Sam’s Club vs BJ’s Wholesale Club–Where should you shop?

For shoppers focused on saving money, where you buy can matter just as much as what you buy. Wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club and BJ’s have become a popular option for those looking to cut costs on everyday essentials without chasing weekly sales or clipping coupons. These membership-based stores offer lower per-unit prices by selling products in larger quantities, and, while they aren't the right fit for every household, they can lead to noticeable savings over time.

After signing up for Sam’s Club membership or BJ’s membership, you may even discover that any money spent pays for itself after tire discounts, prescription savings, mattress deals, and more.

In this article:

• What is a wholesale club?
• Why shop at wholesale clubs?
• Sam’s Club vs BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Membership fees and benefits
  • How to sign up for a Sam’s Club membership
  • How to sign up for a BJ’s Warehouse Club membership
• Product selection
• Sam’s Club and BJ’s private label store brands
• Sam’s Club vs BJ’s Warehouse locations
• Final thoughts: Sam’s Club vs BJ’s

What is a wholesale club?

A wholesale club is a retail warehouse that sells a limited selection of goods in larger quantities to members who pay an annual fee for access. These stores prioritize function over presentation.

Shelves are stocked with oversized packages of groceries, paper goods, cleaning supplies, electronics, and more, often with a focus on high-demand and fast-moving products. The idea is to reduce costs by simplifying operations and offering consistent value to shoppers who are willing to buy more at once to save some cash.

Why shop at wholesale clubs?

If you're wondering how wholesale clubs work, the model is fairly simple: you pay a membership fee upfront in exchange for lower prices over time. For shoppers trying to manage household budgets, that model can offer real value, especially if you regularly buy the kinds of essentials wholesale clubs specialize in, like pantry staples, cleaning products, and paper goods.

By selling in bulk and keeping product selections tight, these stores operate on lean margins and pass those savings on to members. That said, the savings aren’t automatic. How much you benefit depends on your household size, storage space, shopping habits, and how often you use the perks that come with membership.

Gas and tire discounts, pharmacy deals, and services like curbside pickup or same-day delivery can tip the balance for some shoppers, while others may find the higher upfront cost or product sizes harder to justify. If you’re thoughtful about what you buy and how often you shop, a Sam’s Club membership or BJ’s membership can easily pay for itself.

For a deeper look at how wholesale clubs stack up against traditional stores, check out our full guide here.

Sam’s Club vs BJ’s Wholesale Club

Costco may get the most attention, but Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club are two strong alternative warehouse clubs with wide reach and competitive perks. All follow the same basic format, but they differ in membership pricing, shopping experience, and the services they provide.

We’re going to break down how Sam’s Club and BJ’s compare, so you can decide which one makes more sense for how you shop.

Membership fees and benefits

Wholesale clubs all have one extra step compared to regular grocery stores: signing up for a membership. Figuring out how to join a wholesale club is a minor hurdle, but it’s a hurdle nonetheless.

How to sign up for a Sam’s Club membership

For Sam’s Club, you can sign up for a membership in-store or online. If you’re at a warehouse, just go over to the Member Services Desk, and they’ll talk you through the whole process. If you want to sign up for a Sam’s Club membership online, go to their website and click any of the multiple links directing you to join.

From there, you can pick your membership tier. Once you’ve completed your purchase, you can use the Sam’s Club app to access a digital version of your membership card, or you can pick up a physical card on your next shopping trip.

Club Membership Cost: $25/year (reg. $50)

• Instant Savings
• Fuel discounts
• Scan and Go checkout
• Free curbside pickup on $50+ orders

Plus Membership Cost: $120/year

• Everything in the standard membership
• 2% Sam’s Cash back with the Sam’s Club Mastercard
• Free shipping and delivery on $50+ orders
• Early shopping hours
• Extra savings on pharmacy, optical, and tire services

Both Sam’s Club tiers include access to warehouse pricing and members-only fuel savings. The Plus membership adds more value for frequent shoppers through cash-back rewards with the Sam’s Club credit card, early access hours, and free shipping and delivery. Members also get access to Scan & Go checkout, curbside pickup, and instant savings on rotating products throughout the store and online.

Beyond the core shopping perks, Sam’s Club also has a variety of extra services. These include pharmacy, optical, and hearing centers, along with tire and battery services, installation support through Angi, and protection plans for electronics and appliances.

Members can also take advantage of travel discounts, hotel deals, entertainment offers, and business services like printing.

How to sign up for a BJ’s Club Card Membership

BJ’s has virtually the same process as Sam’s Club to become a member. You can sign up for a Club Card in-store or use their website to sign up online. Just check for any link asking you to join.

Then, it’s just a matter of choosing your membership tier.

