6 Things You Shouldn’t Buy at Walmart

Walmart is a one-stop shop for millions of Americans. There’s a clear reason for why so many shoppers flock there, as over 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart or Sam’s Club (a Walmart-owned subsidiary). While Walmart’s products often provide consumers with great quality at an even greater value, that’s not always the case. Some of the store’s offerings fall short when it comes to both quality and cost, so it would be in your best interest to buy them elsewhere. Here are six such items.

Gift Cards

On Instagram, consumer shopping expert Jeff Rossen warned about the perils of purchasing gift cards at Walmart because the chain usually sells them at full price — a $50 gift card to a vendor will cost you $50. Instead, you should consider getting gift cards at Costco, which regularly discounts cards to a wide range of retailers at anywhere between 10% and 30%.

Fresh Produce

While a staggering 72% of Americans buy groceries at Walmart (which was also chosen as 2026’s most trusted supermarket), it’s best to steer clear of produce with a short shelf life while shopping there. This category includes berries, leafy greens, and similar foods that are prone to wilt or spoil while sitting on the shelves. Walmart customers and employees alike note how frequently produce goes bad and needs to be thrown away. More than one customer survey has ranked Walmart’s produce quality as the worst. So, stick to local farms or shops with a better reputation for their produce.

Luggage

According to a Consumer Reports survey, Walmart was the only luggage retailer to earn an “unfavorable” rating. They were derided for offering a poor selection alongside subpar customer service. Stores like Target and Marshalls ranked as “so-so” in the luggage category, while Amazon, Costco, and REI all earned higher marks.

Wooden Furniture

There’s a reason why wooden chairs, tables, and other furniture are priced cheaply at Walmart. Savings expert Carson Yarbrough has warned that Walmart’s wooden furniture is “of lesser quality than other furniture retailers”and may need to be replaced more often. Consumer analyst Julie Ramhold agreed, noting that Walmart’s wooden furniture is typically made from particleboard, a cheaper, engineered wood that’s susceptible to scuffs, scratches, and damage. And shopping expert Trae Bodge told Kiplinger’s that smaller pieces from Walmart are OK, but “I wouldn’t recommend buying an important staple piece, like a couch, dresser, or dining room table at Walmart. The quality just won’t be there. My suggestion would be to consider those larger, staple items as more of an investment and spend more so it will last you many years.”

Batteries

Walmart’s prices for batteries simply can’t compete, especially when you compare them to batteries sold by Amazon, Target, and Costco. For example, a 20-pack of Duracell AAs costs $25 at Walmart. But a 24-pack of the same type of Duracell AAs costs $15 on Amazon and $22 at Target. Perhaps best of all, you can pay $21 at Costco for 40 of the exact same battery — that’s double what you get at Walmart for less money. And while a 24-pack of AAs from Walmart’s battery brand, Great Value, will cost you $10, Costco’s Kirkland-brand batteries offer even greater value, with 48 AAs going for $17. Duracell is the company that makes Kirkland batteries, so you’re getting a similar quality for even cheaper.

Ground Beef

In 2015, Walmart’s ground beef was ranked 67 out of 68 in terms of freshness and quality in a retail survey conducted by Consumer Reports. They also have had multiple recalls of their beef, most recently in 2024 due to a risk of E. coli contamination.  A 2024 analysis conducted by the Daily Meal found that competitors like Aldi usually sold ground beef at a cheaper price than Walmart. Walmart recently cut the cost of one kind of ground beef — its 73% — to $5.94 a pound (a nearly 12% reduction). But its 80% ground beef still costs $6.26 a pound compared to Aldi’s $5.99, according to TheKitchn. You can also buy a 1-pound package of Simply Nature’s organic, grass-fed beef (15% fat) at Aldi for $5.99.

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