5 Items With Greater Value at Target Than Dollar Tree
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Dollar Tree is the go-to place to find budget-friendly prices, but it doesn’t always mean you get the best value. If you’re looking for value at a low cost, Target is another shopper favorite on everything from household goods, school supplies, groceries and more.
These are the top five Target items with greater value that you can skip at Dollar Tree.
Reusable Tote Bag
- Price: $0.99
Both Target and Dollar Tree sell a variety of reusable tote bags, but you’ll find a better deal at Target. The reusable basket print tote bag at Target is slightly larger than the non-woven reusable bags at Dollar Tree, and they sell for a cheaper price. One bag will cost you $0.99 at Target, versus $1.25 for one at Dollar Tree.
Composition Notebook
- Price: $0.39
Dollar Tree’s colorful composition notebooks do carry more pages (100 versus 80), but Target’s wide ruled notebooks are a fraction of the price, even when not on sale. Target’s are only $0.39 per note, while Dollar Tree sells each one for $1.25. Still a bargain, but the cost will add up if you need to purchase several. Both retailers sell their composition notebooks in a range of different colors.
Ticonderoga Presharpened Pencils
- Price: $5.59
The Ticonderoga presharpened No. 2 pencils are a common school supply list item, but you’ll get a better deal at Target. Dollar Tree sells a pack of four for $1.25, while Target sells a pack of 30 for $5.59. For the same amount, you’d spend over $4 more at Dollar Tree.
Cotton Bath Towels
- Price: $14.00
Shoppers will pay quite a bit more for cotton bath towels at Target than at Dollar Tree. But this is also where quality over quantity comes into play. Dollar Tree’s website sells a grey cotton bath towel for only $3, but it’s not among the store’s highly rated items. Shoppers commented that it sheds fluff and doesn’t dry well. Target’s quick-dry ribbed towel comes in a set of two with more color variety, and shoppers gave it a 4.4 out of five stars with 2,300 ratings and hundreds of reviews.
Mobile Phone Power Bank
- Price: $36.99
Despite the higher prices, Target is typically the best place to grab tech items. For example, this Baseus ultra-slim power bank is $36.99 right now at Target and has received positive reviews from customers. Meanwhile, the $7 Max Charge Powermax-5 mobile phone battery pack from Dollar Tree received several complaints. Shoppers recommended not buying this item, as it doesn’t hold a charge very well and barely charges your phone.
Disclaimer: Prices and availability accurate as of August 21, 2025 and subject to change.
Photo disclaimer: All imagery sourced from Target.com.
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