"Growing up, there were two types of moms: the ones who shopped at Costco and the ones who did not. My mom wasn’t a Costco mom, except for the rare occasion when she would borrow her best friend’s membership card (the ’90s version of sharing a Netflix password). We would take advantage of all the free samples and marvel at the variety of bulk goodies.
Fast forward a couple of decades and Costco still reigns supreme when it comes to economy-size products, but that’s not all they’re known for these days. The retailer has become popular on social media for carrying products that are veeeery similar to high-end brands but at much lower price points. Some items are even manufactured by the brand-name company and then sold under Costco’s private label Kirkland Signature.
What are these famed items you may ask? Read on for 10 Costco products that are said to be just as good as the real thing.
1. Artisan Cozy Knit Throw
Even since Barefoot Dreams’ unbelievably soft blankets took the world by storm, brands have been trying to replicate that magic. But in my humble opinion at least, none have done it as well as Costco. Let’s compare: Costco’s Artisan brand throw is 60 inches by 70 inches, made of polyester, and costs $29.99. The CozyChic Barefoot in the Wild throw is 54 inches by 72 inches, made of 100% polyester, and retails for $180. You do the math.
2. Nutrius Brazilian Body Butter
If there’s one product all the TikTok girlies swear by, it’s Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream. The fragrance, texture, and hydration are all said to be a 10/10. I haven’t tried it yet, but when I do, I’ll probably reach for Costco’s alternative instead. It comes in a pack of two 6-ounce containers for $20, which is a pretty good deal compared to $48 for the 8-ounce container at Sephora. Although some say the Nutrius lotion has a slightly different scent, both contain cupuacu butter, coconut oil, and acai oil as the main ingredients.
3. Kirkland Ladies’ Brushed Legging
The Lululemon Align Pant is a must-have item in my closet. These leggings are buttery soft, feel like a second skin, and, if they weren’t $100, I’d own them in every color. Luckily, Costco offers an alternative that is said to feel exactly like the real thing (despite being made from different materials). The Lululemon leggings are made from a mix of nylon and Lycra elastane, while the Kirkland leggings are 85% polyester and 15% spandex. But at just $14.99 a pair, the Costco version is definitely worth a shot.
4. Kirkland Signature House Blend Coffee
If you’re trying to cut back on your trips to the coffee shop, Costco has you covered. Their Kirkland Signature medium roast coffee is a tasty and cost-saving alternative to Starbucks Pike Place. A bag of Costco beans costs $18.99 for 2.5 pounds, while a bag of beans at Starbucks will set you back $13.95 per pound. And since the Kirkland Signature coffee is custom roasted by Starbucks itself, you may not be able to tell the difference!
5. Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo
Full disclosure, I love a store brand for other essentials, but when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, I’m not willing to give up on my name-brand favorites. That is, until I heard that Costco’s Kirkland Signature Moisture shampoo and conditioner is a dead ringer for Pureology’s Hydrate line. Not only do the bottles look similar, but they’re both paraben-free, 100% vegan, and color-safe. Grab a one-liter bottle at Costco for $11.99 compared to $85 on Pureology.com.
6. ThermoFlask Water Bottles
The Hydro Flask is undeniably Gen Z’s favorite water bottle, but at $50 apiece for the 40-ounce size, they don’t come cheap. For a more affordable option with a similar look, you can’t beat these ThermoFlask bottles from Costco. Similar to the better-known brand, this alternative can keep cold drinks chilled for up to 24 hours and hot beverages warm for 12 hours. Plus, each bottle comes with interchangeable lids, so you can choose between a straw or a spout. Not bad when you consider a two-pack will only set you back about $30.
7. Kirkland Signature Ladies’ Shearling Ankle Boot
Much like every other millennial woman, I’ve been obsessed with the mini Ugg boot trend lately. I haven’t gotten my hands on a pair yet, but that’s OK because I may have found something even better. Costco’s Kirkland Signature shearling ankle boots are made from real sheepskin and lined with super-soft shearling (unlike some of the options available on Amazon). I haven’t found the chestnut color at Costco yet, but once I do, I’ll definitely be grabbing a pair for only $32.99.
8. Thomasville Modular Sectional
Do you love the look of the Restoration Hardware Cloud Couch but don’t love the price tag? This sectional might be the answer to your cost-saving prayers. Priced at just under $3,000, it comes with three armless chairs, three corner chairs, and two ottomans, and it’s available in gray and white. The best part? Delivery, setup, and packaging removal are all included, courtesy of Costco.
9. Lole Belt Bag
If you’ve been patiently waiting for Lululemon to restock their very popular belt bags, wait no longer. Lolë, a Canada-based activewear brand, makes a similar style available at Costco for less than half the price. Both have an adjustable strap, a two-way zipper, two mesh interior compartments, and the exact same dimensions. Aside from the different logo, you may not be able to tell the difference.
10. Kirkland Signature Alkaline Batteries
This might not be the sexiest product comparison but bear with me. Costco’s CEO once stated in an interview that their Kirkland Signature batteries are manufactured by Duracell, which means Costco members can get brand-name quality batteries at a store-brand price. Keep in mind that a 40-pack of Duracell batteries is $20.99, but you can get a 48-pack of Kirkland Signature batteries for just $18.99. Go ahead and stock up so you’ll be prepared the next time your TV remote (or favorite sex toy) runs out of batteries.