15 Items You Should Only Buy at Sam's Club

Sam's Club members know that shopping at the retailer can be a great way to save money on groceries and other items.

But even die-hard Sam's Club fans might overlook a few opportunities to save there. Here are some affordable products to check out the next time you shop at the warehouse club.

From pantry staples and household supplies to convenient snacks and ready-to-eat foods, buying larger packages can help you avoid frequent trips to the store. It is still smart to compare the unit price with what you would pay elsewhere, especially because warehouse-club prices and promotions can change. Availability can also vary by club and online, so check your local Sam's Club before making a special trip.

One way to save on everyday essentials is to look for products with the Member's Mark label. This is Sam's Club's store brand.

For example, these paper towels come in a pack of 15 rolls of two-ply paper towels for just $20.93.

The current Sam's Club listing shows 15 mega rolls with 150 sheets per roll, or 2,250 sheets altogether. Sam's Club says the towels are two-ply, quilted, thick, absorbent, and designed with Select & Tear perforations so you can use the amount you need. The retailer also describes the 15 mega rolls as equivalent to 30 regular rolls. For a more useful price comparison, check the cost per sheet or square foot rather than comparing the number of rolls alone, since roll sizes can vary between brands.

Olive oil is always a good staple to have on hand in your pantry. 

Grab a 3-liter bottle of olive oil for $18.98 for all your cooking and baking needs.

The current Sam's Club listing identifies this as a 3-liter, or 101-fluid-ounce, bottle and lists refined olive oil and extra virgin olive oil as the ingredients. Sam's Club says it can be used for cooking, sautéing vegetables, scrambling eggs, salad dressing, and other recipes. It can also be drizzled over foods such as roasted potatoes and salads. Since a bottle this large can take time to finish, store it properly and buy this size when your household regularly uses olive oil.

Fruit snacks can be a great option when you or your family are on the go. 

Get a box of 90 packs of fruit snacks for $11.98 to keep everyone happy and energized.

The current Sam's Club listing identifies these as 0.8-ounce individual pouches. The retailer says they are made with real fruit and vegetable juice and contain no gelatin, gluten, artificial flavors, or colors from artificial sources. Each pouch contains 80 calories and provides vitamin C. The individual packages make them easy to place in lunch boxes, backpacks, or snack bags when you need something portable and fun.

A seasoned chicken from Sam's Club may be more affordable per pound than what you find at other retailers.

Get a rotisserie chicken for $4.98 to eat as a main dish. Or shred the chicken and add it as an ingredient for recipes.

Sam's Club currently describes this chicken as marinated, seasoned, and roasted, and says it is made fresh in the club daily. The retailer also lists it as containing no antibiotics ever and notes that it has 19 grams of protein per serving. Beyond serving it as a main course, you can pull the meat from the bones and use it in sandwiches, salads, soups, pasta, or other quick meals. The current listing has a 4.7-star rating from more than 73,000 ratings, making it one of the more highly reviewed items on this list.

Those who bake at home should check out these butter sticks, which come in a pack of 16 sticks of butter for $10.22.

The butter has a total weight of four pounds, so you'll never run out of butter for big baking jobs.

Sam's Club lists the butter as creamery churned, unsalted sweet cream butter made with pasteurized cream and packaged in four-ounce sticks. It is USDA Grade AA, gluten free, and kosher dairy, according to the retailer. The product can also be frozen for up to four months past the best-by date, which can make a 16-stick package easier to manage if you do not use butter quickly. Its unsalted format is particularly useful for baking because it lets you control the amount of salt in recipes.

Toilet paper is always a good item to stock at home, as you never know when you will run out.

This toilet paper comes in a pack of 45 rolls for $24.76.

The current Member's Mark Ultra Premium version contains 45 rolls with 235 sheets per roll, for a total of 10,575 sheets. Sam's Club describes the tissue as two-ply, soft and strong, with less lint, and says it is tested septic safe. The retailer also lists 1,254 square feet for the 45-roll package. When comparing toilet paper, checking sheets and total square footage can give you a clearer idea of value than comparing roll counts alone.

After a busy day, it can be nice to make an easy meal that's also affordable.

It's even better when it's already in your pantry. So, grab 18 boxes of Kraft Original Macaroni and Cheese Dinner for $14.96.

The 18-count format makes this a convenient pantry option for quick lunches, dinners, or side dishes. The product is highly rated on the retailer's site, with a 4.7-star rating from more than 10,000 ratings. For a larger household, keeping a few boxes on hand can make it easier to put together a familiar meal without an extra grocery run.

Juice boxes are perfect when you're packing lunches or want a quick sip while on the move.

This variety pack of 36 juice boxes comes in three flavors (Apple Juice, Fruit Punch, and Very Berry) and costs $11.98.

The current Sam's Club listing specifies 6.75-fluid-ounce boxes, with 12 each of Apple, Very Berry, and Fruit Punch. The retailer says the drinks contain 100% juice from concentrate, no added sugar, and no artificial flavors or colors, and are pasteurized. The individual boxes are also designed for portability, making them convenient for school lunches, day trips, and family gatherings. Sam's Club members rate the variety pack 4.8 stars based on more than 3,200 ratings.

