Sam’s Club vs Costco 2026: Which Membership Actually Saves More
Warehouse club math only works if you actually shop the deals, not just the sticker price on the membership card. This guide breaks down what Sam’s Club members are actually paying right now on real markdowns, weighs that against what a Costco card gets you, and tells you which one is worth your money in 2026. TL;DR: if you value Scan & Go checkout, frequent Instant Savings events, and surprise markdowns on big-ticket gear, Sam’s Club Plus is our top pick for most families.
Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best Overall: Sam’s Club Plus Membership — unlocks free shipping on big-ticket Member’s Mark items and early access to Instant Savings markdowns.
- Best Budget: Sam’s Club standard Club Membership — same warehouse prices and Scan & Go access without the Plus upsell.
- Best for Big-Ticket Buys: Member’s Mark Pro 36” Pellet Smoker w/ Induction Burner & Smoke Tray — proof Sam’s Club discounts hardgoods, not just groceries.
- Best for Families: 587-Pc LEGO Pokémon Eevee Figure Building Set — a real example of the toy markdowns that make a family membership pay for itself.
How We Chose These Picks
We track live Sam’s Club pricing and markdowns the same way a deal-hunting member would: watching Instant Savings cycles, clearance endcaps, and the surprise price drops that show up on big-ticket items like smokers and ice makers. A membership only “saves more” if the deals it unlocks are real and recent, so every product below is a markdown we actually verified — not a hypothetical.
For the Sam’s Club vs Costco question specifically, we weighed the things value-conscious shoppers in suburban and rural areas tell us matter most: how fast checkout is (Scan & Go vs a standard checkout line), how often each club runs storewide savings events, and whether Plus-tier perks like free shipping are worth the upgrade. We didn’t weigh food court menus or gas pricing here, since we don’t have verified, current figures for either club to compare apples to apples — and we’d rather leave a gap than guess.
Real buyers also care about item availability by location. Some of the deals below, like the LEGO Pokémon set, were flagged as available at select Sam’s Club locations rather than chainwide, so we call that out explicitly instead of implying every warehouse carries it.
The Best Sam’s Club Deals We’ve Verified for 2026 — Full Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Key Feature | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member’s Mark Heavy Duty Storage Tote 27-Gal (Black/Yellow) | $7 | Garage & closet organization | 27-gallon capacity, free pickup | Amazon |
| Member’s Mark Pro 36” Pellet Smoker w/ Induction Burner & Smoke Tray | $394 | Backyard grilling upgrades | 36-inch cook space plus a built-in induction burner | Amazon |
| GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker w/ Side Tank (4 Colors) | $280 | Kitchen upgrades / nugget ice fans | Side tank design, available in 4 colors | Amazon |
| 587-Pc LEGO Pokémon Eevee #0133 Figure Building Set | $29 or less | Family gifts, kid-driven memberships | 587-piece build, select locations only | Amazon |
| Cuisinart Charcoal Chimney Starter w/ Heat Resistant Gloves | $5.90 | Grilling starter kit / stocking stuffer | Includes heat-resistant gloves | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
Member’s Mark Heavy Duty Storage Tote 27-Gal (Black/Yellow)
A 27-gallon heavy-duty tote for garage, attic, or closet organization, priced at $7 with free pickup.
Pros:
- Large 27-gallon capacity for bulky storage
- Heavy-duty build meant for garage and outdoor conditions
- Free pickup keeps the total cost right at $7
Cons:
- Single colorway (black/yellow) — no style options
- Free pickup only, not shipped to your door
- Best bought in multiples, which adds up fast at checkout
Why we picked it: This is the clearest example of Sam’s Club’s everyday-low markdowns rather than a splashy seasonal event — a genuinely useful household item at a price that’s hard to argue with, exactly the kind of deal that makes a membership feel worth it month to month.
Member’s Mark Pro 36” Pellet Smoker w/ Induction Burner & Smoke Tray
A 36-inch pellet smoker with a built-in induction burner and smoke tray, priced at $394 with free shipping for Plus members.
Pros:
- Large 36-inch cooking area
- Built-in induction burner adds stovetop functionality
- Comes with a dedicated smoke tray
- Free shipping if you’re a Plus member
Cons:
- $394 is a real commitment for a backyard purchase
- Free shipping is gated behind the Plus membership tier
- Big-ticket smokers like this typically require a truck or large vehicle for pickup if you skip shipping
Why we picked it: This is the deal that best answers “does Sam’s Club discount big-ticket items, not just groceries?” A 36-inch smoker with an induction burner at $394 is a legitimate value play for anyone upgrading their outdoor cooking setup this summer, and it’s a good stress test for whether the Plus membership’s free shipping perk pays for itself.
GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker w/ Side Tank (4 Colors)
A countertop nugget ice maker with a side tank design, available in 4 colors, priced at $280 with free shipping for Plus members.
