14 Things Retirees Should Never Buy at Walmart

Retirement gives you time and freedom. But it can limit your spending power, making you turn to discount big-box retailers like Walmart just to keep your budget in check.

Yes, you can save money at Walmart on everyday essentials and bargain-priced basics. While the superstore has deals galore, some of these items aren't the best options for retirees. From overpriced products to bulky buys that are challenging to store, here are 14 questionable selections you might want to avoid.

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

Price: $0.50

The price is right, but quality issues could outweigh the value. These polypropylene cups look more like something that belongs at a child's birthday than on your dinner table.

Instead of wasting cash on this plastic pick, score an eight-count set of Mainstays' Louisa Glass Drinkware. The stylish under-$10 set has a subtle sophistication that will impress your guests.

Each glass holds 18 ounces and has a retro design with a sturdy base. The set has a 4.7-star rating, and one reviewer called the glasses heavy-duty.

Price: $24.37

Why spend your savings on an alarm when you already have one in your phone? Even though this clock features white-noise sleep sounds, a timer, and dual alarms, you can download free apps that do the same and save $24.

The clock offers eight sleep sounds, including ocean, rain, campfire, and brown noise, plus a four-step dimmer and an adjustable arm that projects the time onto your wall or ceiling. 

Reviews are mixed. It has a 3.9-star rating from more than 1,100 Walmart shoppers, and 139 gave it just one star. One reviewer who liked it still noted that the display is very bright at night and lights up the room.

Price: $22.48

If you have an extra $20 $22 for a 14.25-by-11.25-by-8.5-inch woven basket, this buy is a better deal than what you could find in an upscale retailer. The medium white rope basket has two loop handles and a metal frame inside, so it holds its shape. 

It's rated 4.7 stars by about 1,600 reviewers, and one shopper said it looks like something from Crate & Barrel at a fraction of the price. But you could find better uses for your retirement fund.

Walmart also sells fabric storage cubes (from Mainstays) for under $5 and Sterilite plastic totes for as low as $4.98. The Mainstays cubes are collapsible, so you can fold them away when you don't need them, and the 18-gallon Sterilite tote comes with a snap-on lid.

Price: $37.97

The 10-piece Duraglas set features extra-thick silicone lids, sleeves, and a leak-proof design. And while this kitchenware item is durable, it's also bulky, overpriced, and too large for empty nesters. 

The set includes five 3.4-cup glass containers with airtight plastic lids, and the listing puts the set's weight at 8.58 pounds. Reviewers give it 4.7 stars and like it for weekly meal prep, but if you're cooking for one or two, five large containers may be more than you need.

Save money by snagging the brand's smaller eight-piece set for $28.62, or get Mainstays' 14-count Plastic Rainbow Food Storage Set for $6.47. The Mainstays set is designed for leftovers and reheating and has a 4.6-star rating from more than 10,000 reviewers.

Price: $138

Vacuum sealers can reduce food waste, saving you money over time. But that doesn't mean you should break the bank on a pricey model. The Nesco VS-12 has dry, moist, and double seal settings, a gentle pressure option for soft foods, and an accessory port for canisters, which are sold separately. 

It has a 4.4-star rating from more than 1,000 reviewers, but it weighs about 6 pounds and takes up counter space. We found an easy-to-use lighter-weight mini handheld model from FoodSaver at Walmart for under $50. 

The cordless FoodSaver Mini Handheld Vacuum Sealer costs $49.98, weighs less than a pound, and comes with a charging dock. It also has a marinate mode and works with FoodSaver accessories, including bottle stoppers and containers.

Price: $50

Planning a party? This 30-piece chafing set doesn't justify the high price. The kit includes wire racks, aluminum pans, water pans, lids, gel fuel, serving spoons, and forks. 

The set has a 4.5-star average, but several low-rated reviews mention missing utensils or pans that arrived damaged. One Walmart customer complained, "These were not worth $50. They are cheap and flimsy. I do not recommend."

If you're short on cash, consider dollar store buffet supplies instead of overspending on this bulk buy. Or, if you're hosting a smaller gathering, Party Dimensions also sells a 10-piece disposable chafing buffet set with gel fuel at Walmart for $19.97.

Price: $102

A 10-by-10-foot pop-up canopy is perfect for parties and other outdoor gatherings. This straight-leg model provides 100 square feet of shade with a UV 50+ top, and its Simple Push design lets one person extend the frame. 

At just over 34 pounds, carrying this tent could pose a challenge for anyone with mobility issues, back strain, or difficulty lifting heavy items. It has a 4.1-star rating, but one reviewer put it plainly: "Seniors require assistance." 

Before you invest in this $100-plus option, make sure you can move it easily. If you don't need straight legs, Ozark Trail's 10-by-10-foot slant-leg canopies start at $54.17.

