Savvy Shoppers Share Which Items At Target Are Worth The Money

It’s your weekly ritual. You go round every aisle of Target, filling your cart with things you and your family need – and a few things you don’t. But before your next run to the bullseye-adorned store, there’s something you should know: not everything at Target is a great deal. So grab a pen: you’ll want to take notes or, you know, start writing your shopping list.

20. There are better bikes elsewhere

As a parent, you know just how quickly your child grows out of clothes and shoes. Well, the same goes for bikes, which means you should choose a cost-effective set of wheels to tide them over. Skip buying one at Target, as its children’s rides tend to be much more expensive than other retailers, such as Amazon or Walmart.

19. Don’t dress your salad here

Some Target-brand foods are worth tossing into your cart – but we’re still on the “skip” section of this list. Consumer Reports has reviewed the store’s selection of house dressings and they left a lot to be desired taste-wise. It found, for example, “the Market Pantry Caesar was dominated by black pepper and dehydrated spice flavors.” So give Target’s salad-centric condiments a big pass.

18. Get a charge somewhere else

You might see a big pack of batteries dangling in your checkout lane at Target and remember that you need to stock up on them. Resist the urge to grab them there, though. Because you can get multi-packs at your local dollar store, or you can buy bulk containers online for much cheaper.

17. Even its sale clothing is more expensive

If you’re looking for bargain buys to pad your closet, take your search to Walmart instead of Target. Even the items on sale tend to be more expensive than what you’d find from their competitor. There are some wardrobe pieces worthy of purchasing from Target, though – we’ll get to them later.

16. Snack somewhere apart from Target

Refinery29 did some digging and realized that consumers could save hundreds of dollars by bulk-buying their snacks at Costco or Sam’s Club, not Target. At the former big-box stores, you’ll get a 30-pack container of individually wrapped snacks for $20. But a single serving at Target costs anywhere from $3 to $4 – multiply that by 30, and you can see just how much cheaper these bites are at Costco.

15. Target-brand trash bags are... trash

The Target brand Up & Up trash bags might tempt you because they’re cheaper than other brands. But don’t let the price tag fool – they simply can’t compare to the ones they attempt to copy. They’re much less durable, so they might rip, and that means you’ll have to clean up your garbage twice. No thanks.

14. Skip the gift wrap

Most Targets will have their gift section right next to their bargain section, which may lead you to believe that the wrapping paper is just as cheap. But no – the stuff isn’t really that budget-friendly. You can usually find lower-cost designs at any dollar store or at Marshalls or TJ Maxx.

13. The furniture won’t last you

Target has plenty of furniture on offer with decent style and bargain price tags. But don’t let that woo you. Experts say that the quality isn’t great, which means you’ll end up spending more in the long run to replace your cheap purchases from the bullseye. So scope out secondhand pieces instead, or discount stores, where you can get something longer-lasting for an equally-as-good price.

12. Turn off the TV

Electronic-centric stores tend to have better deals and a vast selection – the same can’t be said for Target’s television offerings. So skip it in favor of the shops that specialize in selling TVs, especially if you want a particular brand or feature. Plus they tend to have better prices, too. Winning!

11. Feed your baby another kind of formula

You want your baby to have the best possible nutrition, which means you should skip the Target-brand formula. Most generic recipes can’t offer the same nutrients as a brand-name version – and this applies to Target’s mixture, too. If you want a discount on these improved formulas, then buy them in bulk from the likes of Sam’s Club or Costco.

10. Don’t let Target crash your crafting sesh

In need of a few craft supplies? You might be tempted to run to Target because, well, it has everything. But the bullseye’s selection tends to be quite pricey in comparison to specialty stores, such as Michael’s or Jo-Ann Fabric. Plus you can often find online coupons that slash prices by 40 to 50 percent, making their offerings way cheaper than Target’s.

9. Wipe up with another paper towel

It’s handy to have a roll of paper towels in the kitchen to clean up little messes and spills. But Target’s in-house brand, Up & Up, simply can’t compare to other brands. It’s neither as durable nor as absorbent as Bounty’s so you end up using more sheets. And that means that, in spite of the initially lower price, it’ll cost you more in the long run to have Target’s towels on your countertop.

8. Need a case? Miss the bullseye

You just spent several hundred dollars on your new smartphone – it makes sense why you’d want a case to protect it. You’re better off perusing Amazon for cases as opposed to Target, where the options are slim and prices are high. Plus buying online gives you access to the sturdiest of cases from brands such as OtterBox, and you can get nearly a $15 discount on them, too.

