Ah, Sam’s Club. Who doesn’t love entering the warehouse and stocking carts with great deals on bulk items? Savvy shoppers know that this is one of the best stores to find high quality items for a fraction of the price. But not every product on Sam’s Club shelves is created equal. Superfans and experts alike have strong opinions on Sam’s Club shopping list dos and don’ts.
Below, we’re rounding up a few of the best and worst choices in the aisles of Sam’s Club, according to ratings, reviews, and expert advice.
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Best Sam's Club Items
1. Member’s Mark Unsalted Deluxe Mixed Nuts
This deluxe mix of nuts is beloved for its generous assortment and premium quality. One reviewer said it was "seriously some of the best I’ve tried" emphasizing the freshness and full-bodied flavor of each nut. Bulk mixed nuts are perfect for snacking, adding to oatmeal or yogurt, or using as an ingredient in homemade trail mixes—and this one delivers big on both volume and quality.
2. Member’s Mark Honey Almond Granola
Rated 4.8 stars by thousands, this honey almond granola gets regular praise for both value and flavor. One reviewer raved, "I love this granola!!!… It makes delicious fruit and yogurt parfaits." The crunchy clusters of oats and almonds also make it a great breakfast treat on cereal or a tasty addition to trail mixes. Shoppers also love that the bag is big enough to last awhile yet still stays fresh—perfect for families or regular snackers.
3. Member’s Mark Roasted Whole Cashews with Sea Salt
If you’re stocking up on snacks, these cashews are a perennial favorite. The generous 33-oz bag delivers salty, crunchy satisfaction, and reviewers stress how perfect they are either straight from the bag or added to snack mixes. Members describe them as perfectly seasoned and one of the best bulk nut buys available, especially compared to what you’d pay for premium cashews in smaller grocery stores. Thousands of ratings rank this 4.8. Not bad at all!
4. Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter
With 22,500 ratings bringing this butter to 4.9 stars, this is the kitchen staple that Sam’s Club members won’t stop raving about. Shoppers love that it’s rich, creamy, and perfect for everything from cookies to buttered dinner rolls. With tens of thousands of reviews, it’s easily one of the most recommended grocery items in the warehouse club’s entire food section, and for good reason: chefs and home cooks alike say it behaves just like high-end butter at a fraction of the price.
5. Member's Mark Cinnamon Rolls
Member's Mark is the Sam's Club brand, available exclusively at Sam's Club. The cinnamon rolls, which can be found in the bakery section, are item #1 on superfans' list. You can get 8 cinnamon rolls for $8.98, and each of them are topped with a hefty serving of sweet icing.
According to a superfan writing for Parade, you can "serve these at Sunday brunch and watch everyone fight over the last one!"
6. Member's Mark Yeast Dinner Rolls
Item #2 on the superfans' list is the yeast dinner rolls. No matter what you're making for dinner, whether it's a warm bowl of pasta or a short rib stew, the dish isn't complete without the perfect dinner roll. Something to sop up all the leftover sauce at the end of the meal, which some people may say is the best bite of them all. Point is, you can't mess up the dinner roll.
Which is why superfans are urging you to try the Member's Mark Yeast Dinner Rolls, which one fan has described as "a total hostess win!" and perfect for "holiday entertaining." You can get a pack of 24 rolls for just $3.98—a great deal!
7. Member's Mark Snow Crab Legs
While some may be weary of buying seafood, especially crab, at a wholesale store, superfans are here to assure you that these Member's Mark Snow Crab Legs are totally "worth the money" at just $1.74 per pound. As one customer put it, they're "perfect for a date night in!"
8. Member's Mark Pecan Halves
Whether you're a baker or just a snacker, these pecan halves are right up your alley. At just $11.98 for 2 pounds of nuts, as one customer put it, "If you're getting your [baking] supplies anywhere other than Sam's, you are probably paying too much."
9. Member's Mark Rotisserie Chicken
While you may have heard about Costco's famous rotisserie chicken, it's got nothing on the Member's Mark Rotisserie Chicken from Sam's Club. You can get a 3 pound bird for just $4.98 (which, may we add, is 1 cent less than the Costco rotisserie chicken).
