Shopping online or in-store in the United States? Retail giants Amazon, Walmart, and Target each offer millions of products, competitive pricing, and compelling member benefits — but which one truly delivers the best deals?
This comprehensive guide compares Amazon vs Walmart vs Target across major product categories, reveals money-saving tactics for each retailer, and helps you decide where to shop for every purchase in 2025.
Quick Verdict
- Amazon: Best for electronics, Prime members, fast delivery, and broad selection
- Walmart: Best for groceries, everyday essentials, rock-bottom prices, and in-store pickup
- Target: Best for home décor, trendy fashion, exclusive brands, and shopping experience
Reality: No single retailer is cheapest on everything. Smart shoppers compare prices on every purchase using tools like BargainifyAI.
Price Comparison by Category
Electronics — Amazon Slightly Leads
Smartphones and Tablets
👉 Amazon Mobile Phones
👉 Walmart Cell Phones
👉 Target Cell Phones
Example: iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Nov 2025)
- Amazon: $999 + Prime exclusive $50 gift card
- Walmart: $999 (standard price)
- Target: $999 − 5% RedCard = $949
Best Deal: Target with RedCard saves $50
Laptops and Computers
👉 Amazon Laptops
👉 Walmart Laptops
👉 Target Laptops
Winner: Amazon for overall pricing, Walmart for budget options
TVs and Home Entertainment
👉 Amazon TVs
👉 Walmart Televisions
👉 Target TVs
Winner: Walmart on Black Friday, otherwise tie
Groceries and Food — Walmart Dominates
Fresh Produce
👉 Amazon Fresh
👉 Walmart Grocery
👉 Target Grocery
Winner: Walmart by 15–25%
Packaged Goods and Pantry
👉 Amazon Pantry & Subscribe & Save
👉 Walmart Grocery
👉 Target Grocery
Winner: Walmart for one-time buys, Amazon for subscription savings
Example: Weekly grocery haul ($150)
- Amazon Fresh: $165 (includes delivery fees)
- Walmart: $135 (free pickup)
- Target: $155 (free drive-up)
Walmart saves ~$30 weekly (~$1,560/year).
Fashion and Apparel — Target Wins
Clothing
👉 Amazon Fashion
👉 Walmart Clothing
👉 Target Clothing
Winner: Target for best style + quality ratio
Footwear
👉 Amazon Shoes
👉 Walmart Shoes
👉 Target Shoes
Winner: Amazon for athletic; Target for casual
Kids’ Clothing
👉 Walmart Kids Clothing
👉 Target Cat & Jack
👉 Amazon Kids Clothing
Winner: Target for quality; Walmart for budget
Home and Kitchen — Three-Way Tie
Furniture
👉 Amazon Furniture
👉 Walmart Furniture
👉 Target Furniture
Winner: Target (style), Walmart (budget)
Kitchen Appliances
👉 Amazon Kitchen Appliances
👉 Walmart Kitchen Appliances
👉 Target Kitchen & Dining
Winner: Amazon for variety; Target with RedCard
Home Décor
👉 Amazon Home Décor
👉 Walmart Home Décor
👉 Target Home Décor
Winner: Target decisively
Baby and Kids — Walmart Edges Ahead
Diapers and Formula
👉 Amazon Baby Diapers
👉 Walmart Baby
👉 Target Baby
Winner: Walmart for generic brands; Amazon for subscription on name brands
Toys and Games
👉 Amazon Toys & Games
👉 Walmart Toys
👉 Target Toys
Winner: Walmart by 5–15% most of the year
Membership Comparison: Prime vs Walmart+ vs Target Circle
Amazon Prime
Cost: $139/year or $14.99/month
Benefits:
- Free 1–2 day shipping
- Prime Video & Music
- Prime Reading & Prime Gaming
- Unlimited photo storage via Amazon Photos
- Early Lightning Deals & Prime Day access
Best For: Frequent online shoppers, streaming users, tech buyers
Walmart+
Cost: $98/year or $12.95/month
Benefits:
- Free delivery from store ($35+)
- Free shipping (no minimum)
