Over 20 Dollar Tree Finds Still Worth $1.50 (+ 6 That Aren’t)
Ever wonder what are the best things to buy at Dollar Tree? We’ve got a list of all the best Dollar Tree products!
Once upon a time, Dollar Tree’s claim to fame was that everything in the store was priced at just $1.
In 2021, it was quite a shock to our bargain-loving systems when, after 35 years, the store abandoned its $1 pricing model and raised prices to $1.25.
Since then, Dollar Tree has implemented even more price hikes, with product prices now varying by location. At some stores, $1.50 is now the lowest price you’ll see, with select items costing as much as $7! 😱
Despite Dollar Tree’s new multi-price strategy, it can still be one of the best places to stretch your budget. There are some great deals to be had in various departments, including brand-name goods, home decor, and even food.
Below, you can see our revised list of the best things to buy at Dollar Tree, even after the store’s price hikes. Plus, see which Dollar Tree products we avoid because they’re no longer a bargain, or because the quality just isn’t worth the savings.
Check out the best Dollar Tree items to buy, even after the price hikes:
1. Candles and candle holders
Candles are beautiful, from their scents and packaging to the ambiance they create. But when did it start becoming popular to spend over $60 on a jar of scented wax?! 😱
Check out the candle selection at Dollar Tree, where you can find the store’s version of well-known scents starting at just $1.25!
2. Planters and gardening supplies
You’ve probably seen your local hardware stores full of tools and supplies to get your garden growing. But at Dollar Tree, you can find trowels, planters, and even soil to get things blooming for less!
Note that these products may be seasonal items at your local Dollar Tree, depending on your area’s growing season.
3. Glass vases
The assortment of cheap vases at Dollar Tree is HUGE – tall, short, round, square, clear, and colorful… seriously, you can find just the vase you’re looking for without paying more than the flowers!
4. Makeup and cosmetics
Dollar Tree’s makeup section is full of affordable finds that will fill your makeup bag on a budget! They offer many store-brand cosmetics and other personal care products that rival the well-known name brands. The store’s popular Ioni brand, for example, is quite popular with budget-minded beauty influencers!
Even sweeter, you can use coupons on Dollar Tree items for significant savings on name-brand cosmetics! Take some time to scope out the beauty/personal care section for name-brand products mixed in with the store-brand items.
5. Organizational products
Dollar Tree has everything you’ll need to get organized without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for plastic, canvas, or wire mesh, you’ll find a ton of storage and organizational products in a variety of shapes and sizes.
6. Classroom supplies
Teachers, we know you spend your own hard-earned money outfitting your classrooms to be fun and functional for your students. To make your space beautiful on a budget, give Dollar Tree a look before the school year starts. You’ll find educational decor, learning tools, classroom supplies, and more!
7. Picture frames
Dollar Tree has picture frames galore! Similar picture frames may cost $10 or more at other stores and appear identical. While they may not be the highest quality frames, they’re great for crafts and inexpensive decor. A quick tip — before purchasing, check to make sure that the hanging bracket or hook on the back is securely attached.
Hip Tip: See how Lina used Dollar Tree frames to make these lanterns! 😍
8. Greeting cards
Dollar Tree’s greeting cards are sold in-store only, but we’ve found them to be totally worth the trip! Most of the cards are just $1.25, but you’ll find some that are two for $1 – only 50¢ each! We stock up on these every single time we set foot inside Dollar Tree.
These greeting cards are made by a division of the Hallmark company, so they’re surprisingly high-quality for the price. Stock up and keep them on hand for children’s birthday parties and all of life’s other occasions. You can’t beat that price!
9. Gift bags
Some of Collin’s all-time favorite Dollar Tree items are their huge assortment of gift bags! Pair one with Dollar Tree’s inexpensive tissue paper or shreds, and it’s the absolute easiest, most cost-effective way to wrap up a pretty present in no time at all!
10. Clothing storage essentials
You’ll find everything you need to help care for your clothes with the laundry essentials and storage bags from Dollar Tree! The vacuum pack bags are some of our readers’ favorites, and they’ll save you big when compared to name-brand competitors.
