25 items you should always be buying at Target (plus 25 to stay away from)

Target is the favorite store of many and for good reason – they have everything! It’s a well-known fact that it’s impossible to walk into a Target without buying at least a few items that you weren’t intending to purchase. With so much good stuff at such a good bargain, it’s hard to resist!

Although Target might seem like a great one-stop-shop, there are actually a few items that you’re better off buying elsewhere. And, of course, there are lots of items that you can’t find elsewhere for a better price.

So, which items should you be buying at Target and which ones should you steer clear from? We’ve got you covered.

Here are 25 items to always buy at Target and 25 to avoid.

#1 Nuts

Snacking on peanuts, almonds, or cashews is a great way to get some extra nutrition and Target offers bags of them at a great price. Target’s exclusive brand Archer Farm’s sells 30-ounces of cashews for just $14.99.

#2 Project 62 candles

Candles are a beautiful way to make your home smell amazing. They truly warm up a space. You should always be buying the Project 62 brand of candles at Target. They smell heavenly and “they’re a favorite buy for Jen Coleman and Laura Wiertzeman, the founders of @targetdoesitagain, a popular Instagram account that highlights eye-catching Target products,” says Business Insider.

#3 Threshold sheets

Target’s in-house brands are absolutely amazing. There’s just no doubt about it. Their Threshold brands sheets are no exception. Tons of reviewers have raved about how comfy, durable, and amazing they are. Get hotel-quality comfort starting at just $29.99 a set.

All Natural Savings
Source:

All Natural Savings

#4 Xhilaration Faux Fur Throw

Faux fur throw blankets, pillows, and rugs are all the rage right now. And they’re SO soft and comfy! Head over to Target and grab their faux fur throws. They’re just $16 and they’re perfect for the couch, guest bedrooms, bringing in the car on road trips, or wherever else want to cozy up!

#5 Anything with designer collaborations

Target likes to team up with famous and talented designers for some of their collections. Be sure to snag a few items each time you do because you won’t be able to find that type of quality and that low of a price point. That goes for decor, furniture, and clothing.

#6 Spices

“Although a little spice could go a long way in some recipes, spices themselves are expensive pantry staples. Target, however, has lots of spices at great prices under their Market Pantry label. Staple seasonings like ground cinnamon, onion powder, and garlic powder are available for a little over $1—and the reviews are glowing,” says Reader’s Digest.

#7 Sparkling water

Sparkling water is another one of those items that seems to be a staple in everyone’s refrigerator these days. It’s delicious and a wonderful way to stay hydrated without having to drink plain, boring tap water. Target sells the well-known La Croix brand as well as their own brand for less than $3 for an 8-pack.

#8 Frozen fruits and veggies

Frozen fruits and veggies are always awesome to have stocked in the freezer. They’re great for easy-to-cook meals and adding to smoothies. Target’s Market Pantry brand is just as fresh-tasting and crisp as the more well-known Bird’s Eye brand.

#9 Intimates

Quality bras, panties, and lingerie can be pretty expensive, but not at Target! Their Auden line is gorgeous, comfortable, and nothing is more than $22.

#10 Seasonal candy

“This huge retailer often partners with big-name candy brands to offer exclusive varieties and flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Cookies & Screem M&Ms? Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Santa Hat Kisses? You can only find them at Target,” says Cheat Sheet.

#11 Doormats

Whether you just moved into a new home or need to upgrade your current one, Target has super adorable doormats at a steal. They’re a great way to add a little bit of decor and personality to the front stoop of your home.

#12 Smartly citrus-scented all-purpose cleaner

You can’t beat a value like this for an all-purpose cleaner. It also smells super good! Target sells their Smartly brand cleaner in a 32-ounce bottle for just $1.59. How amazing is that?!

#13 Condiments

Kethcup, mustard, mayonnaise, and every other condiment you could need should always be purchased at Target. Why? Because their Market Pantry brand is around 25% less expensive than other brands and tastes just as good.

Open Food Facts
Source:

Open Food Facts

#14 Paper towels

When it comes to houshold basics like paper towels, Target is always going to be your best bet because, once again, their in-house brand simply can’t be beat. Plus, their super absorbant and way less expensive than other big brand names.

#15 Toilet paper

Just like the Up and Up brand’s paper towels are awesome and inexpensive, so is their toilet paper. You can find packs of 36 rolls for just $13. What a steal!

