It’s No Secret: We’re Big Fans of Costco
A version of this post was sent to our weekly newsletter mailing list. If you’d like to receive this in your inbox, subscribe here.
I love Costco. (And before I go any further, I should note that Costco isn’t paying us to say this. I really do love Costco.) Yes, it can be impossible to find a parking spot, even in the farthest corner of an enormous lot on a Sunday. Yes, the lines of cars queuing up for cheap gas are always insane. But Costco makes it worth your time by curating some of the best things available at prices that make you wonder how the company is making money. (The answer: member fees, mostly.)
What’s amazing is that despite having a pretty small catalog, Costco carries a lot of Wirecutter recommendations. And then there’s Costco’s generous return policy—you can return pretty much anything at any time if you’re dissatisfied (as long as you don’t abuse that policy).
Here’s the list of all the Wirecutter picks we could find at Costco, with notes on which things can be purchased only by members, which electronics are subject to Costco’s 90-day return policy, and which Wirecutter picks are exclusive to Costco.
One thing I’ve learned in working on this topic is that Costco’s website can be finicky—when an item goes out of stock, the URL just goes dead, and when the item comes back in stock, the URL can change. This can make for a frustrating experience, but we’ve done our best to be as accurate as we can, and we encourage you to check your local Costco warehouse for stock.
Some of my favorites:
Plantronics BackBeat Fit 2100 Wireless Headphones
Top pick in The Best Headphones for Running
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5000 Gum Care Edition
Variant of the runner-up in The Best Electric Toothbrush
Members only
This package of two comes bundled with two chargers, travel cases, and an extra brush head.
Downlite Hotel & Resort Hungarian White Goose Down Comforter, Mediumweight
Budget pick in The Best Comforter
Exclusive to Costco
I also interviewed the duo behind the popular Instagram account Costco Does It Again, which highlights great Costco finds. They shared five secrets for making the most of your next Costco trip. I learned from them that each Costco actually stocks slightly different items and often features local brands. “You go to a city over and you might find more organic products or different products, so if you’ve got a few, don’t stick to your normal Costco, branch out a little bit,” said Laura Wiertzema of Costco Does It Again. Warehouses also often carry locally made brands, including smaller organic labels and local craft beers.
New this week
Why Essential Oils Make Terrible Bug Repellents
Published July 15
The 7 Most Important Supplies for a Starter Earthquake Kit
Published July 15
The Best LCD/LED TV
Updated July 15
Why You Should Switch to USB-C Fast Charging Now
Updated July 16
What the Wirecutter Staff Bought on Prime Day
Published July 16
The Top 5 Most Popular Prime Day Deals According to Wirecutter Readers
Published July 16
Shop at Whole Foods on Prime Day and You Can Get Amazon Credit
Published July 16
The Letdown of Prime Day TV Deals
Published July 16
The Best Portable SSD
Updated July 17
The Best Password Managers
Updated July 17
Don’t Buy a Pet Camera. These Security Cameras Are the Best Way to Spy on Your Dog or Cat.
Published July 17
After an Injury, Stay Comfortable and Productive With This Gear
Published July 17
Read Anywhere This Summer
Published July 17
The Best Anti Prime Day Deals at Best Buy, Walmart, and More
Published July 17
8 (Not Entirely) Indulgent Prime Day Deals to Treat Yourself
Published July 17
The Best Prime Day Household and Kitchen Deals
Published July 17
The Best Prime Day Laptop Deals
Published July 17
Prime Day Deals Under $31 That People Are Loving
Published July 17
The Best Amazon Device Deals: Echo, Kindle and More
Published July 17
The Best Monitor Arms
Updated July 18
The Best Alarm Clocks
Updated July 18
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans
Published July 18
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Review: An Honest Assessment
Published July 18
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review: Intro 0% APR Meets Continued Rewards
Published July 19
The Best Rain Jackets and Raincoats
Updated July 19
The Best Lightweight Rain Jacket for Hiking and Camping
Published July 19
The Best Home Security System
Updated July 19
Mentioned above
- When it comes to running headphones, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. So we have multiple recommendations based on style, features, and price.The Best Headphones for Running
- After more than 100 hours of research and considering nearly every model available, we think the Oral-B Pro 1000 is the best rechargeable electric toothbrush.The Best Electric Toothbrush
- We’ve tried dozens of comforters, spending hundreds of hours sleeping on them. Here are the six best.The Best Comforters
- TCL’s QM8 Series is a great LCD/LED TV that delivers terrific performance, a sturdy design, and excellent features for a reasonable price.The Best LCD/LED TV
- If you need a fast, reliable way to move files between computers, the Samsung T7 Shield (1 TB) is the portable solid-state drive for you.The Best Portable SSD
- Everyone should use a password manager, and after researching dozens and testing six, we recommend 1Password because it’s secure and easy to use.The Best Password Managers
Further reading
Amazon Alexa vs. Google Assistant: Which Voice Assistant Is Best for You?
by Grant Clauser and Signe Brewster
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant make listening to radio, controlling smart devices, and creating reminders as simple as asking for it. Here’s how to pick.
Everything You Need to Know About Beyond Plus, Bed Bath & Beyond’s Membership Program
by Elissa Sanci
Bed Bath & Beyond is offering a $29 gift card to anyone who signs up for Beyond+, essentially making the first year free. But is it worth it beyond that?
Wirecutter’s Best Picks for Coffee and Tea Lovers
by Wirecutter Staff
Give your caffeine routine a jolt with these Wirecutter-recommended electric kettles, coffee makers, tea steepers, mug warmers, and more.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Review: It Works, But It’s Not Worth It
by Ciara Murray Jordan, Lesley Stockton, and Anna Perling
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5-quart with Ultimate Lid fulfills its promise of one-pot meals, but it has some notable flaws. Other appliances can serve you better.