Costco Vs Sam's Club: Which Sells Cheaper Canned Tuna?

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If you're familiar with both, then you know that Costco and Sam's Club are very similar — they're both membership-based wholesale clubs that sell products in bulk. For many people deciding between the two, it may come down to the prices of some of their most-bought items. Some people may want to know which has cheaper rotisserie chicken. But maybe for you, you're more interested in hearing about which one has the cheaper canned tuna. After all, canned tuna is a generally inexpensive food item that can be used in many different ways and be seriously upgraded.

At Costco, you can buy an eight-count pack of 7-ounce cans of Kirkland Signature Albacore solid white tuna for $20.99 online. Meanwhile, Sam's Club also has an eight-count pack of Albacore solid white tuna, from its store brand Member's Mark, for $13.49 — except, in this case, each can is just 5 ounces. When we look at the price per ounce, it comes out to $0.37 per ounce at Costco and $0.34 at Sam's Club. That means there is barely a price difference. The canned tuna at Sam's may be cheaper, but it's by a minuscule margin. You likely won't notice the money that you're saving because it's a mere few cents. In this case, you'll have to find other means of deciding between the two — such as what customers have to say.

On Sam's Club website, there's many positive reviews for the Member's Mark albacore white tuna. One person declared it the "best albacore tuna ever." Another reviewer raved, "The tuna comes firm, clean, and fresh-tasting, with no fishy aftertaste. It holds up great in salads, wraps, or hot casseroles." Overall, reviewers love the quality, the flavor, and the texture. Many reviewers noted that it's the only brand of tuna that they'll buy. Of course, there are a few negative reviews — some people complained of the taste or the quality — but the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

While Costco doesn't include the reviews on its website, there is a thread on Reddit of Costco shoppers discussing the Kirkland Signature Albacore white tuna to give us an idea of the general consensus — and it's mixed. One person wrote, "I like it. Not overly fishy. Good texture." Another shopper commented on its high quality, while someone else said they've been buying it consistently for 20 years. However, multiple commenters complained that it's too dry and sometimes has a tough texture. But some commenters say that, despite it being dry, it still works for certain purposes and recipes. One person explained, "I think it's great for tuna salad, which is all I make with it. It's def dry and needs lots of mayo."

It's hard to get a complete picture without seeing Costco reviews. But it is clear that you pretty much cannot go wrong with the Member's Mark canned tuna — which was the one that was technically cheaper, even if by a few cents.