Store Wars: How Far Your Money Goes at Dollar Tree vs. Walmart, Target and Costco

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It’s not uncommon for small households on tight budgets to shop at Dollar Tree. The discount retailer carries everything from groceries to personal care products at low prices to save money. And in some cases, bulk buying online at Dollar Tree can be cheaper than a big-box retailer or warehouse club.

So, what can you snag at Dollar Tree for better value? GOBankingRates referenced our several existing articles stacking up Dollar Tree products to those sold at stores like Walmart, Target and Costco to see which items are the best bargains at Dollar Tree. 

Also, take a look at Dollar Tree’s four hidden name brands.

Batteries

You save more money buying five packages of E-Circuit AAA batteries at Dollar Tree than you would at Costco picking up Duracell coppertop AAA batteries. 

Let’s break it down. An eight-count package of E-Circuit AAA batteries is $1.50. Five packages would mean you’d have 40 batteries and would have paid $7.50 for the lot. At Costco, a 40-count pack of Duracell AAA batteries is $19.99. That’s more than double the amount paid at Dollar Tree.

Dental Floss

Both Target and Dollar Tree carry Grin Oral Care brand dental floss, but the better deal is still at Dollar Tree. A 60-count bag of double flossers costs $1.25 compared to spending $3.49 at Target for 60 flossers.

Deodorant 

Walmart and Dollar Tree are often neck and neck when it comes to good bargains. 

Each retailer carries Old Spice pure sport high endurance deodorant, but Walmart’s is so much more expensive at $6.38 for a 0.5-ounce tube. The same deodorant brand costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree and comes in a slightly bigger 0.8-ounce size.

Trash Bags

You can find bulk packages of 13-gallon trash bags at Dollar Tree and Costco, but only one retailer has a final total that stinks. 

Initially, Costco’s Kirkland Signature offering seems like the better deal at $19.99 for a box of 200 bags. Dollar Tree’s essentials brand features 35 trash bags for $1.50. Purchasing six sets of trash bags means shoppers walk away having paid $9 and end up with 210 bags.

Loaf Pans

Loaf pans are the cheapest at Dollar Tree compared to any big-box retailer. 

The Cooking Concepts loaf pan is equipped to cook up everything from bread to meatloaf and at $1.25 apiece, it’s comfortably low priced to stock up on several pans at once. Similar loaf pans for sale at Walmart can cost $3.24 for the Mainstays brand and as much as $7.99 for the GoodCook label at Target.

Body Lotion

Think you can find a retailer that sells Dermasil dry skin lotion any cheaper than Dollar Tree’s $1.25 pricing? We doubt it. 

Exhibit A: A three-pack of lotions costs $9.99 at Target. Exhibit B: Walmart charges $9.99 online for two bottles of lotion. Considering that all the lotions mentioned are the same brand and size, it makes the most sense for your wallet to buy this skincare essential only from Dollar Tree.

Dustpan and Brush

Cleaning supplies are notorious for quickly adding up, so it’s always a good idea to shop around for the best deal. 

A nesting dustpan and brush can be purchased at Dollar Tree for the low price of $1.50. Meanwhile, Great Value’s dustpan set retails online for $6.48 at Walmart.

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of Oct. 17, 2025, and are subject to change.

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