Dollar General vs. Dollar Tree: We Compared 6 Items To Prove the Better Value

Have you ever wondered if you should shop at Dollar General instead of Dollar Tree and vice versa?
The discount retailers tend to be neck and neck when it comes to inexpensive groceries, health and wellness products and party supplies. Sometimes the price difference only amounts to 25 cents, since certain Dollar General items cost $1 to Dollar Tree’s $1.25 price tags.
However, if you dig a little deeper into niche products, you’ll find Dollar Tree is ultimately the more affordable chain. We compared six items in several Dollar Tree departments to the same products sold at Dollar General and were surprised by the steep savings.
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1. Mugs
Price at Dollar Tree: $1.50
Price at Dollar General: $3
Cheaper mugs tend to be more readily available at Dollar Tree than at Dollar General.
Royal Norfolk’s collection of stoneware mugs retail for $1.50 apiece while virtually all mugs at DG, including mugs from Holly Williams and Dolly Parton, are $3 each. At those prices, you could buy two Dollar Tree mugs.
2. Muffin Pans
Price at Dollar Tree: $1.25
Price at Dollar General: $6.50
Dollar Tree boasts a better deal on simple six-cup muffin pans to make small batches of cupcakes and muffins.
The Cooking Concepts’ pans cost $1.25 compared to spending $6.50 for GoodCook’s jumbo six-cup pans at Dollar General.
3. Decorative Baskets
Price at Dollar Tree: $1.25
Price at Dollar General: $10
There’s no shortage of decorative baskets in stock at Dollar Tree, but the options at Dollar General are limited and expensive.
The only decorative basket we could find at DG was a $10 hyacinth storage basket. Meanwhile, shoppers have choose from plenty of baskets at Dollar Tree to fit every budget, like the weaving straw basket for $1.25 or a slightly larger $5 basket tray to organize a wide variety of materials.
4. Toilet Bowl Brush With Caddy
Price at Dollar Tree: $1.50
Price at Dollar General: $7
A toilet brush on its own is a good deal at DG since most brushes are priced at $1. But Dollar Tree offers a better bargain on toilet brush and caddy sets.
You can pick up a set from the Scrub Buddies brand for $1.50 while a Mr. Clean set from Dollar General sets shoppers back $7.
5. Electric Toothbrushes
Price at Dollar Tree: $1.25
Price at Dollar General: $7.85-$11.50
Yes, you can find electric toothbrushes for $1.25 at Dollar Tree. Travel covers are even included to make it easier to pack into carry-ons.
At Dollar General, shoppers could pay anywhere from $7.85 to $11.50 for Colgate and Oral-B brand electric toothbrushes.
6. Baby Wipes
Price at Dollar Tree: $1.25
Price at Dollar General: $1.50
Every dollar counts when you’re a parent, especially when you’re shopping for baby supplies. Shoppers can score fragrance free baby wipes at Dollar Tree and Dollar General, but the former has cheaper price tags.
A packet from the Fisher-Price brand is $1.25 while the Gentle Steps wipes costs $1.50 for only 40 wipes.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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