15 Things You Should Get at Sam's Club Before Costco

Many households want to choose between a Sam's Club membership and a Costco membership when it comes to saving money on groceries and household essentials. You may make the easy choice and go with both, but you would likely rather avoid overspending on annual fees.

So, how can you pick the one who offers the best overall pricing? To get a better idea of what's most affordable at these retailers, we compared several bulk items found around the warehouses.

Here are 12 essential items that Sam's Club offers for a better deal than Costco.

Editor's note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Sam's Club Price: $29.98

If you're a Tide POD type of person, you can get a 156-count box at Sam's Club for $29.98. At Costco, you'll get 156 pods for $33.79.

For fabric softener, if you choose Downy Liquid Fabric Softener, you'll get the same 251-load, 170-ounce bottle for $10.98 at Sam's Club, which will cost you $16.99 at Costco.

Sam's Club Price: $37.98

No one likes overspending on dog food. At Costco, a 40-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Dog Food will cost you about $46.99. That's the company's store brand.

At Sam's Club, a 35-pound bag (slightly less) of Member's Mark Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food costs only $37.98. If you're looking for a name brand, Costco doesn't offer nearly the selection, either.

Sam's Club Price: $18.48

If you're stocking up on single-serving size chips, the Frito Lay Classic Mix, 1-ounce Variety Pack with 54 bags at Costco will cost $22.99.

You'll get a few less at Sam's Club, but their Frito Lay Classic Mix Variety Pack Chips (a 50-pack) cost $18.48 instead. Plus, it's currently on sale $2 off, so you can unlock the true value of your membership by taking advantage of the recurrent discounts offered as well. 

Sam's Club Price: $18.98

Jasmine rice can last for years in the pantry, and that's a good thing since these packages are often 25 pounds. At Sam's Club, you'll spend $18.98 for the bag, or about $0.76 per pound.

Though the brand is different at Costco, you'll pay $23.99 for 25 pounds, or about $0.96 per pound.

Sam's Club Price: $32.98

The cost of those little pods of coffee that you depend on to get you through the day can seem incredible, but it may be possible to save some money. If you're not too picky about brands, consider this purchase.

If you choose Sam's Club's generic product, the Member's Mark Classic Variety Pack Coffee Pods, you'll get more flavor options. A 100-count case costs just $32.98. That's $0.33 per pod.

Kirkland Signature Coffee Organic Pacific Bold in K-Cup Pods is $41.99 at Costco for a 120-pack. That's $0.35 per pod.

Sam's Club Price: $14.68

If you're loading up the snack cupboard or prepping for school lunches, cookies in handy pouches are a must. At Costco, an Oreo Cookies Variety Pack will cost about $16.99 for 60 packages.

If you want to change things up a little, the Nabisco Sweet Treats Variety Pack at Sam's Club includes two types of Oreo and Chips Ahoy! It will cost just $14.68 for a 60-pack. Who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies?

Sam's Club Price: $15.48

Stocking up on soda can be expensive. Shop smart, and you could save. Though other retailers may offer a loss leader or two from time to time, if there are no good deals, head to Sam's Club.

At Costco, you'll spend $18.89 for a 30-count of Pepsi Mini. Alternatively, you can get the same 30-pack at Sam's Club for $15.48.

Sam's Club Price: $12.98

Everyone has a few cans of chicken noodle soup in the pantry for those days when you just feel off.

If you're a traditional Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup user, you'll spend just $12.98 on a 12 count of the 10.75-ounce cans.

Now, here's the catch at Costco. You can buy a 12-count Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup package for $15.99 for the exact same product.

Sam's Club Price: $9.98

It has to be the fastest breakfast and snack choice for kids who love sugar, but Pop-Tarts can also be expensive.

Shopping at Costco, you can choose between the Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon or the Frosted Strawberry 48-count packages for $12.49.

That's not too bad, but at Sam's Club, the cost is just $9.98 for the same size package.

Sam's Club Price: $10.88

An important source of protein and a good afternoon pick-me-up, Planters Variety Pack Cashew & Peanuts, 24 packages at Sam's Club, is a good bargain at $10.88.

At Costco, that same variety pack costs $12.99 instead. Both have the same three varieties of nuts.

Sam's Club Price: $16.28

It's the fuel for long sports games. If you need to stock up, a 28-pack of Gatorade Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Variety Pack costs $16.28.

If you head over to the other warehouse club, you'll spend $18.99 on the same flavor combination.

Sam's Club Price: $15.96

A great baseball game pick-me-up is Nature Valley Protein Bars. At Costco, you'll pay $18.99 for a 30-count pack of the Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Protein Chewy Bars.

Over at Sam's Club, the same bars and 30-count package will cost you just $15.96.

Sam's Club Price: $29.88

A 30-count package of full-size M&M's, Skittles, and other Candy Bars Variety Package is a hefty $33.99 over at Costco.

If you're not so picky about the flavors, go to Sam's Club instead. A 30-pack of Mars Full Size Associated Chocolate Candy Bars will cost you $29.88.

The difference is that the Sam's Club package doesn't offer Skittles or Starburst like the Costco variety pack.

Sam's Club price: $9.98

Crackers are a must-have. Get a big, 18-count package of RITZ Original Crackers at Sam's Club for just $9.98.

You'll pay several dollars more than Costco for the same product. Their 18-count package of RITZ Crackers costs $12.49.

Sam's Club price: $119.98

It's not just food that's less expensive at Sam's Club. Side-by-side, you'll find TVs, laptops, and toys that are often marked lower as well.

Consider a four-pack of Lifetime Folding Chairs. At Costco, you'll pay $149.99 for those chairs. At Sam's Club, you get Lifetime Commercial Grade Contoured Folding Chairs in assorted colors for $119.98 for four pieces.

The great news is that you can do this comparison shopping for all your favorite products on their websites.

That means you can make sure you're heading to the warehouse club that helps keep your shopping bill down based on the products and brands you love.

It's not always going to be Sam's Club either, but with a few extra minutes, you can save yourself time and money.