The BIG Brands Behind Costco’s Kirkland Signature Items
Want to know which name brands are responsible for the Costco Kirkland Signature products we love? Here’s the inside scoop!
If you’re a Costco shopper… listen up!
A Costco membership offers low warehouse prices on thousands of high-end, brand-name products and services. But did you know that many of Costco’s Kirkland Signature items are actually manufactured under a private label by name brands just for them? Even better, they’re often the same or better quality but sold at a fraction of the cost! 😱 Get ready! We’re sharing some of the biggest brands that may be behind Costco’s popular items.
Become a Costco Member today with the best deal around!
Check out this Costco Membership deal and score a $10 or $20 Costco Shop Card!
*Please note that prices below are for in-store purchases as online prices are often higher for Costco items.
1. Starbucks vs. Kirkland Signature Coffee
Did you know that select varieties of Kirkland Signature Coffee are actually roasted by Starbucks Coffee Company? You can pick up a 40 oz. bag of Kirkland Signature Medium Roast Coffee for around $14.99 (37¢/oz), whereas a 12oz bag of Starbucks Coffee sells for $8.29 at Target (69¢/oz). BIG savings!
2. Diamond Naturals vs. Kirkland Signature Pet Food
Shopping for a furry friend?
All of the Kirkland Signature Dry Dog and Cat Foods are made by Diamond Pet Foods in five company-owned manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
As just an idea, a 40lb bag of Kirkland Signature Super Premium Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dog Food sells for around $49.99 at Costco (= $1.25/lb), whereas a 28lb bag of Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food sells for around $47.99 at Specialty Pet Stores (= $1.71/lb). No wonder their pet food is one of their best-selling items!
3. Huggies/Pampers vs. Kirkland Signature Diapers
Rumor has it that Costco’s highly rated Kirkland Signature Diapers may actually be made by Kimberly Clark (the manufacturer of Huggies) and are just an “older generation” Huggies. While this is not publicly advertised or verified, many members rave about these diapers.
The Costco brand diapers tend to run about $10-$12 cheaper per box compared to Huggies or Pampers.
“I have tried them all, from Pampers and Huggies to up & up from Target. These diapers are the best. Not only do they have the fastening tabs, but also a Velcro-like spot on the diaper around the hip area offering a better fit. This helps the leg holes to stay closed while also letting the diaper move with my son’s movements. So far we have used sizes 2 to 4. I LOVE these diapers.”
4. Jelly Belly vs. Kirkland Signature Jelly Beans
While Kirkland Signature Jelly Belly Jelly Beans may be a seasonal product, they’re definitely worth adding to your cart if you happen to spot them and are a candy lover. You can grab a whopping 4lb container of these gourmet jelly beans for just $13.99 (or occasionally $9.99 after Instant Savings!), which equals just $3.50 per pound. This seems like a fantastic price as a 2lb package of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans sells for $20.99 on JellyBelly.com! 😮
The Kirkland Signature Jelly Belly containers come with 49 different flavors such as Sunkist Pink Grapefruit, Strawberry Cheesecake, Orange Sherbet, Cotton Candy, and other fun flavors. Yum!
5. Duracell vs. Kirkland Signature Batteries
According to this interview with the CEO of Costco, the Kirkland Signature Batteries are actually made by Duracell. You can pick up a 48-pack of Kirkland Signature AA Batteries for $13.99 (29¢/battery), whereas a 20-pack of Duracell AA Batteries at Target costs $18.29 (91¢/battery).
6. Specialty Cheese vs. Kirkland Signature Cheese
Have you ever browsed through the cheese cases at Costco? Our team has picked up a block of Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and noticed on the back of the package that it is specially selected by Formaggi Zanetti, a company in Italy.
While all Costco cheeses are not imported, this is a great deal for cheese that is cut and packed in Italy, aged for over 24 months, and sold for just $11.79/lb!
7. Bumble Bee vs. Kirkland Signature Tuna
If you’re a fan of tuna, the Kirkland Signature White Albacore Tuna is supplied by Bumble Bee Foods and sells for $18.99 for eight 7oz cans which is roughly 34¢ per ounce, whereas the 5oz cans of Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore Canned Tuna sell for $2.19 per can (= 44¢ per ounce) at your local Target. Pocket the savings!
8. Pureology vs. Kirkland Signature Moisture Haircare
If you’re looking to save on hair care products, consider grabbing these large bottles of Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner at Costco. A 33.8 fl oz bottle of shampoo sells for around $11.49 and the matching conditioner sells for just $10.99. This product smells amazing, it’s sulfate-free, paraben-free, and color-safe. And, rumor has it that this product is actually made by Pureology!
As a price comparison, a single 33.8 oz bottle of Pureology Hydrate Shampoo alone sells for $74 at Ulta Beauty stores. That means you can grab serious savings by purchasing hair products at Costco!
