I Brought the Same Shopping List To Home Depot & Lowes - Here's Who Was The Clear Winner

The Home Depot and Lowe's both offer affordable deals on everything from paint to potting soil. So, where can you find the best bargains?

Whether you're an avid DIYer or just want to pick up a few tools, you need to know which of these superstores makes it easy to keep more cash in your wallet. That's why I took the same list to both The Home Depot and Lowe's.

After hunting for the lowest prices, one was the clear winner. But you'll have to keep reading to find out how you can save money on all of your home improvement needs.

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

Cleaning supplies

Winner: Lowe's

While The Home Depot and Lowe's are known as home improvement stores, they both also have sizable selections of cleaning products. But which store has the lower price on a sanitizing staple?

I shopped for one of the most common household items, bleach. Instead of choosing brand-name buys, I opted for The Home Depot's private-label HDX generic ($6.48 for 121 ounces). Lowe's Moxie brand costs less ($5.98 for 121 ounces).

Power drills

Winner: Home Depot

Power tools, like drills, are DIY staples. When it comes to this type of tool, it's important to compare like items.

A basic drill without a battery or charger will cost less than a full combo kit. That's why I looked at two almost identical items. Ryobi's 18V Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver with 18V 2.0 Ah High Performance Battery and Charger sells for $99 at The Home Depot. A similar selection from Bosch costs $119 at Lowe's.

Interior paint

Winner: Home Depot

Like power tools, paint is an apples-and-oranges type of product. You need to compare the type, sheen, and quantity to get a full picture of the value.

I chose one gallon of Glidden Premium Interior Paint + Primer (eggshell) at The Home Depot and the same size can in the same sheen from Valspar at Lowe's. The Home Depot won this race at $30.98 versus $44.98.

Soil

Winner: Home Depot

Whether you're potting plants indoors or working outside in the garden, soil shouldn't break the bank. And at The Home Depot, it doesn't have to. I found a 32-quart bag of Vigoro All-Purpose Potting Soil Mix for Indoor or Outdoor Use priced at $7.97. Lowe's sells Sta-Green's version (also 32 quarts) for over $1 more ($8.98).

Kitchen appliances

Winner: Home Depot

Fridges, dishwashers, ranges, and ovens are all affordable options shoppers find at both of these home improvement retailers. As with other items, prices vary by design, size, and brand. You could score a lower-end fridge with no or basic features for a few hundred dollars. But a higher-end smart product could set you back well over $1,000.

I priced Frigidaire's 36-inch, 26-cubic-foot stainless steel side-by-side fridge at The Home Depot. The popular product has a rating of over 4 stars and sells for $1,259. Lowe's has an almost identical Frigidaire model for $1,599.

Showerheads

Winner: Lowe's

Replacing a showerhead is a cheap and easy way to update your bathroom. I spotted a six-spray fixed showerhead from Delta in an elegant chrome finish at The Home Depot for $21.98. Lowe's beat this price by charging $19.98 for the same item.

Tile

Winner: Home Depot

A DIY flooring project can save you serious cash, especially if you know where to buy affordable tile. Ornate patterned pieces, like The Home Depot's Bedrosians Casablanca ceramic tile, could cost $9 or more. That's why I checked out a lower-priced option.

The Home Depot also sells TrafficMaster's beige 12-by-24-inch matte ceramic stone tile for $0.97 (per square foot). A similar style from StainMaster costs $1.89 at Lowe's.

Carpeting

Winner: Home Depot

Tile isn't the only type of flooring you can buy at these big-box home stores. If you're looking for a basic bargain, you can score TrafficMaster's Hartsfield Skypoint beige polyester-textured carpet for $1.14 per square foot at The Home Depot. Lowe's sells a similar product from Style Selections for $1.38 per square foot.

Smoke detectors

Winner: Home Depot

Home safety is essential. Both of these retailers have sizable stocks of smoke, carbon monoxide, and combo detectors. I checked prices on basic models and found a Kidde four-inch compact battery-powered smoke detector with a photoelectric sensor for $18.97 at The Home Depot. Lowe's sells First Alert's battery-operated model for $32.98.

Hand tools

Winner: Home Depot

Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, ratchets, and other hand tools are DIYer staples that homeowners use for everything from minor plumbing projects to more complex repairs. If you're in the market for something simple, like a six-inch wrench, The Home Depot sells one made by Stanley for $5.97. You'll pay $16.98 for Craftsman's adjustable wrench at Lowe's.

Toilets

Winner: Tie

I shopped for nearly identical toilets at both stores and found a basic one-piece elongated Glacier Bay model for $179 at Home Depot. Laporte's version was also $179 at Lowe's, making this price showdown a wash.

Kitchen sink faucets

Winner: Home Depot

A new sink faucet adds a special sparkle to your kitchen. Elevate the area with Glacier Bay's Sadira Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet. The stainless steel model costs $59 at The Home Depot. In comparison, Lowe's sells a comparable fixture from Project Source for over $89.

Bottom line

So there you have it. The Home Depot came out on top as the less expensive home improvement retailer. That said, both offer price match guarantees on eligible items. See your local store or visit the brand's websites for the fine print.

While The Home Depot has better deals than Lowe's on paint, power tools, and more, bargain shopping isn't the only way that I save money at this store. What's my favorite trick? I use the best cash back credit cards and put my purchases to work.

You May Also Like

$200 Bonus + Up to 5% Cash Back

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Member FDIC

SPONSORED

11 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

By FinanceBuzz Editors

10 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of

By FinanceBuzz Editors

How To Save Money on Car Insurance: 12 Ways to Lower Rates

By Elyssa Kirkham

19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

By Team FBZ

2026 Award Winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Benefits Card Details

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Apply Now

• Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Apply Now

on Wells Fargo's secure website

Rates and fees

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

+ -

Why we like it

• If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card could be a good option for you. Card members can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

• This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.

• Apply Now

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms