10 Worst Things to Buy at the Dollar Store

Dollar stores can be a great place to stretch your budget, especially if you’re retired and living on a fixed income, but not every bargain is a good value. Some basement-priced products wear out quickly, perform poorly or raise quality and safety concerns — meaning that spending a little more elsewhere could save you money and headaches in the long run.

At dollar stores, it can be hard to know how long products have been sitting on shelves, what ingredients they contain or how well they’ll hold up, says Trae Bodge, a shopping strategist at TrueTrae.com. As a result, “There are some categories to definitely go for but others to avoid,” she says.

Here are 10 things you may want to avoid when shopping at a dollar store.

1. Batteries

The upfront savings might not translate into long-term value. “You may think you’re getting a bargain buying batteries at the dollar store, but they don’t always provide the same performance or longevity as name-brand batteries do,” says Elisabella Ricca, personal finance and consumer analyst at TopCashback.com.

Generic options can deplete faster than name-brand batteries, leading to more frequent replacements, Ricca says.

2. Candy

Don’t let your sweet tooth sway you into buying bags of sugary treats at the dollar store. You can get more for your money elsewhere.

“Dollar stores typically carry small bags, so it’s actually not a good deal,” says Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings adviser in Bakersfield, California. “Buy in bulk from a warehouse or big box store. Better yet, wait for those bulk bags to go on sale or after a seasonal holiday to get a discount.” 

3. Electronics

Extension cords, electrical devices and lamps might all seem like bargains at dollar stores, but this is one category shopping specialists say you are better off avoiding.

“Items like phone chargers and headphones may come at a minimal cost, but they often don’t last as long as higher-quality alternatives,” Ricca says. “They may charge more slowly or be more prone to breaking, meaning you could end up needing to replace them more frequently.”

4. Groceries

Shoppers have increasingly been buying groceries at dollar stores, according to analytics company Placer.ai. But sticking to the supermarket might be a better choice. “Buying food products at the dollar store is a mixed bag,” Ricca says. “Some products may be close to their expiration date or past their peak freshness.”

Also, recalled food remaining on shelves has been an issue at some stores. An investigation by the New York attorney general’s office found that Dollar Tree continued to sell recalled lead-contaminated applesauce pouches for children. The discount retailer was forced to pay penalties as a result of a January 2026 settlement with the New York attorney general’s office.

5. Makeup

Ricca recommends avoiding generic cosmetics at dollar stores, as they are more likely to contain low-quality or even hazardous ingredients. Plus, they lack the accountability that name-brand options have. “Reputable brands invest heavily in testing their products, which is why the cost may be slightly higher than the dollar store,” she says.

To save on makeup, Ricca suggests opting for low-cost name-brand products such as E.l.f., Nyx and Wet N Wild, which are sold at drugstores and big-box retail stores.