9. Grey Goose vs. Kirkland Signature Vodka
Buy liquor? A salesperson at a local Costco told us that many of the Kirkland Signature liquors are made in the same warehouse/region as their name-brand counterpart. For instance, the Costco branded vodka is actually bottled in the warehouse across the street from Grey Goose Vodka, in their old production building, and using the same equipment! No wonder it tastes very similar!
You can grab a 1.75L bottle of Kirkland Signature French Vodka for just $19.99, whereas a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka sells for $47.99 per 1.75L bottle at Costco – and even more elsewhere!
Note that not all Costco stores or their Liquor Departments have a liquor license to sell Kirkland Signature branded alcohol, so consider calling your local Costco store before making a special trip.
Also, Costco offers fantastic prices on wine! For instance, this 750mL bottle of Kirkland Signature Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio regularly costs just $5.99 and sells for $10-$15 per bottle at wine stores.
10. Chinet vs Kirkland Signature Chinet Plastic Red Cups
Everyone knows you can’t have a party without those famous big red plastic cups! Chinet has an exclusive line of Kirkland Signature Plastic Red Cups sold at Costco.
You can score a humongous 240-count pack of these 18oz cups for only $13.19. That comes out to just under 6¢ per cup! Meanwhile, Walmart is currently selling a 100-count pack of 18oz party cups for $13.92. That comes out to almost 14¢ per cup which is more than double the price of the name brand Chinet cups at Costco.
11. Blommer’s vs. Kirkland Signature Milk Chocolate Almonds
Word on the street is that Costco’s yummy Kirkland Signature Milk Chocolate Almonds are made by the Blommer Chocolate Company, which has been making gourmet chocolates since 1939. I gotta tell ya, these almonds are one of my favorite snacks from Costco.
The Costco almonds are priced at $16.49 for 48 ounces which comes in right at 34¢ per ounce. This is a total bargain compared to grocery and department stores which sell smaller bags of lesser quality for much more.
12. Niagara vs. Kirkland Signature Purified Bottled Water
I don’t know about you but I can taste the difference between bottled water brands. Rumor has it that Kirkland Signature Purified Bottled Water is actually Niagara Bottled Water in disguise. I actually had a couple of bottles of each brand and gave them a try, and yep, they for sure taste just alike.
The 40-count base of the bottled water at Costco runs about $3.69 – just 9¢ per bottle, and you can grab a 32-count pack of Niagara bottled water at Walmart which runs about 29¢ a bottle.
13. Persil vs. Kirkland Signature Laundry Detergent
We are big-time fans of Persil here at Hip2Save, so when we heard that Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent is possibly made by the same company that makes Persil, we were stoked! The German company Henkel that produces Persil is rumored to be the manufacturer of Costco’s UltraClean Line.
A 152-count pack of the Kirkland Signature Laundry Detergent Pacs clocks in at $23.49 which is just about 15¢ per load. The Persil ProClean Laundry Detergent Discs 62-Count Pack (their largest size) is currently priced at $17.97 at Walmart which is just under 29¢ a load making the Kirkland brand the clear winner price-wise.
14. Reynolds vs. Kirkland Signature Reynolds Food Service Foil
Here’s another name-brand product that is no longer in hiding at Costco. The same fine folks that make Reynolds Aluminum Foil that you probably have in your pantry now make an exclusive Kirkland Signature line at Costco.
A roll of 12 in x 1000 ft Kirkland Signature Reynolds Foodservice Foil will run you about $33.99 which works out to be about 3¢ per sq ft while the Reynolds runs about 5¢ per sq ft.
We also think these Costco items are worth every penny!
Now, not all Costco brand items are made by name brands, but their superior quality attests that they may as well be! In some cases, their prices and quality even out-perform household name brands. Here are just a few other Costco brand items we love that you won’t find anywhere else.
1. Women’s Athletic Clothing
Rumor has it that the TUFF brand and Kirkland Signature leggings are of identical quality to Lululemon. I tested out a pair of TUFF Leggings and found the quality to be very similar to the prestige brand. With the same logo placement, as well as thick Lycra spandex fabric and an additional rear key pocket with a zipper, you can’t beat the quality for under $19!
2. Charisma Bath Towels
There’s no better feeling than stepping out of a long hot shower and wrapping yourself in a soft, absorbent towel. 🤩 And Costco’s Charisma 100% HygroCotton Soft Bath Towels do just that!
Regularly priced at just $11.50 each (they often go on Instant Savings for just $5.99), these 30″ x 58″ towels have a special weave that enhances the softness, so they get softer with every wash (be sure to wash these towels a couple of times before using them to avoid the fuzzies).
