Costco Vs BJ's: Which Wholesale Store Has Better Deals On Home And Kitchen Items?

As wholesale clubs, Costco and BJ's require an annual membership to shop at their large warehouses and make the most of their discounted offerings, including household staples, kitchen items, and even home appliances. Both wholesale clubs have their perks, but with steep membership fees, it's good to find out which store has better deals before signing up for the year.

Costco has a larger quantity and a wider variety of products, including common household items you should be buying in bulk to save money, with discounts automatically applied. BJ's appears more expensive at first, but if you are good with coupons, the final cost can be more affordable than at Costco, particularly as BJ's allows customers to stack manufacturer coupons. At the end of the day, as prices shift and rotate across both stores, you may find that Costco's home products are cheaper one week, while those at BJ's cost less the week after, so neither store necessarily has better deals year-round.

As for the actual membership fees, the BJ's membership does have some advantages. Its baseline price is lower, with memberships starting at $60 per year at BJ's, compared to $65 a year for Costco. Premium memberships cost $120 a year for BJ's and $130 per year for Costco. The BJ's membership is also frequently discounted on Groupon. Plus, customers report that if you let your membership expire, BJ's may offer a promotion to renew it for just $20, including $20 worth of rewards, which makes it essentially free to maintain.

One thing worth taking note of as you explore both membership options is what their deals entail. For instance, some customers who lean towards Costco do so because of the access to Kirkland products, which they find tend to outperform equivalent items at BJ's. This includes household staples that save you money at Costco, like laundry detergent, cleaning wipes, paper towels, food wrap, filter cartridges, and even bedding. Costco also appears to stock more appliances, including large cooking appliances, whereas BJ's primarily sells smaller items.

Some customers share that their BJ's branches have a good selection of office and study supplies, while others comment on Costco's superior range of home improvement items, as well as electronics with an extended warranty. If you're renovating your home, Costco also stocks home decor items that professional interior designers buy. Having said that, Costco appears to have a quicker product turnover, with more limited-time items and pieces that come and go from week to week. 

While Costco may seem like the winner here, home products tend to be sold in smaller packs at BJ's, which can be convenient for couples or individuals living alone. Unfortunately, this does mean that the price per unit is often higher. Ultimately, the decision depends on what your personal needs are.

While stacking coupons can make your wallet happy at BJ's, it can also make for a more frustrating shopping experience due to the extra step. At Costco, on the other hand, discounts are already applied to the final prices, so you don't need to manually clip coupons, go on their app, or do the math. However, BJ's stores have implemented ExpressPay, which allows you to scan and pay for items as you move through the store, helping to speed up the process. They also offer free curbside pickup for online purchases over $50, bringing your order straight to your car.

Costco tends to get much more crowded, both inside the warehouse and in the parking lot, and disabled shoppers share that they have difficulty finding a suitable parking spot at times. On the other hand, Costco members appreciate the store's lenient return policy and customer service, which may redeem the crowded situation depending on your needs and preferences. All in all, there are many things to consider when buying your home supplies from either warehouse.