The 13 Worst Grocery Items To Get At Walmart (Don’t Waste Your Money)

Walmart may be known for its budget-friendly prices, but not all groceries at the retail giant are well priced, or when they are, worth the savings. 

Some products spoil quickly, are not fresh, or are priced higher than at competing retailers. If you're not careful, you could end up with lower-quality food while spending more than you need to.

By avoiding these common grocery pitfalls, you can make smarter choices and keep your budget in check. Save money on Walmart essentials by skipping these disappointing items.

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

Price: $6.74

Marketside's organic apples at Walmart often lack the freshness found at stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.

One customer even reported that these apples "tasted like poison."

Price: $1.42

Great Value white bread tends to be dry and goes stale quickly. Even name-brand loaves at Walmart seem to have shorter shelf lives than those bought at grocery chains like Kroger or Safeway.

Walmart reviewer Joseph states that the Walmart bread "molds a couple days after purchasing and usually has to just has to be thrown away."

Price: $4.58

Walmart's Marketside Cut Watermelon is overpriced and prone to spoiling quickly.

You'll save money and get a fresher product by buying Aldi's pre-cut watermelon for only $4.25, which is fresher and cheaper.

Price: $6.42

Walmart's Great Value frozen tilapia is often lower quality than what you'd find at specialty grocers.

One shopper shared that "there were tons of tiny bones" in these fish when the product was supposed to be boneless.

Price: $5.97

While rotisserie chickens are a convenient meal option, Walmart's tend to be smaller, drier, and less flavorful than those from other stores.

For a better value, opt for a larger, juicier bird at Sam's Club, for only $4.98.

Price: $5.94

Many Walmart locations sell 73% lean ground beef packs, which contain added water and fillers, making them less flavorful and more prone to shrinkage during cooking.

You would be better off purchasing Aldi's healthier 85% lean alternative for $5.89 per pound. 

Price: $2.88

Milk from Walmart's Great Value brand often has shorter expiration dates and inconsistent quality.

One reviewer revealed that their milk "spoiled quickly, well before the expiration date."

Price: $5.44

While Walmart does offer name-brand coffee, its Great Value Classic Roast tends to taste stale or bitter, and the cans are often not full.

One Walmart customer stated that the ground coffee they received "was halfway full of coffee in the can."

Price: $7.92

Although Walmart usually offers cheaper alternatives, its spices, such as garlic powder, tend to be more expensive than those at other stores like Aldi.

Walmart's McCormick garlic powder costs 90 cents per ounce, while Aldi's Stonemill garlic powder is a steal at only 40 cents per ounce.

Price: $2.97

Great Value frozen lasagna is often overpriced and lower in quality compared to similar products at other retailers.

The Dollar Tree offers a similar single-serve lasagna for only $1.25, making it the more budget-friendly option.

Price: $3.47

Walmart's bakery items, including Freshness Guaranteed chocolate chip cookies, often have a lot of excessive preservatives and chemicals in them, which are supposed to preserve them for longer, but do not always do that.

One Walmart reviewer named Gregory wrote that he "just opened the package this morning and all the cookies are hard as a rock."

Price: $1.93

Walmart's Great Value Frosted Flakes are often priced better than name brands but lack the same crisp texture and flavor. They are often stale and not of the high quality you are looking for.

Walmart customer Kayla states that she "found these pieces of what seem to be rubber in the cereal."

Price: $9.82

Great Value mixed nuts at Walmart are often more expensive than similar options at other grocery stores.

Aldi's Southern Grove Mixed Nuts are very close in amount and are a bargain price at only $5.49, which is a much better way to save money shopping. 

While Walmart offers competitive prices on many household essentials, its grocery selection often falls short in terms of quality, freshness, and value. Shopping smart means knowing when to look elsewhere for better deals.

If you're looking to save money on groceries, consider discount grocers, warehouse clubs, and local markets for fresher, higher-quality alternatives. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you.