Club Card Cost: $60/year

• Access to BJ’s everyday low prices
• Free curbside pickup on $50+ orders
• Stack BJ’s and manufacturer coupons
• Discounted gas at BJ’s Gas

Club+ Card Cost: $120/year

• Everything from the Club Card
• 2% back in rewards on most purchases with the BJ’s Mastercard
• Free same-day delivery on $50+ orders
• Extra rewards during special events
• Rewards never expire

Both of the BJ’s membership tiers include access to discounted prices, digital coupons, and curbside pickup. The Club+ Card adds 2% back in rewards with the BJ’s credit card (up to $500), exclusive delivery perks, and longer-term savings opportunities.

It also includes extra savings on gas and special reward events that offer bonus cashback. For shoppers who make frequent trips or place regular online orders, the higher-tier membership can pay for itself relatively quickly.

BJ’s also has its own set of bonus services for members. These include optical care, tire sales and installation, vacation planning through BJ’s Travel, and home improvement partnerships.

Members can also access cell phone promotions, mortgage assistance, water delivery, and furniture assembly services. For families and individuals looking to streamline errands or save across multiple categories, these perks make BJ’s more than just a bulk-buying destination.

Product selection

Beyond membership prices and extra services, it’s also important to know what each warehouse club has in stock.

What does Sam’s Club sell?

Like most warehouse clubs, the product selection is extensive. Looking at the Sam’s Club website, you can browse by department and see everything from large appliances to beauty, pet supplies, groceries, tech, and a lot more. The variety reflects how Sam’s Club positions itself as a one-stop shop, catering to both everyday household needs and bigger, less frequent purchases.

In-club and online, the focus is on high-demand, high-value products, including well-known national brands and Sam’s Club’s own Member’s Mark line.

While the overall selection is more curated than a typical big-box retailer, the breadth still covers nearly every category you’d expect to shop regularly, plus a few surprises, like patio furniture, hearing aids, or a new mattress.

What does BJ’s Wholesale Club sell?

If you’ve been wondering what BJ’s Wholesale Club sells, the answer is a bit of everything. Like its competitors, BJ’s carries a wide range of products designed to cover both everyday needs and larger household purchases. Browsing the BJ’s website, you’ll find categories that include groceries, electronics, clothing, home goods, baby supplies, outdoor gear, health and wellness products, and more.

The assortment is broad enough to function as a full-service replacement for regular trips to the grocery store or department store, with the added benefit of bulk pricing.

BJ’s combines national brands with its own Berkley Jensen and Wellsley Farms labels, which cover household goods and groceries, respectively. These in-house brands are positioned as high-quality alternatives that help keep costs down while maintaining consistency.

BJ’s also stands out by accepting manufacturer coupons (something other warehouse clubs typically don’t), which makes it easier for deal-seekers to lower their total even more.

Sam’s Club and BJ’s private label store brands

Both Sam’s Club and BJ’s have their own private brands, just like Costco’s Kirkland Signature products. Sam’s Club has the Members Mark line, and BJ’s actually has two: Berkeley Jensen and Wellsley Farms.

Member’s Mark is Sam’s Club’s all-in-one private label, covering everything from cleaning supplies and office furniture to snacks, frozen foods, and home goods. It’s positioned as a high-quality brand with prices lower than name brands while still maintaining top quality. Some customer favorites include Member’s Mark Ultra Premium Bath Tissue or their Hickory Smoked Bacon

BJ’s splits its private label products between two brands. Berkley Jensen handles non-food items like household supplies, health and wellness products, and cleaning goods, and Wellsley Farms is BJ’s food-focused brand. It includes everything from dairy and produce to snacks, baked goods, and frozen meals.

Customers rave about Berkley Jensen paper towels and Wellsley Farm Tzatziki dip.

Sam’s Club vs BJ’s Warehouse locations

One of the most practical factors to consider when choosing between Sam’s Club and BJ’s is simple: Which one is closer to you? While both are national warehouse clubs, their reach and regional focus are quite different.

Sam’s Club has a much larger footprint, with over 600 locations across the United States. Its presence is especially strong in the South, Midwest, and central parts of the country.

So, where are BJ’s wholesale clubs located? They have just over 240 locations, and most are concentrated along the East Coast. The bulk of its locations are in states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida, with a few clubs extending into the Midwest.

The easiest way to decide may be by Googling “Sam’s Club near me” or “BJ’s Warehouses near me.”

Final thoughts: Sam’s Club vs BJ’s

Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club both offer solid value for shoppers looking to save money, stock up on essentials, and access extra perks. While the overall shopping model is similar, there are key differences in availability, benefits, and services.

Sam’s Club has a much larger national presence, making it easier to access in most parts of the country. It has a wide product selection and plenty of extra services, from travel deals to auto care and tire discounts. BJ’s, while smaller and more regional, stands out for its flexible coupon policy, strong grocery selection, and emphasis on convenience.

The right choice depends on where you live and how you shop. If you want broad access and nationwide consistency, Sam’s Club is likely the better fit. If you're on the East Coast and value coupon savings and delivery options, BJ’s may be the smarter pick. Either way, both clubs can help you save, especially if you use the benefits regularly.