11. Reading glasses & sunglasses
Keep your eyes peeled for prescription-strength fashion reading glasses for just $1.25 per pair, which normally sell for much more at other stores.
If you’ve been known to lose or break expensive sunglasses in the past, you may want to grab a couple of pairs of cheap sunglasses to have on hand, too!
12. Hair ties & styling tools
If you’re constantly losing hair ties, Dollar Tree is a great place to replenish your stash! They have a huge, affordable selection of hair ties and other styling tools.
13. Bread products
You really can’t beat $1.25 for name-brand bread (sold in-store only at Dollar Tree)! There are lots of different varieties to choose from, including multigrain loaves, mini-bagels, and tortillas.
Take advantage and stock up when they have a nice selection! If it’s close to the expiration date, you can always throw these products in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.
14. Books
You may be able to find best-selling books at Dollar Tree priced at just $1.25 each! These books retail for much more on Amazon or at your local bookstore, so this is a great deal for new reading material.
Dollar Tree also has a pretty impressive selection of children’s books, activity books, and puzzle books for both kids and adults, all for just $1.25!
15. Pregnancy tests
Why pay $8-$15 (or more!) for a pregnancy test at the drugstore when you can find pregnancy tests for just over $1 at Dollar Tree!? Most readers seem to agree that these tests work just as well as other name-brand tests.
If you’re trying to conceive, Dollar Tree also sells a highly-rated ovulation predictor for just $1.25!
“I can confirm that the pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree work JUST as well as the expensive ones you find at Walgreens. With my first pregnancy, I spent at LEAST $50 (probably more) on 7 pregnancy tests. With my second I wised-up and went to Dollar Tree so I could take as many tests as I wanted without breaking the bank. I got very clear results 4 days before I was supposed to take the test. I’ll never buy them anywhere else again. 🙂” – Hip reader, Briana
16. Toys and kids’ gifts
You’ll find some of your kids’ favorite characters in the aisles of Dollar Tree – seriously! These are perfect for party favors, stocking stuffers, and rewards for your kiddos. And they’ll have no idea you only paid $1.25 for them!
“My younger two have grown out of the ‘puts everything in the mouth’ stage and are both now in the ‘constantly needs bribes to do ANYTHING’ stage. So, I bribe them with ‘credits’ that they can spend at Dollar Tree. They spend them on bubbles, balls, hula hoops, squirt guns, and other cheap toys. I know these toys aren’t going to last forever, but each child averages one ‘prize’ per week and actually cares about the toy half as long, so I don’t feel like I’m wasting money.” – Hip reader, Leighann
17. Party supplies
Throw the best parties on a budget with inexpensive party supplies, including tableware, decorations, party favors, and so many other party essentials.
Many Dollar Tree locations also have mylar balloons that they will inflate with helium for you while you shop!
18. Holiday and seasonal buys
You’ll have no problem finding HUGE assortments of holiday and seasonal decor, gifts, and accessories at Dollar Tree. The only issue you’ll have is finding the space to store all of your holiday decor! 🤔
“Another thing totally worth buying is the Christmas ornaments! They have absolutely BEAUTIFUL Christmas ornaments that sell out quickly. I’ve found amazing ornaments that looked like they cost way more than a dollar, and the ones that I’ve purchased get raves every Christmas.” – Hip reader, Gigi
19. Pool toys and swim goggles
Get ready for frugal fun in the sun with Dollar Tree’s selection of pool and beach toys! Since they’re bound to get lost (or take a beating during the summer), you may as well pay the least amount possible for them!
20. Pet supplies
Dollar Tree has a pet department where you can pick up supplies like collars, leashes, harnesses, grooming tools, cleanup essentials, and more. They have some fun extras too, like toys and rawhides for your furry friends!
I always buy Dollar Tree’s dog waste bags! I believe they come 3 to a pack for $1.25. The pet stores sell them sometimes for $5+ per pack! – Hip team member, Denise
21. Dinner plates and Serveware
Dollar Tree’s tableware selection includes some of the best finds in the whole store! We’ve found their plates and dishes to be as durable as something you might spend a lot more on at other stores like Target, and they seem to be of very similar quality.