Smart Family Money
Source:

Smart Family Money

#16 Smartly unscented facial-cleansing wipes

Here’s another Target Smartly’s brand product for the win! Face wipes are awesome at removing makeup on the go or when you just need a quick freshening up, but they can be expensive. Target sells 25-packs for just $4.49.

#17 Generic drugs

If you ever need to fill a prescription or pick up some cold meds, save your money and head right on over to the Target pharmacy area. Not only are their prescriptions usually much cheaper, but their Up and Up brand of ibuprofen is just $1.99 for 100-count. Compare that to $6.99 for Rite Aid’s brand.

Free Tastes Good
Source:

Free Tastes Good

#18 Diapers

Target’s Up and Up brand also makes diapers and if you’re a parent – these are the ones you’re going to want to buy. They’ve actually gained a bit of a cult-like following because of how absorbant and leak-resistent they are – and, of course, much cheaper than the competition.

#19 Wine

Unwinding after a long, hard day with a glass of wine is always a relaxing way to spend an evening. Make sure to stock up on wine at Target because their in-house brand boxed wine is super affordable. Their Wine Cube comes in a 3-liter box that is equivalent to 4 bottles at less than $5 a bottle.

Reverse Wine Snob
Source:

Reverse Wine Snob

#20 Trail mix

Much like their Archer Farm’s brand offers nuts at a great price, Target’s trail mix is also a great snack to purchase. Their trail mix comes in lots of yummy flavors like peanut butter monster trail mix which is a popular fan favorite.

#21 Toys

If you have little ones in the household or need to purchase a toy as a gift, Target has you covered. Sometimes, if you look for Target coupons on their app, you can find popular toys for up to 40-50% off regular price.

Thrifty and Thriving
Source:

Thrifty and Thriving

#22 Kid’s clothing

Target’s Cat & Jack kid’s clothing line isn’t just adorable, it’s also super affordable. “All the clothing and accessories from Cat & Jack are super cute, and they come with an amazing one-year guarantee,” Business Insider said. “If anything doesn’t hold up, you can return it up to one year later with your original receipt.”

#23 Towels

Target offers a great selection of towels and they’re generally always have some sort of awesome sale going on. Their Fieldcrest and Threshold brands are known to be really soft and durable.

#24 Jewelry

In need of a new necklace or bracelet? Or perhaps you’re looking for a nice gift. Target has really great jewelry for great prices. The Sugarfix by BaubleBar jewlery is some of the most popular.

#25 Coffee makers

You can find exclusive Black and Decker coffee makers at Target for great prices. You can usually find small appliances on sale or combine them with coupons through their app to really save big.

Now…let’s get into the products that you should avoid buying at Target because you can find them elsewhere for cheaper or better quality…

Free Stuff Finder
Source:

Free Stuff Finder

What to avoid buying at Target…

#1 Up and Up brand water filters

Not all of Target’s in-house brand products are created equal – like their water filters. The store offers Brita and Pur replacements in their own generic brand for a lesser cost, however, they just don’t seem to work as well as the brand name filters.

#2 Marked-down clothing items (not the ones on clearance)

An avid Target shopper on Reddit said, “Be careful with buying clothes (not just at Target but everywhere). People often return clothes and it will get marked as ‘repackaged’ or ‘as is’ on the clearance stickers. This is different from normal clearance where the markdowns are applied to things in the store. It can get gross because there was once a bra marked as such. Just make sure to wash all clothes before you wear them,” the Redditor said.

All Things Target
Source:

All Things Target

#3 Baby formula

“Target’s baby-related products, including formula, are some of the most expensive around. You can score the stuff cheaper on Amazon and at Walmart,” says Delish.

#4 Gift cards

You might think gift cards are gift cards, so, what does it matter if you buy them at Target or not? Well, not too big of a deal but you could save 5-10% off their price if you buy them from eBay or Raise.

Fitz Brothers Services
Source:

Fitz Brothers Services

#5 Books

You’re better off buying books from Amazon. Although Target’s prices aren’t terrible, they’re certainly no match for the major online retailer.

#6 Name brand foods

If you’re buying food at Target, you should generally always be buying their in-house brands’ products. If you opt to buy the name brand stuff, you could be paying more than you should.

#7 KitchenAid mixer

You might think that Target would be the place to purchase all of your small kitchen appliances, but sometimes that’s just not the case. Especially when it comes to popular KitchenAid mixers. Target sells them for $349.99 but you can find them on Amazon for just $299.95.