- Fuel discounts (10¢/gallon)
- Scan & Go in-store
- Paramount+ Essential subscription
Best For: Grocery shoppers, gas savings, ship-to-store convenience
Target Circle + RedCard
Target Circle (Free)
- 1% cashback
- Personalized deals
- Birthday rewards
- Early sale access
Target RedCard (Debit/Credit)
- 5% off every purchase
- Free shipping with no minimum
Best For: Frequent Target shoppers, fashion & home buyers
Winner
- Amazon Prime for overall value
- Target RedCard for instant savings
- Walmart+ for grocery & fuel
Delivery Speed Comparison
Same-Day Delivery
👉 Amazon Prime Same-Day
👉 Walmart Grocery Delivery
👉 Target Shipt
- Amazon: 3M+ items; Prime free on $25+. Typical 4–8 hrs
- Walmart: Same day from 1,600+ stores; Walmart+ free $35+
- Target: Shipt (4,000+ stores); free $35+. Typical 1–3 hrs
Winner: Target/Shipt fastest; Amazon most widespread
Standard Shipping
- Amazon Prime: 1–2 day free
- Non-Prime Amazon: 5–8 days ($25 min)
- Walmart: 2–3 days ($35 min); Walmart+ no minimum
- Target: 2–5 days ($35 min); RedCard no minimum
Winner: Amazon Prime fastest; Target RedCard most flexible
Return and Refund Policies
Amazon
- Return Window: 30 days; 90 days holidays
- Free return shipping (select items)
- Refunds 3–5 days
- Pros: Easy process, many drop-off points
- Cons: Some third-party restocking fees
Walmart
- Return Window: 90 days
- In-store returns accepted
- Refund direct + easy
- Pros: Longest window, convenient
- Cons: Shipping back costs sometimes apply
Target
- Return Window: 90 days (1 year for RedCard)
- Free ship-back for RedCard
- In-store or drive-up returns
- Pros: Lenient, friendly
- Cons: Abuse limits may apply
Winner: Target RedCard (1-year return window)
Exclusive Brands and Products
Amazon Exclusives
- Amazon Basics (budget essentials)
- Alexa Devices (Echo, Fire TV, Ring)
- Kindle (e-readers)
- Amazon Essentials (clothing)
Walmart Exclusives
- Great Value (groceries)
- Onn. (budget electronics)
- Free Assembly (fashion)
- Better Homes & Gardens (home goods)
Target Exclusives
- Good & Gather (groceries)
- Cat & Jack (kids clothing)
- Goodfellow & Co. (men’s)
- Studio McGee / Hearth & Hand (home décor)
Winner: Target (best design + quality)
Black Friday and Major Sales Comparison
Amazon Prime Day
- Electronics: 20–50% off
- Fire devices: Up to 70% off
- Lightning Deals: Flash steals
Walmart Black Friday
- TVs: 40–60% off
- Toys: 30–50% off
- Home goods: 25–40% off
Target Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- 30–50% deals across categories
- RedCard 5% stacks on top
- 10-day Deal Days pre-Black Friday
Price Matching Policies
- Amazon: Limited; seller-specific
- Walmart: Matches Amazon, Target, Best Buy (show competitor price)
- Target: Matches Target.com, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy
Winner: Walmart & Target (best match policies)
Final Recommendations
Shop Amazon if you:
- Buy electronics frequently
- Want fast Prime shipping
- Use Subscribe & Save
- Value streaming services
Shop Walmart if you:
- Buy groceries weekly
- Want lowest everyday prices
- Need same-day pickup
- Drive frequently (fuel savings)
Shop Target if you:
- Want trendy home décor
- Buy fashion regularly
- Have a RedCard (5% off everything)
- Value premium shopping experience
Pro Tip: Use price comparison tools like BargainifyAI to automatically find the best deal across all three retailers for every purchase!
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