Plus, they’re made with hollow core cotton technology that makes them super absorbent. And, with the Spot Stop color protection, you don’t have to worry about your towels getting discolored from common cosmetic ingredients in acne lotions and dental whiteners. How awesome is that?! 🙌🏻
And, if you love these bath towels, you’ll likely love their bedsheets and blankets, too!
3. Kirkland Signature Nut & Granola Bars
We go nuts about Costco’s Kirkland Signature Nut Bars! They are almost identical to the popular KIND bars but for a fraction of the cost! A 30ct box of Costco’s Nut Bars regularly sells for $17.69 (= 59¢ per bar), and a 20ct box of KIND Bars sells for $23.99 (= $1.20 per bar). That’s huge savings!
If you’re looking for granola bars that taste just as good as Quaker, be on the lookout for Kirkland Signature’s Soft & Chewy Granola Bars (in-club only). You can pick up a 64ct box for $11.49 (= 21¢/bar) and they’re the perfect size for lunches (a tad smaller). Plus, I love that they’re made with NO artificial flavors or colors!
For those of you living the keto life and/or if you love Quest Protein Bars, you’ll want to give these Kirkland Signature Protein Bars a try. A 20-count box is only $49.99 ($1.25 per bar), which is pretty sweet considering Quest Protein Bars regularly run about $29.99 for a box of 12. That clocks in at $2.50 per bar!
4. Kirkland Signature Paper Towels
One of the products I love to grab while shopping at Costco is their Kirkland Signature Create-a-Size 2-ply Paper Towels with 160 sheets per roll. The Kirkland brand regularly sells for around $2 per 100 square feet, whereas the Bounty Advanced Paper Towels sell for $3.45 per 100 square feet.
Although you may be able to find cheaper prices on paper towels at other stores during a sale and/or with coupons, we think the Costco paper towels are more absorbent!
5. Kirkland Signature Wipes
If you’re a fan of Costco’s diapers, you’ll likely love the Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes! In fact, all of their wet wipes (including disinfectant wipes and face wipes) are made with Tencel, an ultra-soft and smooth fiber derived from 100% plant-based materials using a manufacturing process that effectively reuses and recaptures resources such as water. Plus, they’re made in the U.S.A!
6. Kirkland Signature Gasoline
Despite the myth that generic, off-brand gasoline claimed to be weaker, it is actually just as effective as stations like Shell, Chevron, or ExxonMobil, since ALL fuel (including unbranded fuel!) must meet certain regulatory guidelines for RVP, ethanol percentage, octane, and more.
And since Costco sells only TOP TIER detergent gasoline (the fuel recommended by dealerships and manufacturers), it cleans your engine with every fill-up.
Plus, the average gas price at Costco is over 20¢ per gallon lower than its competitors! In fact, in this Oil Price Information Service survey, Costco beat out major gas chains (as well as warehouse rivals such as Sam’s Club and BJ’s) to rank as the #1 cheapest place to buy gas in the US.
Want more? Go here for even more ways to save on gasoline!
Other Costco products that Hip2Save readers love:
- Kirkland Signature Hazelnut Spread vs. Nutella
- Kirkland Signature Baby Formula vs. Similac
- Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water vs. LaCroix
- Kirkland Signature Tortilla Strips vs. Mission
- Kirkland Signature Real Mayonnaise vs. Hellmann’s
- Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken vs. Any Store Brand
- Kirkland Signature Cage Free Eggs vs. Any Store Brand
- Kirkland Signature Kitchen Trash Bags vs. Hefty
- Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue vs. Charmin
- Kirkland Signature Triple Action Joint Pills vs. Move Free
- …and MANY others!
Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all Kirkland Signature items – just some of the most popular items. Also, keep in mind that Costco’s inventory changes often and prices may vary by region and warehouse. Visit your local warehouse for product pricing and details.
Now it’s your turn! Which Costco products are your favorite?
Ready to shop? Check out this Costco membership deal first!
What a fun article! Can y’all do Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Brand next?!
They have done a Sam’s one already
That’s great, I can’t find it though. Would you mind linking it?
Thanks for the feedback and the suggestion, Jessica! I’ll be sure to pass that along to the team!
Thank you!!!! My hubby only wants name brand batteries but this is ammo to buy Kirkland! Awesome!!!
Oh good! You’re so very welcome!
I didn’t think the Kirkland batteries were that great. They didn’t seem to last long at all 😞
The Kirkland batteries suck — they leak WAY worse than the name brand. Even if made by Duracell, they’re not the same quality. Wait and stock up on Duracells at Office Depot when they’re free after rebates.
I’ve heard (other deal sites)Duracell leaks so it makes sense Kirkland would if made by Duracell.
Try the Anker Brand. They claim a 10 tear shelf life and to be totally sealed to not leak. Its too soon for me to verify that, but my electronics have been affected by both of these brands and the Rabbit leaked worse.
actually, go buy rechargeable batteries, you can get a 20 pack that should do everything you need around a house for cheap and just recharge as needed.
