It can feel like a crapshoot when you’re trying to figure out what the best things to buy on Amazon are. Thanks to the dynamic pricing Amazon, Walmart, and Target engage in, many of their prices are neck and neck. If one of these retail behemoths lowers an online price, they all follow suit like sheep. (Learn how dynamic pricing works.)
That said, some things are still cheaper to buy on Amazon as a result of specific promotions Amazon offers or just knowing what brands Amazon consistently sells for less than the competition.
Remember to download the KCL app and we’ll tell you about all the best Amazon deals in real time.
1. Buy diapers on Amazon (instead of Walmart).
Walmart beats Amazon when it comes to straight-across lowest everyday prices on diapers. Meaning, if you don’t have coupons or any other ways to get discounts, Walmart wins.
But, when you use a 20% off Amazon Family discount along with a 15% off Amazon coupon and a “Buy 2, save $15” promotion, Amazon wins.
Anytime you see a promotion to stack with the Amazon Family discount, that’s the time to buy! (Learn more about Amazon Family and Subscribe & Save.)
Pampers Pure Protection diapers, 116-count, size 3
- Walmart: $39.94
- Amazon: $19.99 (see deal example below)
20% off with Subscribe & Save
Use Amazon coupon for 15% off
Buy 2, save $15
Final Price: as low as $19.88 each, when you buy 2
2. Buy replacement heads for your Sonicare toothbrush on Amazon (instead of Walmart).
Don’t even think about buying Sonicare replacement heads anywhere except Amazon. Why? Because Amazon sells generic heads. So instead of paying full price for the Sonicare brand, you can pay a fraction for a knockoff that Walmart and Target don’t offer.
For example, when you order generic DiamondClean heads on Amazon, you’ll save 69%.
3. Buy Apple Lightning to USB cords on Amazon (instead of the Apple store).
You can get a 3-foot Apple lightning charger for your iPhone at Amazon for almost $6 less than it costs at the Apple Store. Apple brand and everything!
- Amazon: $16.95 each
- Apple Store: $19 each
TIP: Skip the Apple version altogether and get a generic iPhone charger on Amazon. When you go this route, you’ll only pay $3.33 each.
4. Buy toys on Amazon (instead of Walmart).
Amazon consistently comes out ahead of Walmart on toys. The only other big competitor in this category is Costco, but only during the fall and leading into the holidays.
So, rule of thumb: If it’s not September through December, shop for toys on Amazon. During the holiday shopping season, check Costco first!
Here’s a taste of Amazon’s toy prices versus Walmart’s. (Read about the categories where Walmart smashes Amazon when it comes to prices too.)
Playdoh 10-pack
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
Scientoy Fidget Toys, 35 pieces
Amazon: $16.99
Walmart: $20.10
5. Buy copy paper on Amazon (instead of Costco).
Costco and Walmart have played tag for years when it comes to prices on copy paper. For a while Costco had the lower price, but now Amazon does.
Amazon: $3.50 per ream
Costco: $4.44 per ream
6. Buy Swedish dishcloths on Amazon (instead of Target).
via Amazon
Might as well save money while you’re saving the planet.
Swedish dishcloths are a great way to avoid paper towels. They’re reusable, sustainable, and uber cheap when you shop Amazon.
Amazon: $1.49 per cloth
Target: $2 per cloth
7. Buy water bottles on Amazon (instead of Walmart).
via Amazon
You could almost get two from Amazon for the price of one at Walmart. Almost! Nalgene water bottles are $7.30 cheaper on Amazon.
What would you add to this list? Tell me about all the sweet buys you find on Amazon in the comments!
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