22 Things You’re Not Buying from Target—But Should
Updated: May 23, 2022It's no secret that Target is one of the best places to stock up on everyday items, but the megastore also has some little-known gems and under-the-radar brands that will probably become your favorite products.
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Target run
Most of the time you leave Target with 15 more items than you planned on buying. Fill your list with these secret finds and you won’t have any buyers remorse. And make sure you find out what you should be buying at Target vs. Walmart.
Expensive-seeming snack foods
If you want to wow guests or bring drool-worthy hostess gifts, Target is actually one of the best places to start your shopping. Scoop up an assortment of gourmet quality marshmallows like these Smashmallow Cookie Dough bites and you’ll be considered the undisputed champion of hot cocoa, brownies, and anywhere else marshmallows may belong. Plus, they’re under $4 per pack at Target. Find out more of the best hostess gifts for every occasion.
Exclusive face scrubs abound at Target
You can definitely scoop up all your timeless favorites from major brands at Target, but did you know they also sell exclusive formulas just for Bullseye shoppers? It’s true, like this St. Ives Avocado and Honey Scrub Facial Cleanser, which you can’t find anywhere else, and will only set you back a few bucks.
Everyday items, but cuter
Forget the typical black umbrella, because this ShedRain Heart Shaped Stick Umbrella is at Target, ultra-cute, conversation-worthy, and is probably the best low-key romantic gift we can think of. Here are 11 money-saving secrets Target employees won’t tell you.
Children’s literature
We know you’re probably shopping elsewhere for books, but when you find out how perfectly curated Target’s children’s lit selection is, we’re pretty sure you won’t turn back. The store stocks a variety of BabyLit titles such as Great Expectations and Anne of Green Gables, both hysterically boiled down into kiddie versions you’ll get a kick out of reading at story time—especially under $10. Find out the best children’s books ever written.
Healthy diet finds
There’s no reason you have to buy those overpriced protein bars at the gym or health food store when Target sells them in multi-packs for less money. We suggest stocking up on One Protein Bars in flavors like Peanut Butter Pie, because a box of four sells for less than $8, a significant savings compared to the impulse selection by your gym’s register. They’re loaded with 20 grams of protein and only one gram of sugar, so you’ll be happy with all the muscle mass you’ll be supporting at a very affordable price.
Toys galore
With some of our giant toy retailers no longer in existence, Target has become the natural next step for toy-hungry kids and parents, especially since their selection is so extensive. Consider shopping their website for some of the year’s hottest finds, like the JoJo Siwa Sing Along Boombox. JoJo everything has sold out across the board at other stores, but Target manages to keep it in stock. Here are the secret codes behind Target’s prices, revealed.
Pantry items
Don’t skip over the pantry items—Target has great prices on those, too. You can stock up on Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil to add some of the “good” fat to your favorite salad dressings and homemade recipes.
Even organic cotton clothes
Some brands place their best organic bets at Target, which is why these Gerber Baby Organic Cotton Onesies are a must-shop from this megastore. They’re exclusive to Target, an affordable organic cotton find, and perfect to stock up on for gift giving and personal use—every baby can use an organic white onesie. Find out the 12 things you should always buy at Target.
Laundry detergents are inexpensive and ship free
If you add enough detergent and other goodies to your shopping basket, Target.com will ship them free to your door—which saves you the time and hassle of lugging them from the register to your car, then to your door, and down to the laundry caverns we all hate carrying heavy things to. Try this Ecos Free and Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent, which offers 100 loads at under $10 a bottle, and keeps your fabrics and skin free of potentially irritating chemicals. These Target Black Friday deals are too good to miss!
Even toothbrushes are great Target finds
If you’re a fan of electric toothbrushes, you’ll want to consider Target the next time you shop for a new one. This Oral-B Genius 8000 Rose Gold Electric Toothbrush retails for a great price there, and offers rechargeable power, three brush heads, Bluetooth connectivity, and a travel case.