Kirkland batteries definitely is not as good as Duracell. They die faster and leak in almost all of them. They destroy the equipment as a result and costing you much more money at the end. I took many pictures I wish I could post here.
The only. Thing I buy batteries for is kids toys and I am not paying more for a battery than the actual toy cost.
We think that gas from Costco lasts longer than other places, we just seem to be able to drive longer on the same amount of gas. We love the organic salad kits, cooking oils, milk, cheese, yogurt, we seem to get really good deals on the dairy.
That’s awesome, Hilary! I love their dairy products, too!
I work for an Oil Refinery that supplies gasoline to a few Costco’s in the area. Really the only difference between the gasoline sold at Costco and other stations is the additives that are mixed with the gas. When a truck is loading the driver enters information that lets the system know what additive to include in that specific load of gas. Costco does not buy from one specific refiner to supply all of their stations, but the supplier must be able to supply the correct additive package to the gasoline. As for the Octane rating, if your car or truck does not require premium (92 octane) do not use it. your spending extra for no benefit and could actually leave carbon deposits in the engine from the gas not completely burning. High-performance engines usually run high compression engines and require the extra octane to prevent detonation in the engine. 1 exception that I have heard of is if you can find a station that sells premium without ethanol it is better to use in your garden tractors and small engines. where the automotive side is designed to run gas with ethanol.
I would like to know more about detergent in gas. My husband’s 2014 fuel injectors were plugged so he read about detergents in gas and now only goes to Cosco with his newer car. Otherwise we used to only gern eaet BJ’s case. I have a new car now so I go to cosco for gas more often now, but I needed gas the other day it was convenient to go to BJ’s. I have asked the service department where I got my car and the rep there said he did not know of any difference in using gas with detergent or not. So I would like to know more about any studies about this.
I used to fill up at Speedway.. Every year or less my check engine light wold come on and I’d end up spending close to $200.00 for a thorough emissions cleaning. Since switching to Top Tier gas like Costco I haven’t had one single problem.
Hi Josh,
I would like to hear more about how this works. I am at patrocksbe@rocketmail.com if you are willing to discuss in more detail. Thanks. 🙂
Almost immediately after moving to Utah, my check engine light would come on intermittently (on after a few tanks of Costco gas and off after Chevron or Shell). I took it to a service technician who did a scan. The first question was “where do you get your gas?” I told him Costco and he suggested not doing that anymore. I immediately filled up with Chevron and the light went off and stayed off.
Costco gas definitely doesn’t provide better fuel economy, especially not in the United states where gasoline is carefully regulated. It’s certainly perfectly fine gas where detergents are concerned, but then again, almost all gas is. Unless your car is sitting for extended periods, or a vintage model, the ethanol content, and it’s corrosive nature, is totally irrelevant. The only difference where fuel economy can occur with gas is with regards to octane with high-compression engine designs. Modern performance vehicles of the past fifteen years usually have enough computers in them to de-tune high performance motors via the ECU to prevent damage from using too low of an octane, but can experience a miniscule loss in efficiency, or a minor loss in power output. The de-tuning is a byproduct of the engine running more conservatively to prevent knock and pings. Higher octane fuel is simply more resistant to pre-ignition as they’re closer to a pure hydrocarbon. Modern performance cars are effectively quasi-“flex fuel” vehicles. But for the rest of cars, octane ratings don’t matter at all. In fact, lower octane fuel contains more theoretical chemical energy. So it’s conceivable that cars with less performant motor designs see minor regressions from high octane fuel. The myth that high octane fuels burn hotter and clean out deposits is a myth from when E10 was being introduced since the ethyl alcohol does burn hotter on its own. Any way you look at it, Costco gas does not provide a tangible benefit for engine wear or fuel efficiency, as the matter of fuel octane is totally unrelated to brand, and a non-issue in most cases regardless. All that being said, if you already have a membership, Costco gas can be substantially cheaper, especially in places with higher fuel prices. As long as there is a Costco that isn’t too far out of the way, almost everyone should find that the annual membership more than pays for itself just with gas savings. But don’t believe any claims about “better gas” in the U.S.. That’s all snake oil.
Hi Quod Vox,
I reached out to Josh above as well as I would like to hear more about how this works. I am at patrocksbe@rocketmail.com if you are willing to discuss in more detail. Thanks. 🙂
Thanks for the info!
My son has to take Miralax daily for constipation and I can get 2 huge bottles of Kirkland brand for the same price as 1 in any other local store for name brand Miralax and it works the same. Same as many other allergy meds including Flonase, Zyrtec, ect. Love the savings on generic meds.
SWEET! Thanks a ton for sharing your experience with us, Stacey! SO glad to hear how well the store brands have worked!
