BJ’s vs. Costco vs. Sam’s Club: A Mom’s Guide to Choosing the Best Wholesale Club Membership

If you’ve ever stood in the diaper aisle wondering whether you’re getting the best deal or tried to wrangle small children while pushing a 40-pound cart of paper towels like me you know that where you shop matters. You should know that I have memberships at BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club, I’ve spent plenty of time strolling the warehouse aisles, comparing price tags, snack samples, and app features to figure out which one actually makes life easier and more affordable.

The truth? Each club has its strengths—and knowing which one is right for your family depends on how you shop. Whether you’re stocking up on snacks for school lunches, scouting deals on a new TV, or figuring out which place has the best store-brand diapers (yes, I tested them all), this breakdown will help you figure out where your membership dollars go the furthest.

Here are what I have found to be the real-life pros, cons, and “mom-tested” perks of BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club.

1. Membership Costs and Rewards: What You Get for the Fee

BJ’s: Starts at $55/year for the basic membership, or $110/year for Club+, which includes 2% back on most purchases and up to 15¢ off per gallon of gas. BJ’s often runs promotions for new members that drop the first-year cost significantly.

Costco: $65/year for the standard membership or $130/year for Executive, which also offers 2% back (up to $1,000/year), plus additional discounts on travel, insurance, and more.

Sam’s Club: $50/year for Club or $110/year for Plus, which includes 2% Sam’s Cash, early shopping hours, and free shipping on most items.

My Take: BJ’s is great if you love coupons and flexibility, Costco is ideal if you want long-term value and unbeatable quality, and Sam’s is the best pick for app-friendly, efficient shopping.

2. Best for Groceries and Household Essentials

Costco: Their Kirkland brand is hard to beat when it comes to quality—especially for organic foods, paper products, and household staples. If you’re picky about ingredients or prefer organic snacks, Costco wins here.

Sam’s Club: A solid runner-up with great pricing on name brands and a surprisingly good Member’s Mark line. Selection feels a little more “everyday” and varied than Costco’s curated picks.

BJ’s: Wins on variety and flexibility. You can use manufacturer coupons and BJ’s digital coupons, giving budget-savvy moms a chance to stack savings.

My Take: I do my bulk organic shopping at Costco, my mid-month essentials at Sam’s (less crowded), and my coupon-stacking magic at BJ’s.

3. Diapers, Formula, and Baby Gear

Costco: Kirkland diapers are high quality (some say made by the same company as Huggies), and their wipes are a household MVP.

Sam’s Club: Member’s Mark diapers are also great and just slightly cheaper. Sam’s often carries more baby gear like cribs and strollers online.

BJ’s: More brand variety (Pampers, Huggies, etc.) and better odds of snagging a coupon. Their Berkley Jensen diapers are decent for daytime use.

My Take: If I could only buy one brand of diapers for the next year—it would be Kirkland. But BJ’s coupons have saved me in a pinch, and Sam’s is where I go for random gear deals.

4. Big-Ticket Items (Electronics, Furniture, Appliances)

Costco: Best for peace of mind. Extended warranties, concierge service, and excellent customer service make big purchases feel safer.

Sam’s Club: Often has more electronics in-store and deeper discounts, but return policy isn’t quite as generous as Costco’s.

BJ’s: More limited in-store selection, but still offers occasional deals. Be mindful of shorter return windows on electronics.

My Take: Costco is my go-to for large purchases. I bought our family TV there and felt totally protected. Sam’s is great if you want more choice and compare pricing.

5. Gas, Pharmacy, and Health Services

Costco: Offers Top Tier gas and excellent prescription discounts (up to 80% off for members—even without insurance).

Sam’s Club: Plus members get free select generics and solid savings on vision, dental, and hearing screenings.

BJ’s: Also offers discounted prescriptions, and their top-tier members save even more at the pump.

My Take: I get gas wherever the line is shortest (real talk), but Costco’s pharmacy savings are the best when you’re not using insurance.

6. App Experience, Online Shopping, and Delivery

Sam’s Club: The Scan & Go feature is a game-changer. Skip the lines entirely. Curbside pickup is free, and Plus members get free shipping.

Costco: No scan-and-go option yet. Online inventory is huge, but delivery is limited. The app works fine but isn’t super intuitive.

BJ’s: Offers ExpressPay in some locations (like Scan & Go), accepts coupons digitally, and includes curbside pickup.

My Take: If I’ve got both kids with me, I go to Sam’s. It’s the fastest and least stressful, hands down.

7. Return Policies and Customer Service

Costco: Generous, flexible, and no-questions-asked—except on a few electronics. They’ll even refund your membership if you’re not happy.

Sam’s Club: Also solid, with 90-day returns on most electronics and ongoing satisfaction guarantees.

BJ’s: Returns allowed within a year on most items, but electronics have tighter windows (14–30 days). Membership refunds available.

My Take: Costco’s customer service sets the gold standard. I’ve returned half-eaten snacks, no judgment.

8. Surprise Perks (and Gotchas)

Costco: Offers exclusive travel deals, a top-notch car-buying program, and services like vision and hearing centers. But—only accepts Visa in-store.

Sam’s Club: Early shopping hours for Plus members (as early as 8am), entertainment discounts, and broader credit card acceptance (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex).

BJ’s: Frequent free-gift promotions (like a rotisserie chicken with purchase), stacked savings, and more flexible brand options. Accepts all major cards.

My Take: Costco has the best “extras,” but you’ll need a Visa card. Sam’s Club lets me sneak in early before preschool drop-off—and that’s a lifesaver.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

Each club has its “mom strengths”:

• BJ’s: Best for coupon lovers and families that want name-brand variety. Ideal if you’re not ready to go full-warehouse-mode but still want savings.
• Costco: Best for quality, customer service, and major purchases. If you want to feel taken care of (and score amazing organic groceries), this is it.
• Sam’s Club: Best for tech-savvy moms who want speed and convenience. Great for everyday shopping and flexible pickup/delivery options.

If you’re lucky enough to live near more than one, consider rotating memberships to match your family’s needs. I do—and I can say confidently, there’s no one-size-fits-all. But with the right membership, you can stretch your budget, stock up smartly, and make bulk shopping less of a chore.