Trendy games
If you love game night, Target is a great place to stock up on very essential trendy game sets, like this Wonder Forge Yeah NOPE Board Game Set that offers teen-friendly flippable sequins and hysterically funny conversation fodder. You can also find many of these classic board games everyone should own at Target, too.
Cleaning essentials
You can load your life up with all the best cleaning essentials at Target, and count on fast shipping to simplify your life. We’re particularly enthused about the iRobot Braava jet 240 Mopping Robot, because if there’s anything better than getting a robot to mop the kitchen floors for us, we can’t think of it.
Gentle soaps, body washes, and bath essentials
You’ll be able to pick up more affordable versions of those favorite gentle soaps, body washes, and bath essentials at Target thanks to brands like Alaffia. We suggest trying their Everyday Coconut Bubble Bath in Coconut Strawberry, which is every bit as wonderful as ultra-posh spa brands, but safe enough for babies, adults, and those with sensitive skin to use—and under $15 for a giant bottle at Target.
Small kitchen appliances
If you’re looking for small kitchen appliances like blenders and countertop ovens, Calphalon has a whole line of very luxe items exclusively at Target, like this Calphalon Precision Control Countertop Oven in the obviously very trendy matte black shade every design hound is after. It offers eight preset cooking options, can even fit a 12″ pizza, but can obviously make you the perfect small batch of cupcakes, too.
Brands you thought were out of your budget
If you’ve been pining after boutique and health store brands like Justin’s, but weren’t sure if they fit in your weekly budget, shopping at Target is probably the way to make all your peanut butter cup dreams come true. You can score a whole bag of Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups for under $5 at Target.com, and you’ll be encouraged to act like a candy snob for the rest of time. Make sure you know these tricks frugal shoppers use to spend less on groceries, too.
General kitchen essentials, but better
You can buy typical cutting boards, knives, and other kitchen essentials at Target at great prices, but why settle for plain when they deliver upscale pieces at a bargain, too? Take this Sabatier Library 3-Pack Bamboo Cutting Board Set, for example. It looks like the type of kitchen gift you’d pick up on a well-deserved trip to France, but it’s actually under $25 at Target and completely user-friendly.
High-end makeup
There’s no need to rush out to that mall beauty store for your favorite edgy makeup brands—Target stocks favorites like The Lip Bar Metallic Lipstick at $13 or less, and you can add it to your basket of other necessary items like soaps, socks, and sun protection.
Fun, versatile electronics
Target even stocks the very photography-friendly and colorful JBL Pulse 3 Waterproof Speaker, which you’ll obviously use indoors to blast your favorite tracks, but will be especially grateful for when you have it poolside this summer. Don’t miss 10 easy tricks to saving money at Target.
Target-exclusive fashion brands
Target is well-known for their high end-seeming fashion brands at rock bottom prices, which is why brands like Cat & Jack have garnered enormous popularity and loyalty. The line offers luxury children’s boutique styles at price points typically under $25.
Bath bombs
Forget spending $10 or more on bath bombs, because Target even has exclusives on some of the most popular bath bombs like these Da Bomb Bath Fizzers in a variety of Target-only designs and scents—all under $6 each.
HGTV addicts will obsess over this Target exclusive
If you love rustic-meets-modern decor, you’ll be thrilled to know that everyone’s favorite HGTV couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, has their own Texas-chic design line exclusively at Target. The line, Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, offers everything from high-quality accent pillows to vases, greenery, and everything people who love classic subway tile might love in between.
Even diapering is less expensive at Target
You can definitely continue to shop all your favorite brands of diapers at Target, but did you know they also have their very own line of even more-discounted exclusive diapers, Up & Up? You’ll be able to nab 176 diapers in size one for under $22, and they’ll even ship right to your door. It’s the kind of thing veteran parents get excited about, because it’s hard to save for college when the whole weekly budget is blown on disposable diapers. Next, read on to find out 15 things you should be buying at Costco and aren’t.