GREAT to know, Stacey, since I have to take all of those meds And then some, too. Thanks!! 😍💉💊🧪
There is no difference in generic medicines no matter where you buy them. Costco is just one of them.
Compare “Good Sense Clear Lax” on the ‘Zon. Same product.
Yes! I love their version of Zyrtec which is crazy cheap!
Costco brand organic orange juice is the best!
Great to know, Sekia! I’ll have to try that next time!
Yes, it’s delicious! I always buy it for Christmas morning breakfast. That and their muffins…
Sent hubby to get the Kirkland mouth wash, he was told they no longer carry it. It was as good as the brand names. I now have to go buy Listerene.
We just returned from Kauai, HI, and the gas at Costco was 70cents less per gallon(!) than the other gas stations in the area. Also, the food at the Costco concession stand was priced similar to the mainland, and had more menu selections. With Hawaii being so expensive, eating a few meals at Costco really helped to keep costs down.
Wow! I had not thought about that, but it’s a great idea for Hawaii!
We also rented a car thru Costco at significant savings compared to other sites, and they included a second driver free.
Thanks I’ll be going back in March this is really helpful
We also got gas at Costco while in Hawaii, lol. Where we were (Kona) it was like 50 cents cheaper at the time!
When we were in Kauai this spring with a big family group we bought several pizzas through the concession stand and it fed us all for SO little money! You can even call ahead on the way home from the beach to order them and pick them up through the drive through (the concession is outside there). So cost effective, so convenient!
We had hoped to take advantage of the big gas savings (gas is expensive on Kauai) but the Costco gas pumps close pretty early in the evening, so take that into account.
We ALWAYS load up at Costco when I’m Hawaii..best deals on the island!
We had a few meals at Costco while in Hawaii too and also bought snorkeling gear and boogie boards there as they were as cheap or cheaper to buy from Costco than rent.
I learned from Costco today that their Kirkland fruit snacks rotate with the Welch’s fruit snacks. I haven’t seen it on the shelf for a few months which is a bummer bc my kids prefer the Kirkland ones (and so do I!!).
So interesting! Hopefully they’ll bring them back soon!?
Thank you SO much! I LOVE pureology hair products but now with 4 kids I just cannot afford it. I’m going to run out and try Kirkland’s shampoo and conditioner, I already favor their other products like paper towels and diapers but never thought to try hair care products. We also use their allergy medication, my husband has to take daily allergy relief pill and we get a whole year for less then $10
You are so welcome and I hope you love their hair line, krystal!
I’m not sure how it compares to Pureology (I’ve never tried it), but I really like the Kirkland moisture shampoo and conditioner! My naturally curly hair feels/looks healthy and I never have a dry itchy scalp in the harsh norther winters anymore.
Love the Kirkland shampoo and conditioner…only kind I use now…my daughters now buy it for their family
I only use kirkland shampoo and conditioner for the past 3 years. Haven’t found anything else better for that price!
All of my friends say that it’s not the same as pureology.
I love pureology, but for the price of kirklands you just can’t compete.
Has anybody else noticed a change in the Kirkland toilet paper? The last batch I bought about 3 weeks ago is more like a one ply, it’s awful. Wondering if I just got a bad batch, or if they changed it. I’ve been buying it for years and loved it, but I’m afraid to buy it again!
Yes 😕 same here! I thought it was just me. 😆
Agreed! I noticed a difference also 🙁
Yep same here 🙁 Pretty sure they changed it. Won’t be buying it anymore. Will just have to wait for instant savings on another brand I guess.
Yes it feels different! I got used to it but that first roll….🙅🏻♀️
Yes I noticed that too, I bought it twice and it was not the same like before, I will not buy it anymore
Yes, I was really disappointed with the pack that I bought. Sam’s Club toilet paper is so much better!
Yes!! The last one we bought is awful!! They definitely changed it!
Kirkland toilet paper is horrible! It is one-ply and very rough. We couldn’t wait to use it up and get to the Sam’s Club brand. We won’t be buying toilet paper from Costco again!
I bought their toilet paper and happy with the quality. Also, soymilk, almond milk, liquid dish soap are very good too. My kids like Kirkland soymilk and I prefer their almond milk so we dont buy Silk or Almond Breeze anymore.
I REALLY wish they would stock unsweetened, plain almond milk. All they ever have at my local Costco is sweetened, vanilla almond milk. I don’t like the taste and it has too much sugar.
They carry Kirkland brand unsweetened almond milk now at my Costco (Seattle area). Hope they will at yours soon!
They have the plain unsweetened in Olympia Washington. 👍🏼
The laundry detergent is definitely up there in quality with Tide. It’s one of those products where brand does actually matter these days. Both do a decent job at stain removal. But the mayonnaise isn’t really comparable with Hellman’s. Besides, if you want good mayonnaise, you’re so much better off making it yourself. It’s really easy, and there’s simply no comparison with store-bought mayo.
