Dollar Tree Is Hiking Prices - Skip These 10 Items And Buy Them Cheaper Elsewhere

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With a history dating back to the 1950s, Dollar Tree has long been a staple for affordable household, beauty, and seasonal products. However, recent price hikes may be changing that status. If you've been to a Dollar Tree lately, you've probably noticed little red stickers covering the old $1.25 price tag. With base prices now starting at $1.50 or $1.75 in some cases, it's safe to say customers are not happy. These increases are part of the company's 3.0 multi-price format. In a press release dated June 4, 2025, Dollar Tree announced it's converted approximately 500 stores to this new pricing format in the first fiscal quarter of 2025 alone.

Those worried about the price increases may be wondering if they can find their favorite products elsewhere for a better price, and the answer is yes, you can. Even certain products that are still priced at $1.25 can be found at stores like Walmart for a better deal. So if you're ready to ditch those little red stickers, here are 10 Dollar Tree items you can buy cheaper elsewhere.

Comet, a go-to cleaning item for bathrooms and kitchens, currently costs $1.50 at Dollar Tree. That same 21 ounce canister can be picked up from Walmart for just $1.13 (depending on location). If you don't mind a lemon-scented version, you can grab the same size at Walmart for only $1.08. Better yet, head to Home Depot where the 21 ounce Comet costs only $1.00.

At Dollar Tree, the mini 7.5 ounce bottle of Dawn Dish soap is priced at $1.50. At Walmart, a similar sized bottle of Dawn (5.8 ounces) costs just $1.00. However, if you have room in your budget to purchase the 18 ounce bottle of Dawn from Walmart for just $3.12, you'll be saving more per ounce.

With all the stubborn household stains you can get rid of with hydrogen peroxide, having this valuable item on hand just makes sense. Currently, the Dollar Tree price hikes haven't yet affected this item. That said, you can still find hydrogen peroxide for cheaper than $1.25 elsewhere. Walmart, for example, offers the same sized bottle for just $1.06.

Toothpaste is good for more than just cleaning your teeth. You can use it to clean certain items and even banish unwanted bugs from your garden with an unexpected toothpaste hack. If you're going to be using toothpaste for various tasks, getting a good deal is important. At Dollar Tree, the Colgate brand toothpaste still costs $1.25. However, you can snag the same one at Walmart for $1.12.

A 7.5 ounce Softsoap with the pump costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree. Depending on your location, you can find the same size at Walmart for slightly less. But like most products, the real savings comes in bulk. If it's in your budget to get the larger soap refill bottle, this will cost less per ounce, but doesn't come with its own dispenser.  Luckily, you can just thrift beautiful vases to DIY your own soap dispensers. You could also get a pack of Softsoap from Walmart to save money.

At Dollar Tree, a 6 ounce bottle of nail polish remover or foil polish remover wraps each cost $1.25. At Walmart, you can grab a 6 ounce bottle of Equate brand nail polish remover for $1.18. If the foil wraps are more your speed, you can get more bang for your buck on Amazon. The Dollar Tree version includes just 24 wraps, while Amazon's Rvetol Nail Polish Remover Gel Nail Foil Wraps comes with 400 foil wraps for $9.99 — this works out to be three cents less per wrap.

From floating in the pool to unique DIYs, pool noodles are a summer staple. The recent price hikes now have Dollar Tree's pool noodles priced at $1.50 online and $1.75 in some locations. Even at the old price of $1.25, you can find these colorful pieces of foam cheaper elsewhere. At Five Below, for example, pool noodles cost just $0.63.

If you like a quality, name-brand sponge, then the Brillo Basics No-Scratch sponges at Dollar Tree might seem like a good deal. For $1.50, you get two of the Brillo sponges. At Walmart, on the other hand, a two-pack of Dawn Foaming Non-Scratch sponges costs only $0.97. Even if you value quantity over quality, Walmart wins. A six-pack of regular sponges at Dollar Tree costs $1.50, while you can get a 10-pack at Walmart right now for $1.39.

Whether you're getting ready for back-to-school season or you just take a lot of notes, a good spiral notebook is nice to have on hand. At Dollar Tree, you'll pay $1.25 for a one-subject wide ruled spiral notebook with 70 sheets. Meanwhile, the same style of notebook at Walmart is regularly $0.97, but is currently on sale for just $0.37. Five Below also sells a similar notebook for $1.00.

Those looking for a multi-pack of disposable razors will also find a better deal at Walmart than Dollar Tree. For $1.25 at Dollar Tree, you can grab a four-pack of simple two-blade razors. At Walmart, on the other hand, you will find a five-pack of two-blade razors for just $1.06. That's almost like getting an entire razor for free.