Pros:
- Side tank design for easier refills
- Available in 4 colors to match kitchen styling
- Free shipping included for Plus members
- Nugget ice makers are a genuinely popular upgrade category right now
Cons:
- $280 is still a premium small-appliance price point
- Color availability can vary by location and sell out fast
- Countertop footprint isn’t ideal for small kitchens
Why we picked it: Nugget ice makers rarely go on sale, so $280 with free Plus shipping is worth flagging for anyone who’s been eyeing one. It’s also a good illustration of how the Plus membership’s free-shipping perk stacks with an already-discounted item.
587-Pc LEGO Pokémon Eevee #0133 Figure Building Set
A 587-piece LEGO Pokémon Eevee building set, priced at $29 or less at select Sam’s Club locations.
Pros:
- Large 587-piece set for the price
- Strong gift option for Pokémon and LEGO fans
- Under $30 even before any additional markdowns
Cons:
- Limited to select locations, not available chainwide
- Availability and final price can vary by store
- Popular licensed sets like this tend to sell out quickly
Why we picked it: This is exactly the kind of markdown that makes a family membership pay for itself — a licensed, collectible-adjacent LEGO set under $30. Just call your local club or check in person before making a special trip, since it’s a select-location deal rather than a guaranteed find everywhere.
Cuisinart Charcoal Chimney Starter w/ Heat Resistant Gloves
A charcoal chimney starter bundled with heat-resistant gloves, priced at $5.90 with free shipping for Plus members.
Pros:
- Bundled gloves add real value over a standalone starter
- $5.90 price point is about as low-risk as a grilling accessory gets
- Free shipping for Plus members
Cons:
- Only useful if you’re grilling with charcoal, not gas or pellet
- Basic accessory, not a full grill or smoker replacement
- Gloves are a fixed size/fit — no sizing options mentioned
Why we picked it: At $5.90, this is a low-stakes way to see the value of Instant Savings-style pricing without committing real money, and it pairs naturally with the pellet smoker deal above for anyone building out a full outdoor cooking setup this summer.
Buying Guide — What to Look For
Membership tier fit. Both Sam’s Club and Costco split memberships into a standard tier and an upgraded tier with added perks. Before you upgrade, check whether the perks you’d actually use — like free shipping on big-ticket items — are gated behind the higher tier, the way several of the deals above are gated behind Sam’s Club Plus.
Checkout speed. Scan & Go lets Sam’s Club members ring up items on their phone and skip the register line entirely. If a fast in-and-out trip matters more to you than browsing every aisle, this is one of the more tangible everyday differences between warehouse clubs.
How often markdowns actually happen. A membership is only as good as the deals you catch. Sam’s Club runs regular Instant Savings events plus ongoing clearance markdowns — like the $7 storage tote and $5.90 chimney starter above — that show up outside of any formal sale event.
Location-specific availability. Not every deal is available at every warehouse. The LEGO Pokémon set above is a select-locations offer, so it’s worth calling ahead or checking the app before making a trip for a specific item.
Payment perks. If you’re a frequent shopper, a store-branded card like the Sam’s Club Mastercard can add ongoing rewards on top of already-discounted items — worth factoring into your total savings if you shop the club regularly.
FAQ
Q: Is Sam’s Club Plus membership worth the upgrade? A: It depends on how much you buy in big-ticket categories. Several of the deals above, including the $394 pellet smoker and $280 ice maker, include free shipping specifically for Plus members — if you’re buying items like that, the upgrade can pay for itself quickly.
Q: What is Scan & Go and how does it save time? A: Scan & Go is Sam’s Club’s app-based checkout feature that lets members scan items as they shop and pay through their phone, skipping the register line entirely. It’s one of the more noticeable everyday conveniences for frequent shoppers.
Q: How often does Sam’s Club mark down big-ticket items? A: Enough that it’s worth checking regularly — the pellet smoker and nugget ice maker deals above are both examples of hardgoods getting real markdowns outside of a single mega-sale, alongside ongoing clearance items like the storage tote.
Q: Are Sam’s Club deals available at every location? A: Not always. Some offers, like the LEGO Pokémon Eevee set, are flagged as select-location deals rather than chainwide, so it’s worth confirming availability at your local club before making a special trip.
Q: Does the Sam’s Club Mastercard actually add savings on top of markdowns? A: It’s designed to layer rewards on regular spending at the club, so for frequent shoppers who are already buying discounted items like the ones above, it can add ongoing value — but it’s only worth carrying if you’d be shopping there anyway.
Q: Does Sam’s Club or Costco save more overall? A: There’s no single answer, since it comes down to which club’s deals match what you actually buy. What we can say from the deals we’ve verified is that Sam’s Club is regularly discounting both everyday items (the $7 tote, $5.90 chimney starter) and premium big-ticket gear (the $394 smoker, $280 ice maker), which is a strong sign for value-conscious shoppers who buy across both categories.
Bottom Line
For families and enthusiasts who want fast checkout, real markdowns on both small and big-ticket items, and Plus-tier perks like free shipping, Sam’s Club is the stronger pick based on the deals we’ve verified this season. Check out more of our Sam’s Club deal coverage to catch the next Instant Savings event before it’s gone, and browse our full Sam’s Club deals hub for the latest markdowns.