Check out the store’s Royal Norfolk Stoneware. For just $1.25 a plate, this popular brand can save you money as you set a pretty table for a large gathering, refresh your table setting for a new season, or just expand your collection of dishes!
While you’re there, check out Dollar Tree’s serveware, too. Their serving platters and bowls are great to have on hand for potlucks, cookie exchanges, or taking a meal to someone. For such a low price, you don’t need to worry about leaving it behind, cleaning it, or getting it back!
22. Baking Pans
Dollar Tree has an impressive selection of reusable baking pans, from cookie sheets to casserole holders, for only $1.25!
23. Spices
If you love to cook, you know how expensive seasonings and spices can get. Dollar Tree has a comprehensive spice section, and you’ll be able to elevate your cuisine for only $1.25!
Worst Dollar Tree items to buy:
1. Brand-name cleaning products
These may seem like a deal, but more often than not, these cleaning products are packaged in smaller quantities than you’re used to seeing on the shelves of big-box stores. This means that you’ll actually end up paying more per ounce.
Instead, look out for cleaning products from the LA’s Totally Awesome and Fabuloso brands. Readers and reviewers LOVE these budget-friendly cleaning products from Dollar Tree. We also like to buy sponges there, too!
2. Brand-name pantry foods
As with the cleaning products, some of the packaging sizes for Dollar Tree’s name-brand foods are small, or the prices aren’t any better than what you’d find at the big box stores (especially when they’re on sale)!
You may stumble upon a good deal from time to time, so keep your eyes open for exceptions to this rule. You never know what you’ll find from one Dollar Tree’s shelves to the next!
3. Canned goods
While we used to recommend buying canned goods at Dollar Tree, we skip them now following the recent price increases. You might as well pick up these items at Walmart or even Target, which often sell them for less.
4. Pet food
The price per ounce of Dollar Tree’s name-brand pet foods can be much higher than if you buy a bulk bag at another store.
Plus, experts have expressed concerns about the lack of quality standards for off-brand pet foods. You may want to stick to pet stores and other retailers for larger quantity purchases and brands with stricter ingredient guidelines.
“I do not buy pet food from the dollar store. Besides being of questionable quality, it’s cheaper in bigger sizes from other stores. Also, NEVER use flea and tick products from dollar stores. I’ve seen dogs with chemical burns from cheap flea treatment.” – Hip reader, Ash
5. Brand-name baby products
Brand-name baby products can be hit or miss, depending on the product size. Most of the time, it’s better to locate these brands at a retailer that sells them in bulk.
6. Tools
Don’t buy your tools at Dollar Tree unless you’re only planning to use them a couple of times. The quality just isn’t that great. Consider investing in a more expensive tool during a sale. Typically, the big-box home improvement stores have some great offers during their Memorial Day, Father’s Day, and Labor Day sales.
That said, if you’re painting around the house and trying to avoid the time-consuming task of cleaning paintbrushes, you may want to pick some up at Dollar Tree. They’re so inexpensive that you won’t feel too guilty about tossing them at the end of the job, rather than trying to get them clean.
For one day of painting, they’ll work just as well as the more expensive paintbrushes you’d get at the home improvement store, and it won’t matter if they’re not built to last!
“I buy paintbrushes at Dollar Tree, and that way I don’t have to clean the brushes when I’m done painting. The kids are able to help paint, and if the brush gets ruined, it’s not a loss. Our house is a testament that they work fine on trim and interior corners!” – Hip reader, M
The jury’s still out on this Dollar Tree item: Batteries
We’ve received so many comments from readers saying that they’ve found Dollar Tree’s batteries to work just as well (if not better) than popular name brands. At the same time, we know that many of our readers have had a much different experience with these inexpensive batteries.
User experience varies on this one, but if you’ve never tried Dollar Tree’s batteries, it might be worth $1.50 to see for yourself. Maybe snag a few the next time you’re there and give ’em a try. If you do, be sure to come back and join in the debate!
