23 Best Dollar Tree Items to Buy (+ 5 to Avoid & 1 We Can’t Agree On)
Ever wonder what are the best things to buy at Dollar Tree? We’ve got the answers for the best Dollar Tree products.
Dollar Tree is definitely one of our fave places to shop!
If you’re still overlooking Dollar Tree items, you’re seriously missing out! There are great finds popping up every day in various departments, including brand-name goods, home decor, and even food!
Check out our list of the best things to buy for $1.25 now at Dollar Tree instead of spending more elsewhere – and see which Dollar Tree products we think you REALLY should avoid that aren’t even worth the low cost.
While many have recommended buying canned or baked goods at DT, we actually skip that due to the 25¢ increase; we’d opt for a trip to Walmart or even Target, which sells these items for usually under $1.
Check out the best Dollar Tree finds:
1. Candles and candle holders
Candles are beautiful, from their scents and packaging to the ambiance they create. But when did it start becoming popular to spend over $60 on a jar of scented wax?! 😱 Check out the selection at Dollar Tree and you’ll even find dupes for well-known scents for just a buck!
2. Planters and gardening supplies
You’ve probably seen your local hardware stores full of tools and supplies to get your garden growing. However, at Dollar Tree, you can find trowels, planters, and even soil to get things blooming for less!
Note that these products may be seasonal items at your local Dollar Tree, depending on your area’s growing season.
3. Glass vases
The assortment of cheap vases at Dollar Tree is MASSIVE — tall, short, round, square, clear, and colorful… seriously, you can find just the vase you’re looking for without paying more than the flowers.
4. Makeup and cosmetics
This one is for the beauty lovers out there! Dollar Tree’s makeup section is full of cheap finds from popular brands like e.l.f., L.A. Colors, and Wet ‘N Wild — all for only $1.25! You’ll find everything you need to fill your makeup bag on a budget.
Even sweeter, you can use coupons on Dollar Tree items for some significant savings on name-brand cosmetics! Take some time to scope out the beauty/personal care section for name-brand items mixed in with all the other stuff.
5. Organizational products
Dollar Tree’s organizational products are a must-have for any neat freak on a budget! They have everything you’ll need to put together the perfect storage solution for your space without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for plastic, canvas, or wire mesh, you’ll find a ton of organizational products in a variety of shapes and sizes.
6. Classroom supplies
Teachers, rejoice! We know you spend your own hard-earned money outfitting your classrooms to be fun and functional for your students. To make your space beautiful on a budget, give Dollar Tree a look before the school year starts. You’ll find educational decor, learning tools, classroom supplies, and more!
7. Picture frames
Dollar Tree has picture frames galore! Similar picture frames may cost $5 or more at other stores and look just the same. While they may not be the highest quality frames, they’re great for crafts and inexpensive decor. A quick tip — before purchasing, check to make sure that the hanging bracket or hook on the back is securely attached.
Hip Tip: See how Lina used Dollar Tree frames to make these lanterns! 😍
8. Greeting cards
Dollar Tree’s greeting cards are sold in-store only, but we’ve found them to be totally worth the trip! Most of the cards are just $1.25, but you’ll find some that are two for one(so roughly 62¢ each!), and we stock up on these every single time we set foot inside Dollar Tree.
These greeting cards are made by a division of the Hallmark company, so they’re surprisingly high-quality for the price. Stock up and keep them on hand for children’s birthday parties and all of life’s other occasions. You can’t beat that price!
9. Gift bags
Some of Collin’s all-time favorite Dollar Tree items are their huge assortment of gift bags! Pair one with Dollar Tree’s inexpensive tissue paper or shreds, and it’s the absolute easiest, most cost-effective way to wrap up a pretty present in no time at all!
10. Clothing storage essentials
You’ll find everything you need to help care for your clothes with the laundry essentials and storage bags from Dollar Tree! The vacuum pack bags are some of our readers’ favorites and they’ll save you big when compared to name-brand competitors.
11. Reading glasses & sunglasses
Glasses for a buck-25?! Seems like a bargain to us! 🙂 Keep your eyes peeled for prescription-strength fashion reading glasses for just $1.25 per pair, which normally sell for much more at other stores.
Also, if you’ve been known to lose or break expensive sunglasses in the past, you may want to grab a couple of pairs of $1.25 sunglasses to have on hand!
12. Hair ties & styling tools
Personally, I find myself buying more and more hair ties all the time because, before I even blink, half of them are gone! For something that women (and some men) need so often, Dollar Tree has a huge, affordable selectionof cosmetic merchandise.
13. Bread products
You really can’t beat $1.25 for name-brand bread (sold in-store only at Dollar Tree)! If it’s close to the expiration date, just throw it in the freezer. There are lots of different varieties to choose from, including multigrain loaves, mini-bagels, and tortillas. Take advantage and stock up when they have a nice selection!