7. Box it up, just not at Target

If you’re preparing to move, you might think you need to buy boxes. And you might assume that your local Target has them cheaper than other specialty stores. Wrong, and wrong. The truth is, you shouldn’t be buying cardboard boxes, full stop. Head to your local grocery store and ask staff when they throw out their empties, so you can pick them up for free.

6. A book shop it is not

Your Target simply doesn’t have a lot to offer you when it comes to books. Its literature section is decidedly small compared to the rest of the store. And it doesn’t have a dedicated staff who can help you choose a title like you’d get at a bookstore. If that’s not enough to sway you elsewhere, then know that you can get your next read way cheaper from a secondhand seller or on Amazon.

5. There’s one gift you shouldn’t buy here

As you wait in the checkout line at Target, you will probably see a rack filled with gift cards to other retailers. It seems a convenient buy, especially if you’ve got to buy a holiday or birthday gift for someone. But you may not know that you can buy these gift cards at a discount online, saving between five and 20 percent if you shop at eBay or Raise.

4. Find another way to filter your water

We’ve mentioned a few of Target’s in-house brand’s products to avoid already. The Up & Up water filters haven’t escaped unscathed, either. They cost less than the name-brand options, but they don’t work as well, nor do they last as long. You’ll end up spending more to replace them more frequently. Thus spend a bit more initially to save in the long run.

3. You can do better than Target underwear – in most cases

If you want to snag a great deal on a value pack of underwear, tell your GPS to take you far away from Target. Because Walmart and Costco’s bulk packs of our most private garments beat the bullseye’s prices. Yet if you want name-brand lingerie or undies, then Target does reign supreme as the lowest-price retailer.

2. Don’t veg out at Target

You can buy some high-quality pre-packaged foods at Target – more on them later. But you shouldn’t expect the same can’t-miss flavors or prices if you go to the store for fruits and veggies. Because they’re not that budget-friendly, nor are they as fresh as what you can get from the competition at Walmart.

1. Brew a non-Target mug of coffee

Finally – and perhaps most importantly – if your mornings depend on a shot of caffeine – you should skip Target’s Market Pantry Classic Roast coffee. Taste testers who sipped the stuff on behalf of Consumer Reports found it both bitter and lacking complexity in its flavor. You can do so much better with a local roastery’s beans or your favorite name-brand variety.

20. K-Cups come at a steal – and there’s a greener option, too

Don’t give up on Target as the fulfiller of your coffee needs. If you make coffee with a Keurig device, then you can find a great selection of K-Cups at your local outpost, often at a lower price than competitors. And if you want to save even more, then peruse the aisles ‘til you find Target’s reusable K-Cup pods, which you can fill yourself then throw in the dishwasher.

19. Stock for the holidays after they happen

If you want to save on holiday-themed items, then do not buy them ahead of the big day. Instead, wait until the day or week afterward and stock up for next year’s celebration. Because usually at Target the day after Halloween, Christmas or Valentine’s, for example, sees all related decorations and treats with half off the price. Within a week, that could leap to a 90-percent discount. Winning!

18. Toy with this idea...

Some holiday shopping has to be done pre-celebration. If you’ve got to buy some toys before a birthday or Christmas, for example, then check the Target circular first. It has plenty of discounts and coupons on its kid-centric selection, and you can find further discounts on the Target app to make your little one’s play things even cheaper.

17. Get your Restoration Hardware look for less

Flipping through the pages of Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn’s catalogue gives you so much design inspiration – but that’s about it. Their high price tags stop many shoppers from actually buying anything. Yet Target has you covered in the linens department with its line called Threshold. This bedding has a luxe feel and mimics the simple, rustic style of your favorite expensive brands.

16. Name-brand beauty products? Not at Target

You can save big without sacrificing on quality when you opt for Target-brand beauty products. As you peruse the aisles of this section, you’ll see its Up & Up products positioned next to the brand-name inspirations. So the Apricot Blemish Scrub, priced at $1.99, is a great alternative to the St. Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub, which costs $3.59. And it works just as well, as do many of the other dupes.

15. If your child’s feet are still growing...

Don’t expect a pair of shoes from Target to last forever. But it’s not a big deal when it comes to buying children’s shoes – because they’ll grow out of their footwear every few months anyway. And the bullseye’s selection of kids’ sneakers, flats and more come in modern styles and colors at low prices. So your little one will look trendy ‘til next season, when they’ll have inevitably got too big for their boots.

