Five Below vs. Dollar Tree: Americans consider which retailer has the better deals
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Dollar Tree and Five Below are both popular discount retailers in the U.S., and for good reason. Shoppers can find a selection of inexpensive home goods, including bath and body products, cleaning supplies, games, books, party supplies, and basic accessories.
At Dollar Tree, most items are priced at $1.25, while at Five Below, most items are priced between $1 and $5.55. Although Five Below is geared more toward families or younger shoppers, like kids and teens, you can still find great deals there if you don’t have kids or are a little older. Dollar Tree has such a wide selection that you can find something for almost everyone – all at low prices.
In terms of cost alone, Dollar Tree seems to be the clear winner. But quality and other factors like variety are also important, so we surveyed our readers to find out which place they prefer when it comes to saving money.
Survey: Five Below offers the better deals
GOBankingRates conducted a survey of nearly 1,000 American adults (ages 18 and older) to find out which retailer they think has the better deals. Here are the results:
- 43.54%: Both Five Below and Dollar Tree have great deals
- 29.93%: Five Below has better offers
- 26.53%: Dollar Tree has better deals
According to the results, there is no significant difference in American consumers’ preference for the two varieties.
If you’re looking for the lowest price above all else, Dollar Tree might actually come out on top in some cases. Often, it’s price alone that drives consumers to Dollar Tree over Five Below. After all, almost everything costs $1.25 and many things come in packages, meaning the unit price is much lower.
“I shop at Dollar Tree much more often than Five Below because I believe the prices are better across the board and the product selection is more comprehensive, especially for moms and do-it-yourselfers like me,” said Julie Loven, also known online as “Effortless Girl.”
“Although the new arrivals selection can be better (sometimes) at Five Below, the consistently low prices and selection of everyday household items are better at Dollar Tree.”
Five Below has a better selection
Dollar Tree and Five Below both have a surprisingly diverse selection of items. And while the difference is pretty small, Five Below might win in this category—at least for some shoppers.
“Dollar Tree is best for staples like cleaning supplies, party favors and canned goods,” said Nguyen Huy, a consumer trends analyst, luxury brand expert and founder of Kory Threads. “The prices are low, but the quality is questionable.”
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On the other hand, says Huy, “Five Below tends to offer higher quality items, especially in the tech, cosmetics, home decor and fitness equipment categories. You’ll pay a little more, up to $5, but it’s worth it if you want your items to last. Plus, they have a larger selection at Five Below.”
Looking at the selection at Five Below, consumers say the following items are must-haves:
- 37.14%: Household items such as kitchen and bathroom utensils, storage containers, rugs, party supplies and furniture
- 31.93%: Sweets and snacks
- 26.23%: Clothing
- 24.32%: Bedroom essentials such as bedding, blankets, decorative accents and pillows
- 8.51%: Other items
But Dollar Tree also has some great deals.
“In my opinion, party clothes and disposable tableware are the best deals at Dollar Tree (of all the retailers I’ve found, including online),” Loven said.
The prices and color selection of their disposable party supplies make Dollar Tree their preferred choice
“Dollar Tree beats Walmart, Target and Dollar General in this category,” Loven said, adding that “the selection and price of holiday tableware at Dollar Tree is outstanding compared to other retailers.”
She also suggested buying glassware at Dollar Tree because it is so inexpensive and versatile.
“The vases, drinking glasses and plates can be used for many different DIY projects and around the home,” she said. “They are durable and inexpensive. If they break, they are easy to replace.”
She also added: “The vases are great for crafting.”
It depends on what you need
As with anything else, it ultimately depends on what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re looking to buy seasonal or Christmas items, you might want to try both places.
“Both stores have great seasonal items,” Huy said. “Christmas decorations are super cheap at Dollar Tree, while Five Below carries more trendy, seasonal items.”
As for name brand items, both stores sometimes carry those as well. These name brand items may come in smaller packages than what you would get elsewhere, but if you’re only spending a few dollars, it may be worth it to buy something a little less.
And here, too, quality and selection must be taken into account.
“Dollar Tree is great for essentials,” Huy said. “Five Below offers quality and selection if you don’t mind spending a dollar or two more.”
Shopping strategies to save more money
In both cases, consumers tend to shop at Five Below or Dollar Tree because they want to save money. In the survey, we asked people if they will start shopping at these places in 2024 to save money. Here’s what they said:
- 58.46% of respondents started shopping at Dollar Tree this year to save money.
- 30.43% of respondents said they started going to Five Below this year to save money.
Although both places are known for their deals, there are ways to save even more when shopping.
“Make a list before you go shopping so you don’t spend too much money on impulse purchases,” Huy recommends. “Compare individual prices. Something may seem cheaper at Dollar Tree, but the packaging is actually smaller.”
Be careful with electronics and beauty products at both retailers. You may find some good bargains, but the quality is not always there.
“Before you buy electronics or cosmetics from Five Below, read the reviews,” Huy said. “Educating yourself on other people’s experiences will help you avoid wasting money on inferior products.”
And in either case, check out the clearance sections for more savings. In particular, items that are just out of season are often on sale, so you can stock up now and use them next year.
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