14. Books
You may be able to find best-selling books at Dollar Tree priced at just $1.25 each! These books retail for much more on Amazon or at your local bookstore, so this is a great deal of new reading material.
Dollar Tree also has a pretty impressive selection of children’s books, activity books, and puzzle books for both kids and adults, all for just a buck!
15. Pregnancy tests
Why pay $8-$10 (or more!) for a pregnancy test at the drugstore when you can find pregnancy tests for just over $1 at Dollar Tree!? Most readers seem to agree that these tests work just the same as other name-brand tests.
“I can confirm that the pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree work JUST as well as the expensive ones you find at Walgreens. With my first pregnancy, I spent at LEAST $50 (probably more) on 7 pregnancy tests. With my second I wised-up and went to Dollar Tree so I could take as many tests as I wanted without breaking the bank. I got very clear results 4 days before I was supposed to take the test. I’ll never buy them anywhere else again. 🙂” – Hip reader, Briana
16. Toys and kids’ gifts
You’ll find some of your kids’ favorite characters in the aisles of Dollar Tree — seriously! These are perfect for party favors, stocking stuffers, and rewards for your kiddos. And they’ll have no idea you only paid a buck for them!
Just pay close attention to the age recommendations on these toys, as many of the smaller ones are rated for ages three and up.
“My younger two have grown out of the ‘puts everything in the mouth’ stage and are both now in the ‘constantly needs bribes to do ANYTHING’ stage. So, I bribe them with ‘credits’ that they can spend at Dollar Tree. They spend them on bubbles, balls, hula hoops, squirt guns, and other cheap toys. I know these toys aren’t going to last forever, but each child averages one ‘prize’ per week and actually cares about the toy half as long, so I don’t feel like I’m wasting money.” – Hip reader, Leighann
17. Party supplies
You’ll love the selection so much in the Dollar Tree party supply section that you’ll start celebrating in the aisle! Throw the best parties on a budget with inexpensive finds, including tableware, decorations, party favors, and so many other party essentials.
Many Dollar Tree locations also have mylar balloons that they will inflate with helium for you while you shop!
18. Holiday and seasonal buys
Spruce up your home for every season of the year without breaking the bank! You’ll have no problem finding HUGE assortments of holiday and seasonal decor, gifts, and accessories. The only issue you’ll have is finding the space to store all of your holiday Dollar Tree stuff. 🤔
“Another thing totally worth buying is the Christmas ornaments! They have absolutely BEAUTIFUL Christmas ornaments that sell out quickly. I’ve found amazing ornaments that looked like they cost way more than a dollar, and the ones that I’ve purchased get raves every Christmas.” – Hip reader, Gigi
19. Pool toys and swim goggles
Get ready for frugal fun in the sun with Dollar Tree’s selection of pool and beach toys! Since they’re bound to get lost (or take a beating during the summer), you may as well pay the least amount possible for them!
20. Pet supplies
Dollar Tree has a pet department where you can pick up supplies like collars, leashes, harnesses, grooming tools, cleanup essentials, and more. They have some fun extras too, like toys and rawhides for your furry friends!
21. Dinner plates and Serveware
The tableware selection includes some of the best finds at Dollar Tree! We’ve found their plates and dishes to be as durable as something you might spend a lot more on from another store like Target, and they seem to be of very similar quality.
For $1.25 a plate, it’s a really inexpensive way to set a pretty table for a large gathering, refresh your table setting for a new season, or just expand your collection of dishes!
Check out Dollar Tree’s serveware, too. Their serving platters and bowls are great to have on hand for potlucks, cookie exchanges, or taking a meal to someone. For such a low price, you don’t need to worry about leaving it behind, cleaning it, or getting it back!
22. Baking Pans
Enjoy various options of reusable baking pans from cookie sheets to casserole holders for only a dollar. They also sell name-brand Reynold’s Wrap aluminum foil.
23. Spices
If you love to cook, you know how expensive seasonings and spices can get. Since when do you have to pay $10 for garlic powder?! No thank you! Dollar Tree surprisingly has an entire spice section, and you’ll be able to elevate your cuisine by paying only a dollar.
Worst Dollar Tree items to buy:
1. Brand name cleaning products
These may seem like a deal, but more often than not, these cleaning products are packaged in smaller quantities than you’re used to seeing on the shelves of big-box stores. This means that you’ll actually end up paying more per ounce. 😯
Instead, look out for cleaning products from LA’s Totally Awesome and Fabuloso. Readers and reviewers LOVE these budget-friendly cleaning products from Dollar Tree. We also love buying sponges from there, too!