“Dollar Tree’s batteries run out fast, and sometimes they have no charge to them when you buy them. However, I do have to say if you need a specialty battery like the ones that look like nickels and go in things like small electronics, those are awesome to get there because you can’t beat the price, and they do work.” – Hip team member, Jen
“I use a lot of batteries and have done a lot of research into which batteries are the best, and it’s my conclusion that the cheaper batteries are better than the name-brand batteries. They sure cost a lot less, so I will continue to buy batteries at Dollar Tree. I’m very happy with them!” – Hip reader, Joan
“Dollar Tree’s regular batteries don’t last long at all. But I do like buying the lithium batteries there (the flat silver ones), as they are so expensive elsewhere. Those seem to last ok.” – Hip team member, Angela
“DT batteries seem to be OK for items that don’t need a ton of juice, like a TV remote or flashlight. But a no-go for video controllers! We bought rechargeable batteries a few years ago, and it’s definitely a better investment than having to fork out $$ for batteries every few months.” – Hip reader, Mel
“I only use Dollar Tree batteries, and they are fine for me. We use them for remotes, my cordless mouse, battery string lights for crafts, and battery-operated pillar candles. For that, they are great! I don’t use them as the battery backup for our wired smoke alarms, as I don’t trust that they will last. For those, I do buy name brands. Otherwise, I think they work well for small stuff, considering they are so cheap!” – Hip team member, Amber
Here are a few other Dollar Tree shopping tips:
- Looks can be deceiving! Compare sizes and prices to what you’d normally pay at your local grocery store after coupons. For example, 6-load bottle of Tide Simply Clean & Fresh for $1.50 may not end up being the best price per ounce.
- At Dollar Tree, you can use manufacturer’s coupons or occasional store coupons for increased savings! Plus, they accept coupons for over the value of an item, but the coupon value will be reduced to the purchase price of the item. You may find it helpful to print the store’s coupon policy and bring it with you when shopping.
- If you have issues using coupons at Dollar Tree, contact Dollar Tree customer service by phone at 1-877-530-TREE, or via the contact form to share your feedback.
Here’s what we know about Dollar Tree’s latest price increases! 🤯
A lot of the canned goods come from other countries; although some are US & are a Good buy! Please read the labels!
I think the book section is hit or miss, but sometimes I find treasures… I popped in to grab a sympathy card the other day and found a Tabitha Brown cookbook and a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not book that individually retail for $12 and & $15 on Amazon, so I was super excited! Happy shopping!
What fun finds, Anna! 🤩 Love when Dollar Tree surprises with treasures like that. Such a great score on those books! Thanks for sharing! 💕
As of about 2 weeks ago our toys start at $1.75. It is marked on the shelf and items. Not at all worth it.
A warning about the picture frames. They are not the sizes they say. If you are ok with trimming your pictures then it’s ok. We bought 8x10s for a work project and they were about 1/4″-1/2″ smaller.
Thanks for the heads up on the sizing of the picture frames acgold! Good to know they may be smaller than advertised. 💗
Love the Dollar Tree batteries, but at our Dollar Tree they went to $3 quite awhile ago. :/ They have name brand batteries now too and they are even more expensive. Not so much a bargain in my book anymore.
Thanks for letting us know what you’ve noticed at your store, Becca. I’ve noticed some higher priced, name brand battery options at my location as well.
I get my batteries at Harbor Freight. Their’s is 24 to the pack of AA & AAA for $7.99. But often (especially near holidays) they will be $4.99 or $5.99. It’s their name brand. But it’s the only kind I’ve bought (except for once when my car was down) in the last decade. I bought one of those battery holders as “seen on TV”. Filled it up before covid and it’s still over half full. I bought some Amazon ones in a pinch and they die quick. Btw those battery holders are great. They even come with a easy to use battery tester. we never run out of batteries now.
Thanks a bunch for sharing all that helpful info, Sylvia! 🙌 Sounds like those Harbor Freight batteries have been such a reliable win for you, and I love the tip on the battery holder with the tester too. I’ve been looking at one of those to grab and use also! 🔋 Super smart way to stay stocked up!