14. What sparkles is gold

Sparkling water fans usually have a favorite brand. You can probably find yours at Target, where there’s a wide selection and hard-to-find flavors, such as LaCroix’s passionfruit. You might even want to try the in-house varieties, such as the eternally popular Ginger Peach flavor. It’s cheaper than name brands, and its fans find it even more delicious.

13. Do check out Target’s designer collaborations

We advised you to skip most of Target’s clothes and furniture. But there’s one exception to this rule: do shop the store’s designer collaborations, which include limited-edition footwear, home decor, jewelry and more. You can get some high-quality pieces at a bargain – and did we mention they’re enviably on-trend, too?

12. Smartly cleaners are a smart choice

Target has its own line of cleaning products – hand soaps, all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps – that they sell under a label called Smartly. Not only do they cost less than Method-brand alternatives, but they smell great and they work just as well, according to testers. The Smartly all-purpose cleaner, for instance, is a sure bargain.

11. Go for generic meds, too

Target’s pharmacy can’t offer you great prices on name-brand, over-the-counter medications. That’s thanks to a buyout by CVS, which effectively ended the store’s competitiveness in the pharmacy field. But you can get bullseye-brand general medicines at a great price, and they work just as well.

10. Spices are always in season(ing)

You can never have enough spices in your pantry. Make sure you stock up on your next Target run, as its selection is much cheaper than what you’ll find at other food stores. Customers laud the flavor of its Market Pantry-labeled spices, and most cost just over a dollar per bottle.

9. Wipe your face with Smartly sheets

Many people count face wipes as the first step in their nighttime skincare routine. The disposable sheets can be expensive, though, especially if you pick up a name brand variety. So next time purchase Target’s in-house brand, Smartly. You’ll get 30 sheets – a month’s worth, if you use one a day – for less than a dollar.

8. Pick the right paper products

In the “don’t buy” section, we warned you about Target-brand paper towels. But you shouldn’t skip all of the store’s paper products. Because Target tends to have great discounts on the name-brand toilet paper and more. Double-check your Target app, too, as you may find additional discounts, including offers for a free gift card with your purchase.

7. The swimwear suits everyone

If you have your heart set on a trendy swimsuit for this summer, then head to Target, where the selection’s replete with of-the-moment designs. Plus there’s something for everybody and every body. Yup, its range includes maternity suits, plus-size options, high-waisted bottoms, one-shoulder tops, one-pieces and more.

6. Its organic products hit the bullseye

Target has made great strides to ensure its food selection can compete with other grocery stores’ wares. So it’s expanded its offerings to include organic options for the health-conscious customer. And, as it turns out, its Simply Balanced and Simply Organic brands are flavorful, cost-effective and beloved by buyers.

5. Don’t hold the ketchup

Consumer Reports’ taste-testers may not have appreciated Target’s salad dressings. But what those offerings lacked in flavor, the store’s Market Pantry brand more than made up for it with its condiments. Its ketchup and mayo rivaled Heinz and Hellman’s in flavor, respectively. And the in-store brand comes at a fraction of the cost, as usual.

4. Yes, the dollar section is worth a visit

You can’t help yourself but stop at Target’s Bullseye Playground, its bargain section named for the store’s doggie mascot. We’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t stop yourself – shop away. The area’s a gold mine for cheap-but-cute supplies for school, holiday decorating, children’s party gift bags… the possibilities are endless.

3. Keep your laundry fresh

Your favorite name-brand laundry detergent is probably on sale somewhere – and that somewhere is Target. It often has soaps, softeners, scent boosters, dryer sheets and more on offer. Check the circulars and your Target app, too, for discounts and offers on your favorite formulas.

2. Get to baking with the bullseye

Target’s Market Pantry baking supplies are well worth adding to your pantry. Most of these products are actually the exact same as the name-brand options. They just get repackaged and sold as the in-store brand – at a much lower price. The same goes for Target’s boxes of dry pasta, too.

1. Don’t forget the wine

If your Target sells wine, congratulations: you can always get a great deal on rosé, chardonnay, pinot grigio, cabernet and more. Just look for bottles by California Roots. No matter which variety you choose, you’ll only have to shell out $5 to bring home a bottle. As if a trip to Target could get any better.