2. Brand name pantry foods
As with the cleaning products, either the packaging sizes for Dollar Tree’s name-brand foods are small, or the price isn’t any better than what they go for at the big box stores (especially if on sale)!
You may stumble upon a good deal from time to time, so keep your eyes open for exceptions to this rule. Sometimes you never know what you’ll find from one Dollar Tree’s merchandise selection to the next!
3. Pet food
The price per ounce on Dollar Tree’s name-brand pet foods can be much higher than if you’d bought a bulk bag at another store.
Also, experts warn about the lack of quality standards when it comes to non-name brand dollar store pet food. You may want to stick to pet stores and other retailers for larger quantity purchases and brands with stricter ingredient guidelines.
“I do not buy pet food from the dollar store. Besides being of questionable quality, it’s cheaper in bigger sizes from other stores. Also, NEVER use flea and tick products from dollar stores. I’ve seen dogs with chemical burns from cheap flea treatment.” – Hip reader, Ash
4. Brand name baby products
Brand name baby products are hit and miss, depending on the size of the product you find. Most of the time, it’s better to locate these brands at a retailer that sells them in bulk.
5. Tools
Don’t buy your tools at Dollar Tree unless you’re only planning to use them a couple of times. The quality just isn’t that great. Consider investing in a more expensive toolset during a sale (typically Memorial Day and Father’s Day have great tool offers).
That said, if you’re painting around the house and trying to avoid the time-consuming task of cleaning paintbrushes, you may want to pick some of those Dollar Tree items up. They’re so inexpensive that you won’t feel too guilty about tossing them at the end of the job, rather than trying to get them clean.
For one day of painting, they’ll work just as well as the more expensive paintbrushes you’d get at the home improvement store, and it won’t matter if they’re not built to last!
“I buy paintbrushes at Dollar Tree and that way I don’t have to clean the brushes when I’m done painting. The kids are able to help paint and if the brush gets ruined, it’s not a loss. Our house is a testament that they work fine on trim and interior corners!” – Hip reader, M
The jury’s still out on this Dollar Tree item: Batteries
We’ve received so many comments from readers saying that they’ve found Dollar Tree’s batteries to work just as well (if not better) than popular name brands. At the same time, we know that many of our readers have had a much different experience with these inexpensive batteries.
User experience varies on this one, but if you’ve never tried Dollar Tree’s batteries, it might be worth a buck to see for yourself. Maybe snag a few the next time you’re there and give ’em a try. If you do, be sure to come back and join in the debate!
“Dollar Tree’s batteries run out fast and sometimes they have no charge to them when you buy them. However, I do have to say if you need a specialty battery like the ones that look like nickels and go in things like small electronics, those are awesome to get there because you can’t beat the price and they work.” – Hip team member, Jen
“I use a lot of batteries and have done a lot of research into which batteries are the best, and it’s my conclusion that the cheaper batteries are better than the name brand batteries. They sure cost a lot less so I will continue to buy batteries at Dollar Tree. I’m very happy with them!” – Hip reader, Joan
“Dollar Tree’s regular batteries don’t last long at all. But I do like buying the lithium batteries there (the flat silver ones), as they are so expensive elsewhere. Those seem to last ok.” – Hip team member, Angela
“DT batteries seem to be OK for items that don’t need a ton of juice, like a TV remote or flashlight. But a no-go for video controllers! We bought rechargeable batteries a few years ago and it’s definitely a better investment than having to fork out $$ for batteries every few months.” – Hip reader, Mel
“I only use Dollar Tree batteries and they are fine for me. We use them for remotes, my cordless mouse, battery string lights for crafts, and battery-operated pillar candles. For that they are great! I don’t use them as the battery backup for our wired smoke alarms, as I don’t trust they will last. For those, I do buy name brands. Otherwise, I think they work well for small stuff, considering they are so cheap!” – Hip team member, Amber
Here are a few other Dollar Tree shopping tips:
- Looks can be deceiving! Compare sizes and prices to what you’d normally pay at your local grocery store after coupons. A 3-count package of size 4 Huggies diapers or a 6-load bottle of Tide Simply Clean & Fresh for $1.25 each may not end up being the best price per item/ounce.
- At Dollar Tree, you can use manufacturer’s coupons or occasional store coupons for increased savings! Plus, they accept coupons for over $1.25 on a single item, but the coupon value will be reduced to the purchase price of the item. You may find it helpful to print the store’s coupon policy and bring it with you when shopping.
- If you have issues using coupons at Dollar Tree, contact Dollar Tree customer service by phone at 1-877-530-TREE, or via the contact form to share your feedback.
Wondering where the $1 went? Dollar Tree officially raised its prices to $1.25! 🤯
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