The choice between shopping online and in a physical store often comes down to convenience versus cost. While brick-and-mortar stores offer immediate access and the ability to inspect items, online retailers can often provide better prices on certain products, especially non-perishable household staples. By leveraging subscription services, bulk purchasing options, and lower overhead costs, online sellers can pass savings on to consumers. For some recurring purchases, setting up an online order can be a smart financial move. Here are six common household staples that are cheaper online than in stores.
Image Source: pexels.com
1. Pet Food and Supplies
Large bags of pet food, cat litter, and other recurring pet supplies are frequently cheaper online through retailers like Amazon, Chewy, or even some pet-specific websites. Many of these sites offer a “Subscribe & Save” discount, providing an additional 5-15% off if you set up automatic, recurring deliveries. This not only saves money but also ensures you never run out of food for your furry friends. The savings on these heavy, bulky items are often significant.
2. Diapers and Baby Wipes
For parents, diapers and wipes are a constant, major expense. Online subscription services, particularly Amazon Family, can offer substantial discounts on bulk boxes of diapers and wipes. The convenience of having these bulky essentials delivered directly to your door is a huge bonus. When you combine subscription discounts with occasional online coupons, the per-diaper price is often much lower than what’s available in typical grocery or drug stores.
3. Coffee (Especially Whole Bean or Specialty)
If you’re a regular coffee drinker, buying whole bean or ground coffee online can lead to big savings. You can buy directly from local or national roasters, often getting fresher beans than what’s on the supermarket shelf. Online retailers frequently offer larger bag sizes (e.g., 2-5 pounds) that have a much lower per-pound cost. Subscribing to a coffee delivery service can also provide discounts and ensure you always have your favorite brew on hand.
4. Household Cleaning Supplies
Items like laundry detergent, dishwasher pods, trash bags, and paper towels are staples that lend themselves well to online bulk purchasing. You can often find larger quantities or more concentrated formulas online for a lower unit price than in a supermarket. Subscription services for these items ensure you’re always stocked up. Look for deals on brands you already use or consider online-only brands that offer competitive pricing by cutting out the retail middleman.
5. Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements
Image Source: pexels.com
Vitamins, protein powders, and other nutritional supplements can be significantly cheaper online. Online retailers that specialize in these products often have lower overhead and can offer much more competitive pricing than traditional drugstores or grocery stores. They also provide a wider selection of brands and formulations. Comparing prices for your preferred supplements online can often reveal substantial savings opportunities for these recurring purchases.
6. Air and Water Filters
Replacement filters for your water pitcher (like Brita), refrigerator water dispenser, or home HVAC system are perfect items to buy online. You can often find multi-packs of these filters from either the original manufacturer or reputable third-party brands for a much lower per-unit cost than buying a single filter at a physical store. Setting up a subscription ensures you remember to change them on schedule, which is important for both health and appliance maintenance.
How to Maximize Online Savings
To get the most value when buying these staples online, always try to use a subscription service if it makes sense for your usage rate. Look for stackable discounts or digital coupons. Compare prices between different online retailers. Be sure to factor in shipping costs; many services offer free shipping over a certain threshold or with a membership like Amazon Prime. Finally, only buy in quantities you can realistically store and use to avoid clutter and waste.
Strategic Online Shopping for Staples
While in-store shopping is essential for many items, strategically moving the purchase of certain recurring household staples online can result in significant cost savings and added convenience. For products like pet food, diapers, coffee, cleaning supplies, vitamins, and replacement filters, the combination of bulk availability and subscription discounts often makes online retailers the more economical choice. By identifying which staples are cheaper online than in stores, you can create an efficient, budget-friendly system that keeps your home well-stocked for less money.
What household staples do you consistently find cheaper online than in stores? What are your favorite websites or subscription services for saving money on these items? Share your tips!
Read More
8 Abandoned Retail Chains That Only Exist Online Now
13 Controversial Opinions on Buying Food Online That Might Be Spot‑On
