These overrated Kirkland items are a hard pass for The Price Makers!
Costco is renowned for its savings deals and wide range of products. But the Kirkland Signature brand constantly gets our special attention. This label offers quality comparable to leading national brands and often at a fraction of the cost.
That being said, with some Kirkland goods, you’re better off going to another store if you want to save on everyday essentials. Walmart, Target, or your local grocery store may have a better deal on the name-brand version. And hey… we get it!
It’s easy to be lured by the significant quantities and low prices. But it’s also important to consider quality and whether or not you really need that item.
From groceries to everyday household essentials, some products seem to be missing the mark regarding value or quality. So, on that note, here are 9 overrated Kirkland items that are not worth the hype at Costco.
Overrated Kirkland item: Plastic Wrap
A good buy on plastic wrap may seem like a win. But it isn’t if using it turns out to be more frustrating than helpful. While the plastic wrap offered by Kirkland is affordable, it has some problems.
The issue is that it gets stuck quite a bit inside its box, meaning you have to take the roll-out of the box, extend it yourself, and cut it off. This can be very time-consuming and, quite frankly, annoying.
It might sound like we’re splitting hairs, but we hear the Kroger brand is much better. One shopper said the Kirkland Signature Plastic Wrap is also hard to cut, which adds to the frustration.
Overrated Kirkland item: Chocolate Chips
A quality chocolate chip with a rich taste and the perfect amount of meltiness can make a big difference in the taste of your homemade baked goods, which is why you should pass on the Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chips.
They don’t even come close to meeting expectations. Shoppers claim they have a weak chocolate flavor that tastes artificial. Also, the chips don’t melt when baking brownies or cookies.
So this is one of those times we think it’s better to spend extra on Nestle or Ghirardelli for gourmet quality. One shopper even said that the Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chips have an “oddly fruity odor and taste.”
Overrated Kirkland item: Detergent
Unless you’re doing endless loads of laundry, you should probably avoid buying detergent in bulk since they only possess their cleaning power for about six months to a year, according to cleaning experts.
Also, other stores tend to have more coupons and deals for detergent than this warehouse club. One shopper found a detergent deal that equals $0.03 per load compared to Kirkland’s $0.115.
The Kirkland Signature Gel dishwashing detergent is also a minor miss, and it has a poor overall score in Consumer Reports.
Overrated Kirkland item: Frozen Vegetables
Frozen veggies can be a significant timesaver when you’re cooking in the kitchen. But depending on which brand you buy, they can also be a hit or miss. In this case, they’re definitely a miss.
One reader said that the produce inside the bag seemed low quality, and many batches she tried were too mushy when cooked. She also stated that the flavors were bland and the textures off-putting. Many folks prefer frozen vegetables from Green Giant or Birds Eye.
Overrated Kirkland item: Protein Bars
Protein bars can get pretty expensive and take a massive bite out of your monthly budget if you buy them regularly. So we get why the well-priced Kirkland protein bars can be tempting. But trust us… they’re not worth it.
In this case, the Kirkland brand has a limited choice of flavors, and according to some consumers, the taste is just “off.” You’ll find a better selection at Publix, just at undiscounted prices. But if you eat protein bars regularly, paying more is worth it.
Some Reddit users agree that Kirkland Signature Protein Bars are not worth it. One shopper even said that they’ve bought dozens of boxes of these bars and have to microwave them for a few seconds before eating because otherwise, they’re so hard they’re inedible.
Overrated Kirkland item: Paper Towels
If you used to be a fan of Kirkland paper towels but haven’t used them in a while, you should know that the quality has changed. And if you’re a fan of premium paper towels, the Kirkland Signature variety may not be up to your standards.
Most shoppers say that they’re thin and flimsy, so they’ll allow moisture and grease to soak through them fast. They also mentioned lint residue after wiping down surfaces with Kirkland paper towels.
We recommend saving yourself the hassle and spending a bit more for Brawny or Bounty if you’re looking for more absorbency.
Overrated Kirkland item: Salad Dressing
Buying your salad dressing in bulk can be a clever move to save some extra cash if you eat a lot of salads. But, according to a shopping expert, Kirkland salad dressings miss the mark… by a lot! Kirkland salad dressing, as a whole, isn’t all that great.
There’s not much taste to be enjoyed, and if you ever look at the ingredient label, they’re packed with preservatives and additives, probably to extend the shelf life.
Our readers say you may have much better success with the salad dressings at Aldi. Apparently, they’re much higher quality and a better price than the Kirkland salad dressings at Costco.
Overrated Kirkland item: Vitamins
Costly routine purchases like vitamins need to be worth it. Still, according to a lifestyle expert and frequent Costco shopper, the warehouse club’s house brand vitamins simply don’t measure up.
And we discovered that Kirkland Signature Vitamins contain lower quality ingredients than some name brands after comparing labels. Also, many have complained of experiencing nausea and stomach pains when they took them.
That’s why it might be better to spend a bit more on a respected vitamin brand. Another thing: one consumer told us that they bought the Costco adult gummy vitamins and found them stuck together in one big chunk. A few other customers chimed in with the same experience.
So if you regularly take vitamins and prefer the gummy versions, we recommend skipping this overrated Kirkland item and going with THIS option from Amazon instead.
Overrated Kirkland item: Rice
Here’s a hot tip you might not have known: You can find better deals for rice at ethnic supermarkets. You’ll likely see a 25-pound bag of rice for 15 bucks at your neighborhood store. That’s roughly 35% less than the Costco price of $40.
In addition to the price discrepancy, rice and other whole grains contain oil that adheres to the grain and could cause them to go rancid much faster.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the next time you shop at Costco, think carefully before reaching for any of the Kirkland Signature items we mentioned in this post. Even though many products from this brand offer fantastic quality and savings, some items simply aren’t worth it.
And due to the bulk-size quantities the warehouse club is known for, you could save money and product if you like the item.
That being said, everyone has their own opinion, and someone else may have a more favorable opinion of what one person doesn’t want or think is worth grabbing. They may even go so far as to say it’s a must-have when they shop at Costco.
So, what are your thoughts on the matter? What are the MUST-BUY staples on your list, and which overrated Kirkland items do you think we should stay away from? Please feel free to let us know in the comments section.
And if you liked this article on overrated Kirkland items, we highly recommend you also read: 6 Best Grocery Delivery Services to Use RIGHT NOW!
