12 Sam’s Club Snacks That Aren’t Worth the Price (Or the Cupboard Space)

Everybody loves tasty snacks, but stocking your pantry can get expensive. Buying snacks in bulk can help you get the most out of your Sam's Club membership. 

Sam's Club offers some of the best values on snacks, but this isn't universally true. There are a few offerings at this warehouse giant worth passing on. Here are the ones you should skip.

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

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Compare car insurance rates in Ohio

See if lower rates are available

Currently Insured?

Yes

No

Multiple Cars?

Yes

No

Homeowner

Yes

No

Age

30-39

• 18-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80+

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Great News! We’ve located some excellent quote options just for you.

Where can we send you info and recommendations?

Enter Email

Bundle Home & Auto to Save More?

Yes

No

Active Military?

No

Yes

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Price: $20.88

In these Pringles snack packs with 48 cups, you're paying for a lot of air, as the portion size of the potato chips is small, and it's not a smart way to save money.

You are better off buying Great Value chips from Walmart for much cheaper. 

Price: $7.84

What are the odds you'll eat 3 pounds of pretzels before they go stale? Sam's Club is a good choice for a lot of bulk buys, but unless you're buying enough pretzels to feed a small army, give this giant jug a pass.

Price: $6.58

We love healthy, tasty snacks, but this one is beyond overpriced. You are better off buying microwaveable popcorn that will last you a few movie nights instead of this heavily priced popcorn.

Price: $9.98

These dried fruits don't come with extra sugar, but they do come with a hefty price tag and poor reviews. Buyers note that they live up to the "ugly" moniker; both the appearance and taste are unappealing. At least there's truth in advertising.

Price: $9.98

If you look at the ingredients on these, they're literally cookie dough with some protein powder mixed in. And at about $10 for 14 cookie dough balls, it's a whole lot cheaper to make your own.

Price: $6.98

This $7 bag of snacks contains only half a pound of veggies. They contain 40% less fat than potato chips, but if you're truly interested in a healthy, cost-effective snack, just buy some fresh veggies instead.

Price: $5.98

These crisps might make you feel good because they are made from more exotic ingredients, but these are potato chips, and expensive ones at that.

A similarly priced bag of chips from Member's Mark Wavy Potatoes is about half the price, and surprisingly has a strikingly similar nutritional label.

Price: $12.98

Yes, they have a few more grams of protein than the average granola bar, but these bars are $0.65 each. Even high-end brands like KIND only run $0.40 per bar.

Price: $9.34

These fruit twists are extremely similar to fruit leather, just at a higher price. Skip the fruit twists and pick up Member's Mark Fruit Strips instead; the package has twice as many snacks for the same price.

Price: $9.98

This trail mix looks delicious, but it is overpriced compared to other brands. For instance,

Kroger and Walmart have several tasty trail mix flavors, all at a lower price per ounce than this Sam's Club version.

Price: $9.24

There's an element of convenience at play with these snack packs, but it's a tiny portion of cheese and crackers. Most of what you're paying for is the plastic container.

Getting a block of cheese, a box of crackers, and a few reusable snack containers would be much more economical, not to mention environmentally friendly.

Price: $10.98

Yes, granola tends to be expensive. But at $0.83 an ounce, these snack packs are more than double what you'd pay for every other offering of granola that Sam's Club has, like Honey Almond Granola, 32 ounces for $6.48.

Rather than getting these snack packs, just grab a handful from your favorite bag of granola instead.

Shopping at Sam's Club is a great way to save money on groceries, which includes buying snacks. However, it's still important to compare prices and understand what you're paying for. Some "healthy" brands aren't all they appear to be. 

Instead, be a savvy shopper by using the best credit cards to earn cash back and writing a smart shopping list to avoid impulse buys.