Space is often at a premium for retirees. If you've recently downsized, storing this 12-count of Super Mega rolls could pose a problem. 

Charmin says each Super Mega roll equals six regular rolls, so this pack holds 4,356 sheets in all. That's a lot of bulk for a small linen closet. Shoppers rate it 4.7 stars and praise its strength, and the 2-ply paper is septic-safe. But if storage space is tight, a smaller pack may make more sense. 

Walmart sells Charmin Ultra Strong in a 12-count of Mega Rolls for $14.97, which is easier to fit under a bathroom sink or on a closet shelf.

Price: $14.97

Less than $15 for two 12-ounce bottles of insecticide may seem like a bulk buy deal.

Hint: Take a closer look at how this spray works before you spend $14.97 of your retirement savings on this pest product. The liquid only kills on contact. And while it works, you might have to waste your day waiting for bugs to walk or fly by.

On the plus side, Zevo's formula uses cornmint and rosemary essential oils and is safe to use around people and pets when used as directed. The two-pack has a 4.6-star rating, though one reviewer noted the spray top leaks. If you only need one bottle, a single 12-ounce Zevo spray costs $7.97.

Price: $39.98

Retirees on a fixed income may not have wiggle room in their budget for a nearly $40 two-slice toaster. Created by Drew Barrymore, it has a touch-activated display, seven browning settings, and bagel, frozen, and reheat presets. 

It's a fan favorite with a 4.5-star rating from more than 15,000 reviewers, though one wished they could turn down the loud beep at the end of each cycle.

If you're looking to save on small kitchen appliances, skip this item and snag the Mainstays version for $12.33. It has six shade settings, a removable crumb tray, and a 4.4-star rating from more than 14,000 reviewers.

Price: $148

Between the 107.14-pound bulky box, complicated setup instructions, and a pile of one-star reviews, this four-drawer dresser isn't the best use of your money. 

Take it from Walmart customer Allyah, who writes, "Falls apart so easily I don't recommend using this at all, and bought this not even a year ago and it's already in the trash." 

The dresser now holds a 4.5-star average, but more than 200 shoppers gave it one star, with complaints about drawers coming apart and parts arriving damaged. It's made of wood composite, and one reviewer warned that it can swell if it gets wet. Walmart says one person can assemble it, but that's a lot to ask with a dresser that weighs 96 pounds.

Price: $1.58

It's a classic baking basic that can also keep your home clean, freshen the fridge, and more. That said, you don't need to overpay just to get a brand name. Swap this pricy pick for Walmart's generic version. A one-pound box from Great Value costs $1. 

Arm & Hammer's 1-pound box has a 4.8-star rating from more than 10,000 reviewers, who use it for everything from baking to deodorizing the freezer. But baking soda is sodium bicarbonate no matter whose name is on the box. 

The Great Value version saves you 58 cents a box and has a 4.7-star rating from more than 13,000 reviewers.

Price: $23.95

Salon and specialty store shampoo products aren't budget-friendly beauty buys. For nearly $24, this 8.5-ounce bottle isn't worth the extra cash. 

The sulfate-free formula is designed to strengthen hair bonds and reduce frizz, but Olaplex recommends pairing it with its No. 3 treatment and No. 5 conditioner, both sold separately, so the cost can add up quickly. 

In comparison, you can score 13 ounces of OGX's Repair and Protect Bond Protein Repair Shampoo for $6.97 (also at Walmart). That works out to about 54 cents an ounce, compared with roughly $2.82 an ounce for Olaplex. The OGX shampoo has a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,600 reviewers.

Price: $6.96

Brand-name batteries are budget breakers. Compare $6.24 for eight Energizer Max AAs to $3.77 for the same quantity from Walmart's Great Value private label line. 

Energizer Max batteries are rated at 3,000 mAh and are designed to help protect devices from leaks, and Energizer says they last up to 12 years in storage. Great Value AAs are rated at 2,600 mAh and hold their power for up to 10 years in storage. 

Both have 4.7-star ratings, and one Great Value reviewer said they're just as good as Duracell at half the cost. For everyday devices like remotes and clocks, the store brand is a smart place to save.

Even though Walmart has plenty of bargains that offer serious savings, you need to shop wisely. The wrong choices could break your budget — or your back.

How can you avoid wasting money at Walmart? Along with skipping some of the items on our list, look for "Rollbacks," use the retailer's app or website to find the best prices, and consider investing in a Walmart+ membership.

It costs $98 a year and includes free delivery, among other perks. Walmart says annual members save an average of about $380 a year, not counting the fee. If you receive qualifying government assistance, you can join Walmart+ Assist for $49 a year.