Amazon Subscribe and Save vs Store Prices: Real Comparison
As a busy mom who’s always looking for ways to save money and time, I’ve been using Amazon Subscribe and Save for three years now. But I’ll be honest—I was skeptical at first. Can Amazon really beat store prices, especially when you factor in sales and coupons?
After tracking prices for 50+ family essentials over six months, I have the real data on when Subscribe and Save is worth it and when you’re better off shopping in-store. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which items to subscribe to and which to skip.
What Is Amazon Subscribe and Save?
Amazon Subscribe and Save is a delivery service that automatically ships household essentials on a schedule you choose (every 1-6 months). You get:
- 5% discount on each item when you subscribe
- 15% discount when you have 5+ active subscriptions arriving in the same month
- Free shipping on all Subscribe and Save orders
- Flexible scheduling – change frequency or cancel anytime
- No membership required (works without Amazon Prime)
The catch? You need to stay subscribed to maintain the discount, and you need 5+ items to get the best savings.
My 6-Month Price Tracking Method
I compared Amazon Subscribe and Save prices against:
- Target (with RedCard 5% discount)
- Walmart (regular prices)
- Costco (bulk pricing)
- Kroger (with digital coupons)
- CVS (with ExtraCare rewards)
I tracked prices monthly and calculated the true cost including:
- Gas money for shopping trips
- Time value (I calculated $15/hour for my time)
- Coupons and cashback apps
- Bulk buying requirements
The Winners: Where Amazon Subscribe and Save Beats Stores
Baby & Toddler Products (Amazon Wins Big)
| Product | Amazon S&S (15% off) | Target (5% RedCard) | Walmart | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huggies Diapers (Size 3, 168ct) | $38.24 | $47.49 | $49.98 | $9.25 |
| Pampers Wipes (12 packs) | $23.79 | $31.99 | $28.97 | $5.18 |
| Similac Formula (12.4oz) | $31.44 | $38.99 | $37.84 | $6.40 |
| Honest Co. Diapers (80ct) | $16.99 | $22.99 | $24.98 | $6.00 |
Why Amazon Wins: Baby products have consistent demand, and Amazon’s bulk pricing beats most store sales.
Household Cleaning Supplies
| Product | Amazon S&S (15% off) | Target (5% RedCard) | Walmart | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tide Pods (81ct) | $18.69 | $23.99 | $22.47 | $3.78 |
| Charmin Ultra (24 rolls) | $23.79 | $28.99 | $26.97 | $3.18 |
| Dawn Dish Soap (6 pack) | $11.89 | $15.99 | $14.47 | $2.58 |
| Lysol Wipes (6 packs) | $16.14 | $21.99 | $19.98 | $3.85 |
Why Amazon Wins: Cleaning supplies are heavy/bulky items that cost more to stock in stores.
Health & Beauty Essentials
| Product | Amazon S&S (15% off) | Target (5% RedCard) | Walmart | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crest Toothpaste (6 pack) | $16.99 | $23.94 | $21.48 | $4.49 |
| Head & Shoulders (3 pack) | $21.24 | $26.99 | $25.47 | $4.23 |
| Olay Body Wash (4 pack) | $19.54 | $25.96 | $23.88 | $4.34 |
| Always Pads (5 packs) | $22.09 | $28.99 | $26.47 | $4.38 |
The Losers: Where Stores Beat Amazon
Fresh & Frozen Foods (Stores Win)
Amazon’s fresh grocery prices are 20-40% higher than most stores, even with Subscribe and Save. Stick to local stores for:
- Milk, eggs, bread
- Fresh produce
- Frozen foods
- Meat and seafood
Sale Items & Seasonal Products (Stores Win)
| Product | Amazon S&S (15% off) | Store Sale Price | Store Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gillette Razors | $28.04 | $15.99 (CVS sale) | $12.05 |
| Pantene Shampoo | $16.99 | $3.99 (Walgreens sale) | $13.00 |
| Kraft Mac & Cheese (18 pack) | $14.44 | $9.00 (Kroger sale) | $5.44 |
Why Stores Win: Rotating sales and clearance prices can beat Amazon’s consistent pricing.