I bet home-made mayo is great!
I love the dish washing liquid. It smells nice and gets the baby bottles really clean without using a ton. Handwashing got much easier when we switched from Dawn to kirkland.
Great to know!
Their chocolate chips are waaaay better than Toll House. But they only seem to stock them during the holidays. Will stock up this year when I see them .
Ohhhh I’ll definitely look for those around the holidays! 😋 Thanks!
They are soooo good.
I wish I had a Costco near me… can you do this artice for BJ’s? 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion, Lissa C! I’ll pass this on to the team!
I am an avid Costco shopper, I go once a week. I have several pairs of their leggings and Tuff brand. While they are decent leggings/ yoga pants and I wear them on a regular basis, they are not Lululemon.
What brand is the equivalent to your Kirkland American Cheese? This is for a child with Autism
I’m curious how the prices compare with Aldi. Specifically for paper products. What do you think?
I shop at both, Aldi and Costco. You have to be familiar with both stores as there are things that are cheaper at each. In general, quality seems to be better at Costco though. I get nuts, paper products, spices, oats, baking products, and some cheese at Costco. I get produce, eggs, and some cheese at Aldi.
And milk is more affordable at Trader Joe’s. Luckily I have them all very close to my house so I can shop around, usually one store a week
In my opinion, Costco is a place you go occasionally to stock up on things that you use a lot, while Aldi is a place you go to do your weekly grocery shopping. Both are awesome and inexpensive, but I buy very different things at each.
The right comparator for Kirkland Chicken & Rice is the Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice, which sells for $35 on Chewy. It’s also nearly identical to Tractor Supply’s 4Health (also made by Diamond). You can rotate through the chicken & rice in any of those labels (Kirkland, 4Health, DN) without the dog even noticing as they have the same ingredients. The Nature’s Domain compares to grain-free — either DN or even Taste of the Wild (which is also made by Diamond).
I noticed the chicken and rice with vegetables should not compare to the grain free. Good information about the tractor supply brand. It is close to me and costco is not so I am going to give it a try.
I buy the Kirkland grain free salmon cat food bc I have one furbaby who’s allergic to grain and poultry. It’s way cheaper than American Journey (Chewy’s brand) or Amazon’s brand, I can’t remember the name right now. Both cats love it and no ear infections from food allergies 🐾
Thanks so much for posting! I just bought the dog food and will compare with my subscribe and save that is coming from amazon by diamond. What a huge savings! I was hesitant to purchase their dog food or “feed” as some people call it that I learned from another post here 😉 but blended with some of his last dog food, he ate it last night and seemed fine with it. He has been picky over some other brands.
Sometimes brand names will produce identical or near identical products and slap a generic brand on it … however, more often than not they simply produce the product for the generic brand to the generic specs- they have the extra factory space and the generic brand saves overhead costs.., so it’s a win-win
I have a friend whose husband was an electrician. He did a job at a flour processing plant once and was told the main difference between the name brands and the generics (they processed for both) is that the name brands were sifted more meaning there are less bug parts in name brands. I’ve bought name brand flour ever since! LOL!
LOL! but now they make some flour out of crickets!
only tuna fish we will eat. best towels ever. I used to love Kirkland paper towels, but they have changed them and now too thin and too soft. I prefer Bounty again.
My Costco stocks chocolate chips all year round best chips.
We LOVE Costco’s/Kirkland’s vodka, diapers, wipes, paper towel, batteries, gas, clothing, etc… We love Costco!
COSTCO GAS!! I always feel safe stopping filling up there because there is always an attendant!!
Hi!! Do you have any idea how to contact Kirkland about an issue with one of their products? (Specifically, they’ve changed the opening mechanism on their soy milk and it is quite difficult to use.). Thanks?
That’s the difference right there – if you have an issue with a generic product you’re basically on your own unless the store backs you up, of course.
Has Anyone tried the new just remade kirkland diapers ? Are they still like huggies ???
I love most Kirkland Signature products! Living on Maui, it’s a struggle to find what you need in the stores sometimes (empty shelves) but Costco stays well stocked. The most impactful product is the gasoline. Before the Costco gas station opened, our gas was around $4/gal minimum. Now we can get gas at Costco at least $1/gal CHEAPER than anywhere else! Granted, we have very long lines all day, but it’s well worth it. Thank you Costco!!
Has Anyone tried the new just remade kirkland diapers ? Are they still like huggies ???
I was just visiting my daughter and 6 month old grandson. My daughter commented on how she loved the Kirkland diapers-says they are very absorbent and compares them to Huggies. She was given a box of Sam’s Club diapers and tried to return them because she was not at all happy with them. According to her they are not near as absorbent as the Kirkland and not good for nighttime use. In the morning the baby’s sleeper is wet due to the diaper being so saturated. Not a problem with Kirkland (or Huggies) diapers. I agree. When I put the sam’s club diapers on him I thought the quality wasn’t the same. Sounds weird to say about a diaper but they just seemed “flimsy”.
