Pen+Gear brand is the way to go. You'll find ink and felt-tip pens, highlighters, notebooks, copy paper, and more. If you're looking for basic items like yellow number-two pencils, you'll find them, but you can also pick up fun, colorful items for the kids.
Aside from the great selection, Ramhold likes the year-round affordability: "We often see these kinds of things on sale around back to school with some items falling below $1 each, but this brand is always affordable."
Another thing to note is that printer ink at Walmart averages "nearly 50 percent less expensive than leading office supply stores," according to Costa.
18. Greeting cards
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"Although you can find greeting cards for under $1 at the dollar store, the next best place to pick up a card is Walmart," suggests Woroch. "Just make sure to look for their specific $1 options."