Dollar Tree Just Hiked Its Prices On These Items - Are They Still Worth It?

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Have you ever gone to the Dollar Tree for "just a couple things" and end up spending $25? Your shopaholic tendencies might not be the only thing to blame. Prices at Dollar Tree have risen from the store's namesake of a dollar all the way up to $7 on select items in recent years. Some customers have even noticed kitchen essentials rising to $1.75 as a base price, up from the original hike to $1.25. So what's the deal with all the price changes, and are those kitchen essentials even worth it anymore?

Dollar Tree originally lifted the $1 price cap in 2019, abandoning a 35 year history of $1 per item merchandise. Then it officially raised its base price from $1 to $1.25 back in 2021. At the same time, some base prices went up even higher to $1.50, and the retailer also introduced select $3 and $5 price point items. Today, Dollar Tree currently has a multi-price model, so you'll now find prices from $1.25 to $7. With all the higher prices, it's worth noting that the average cost per item across Dollar Stores is $1.40, and 85% of its products are still under $2. So good, quality finds — like stoneware dinner plates for $1.50 each — are definitely still available and worth it, but shopping around is more important now than ever. While there are kitchen essentials you can always find at your local thrift store, you don't have to abandon your favorite discount store just yet.

Before you panic at all the rising costs, rest assured that there are still some affordable Dollar Tree kitchen essentials you can always save money on. As we mentioned, the Stoneware Dinner Plates are great in both quality and price. At just $1.25, you can easily take home a set of four for $5 (plus tax, if applicable where you are). While you might be able to find similar deals on plates at another store, the Dollar Tree has more color and size options available. And when it comes to whipping up your baked goods or dinner entrees in the kitchen, nothing beats a good stainless steel mixing bowl. You can grab three sizes of Cooking Concepts Assorted Stainless Steel Mini Mixing Bowls at Dollar Tree for $1.25 (the retailer's lowest base price).

A wide variety of spatulas, mixing spoons, and cooking utensils that come in quality materials like silicone, stainless steel, and bamboo, are all available at the base price of $1.25. The brand's cutting boards (bamboo or plastic) and chopping mats are also still at the base price of $1.25, making it easy to stock up on multiple cutting boards if you like to use a different one for specific uses like meat and vegetables without breaking the bank. And while it may or may not be considered a kitchen essential, the humble Crafter's Square Apron is another staple you can add to the cart for only $1.25.

With the Dollar Tree prices inching higher and higher, you might be surprised at how many other retailers are able to compete, and there are a few kitchen essentials you should never buy from Dollar Tree. For example, you can grab a Brunello Clear Wine Glass for $1.50 at Dollar Tree, which is a great price. However, if you shop around, you can find comparable Mainstays Alto Wine Glasses at Walmart for $1.48 that are only 1.25 ounces smaller. That might give you reason to hold off on that Dollar Tree purchase. Likewise, the McCormick Rectangular 3.79 Cups Storage Containers sound like a great deal at $1.50 for a three pack until you realize you can find the Mainstays 4-Pack 3.8 Cup Plastic Square Food Storage Containers much cheaper at $2.72 per four pack from Walmart.

The convenient Large Oval Foil Roasting Pan has gone up in price to $1.75 at Dollar Tree and comes with a poor review from a customer who says they are flimsier and more shallow than the Mainstays 11.75" x 9.3" Aluminum Extra Deep Roaster Pans found at Walmart for $1.48. And speaking of quality, you might want to back away from the kitchen knives at Dollar Tree. While the Royal Norfolk Cutlery Santoku Knife is tempting at only $1.25, it's made from stainless steel, which is not as good as high carbon steel that's used to make the Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-Inch Santoku Knife you'll find on Amazon for $37.73. While that's a considerable price difference, the quality of kitchen knives is an important factor.