It’s tough to say for sure that one store is better than the other when it comes to shopping for school supplies.
After doing a bit of math, I realized I would likely spend about the same amount on back-to-school essentials at each store. Walmart has some under-$1 deals, but a few items there cost notably more than they would at Dollar Tree.
Ultimately, your best choice may come down to whichever store is closer or other factors that matter to you.
You may prefer Walmart if you like to have lots of choices, prefer to shop name brands, or have a list with really specific requirements, like binders with a certain number of rings.
However, you may spend quite a while browsing and making decisions, given that Walmart has many options spread across a larger area.
Personally, I found shopping at Dollar Tree was more convenient, efficient, and less overwhelming than browsing the endless shelves at Walmart.
I found it easy to make decisions when I had just one or two options for each of the basic school-supply categories. It was easy to navigate the consistent prices, and I wouldn’t be opposed to ordering the few items I couldn’t in in-store, like a lunchbox, elsewhere.
Regardless of the store you choose, rest assured that you’ll find lots of back-to-school essentials priced between $1 and $2 at both chains.