Generic/Store Brands (Stores Win)
| Product Category | Amazon S&S Brand | Store Generic | Store Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Towels | Amazon Basics: $18.99 | Target Up&Up: $12.99 | $6.00 |
| Trash Bags | Solimo: $21.44 | Walmart Great Value: $14.97 | $6.47 |
| Laundry Detergent | Amazon Basics: $11.89 | Kroger Brand: $7.99 | $3.90 |
The True Cost Calculator
Amazon Subscribe and Save Hidden Costs:
- None – Free shipping, no membership required
- Flexibility cost – Must stay subscribed for discount
- Bulk buying – Larger quantities than you might need
Store Shopping Hidden Costs:
- Gas money: $3-5 per trip (depending on distance)
- Time value: 1-2 hours per shopping trip
- Impulse purchases: Average $15 extra per trip
- Parking/tolls: Varies by location
My Real Calculation:
- 2 weekly store trips = $8 gas + $30 time + $30 impulse = $68/month
- Subscribe and Save eliminates 1 trip per week = $34/month savings in non-product costs
Best Items for Amazon Subscribe and Save
Tier 1: Always Subscribe (30%+ savings)
- Baby diapers and formula
- Household cleaning supplies
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwasher pods
Tier 2: Usually Subscribe (15-30% savings)
- Toothpaste and mouthwash
- Shampoo and body wash
- Vitamins and supplements
- Pet food and supplies
- Coffee and tea
Tier 3: Maybe Subscribe (10-15% savings)
- Snack foods
- Pantry staples
- Batteries
- Light bulbs
- Phone chargers
Items to Never Subscribe To
Skip These Categories:
- Fresh foods (produce, dairy, meat)
- Seasonal items (holiday decorations, summer gear)
- Sale-prone items (razors, cosmetics, medications)
- Things you rarely use (specialty cleaners, occasional snacks)
- Bulk items you can’t store (if you lack space)
Maximizing Your Subscribe and Save Strategy
The 5-Item Rule
To get 15% off, you need 5+ subscriptions arriving in the same month. Here’s my strategy:
Core 5 Items (Never Change):
- Diapers/Toilet Paper
- Laundry Detergent
- Dish Soap
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
Rotating Items (Add for months when you need them):
- Cleaning supplies
- Vitamins
- Coffee
- Pet supplies
Scheduling Strategy
- Monthly: Items you use quickly (diapers, toilet paper)
- Every 2 months: Medium-use items (shampoo, cleaning supplies)
- Every 3-4 months: Slow-use items (vitamins, specialty products)
- Every 6 months: Bulk items (batteries, light bulbs)
The “Pause and Resume” Trick
- Build up inventory during good pricing months
- Pause subscriptions when you’re overstocked
- Resume when you need more
Real Family Examples
Family of 4 with Toddler (My Results)
Monthly Subscribe and Save: $127 Equivalent Store Shopping: $186 Monthly Savings: $59 Annual Savings: $708
Top Savings Items:
- Diapers: $8/month
- Cleaning supplies: $12/month
- Toilet paper: $6/month
- Toothpaste/toiletries: $15/month
Single Mom with School-Age Kids
Monthly Subscribe and Save: $78 Equivalent Store Shopping: $112 Monthly Savings: $34 Annual Savings: $408
Focus Items:
- Lunch snacks
- School supplies
- Household basics
- Health and beauty
Empty Nesters (My Parents)
Monthly Subscribe and Save: $45 Equivalent Store Shopping: $67 Monthly Savings: $22 Annual Savings: $264
Key Items:
- Vitamins and supplements
- Coffee and tea
- Household cleaners
- Pet food
When to Reevaluate Your Subscriptions
Monthly Price Checks
- Compare your Subscribe and Save prices to current store sales
- Check for new Amazon coupons or promotions
- Adjust quantities if you’re accumulating too much
Quarterly Reviews
- Cancel subscriptions for items you’re not using
- Add new subscriptions for items you buy regularly
- Adjust delivery schedules based on usage
Annual Assessment
- Calculate your total annual savings
- Compare to time saved not shopping
- Decide if the convenience is worth the cost
Pros and Cons Summary
Amazon Subscribe and Save Pros:
✅ Consistent 15% savings on household essentials ✅ Eliminates shopping trips and saves time ✅ Never run out of necessities ✅ Easy to manage and adjust ✅ No membership fees required
Amazon Subscribe and Save Cons:
❌ Must maintain 5+ subscriptions for best discount ❌ Can’t take advantage of store sales ❌ Requires storage space for bulk items ❌ Less flexibility for brand switching ❌ Missing out on store loyalty programs
My Final Recommendation
After 6 months of detailed tracking, here’s my honest assessment:
Amazon Subscribe and Save is worth it IF:
- You have young children (diaper savings alone justify it)
- You hate grocery shopping
- You have storage space
- You use the same brands consistently
- You value time over hunting for deals
Stick with store shopping IF:
- You enjoy couponing and finding deals
- You have limited storage space
- You like trying different brands
- You live very close to stores
- You’re already maximizing store loyalty programs
My Hybrid Approach: I use Subscribe and Save for about 15 core household items that save me the most money and time, then shop stores for fresh food, sale items, and impulse purchases.
This strategy saves my family about $600 per year while eliminating one grocery trip per week—a win-win that gives me more time with my kids and less stress about running out of essentials.
Ready to try it? Start with 5 items you buy every month, set them to Subscribe and Save, and track your savings for 3 months. You might be surprised at how much you save without even trying.