We’ve been using the new Kirkland diapers since we noticed the change to them about 6-8 months ago I think. They have a slightly different design than the previous line but other than that I don’t notice any difference. I loved the previous line and I feel similarly about these. They seem to really hold a lot and no harsh fragrances or chemicals that I no of! I hope that helps! 🙂
Which company made the Kirkland mill bath soap? Costco discontinued carrying it because of fragence issues.
Would like to buy it again since the soap bars last much longer than any other bar of soap.
Does anyone know who manufactures Kirkland Organic Multi Vitamin?
Why does Costco not offer a reduced membership rate for seniors? Would consider that but not at what their cost is now.
Not that much different from Sam’s club and the quality is much better.
depending on shopping habits, my household of 2 adult , no kids or pets, use the executive membership ($120/year). I get back $200ish in rewards per year from their 2% rebate. I buy nearly EVERTYHING from Costco because I meal prep so it doesn’t go to waste. I also get prescriptions, glasses,and clothes all from solely Costco. If you get their Citi card it is also another 2% back on Costco purchases, 4% on gas, and 3% on dining. Best part this year is through their auto program, I bought a truck with no haggling and $6k off the cheapest competing dealerships for the same truck who doesn’t use Costco’s auto program.
I love Costco for my big family! But NO thanks to their baby wipes, I wish they hadn’t pushed out selling the Huggies Natural brand. After surviving through a whole case of their Kirkland baby wipes, we are done. I now wait for deals on Amazon or Target to stock up on Huggies wipes at a great price. Also, the Up and Up Target Brand diapers (made by Pampers) are cheaper than Kirkland diapers as long as you shop their sales …plus no scent!!
My favorite Costco item is their Visa card. Great rewards so it pays for my membership plus lots more. We use it for as much as we can and pay the balance monthly. No annual fees. Another great benefit of the card is the additional extended warranty offered. We bought our appliances through Costco, used the card for an additional amount back and now have years added to the warranty as well.
I was shocked to find that there was NO DeCaf coffee being sold at Costco. Is there something
wrong with drinking decaf or the Kirkland brand of decaf ? Does this mean that Costco might
be doing away with other Kirkland brand foods as well ?
That’s just your store, Kathleen. There are decaf options on Costco.com. It may have been a slow-mover at your store, so they stopped carrying it — it’s definitely available to order online though! Here’s the Kirkland:
https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-decaf-house-blend-coffee%2c-medium-roast%2c-whole-bean%2c-2.5-lbs.product.100493988.html
Decaf is sold at there Costco Business Centers….Check to see if you have one near you.
Oh come on…. the vanilla ice cream…. THE BEST EVER!!!!
Why was that not in the article? I PROMISE you will LOVE it
Thanks for the suggestion, Mary! Glad to hear how yummy it is!
Oh no, now i need to try it! Problem is, I have to head straight home after shopping there and I always shop at 10 am before they get busy.
Costco pharmacy is the best ! if you have any pets definitely call their pharmacy to quote the member discount price (mine was $60 cheaper at costco per 3 months). If you lost insurance recently , it is also worth quoting them for their costco member priced prescriptions.Also they are offering flu shots for only $19.99 (half of CVS and walgreens price)if you don’t have insurance ($0 if insurance covers it).
Thanks a lot I loved this article great information I already like their wipes a lot after this article I will definitely renew my Costco membership.
You’re so welcome, AS! Glad this list was helpful!
Recently bought some Charisma bath towels and washed them a few times before using. Sadly, we found them to be not at all absorbent. Wonder if they changed manufacturers? Has anyone else had this issue?
Other than that, we love Costco! Their homemade shrimp salad is the bomb! And we love their prices on fresh produce and cheeses.
Their Panko breaded shrimp (in the freezer section) are absolutely delicious when made in the Air Fryer. An easy and quick weeknight meal in under 10 minutes! Love it 🙂
Their paper towels are the only ones I buy since I discovered them. They are the BEST!!! Their Charisma rugs are also wonderful. Super quality at very inexpensive prices.
Would you say they are closer to Viva or Brawney paper towels?
I just bought the Kirkland brand paper towels for the first time and love them. They are not like Viva, closer to Brawney but better. They are thick and don’t leave ‘paper dust’ behind. The rolls are huge and don’t fit on our paper towel holder until we’ve used several sheets.
Eyeglasses… I don’t have eye insurance and need progressive lenses. All the lenses come with all the bells and whistles…anti-reflective and polycarbonate, etc. I usually spend less for my progressive glasses than my friends spend at eye glass companies WITH insurance. And Costco has high end brand names for frames.
