7 Name-Brand Items You Should Always Buy at Target
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Cory Dudak
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Like many other mainstream stores, Target has a large selection of name-brand items. In some cases, these are worth purchasing over the generic or store-brand options like Good & Gather. Sometimes, the taste or quality is simply better for what you’re paying. Depending on what you buy, the price itself might not even be that much different either.
From household essentials to food, these are the top name-brand items you should always get at Target.
Coffee Mate French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- Price: $3.99 (32 fluid ounces)
If you’re an avid coffee drinker, chances are you use creamer every now and again. One name-brand that’s hard to find a good alternative for is Coffee Mate.
You can choose from many flavors, including French vanilla, which is highly rated amongst customers. This particular option is non-dairy and gluten-free, which is helpful for those with specific dietary restrictions.
Plus, the price is reasonable. In comparison, you can get 35.3 ounces of Market Pantry coffee creamer for $5.29.
Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper
- Price: $7.99 to $39.99 (depending on size and count)
Comfort is essential when it comes to toilet paper. Whether you prefer two- or three-ply, you deserve the best. That’s what you can get with Charmin.
Each of Charmin’s mega rolls contains 242 sheets, while their Mega XL rolls contain 363 per roll. With either option, you can stock up so you have toilet paper for months.
As for price, Target brands range from about $6.00 to $29.99, depending on the roll count, ply, and size. You might save a little, but the quality isn’t always there.
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
- Price: $5.49 (13 ounces)
Target has plenty of snacks, including potato chips. And while you can stick with store brands like Market Pantry or Good & Gather, there’s a noticeable difference between those and name brands like Lays. The price isn’t much different either as you’re still spending between $4 and $5 for the same amount of chips.
Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
- Price: $4.99 (three-pack, six ounces per tube)
When it comes to oral hygiene, it’s hard to beat name brands like Colgate, Crest, and Sensodyne.
Take this Colgate toothpaste as an example. It costs about $1.67 per six-ounce tube and is highly rated. In comparison, Target’s own Up&Up brand costs $6.49 for eight total ounces. That’s more money for less.
Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing
- Price: $3.99 (16 fl. oz.)
When it comes to price alone, Target’s Market Pantry ranch dressing beats the name-brand by quite a bit — it’s $2 cheaper than Hidden Valley. But there’s nothing quite like that name-brand flavor, so the price may well be worth it.
Hidden Valley ranch is gluten-free and very highly-rated. It’s also just a great addition to many different foods, from salads to pizzas.
Keurig Coffee Maker
- Price: $99.99
Target carries a lot of coffee makers, including single-serve, French press, drip coffee, and espresso makers. But they don’t have a comparable store-brand option to name brands like Keurig.
This specific coffee machine has a five-star rating online. It can also make a mean cup of coffee using a single-serve K-Cup pod. If you like a strong cup of coffee but want to keep your flavor options open, this is a good choice. You can set it to brew 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cups.
To top it off, it’s also reasonably priced and is designed to fit anywhere — even if countertop space is limited.
Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese
- Price: $5.79 (16 ounces, two-count)
If you need to save money, you can get plain cream cheese for between $3 and $5 from the Good & Gather brand. But if it’s that familiar taste and texture you seek, stick with Philadelphia’s Original Cream Cheese. It’s been a household brand since 1872, contains only five simple ingredients and is highly versatile. Whether you’re making a sandwich or cookies, it’s a great addition to your refrigerator.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Sept. 10, 2024. Prices and availability may vary by location.
More From GOBankingRates