Sam's Club superfans all unanimously agreed that this is the best hot food available, with one customer writing, "People were literally lined up waiting on these to come out of the oven, and after tasting the chicken, I can see why."
10. Member's Mark Olive Oil
Olive oil can get kind of expensive, which is why Sam's Club customers are so obsessed with the Member's Mark Olive Oil, which comes in a 3-Liter bottle for just $17.98. This might just be the best deal on this list. Customers "couldn't believe" that the "huge jug of pure olive oil" was "under 20 bucks." You won't find that price anywhere else!
11. Member's Mark Chicken Taco Kit
And finally, the Member's Mark Chicken Taco Kit. Coming in at $5.48 per pound, it includes a bunch of tortillas, seasoned shredded chicken, a yummy cabbage slaw, salsa, cilantro lime crema, and lime wedges. As one superfan put it, "If hectic weeknights have you stressing about dinner, check out these Sam's Club ready-to-eat meal kits. The chicken taco kit is the best!"
Also available is a Hawaiian pulled pork kit, a chicken enchiladas kit, and a chicken alfredo kit. Yum!
Worst Sam's Club Items
Finance Buzz’s Stacy Garrels provided insight into why some bulk purchases, like spices and diapers, may not be advantageous at Sam’s Club. Here’s a detailed look at seven items you might want to reconsider before placing them in your cart.
1. Salmon
Garrels points out that Sam’s Club sells "fresh salmon at the bargain price" of $10.98 per pound. However, Garrels concludes that "the farm-raised salmon you’ll find at the discount retailer has numerous health concerns." She adds that "farm-raised salmon contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) linked to type-2 diabetes, obesity, and increased risk of stroke." In addition, "red dye is added to color their gray-tinge flesh pink, and they also contain higher levels of saturated fat."
2. Gift Wrap
Garrels writes that buying gift wraps, "especially in holiday-themed prints," can be a "ginormous waste when purchased in packs of four or more" at Sam's Club. She goes on to say that "you’ll likely tire of the paper before you go through the entire roll, and dollar stores offer a cheaper way to get new-season variety every year."
3. Spices
Can spices go bad? Well, not necessarily—but they certainly don't taste as good after a certain amount of time. Even if you leave them unopened, ground spices will usually only last about six months. After that, they'll lose their potency and flavor. That means you may be better off buying smaller jars than choosing Sam's Club-sized spices, especially when it comes to spices you're less likely to use frequently.
4. Chicken Breast
Looking to save the most money on your dinner ingredients? If chicken's on the menu, you may be surprised to hear that Sam's Club isn't the cheapest option. In fact, Walmart may be your best bet. "Currently, prices are nearly identical, with chicken running $2.67 per pound at Walmart versus $2.68 per pound at Sam’s Club, but at times, Walmart’s savings can be even greater," Garrels writes. Noted!
5. Diapers
Not all diapers are created equal. Garrels points out that Maker's Mark diapers, sold at Sam's Club, are priced around $0.15 each. This is the same price as Target's Up & Up brand diapers. The difference, in addition to quality (Garrels says Maker's Mark diapers tend to leak), is that Target frequently runs sales on diapers. Ultimately, by stocking up at Target, you're more likely to save more money.
6. Shampoo
If you care about your hair, buying shampoo and conditioner in bulk may not be the best option—even if it does save you a few bucks. Sure, investing in Sam's Club's three-packs of mega shampoo bottles may give you the most bang for your buck, but here's the catch: those products won't work as well over time. Ultimately, this will leave you with shampoo and conditioner that doesn't quite do the trick when you get to the bottom of that lost bottle. Not only will your hair potentially look worse, but it could also become damaged.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of treasures to behold at Sam's Club, and buying bulk items form the warehouse can be a great way to cut down on your grocery spending. But not every option is a hit! Knowing what will give you the most bang (and quality) for your buck—and what to skip—is key.
Happy shopping!