Cooking Fever Games
Source:

Cooking Fever Games

#8 Target brand coffee

“Target’s Market Pantry brand Classic Roast coffee scored low among Consumer Reports’ taste testers, with many calling out its bitter taste and “lack of complexity.” It’s probably best to stick to the name-brand coffee,” says Best Life Online.

#9 Big electronics

Thinking about buying a new TV or gadget? Target probably isn’t your best bet for a deal. Unless you plan on shopping during major holiday sales, you’re better off looking at an electronics-specific store like Best Buy.

#10 Fresh produce

Target isn’t exactly known for it’s super fresh and awesome produce section. You’re likely to find cheaper, fresher, and more local options at your regular grocery store or supermarket.

#11 Phone accessories

Target’s prices for phone accessories is known to be a little higher than other retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. It might just be a $5 difference or so, but every little bit you can save counts.

Department Store Liquidations
Source:

Department Store Liquidations

#12 Name-brand beauty products

Much like their food products, you should really only be buying the Target generic brand when it comes beauty products like face wash or lotions. If you are set on buying a name brand, you’re better off shopping online.

#13 Furniture

“Target might be your go-to place for furniture, but there are other stores that are a step up in terms of pricing and quality. Ikea, for example, will give you more bang for your buck. Audra, a contributor to the My First Apartment blog, did an experiment where she compared a hypothetical furniture shopping trip at Ikea, Target, and Pottery Barn. Ikea turned out to offer the best prices out of the three,” says Cheat Sheet.

#14 Individual snack packs

Things like individually packed bags of chips, cookies, and other snacks are much cheaper when you buy them in bulk at Costco or from Walmart.

#15 Shoes

As cute as they may be, Target’s shoes are usually not the best quality. You can probably even find name-brand shoes at a department store for the same price as Target’s lower-quality counterpart.

#16 Holiday decor

Again, you might be tempted to purchase some holiday items at Target strictly based on cuteness level, but you’d be wasting your money. Each holiday only happens once a year, so you’re better off shopping at the Dollar Tree. You’d be surprised at their selection and variety.

Apart Mani Dolores
Source:

Apart Mani Dolores

#17 Toothpaste

Surprisingly, Target isn’t the cheapest place when it comes to buying toothpaste. I know, I was surprised too! But it was found that Walmart’s prices beat Target by a landslide.

#18 Target brand trash bags

They might be really inexpensive but they won’t be of the quality that you’d be hoping for. You’re better off going for the more well-known name brands if you’re purchasing trash bags.

#19 Batteries

You can usually find batteries right in the checkout line at Target making it tempting to want to reach for them as a last-minute purchase. However, you’d be paying around $8.69 for a 10-pack of Energizers when you can buy the Sunbeam brand at the Dollar Store.

#20 Party plates and supplies

Unlike paper towels and toilet paper, paper plates for parties, like silver and gold ones, or other party supplies like streamers are going to be cheaper at Party City or Michael’s.

#21 Gift wrap

“Target’s gift wrap is hard to miss since it’s typically situated up front near the bargain section. Despite the wrapping paper’s location, it’s not particularly cheap at Target. Instead of Target, hit up the dollar store, T.J. Maxx, or Marshalls. It’s painful to spend money on something that’s just going to get torn up anyway,” says Best Life Online.

#22 Crafting supplies

Target can easily draw you in with their arts and craft supplies, but honestly, this wouldn’t be the most inexpensive place to buy these items. Jo Ann fabrics or Michael’s will be much cheaper and they’ll usually have online coupons too.

#23 Pillows and comforters

Although you should be snagging your sheets at Target, like we mentioned earlier, you should avoid buying your pillows or comforters here. You can find high-quality items at department stores when they have sales for a very reasonable price and even cheaper if you have a coupon.

#24 Target brand salad dressing

Consumer Reports gave a thumbs up to Target’s condiments like ketchup, mayo, and mustard, but unfortunately, the same can’t be said for their salad dressing. You’re better off getting cheap but delicious dressings at Trader Joe’s.

#25 Exercise equipment

Walmart, not Target, is going to be your best bet when it comes to the most affordable exercise equipment like dumbbells, yoga mats, or foam rollers. For example, a set of 12 dumbbells at Walmart is just $15.29 but just one dumbbell from Target is around $3.

Do you agree with the items on this list? Which ones are you planning to pick on your next trip to Target? Don’t hesitate to tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.