Not sure about comparing their toilet paper to Charmin. Charmin is much thicker, doesn’t tear when I’m pulling it off the dispenser like Kirkland. But for the price, I buy it for my bathroom that has room for that huge roll.
I am not surprised about the shampoo. I LOVE kirkland moisture shampoo & while I haven’t tried pureology shampoo, that is the ONLY face soap I use.
I have to say the Kirkland toilet paper is same softness and strength as Charmin BUT it is 1/2 inch narrower and the tube its on is much more flimsy so it does not turn well on the holder.
The Kirkland soft & chewy granola bars are NOT like Quaker Oats. Not even close in taste. My kids eat all the Quaker Oats granola bars and I’ve had a box of the Kirkland the whole summer and nobody will eat them.
I’m a BIG fan of buying/leasing cars through Costco’s Auto Program! I saved $4000 on a new Camry XLE lease this month & there was no haggling whatsoever! Costco is very picky about the dealer representing them & follows through with the buyer to be sure you are treated fairly. In addition, when you’re ready to have your vehicle serviced, purchase parts or outfit your car with new accessories, Costco gives you a coupon to save 50% — up to a maximum of $200. Why go anywhere else?
Oh wow! Thanks for taking the time to share with us! SO glad you could score such great savings!
Add this to your list: Kirkland rum is made/bottled by Cruzan Rum.
Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Do they ever have a promo on the membership?
Watch Groupon and Living Social. They just had one! $60 gold star membership for $60 and I got a $40 Costco shop card and $40 online code off a $250 order. You did have to have auto renew by credit/debit card on your membership. I really love Costco. I’ve only ever gone with friends who had a membership and now I get to try it out for a year and see if I like it.
Bumble Bee may well package the Kirkland Tuna, but the stuff in Bumble Bee cans does not taste or look anything like Kirkland. It is purely different. Bumble Bee resembles the fines from the bottom of the sink strainer.
I wouldnt take Bumble Bee for free.
We do really like the 30 x 58 towels, we grabbed them for $4.99 about 4 months ago on their instant savings.
What a rip off! They are touting their Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo as a dup for Pureology – it doesn’t even come close! Just an awful perfumey smell (and that’s what great about Pureology – it smells amazing) A terrible shampoo & conditioner! This made my hair a frizz ball after blow drying, then trying to flat iron it was a chore also. To be honest, I’ve tried a few cheap drugstore shampoos that was better than this one!
I was trying to find out who makes the Kirkland body wash/soap that I like so much… hard to beat some Kirkland products, their bags of pecans and walnuts are fresher than any store other than buying from a specific nut source like nuts.com, and at a good price
But I have been disappointed in some products, their trash compactor bags were so often so poorly made that I contacted Costco, and they didn’t handle the situation very well… Neither did the manufacturer.
I sent them pictures of the bags, obvious holes down the sides where instead of being sealed, they had melted through…
The manufacture Costco shared my personal information with the manufacturer who argued with me. When I sent a letter back to Costco with the argument from the manufacturer, they sent my complaint with personal information to the manufacturer again… He eventually sent me some rolls of trash bag liners, the trash compactor bags had holes in them
when I sent a letter back to Costco with the argument from the manufacturer, they sent my complaint with personal information to the manufacturer again… He eventually sent me some rolls of trash bag liners, the trash compactor bags had holes in them
I told Costco I wasn’t comfortable with them sharing my personal information with a company I had complained about… without checking with me they said “that is our policy”
it fit the poor business management a friend met when her employer stopped buying memberships for the executives and she tried to get a membership in her own name… Costco refused to issue her a membership as a new customer, insisting that she could only renew the membership of the group… Over $4000
she said she has been very happy with Sam’s
I am debating renewing my Costco membership this year, I like a lot of their products but I’m not willing to stand in line in the sun for a half an hour to enter the store with social distancing… shopping there is a lot more work than some stores, our local store is overcrowded, people waiting in line for gasoline block the parking lot, lines are very long for check out, the parking lot is a nightmare, and their hours are too limited
not their fault, but I certainly haven’t had the benefits of membership this year
Why didn’t you just take the bags back my mom has worked for Costco for 15 years they normally return stuff no questions asked
I think you missed the points of the complaint and, the problem continued with package after package. One would think that returning an item would alert the store to a failure in manufacturing or packaging but, it no longer works that way. The belligerent attitude of the company representative, explained why… my point was, CostCo should have dealt with that, they had no problem putting poor quality items on the shelf… I stopped purchasing their ground turkey for the number of bone chips in it. A pity, but, few business stay on top unless the put effort into it.
They have thousands of stores in multiple so unless a mass amount of people returned them I don’t think Costco would be alerted to it the store level employees don’t decide what or what isn’t carried at Costco and the company just sounds bad sorry it didn’t go how you wanted