8 Worst Kirkland Products Ever (Even Though We Still Love Costco)
Kirkland Signature is a beloved brand at Costco. Instead of spending more on name brands, you can save anywhere from pennies to dollars with Kirkland Signature. And you won’t have to worry about missing quality. Costco fanatics might not believe there are bad Kirkland products. Shoppers know Kirkland Signature uses the same formulas as popular name brands, making everything from batteries to coffee a true steal.
Even so, every brand makes mistakes. From below-average protein bars to subpar toilet paper, some Kirkland products are discontinued based on poor reviews whereas others still sit on the shelves. So which Kirkland products should make you think twice? Here are a few of the worst Kirkland products ever made.
Related: Here’s Why You’ll Love Kirkland Shampoo and Conditioner
8. Dishwasher Detergent Pods
Kirkland Signature is full of highly-rated a great option if you want to stock up on household supplies, but the dishwasher pods don’t offer enough oomph when cleaning.
Granted, 115 pods for only $13.99 is an amazing deal, and not everyone has an issue with them, but you might be better off buying another brand and might not want to take the chance on them. Reddit users complain about a weird residue being left on dishes. This is concerning because of possible chemicals and can leave a which creates a weird taste behind when serving food.
7. Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are expensive. So it makes sense to opt for Kirkland Signature for affordability. Unfortunately, Kirkland hearing aids didn’t have shining reviews. While Costco still carries hearing aids in reputable brands like Phillips and Rexton, their Kirkland brand is no longer around.
Upon the release of Kirkland Signature 10.0 hearing aids, several reviews popped up with charging issues. Costco quickly took the product off their website and out of the warehouse (which says a lot about their product quality promise). While a Kirkland Signature 11 may come out in the future, as of right now, Kirkland hearing aids belong on our list of the worst Kirkland products.
6. Sports Drink
Sports drinks are a go-to for health-conscious individuals. But the Kirkland Signature brand is one that you might want to avoid. Like Gatorade or Powerade, the sports drink is meant to offer a refreshing drink full of electrolytes to keep your energy up. But unlike the popular name brands, Kirkland Signature has received some complaints about their product.
Not only does Kirkland offer limited flavor options, but the artificial additives and flavoring do not taste great. Customers turned to Reddit to talk about it, and many people think the artificial flavors cause the drink to taste like plastic or chemicals. Kirkland’s sports drink also has more calories and sugar than other popular brands. If you’re in need of electrolytes, you may want to stick with Gatorade.
5. Light Beer
One of the worst Kirkland products ever made was Kirkland’s light beer. Costco carries a variety of alcohol (depending on your state) from wine to tequila. While some offer a great deal, the light beer was quite the opposite. Like many other products at Costco, Kirkland’s light beer was a bulk buy with a $22 pack holding 48 cans.
Unfortunately, Costco nailed the price tag but not the flavor itself. For only $.50 a can, it was a worthwhile purchase for those weekend parties where anyone would drink anything. But for others, the taste didn’t quite meet typical Kirkland expectations. After many bad reviews, Costco discontinued the product.
Check Out: 12 Most Popular Costco Items Ever
4. Columbian Cold Brew Coffee
Costco has an amazing selection of affordable and delicious coffee. And while their Columbian Cold Brew is one of the worst Kirkland products, that doesn’t mean their Kirkland grounds are bad. In fact, the Kirkland ground coffee is one of the top coffee options at Costco. However, you might want to think twice about this cold brew.
These cold brew cans have received several bad reviews (just check Reddit). Notable comments share the awful taste and overwhelming strength. If you want a delicious boost of caffeine in the morning, try Kirkland ground coffee instead and brew it at home.
3. Spiced Rum
Along with Kirkland’s light beer, their spiced rum is another alcoholic beverage that shoppers should consider skipping. Spiced rum is one of the most popular mixers, a staple in many liquor cabinets. But for Costco shoppers, it’s recommended to avoid this one in particular.
Customers claim the flavor has changed recently to become spicier. Now, people are complaining about its horrible taste, with some comparing it to hand sanitizer.
2. Bar Soap
The personal care products at Costco range from skincare to simple hygiene. The soap bars, in particular, usually come in a large pack to hold you over for months. That being said, the Kirkland soap bar is one of the worst products that Costco carries.
A 15-pack bar soap only costs $13.99, but is said to dry out your skin instead of moisturize, as the package boasts. Not only that, but customers complain about the smell, and nasty residue it leaves around your shower. While it’s made with Shea Butter, it’s not preferred over some name brands like Olay.
Also Read: Gluten Free Products at Costco
1. Toilet Paper
It’s unfortunate to see, but the worst Kirkland product ever made has to be their toilet paper. While the Kirkland bath tissue is one of their biggest sellers, that doesn’t mean it’s top-notch.
30 rolls of toilet paper for only $23.49 is a great bargain, but we’ve seen customers discuss the downturn in quality over the recent years. Kirkland toilet paper used to be a staple, but lately, the paper is stiff and rough. Others comment on how quickly it tears or even falls apart. Customers are disappointed that they’re turning to name brands like Charmin instead.
Read More: Costco Cleaning Products That Save You Money in Bulk
Should You Still Shop Kirkland Signature Products?
We might be biased, but the answer has to be yes. Even though these products have flaws, they don’t speak for the overall reputation of the brand. There are several reasons why you should still shop at Costco.
Shopping Kirkland Signature helps you save even more money on top of Costco’s amazing prices. Name brands will always cost more, even at discount wholesalers, but Kirkland Signature offers the same amazing quality on most of their products without raising the price tag.
And unlike name brands, you can shop more bulk items with Kirkland Signature. For instance, with Kirkland Signature, you can grab 200 trash bags in one box. Other brands like Contractor’s Select only have 32-count boxes.
Did you know Kirkland Signature a Costco specialist oversees the brand? While not all of its products are superior to name brands, Costco has your interest in mind by ensuring each product is of the highest quality.
Here are some of our favorite Kirkland products at Costco so you can enjoy the brand just as much as we do!
–Kirkland Shampoo and Conditioner
–Kirkland Trashbags and Liquid Detergent
–Kirkland Breakfast Essentials
Have you had any bad experiences with Kirkland Signature products? What do you think is the worst Kirkland product ever? Let us know if you agree or disagree on product quality in the comments.
And be sure to stay in touch with the upcoming coupons, listed in our Costco Coupon Book (updated monthly).