Add some snacks to your pantry with affordable options that are also healthy for you.

This pack of snacks includes 30 bags of Cheddar Cheese, Sea Salt, and Zesty Ranch veggie straws for $13.98. That turns out to be about 47 cents per bag. 

The product has a 4.6-star rating from more than 3,000 ratings on the retailer's site. Individual bags can be useful for portioning snacks for lunches, road trips, or after-school eating. Just remember that a product being made with vegetables does not automatically make it a low-calorie food, so checking the nutrition label can help you decide how it fits into your overall diet.

If you love the taste of Red Lobster's cheddar bay biscuits, get this mix that comes in a box with four packs to make a total of 40 biscuits.

You can grab the mix for $8.48.

Sam's Club currently lists the box at 45.44 ounces and says it contains four biscuit-mix pouches plus four garlic and herb seasoning pouches, enough to make up to 40 biscuits. The mix requires additions such as shredded cheddar, water, and butter. It can be served alongside soup, chili, or a main dish, or used as a base for breakfast sandwiches. The current Sam's Club listing has a 4.8-star rating from more than 2,600 ratings, suggesting the mix remains popular with members.

Canned chicken is a great option for keeping meat on hand in your pantry at all times.

This chicken breast is great to add to dinners or use in recipes such as chicken salad or chicken stir fry. Pick up a six-pack of cans of chicken for $12.56.

The current Member's Mark product contains six 12.5-ounce cans, for 75 ounces of chicken in total. Sam's Club lists the ingredients simply as chicken breast meat, water, and salt. That straightforward ingredient list and shelf-stable format make it handy for quick meals when fresh meat is not available. It can be mixed into chicken salad, added to casseroles or pasta, folded into wraps, or used in soups and other recipes. The product currently carries a 4.7-star rating from more than 21,000 ratings on Sam's Club's site.

Chex Mix can be a great snack at home or something to grab when you're on the road.

Get a box of 42 bags of this Chex Mix product, packed with pretzels, Chex Mix cereal, and more, for $16.24.

The current Sam's Club listing identifies the bags as 1.75 ounces each and shows a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,400 ratings. Individual bags make the bulk pack convenient for lunch boxes, office snacks, travel ,and gatherings because you do not have to portion a large bag yourself. Sam's Club has also offered the 42-pack at promotional prices, but sale dates and prices can change. Comparing the per-bag price is a simple way to judge whether a warehouse-size snack pack fits your budget.

Wine drinkers should check out this Sam's Club wine, which comes in a 3-liter box for $15.97.

Remember that you don't need to be a Sam's Club member in some states to purchase wine at the retailer.

Sam's Club currently lists the Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon as a 3-liter box, equivalent to four standard 750-milliliter bottles. The retailer describes it as a full-bodied, well-balanced Cabernet with blackberry aromas and toasted-oak notes, and suggests pairing it with foods such as filet mignon, braised ribs, or mushroom pizza. Because alcohol availability and membership rules can vary by location, shoppers should check the laws and purchasing requirements that apply at their local club before buying.

Need flowers for a birthday, special occasion, or holiday? Sam's Club has you covered.

Check out the selection of roses at your local Sam's Club, which come in a bouquet of 18 stems for $15.74.

The current Member's Mark Premium Roses listing specifies 18 stems per bunch, 6-centimeter rose heads and 55-centimeter stems. The roses are grown in Ecuador and are Rainforest Alliance certified. Sam's Club members currently rate the product 4.5 stars, and recent reviews mention the flowers' appearance and staying power. Because roses are a natural product, the retailer notes that shade and color intensity can vary from the pictures, so the bouquet you receive may have slight differences from the image shown online.

A single-cup coffee maker lets you make coffee at home instead of stopping by the coffee shop, which is a great way to keep more cash in your wallet.

Sam's Club offers different flavors as part of its Member's Mark label. Get a box of 100 for $32.98.

Sam's Club currently lists a 100-count Member's Mark Single Serve Organic Coffee Cups Dark Roast option. The retailer describes it as 100% Colombian Arabica coffee with dark chocolate and roasted notes, and says it is USDA organic and Fair Trade Certified. A 100-count package can be convenient for households with frequent coffee drinkers, but shoppers should compare the per-cup cost with other coffee options before assuming a larger package is the cheapest choice. The exact flavor and availability can vary, so check your local club or online listing.

Sam's Club locations stock plenty of items at prices that can help you get ahead financially.

And don't overlook other ways to save at the retailer. For example, you might also rack up savings when you book your next vacation or order photos at Sam's Club.

The biggest savings opportunities are not always the flashiest ones. Staples that you buy repeatedly, such as paper products, pantry foods, and coffee, can add up over time when the unit price is competitive. Before buying in bulk, consider how quickly your household will use the product, whether you have enough storage space and whether the current price is actually lower than comparable options. Since Sam's Club says prices may vary in club store and online, checking the current listing before shopping can help you make a more informed decision.