6 Items To Skip Buying at Dollar Tree for Summer and Where To Get Them Instead

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Dollar Tree seems like it would have the best deals, as everything is $1.25. However, there are some summer items that shoppers would be better off looking for somewhere else.

These are the items where Dollar Tree falls short. See where else to buy them to get a good deal. 

Gold Peak Sweetened Black Iced Tea Drink

Dollar Tree Price: $3.00 for 50 oz.Walmart Price: $2.98 for 59 oz.

Nothing tastes better than a glass of iced tea on a hot day. Stock up with a 59-oz. bottle from Walmart for the same price as a 50-oz. bottle at Dollar Tree would cost. 

Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup

Dollar Tree Price: $1.25 for 14 oz.Walmart Price: $1.62 for 20 oz.

Preparing for an upcoming summer barbecue? Better stop at Walmart before going to Dollar Tree. For just a few cents more, shoppers will get six more ounces of ketchup at Walmart than they will at Dollar Tree. 

Pure Life Purified Water Bottles

Dollar Tree Price: 1 pack of 6 (8 oz. each) for $1.25Walmart Price: 1 pack of 12 (12 oz. each) for $3.12

At Dollar Tree, a six-pack of 8-oz. water bottles equals about $0.21 a bottle. For just a few cents more ($0.27 a bottle), shoppers can get more water and more bottles in each pack at Walmart. 

Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Dollar Tree Price: $5Walmart Price: $3.94

For those taking plane rides for summer vacations, a memory foam neck pillow is a dreamy way to catch some shuteye. Save $1 by picking one up at Walmart rather than Dollar Tree. 

Vaseline Rosy Lips Lip Therapy Stick

Dollar Tree Price: $1.25Walmart Price: $1.05 

Certain areas get so dry during the summer. This can lead to chapped lips. Swiping on a slightly tinted lip balm that also nourishes lips can be so soothing for those hot and dry climates. Shoppers will save by picking up this Vaseline lip stick at Walmart over Dollar Tree. 

Diving Shark Pool Toys

Dollar Tree Price: $5 for 1Walmart Price: $4.97 for 3

This is the only time seeing a shark in the water might actually be a good thing. Give the kids something to splash about by throwing a shark toy in the pool. Walmart sells three sharks in one pack for the same price that Dollar Tree sells one individual shark. 

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of May 2, 2025, and are subject to change.

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