If you’ve been working on your dream home, you’ve probably strolled the aisles of Home Depot more times than you can count. You might even have memorized where to go in the store to grab what you need. But your favorite home improvement store won't always have the items you need for every DIY project. And other stores like Home Depot may even offer lower prices for the same exact items.
Basically, I’m here to remind you that Home Depot isn't the only store that sells plants, tools, appliances, and patio furniture. And your choice of where to shop is more than just Lowe’s vs. Home Depot. Some non-home improvement stores may even compete on prices for certain items. And when it comes to smart shopping, it always helps to have a backup plan — and a familiarity with the Home Depot price matching policy.
To add to your arsenal of Home Depot hacks, here's a list of alternative stores like Home Depot where you can shop when you’re in a pinch.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, download the KCL app or text HACKS to 57299.
1. Lowe's
Lowe’s is the closest home improvement store to Home Depot on all fronts. Everything from their products and services to their store layout is similar. Both stores have 90-day return policy windows and a one-year guarantee on plants. They also match each other’s prices for the same products.
But there’s one thing Lowe’s has that Home Depot doesn’t: the free MyLowe’s rewards program for non-contractors. And I’d also argue that the Lowe’s military discount offers better yearly savings than the Home Depot military discount.
Return window: 90 days (same as Home Depot)
Loyalty program: Yes (MyLowe's Rewards)
Rentals: Tools, trucks
Price matching: Yes
Garden center: Yes
RELATED: See who has cheaper prices in the battle of Lowe’s vs. Home Depot.
2. Ace Hardware
Compared to Home Depot, Ace Hardware offers a smaller, less overwhelming selection of home improvement products. Ace stores are a fraction of the size of your average Home Depot store. But even though they carry a lot of the same tool brands, prices are generally higher at privately-owned Ace Hardware stores.
Unlike Home Depot, Ace Hardware has a shorter 30-day return policy and limited in-store services. However, they do have a free rewards program called Ace Rewards — and it’s one of the better rewards programs we’ve seen.
Return window: 30 days
Loyalty program: Yes (Ace Rewards)
Rentals: Carpet cleaning (select stores only)
Price matching: Yes (varies by store)
Garden center: No
3. Menards
Only about 350 Menards stores exist in the U.S., but this Midwest home improvement retailer is a lot like Home Depot. Menards sells appliances, plants, and a wide range of landscaping and building materials at competitive prices. They also have truck and tool rentals similar to Home Depot.
Plus, in many cases, the Menards 11% rebate gives them an edge over Home Depot. With their mail-in rebate, you can save 11% on a lot of the same products that Home Depot sells. (Home Depot used to offer the same deal, but they ended the Home Depot 11% rebate in early 2024.)
Return window: 90 days
Loyalty program: None
Rentals: Tools, trucks
Price matching: No
Garden center: Yes
KCL TIP: Menards is one of the best places to buy mulch during non-sale times. With their 11% rebate, you’ll pay just $1.48 per two-cubic-foot bag of mulch.
4. Tractor Supply
Tractor Supply sells similar products to Home Depot like tools, landscaping supplies, plants, and hardware. They also carry some of the same tool brands as Home Depot (like Dewalt and Makita), and their stores have fully-stocked garden centers.
But shoppers love Tractor Supply’s pet products and services most of all. Not only do they carry a selection of farm and ranch equipment, but they also have in-store PetVet clinics and feed centers. Plus, they partner with PetSense to offer grooming and dog training services to pet owners.
Return window: 30 days
Loyalty program: Yes (Neighbors Club)
Rentals: Trailers
Price matching: Yes
Garden center: Yes
5. Harbor Freight
Like Home Depot, Harbor Freight has a wide selection of tools. However, they don’t sell any of the same brands. While Home Depot mainly carries Ryobi, DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee tools, Harbor Freight carries Bauer, Hercules, and Warrior tool brands.
Harbor Freight doesn’t sell major appliances, plants, or paint like Home Depot, though they do carry a selection of paint supplies. But one thing Harbor Freight does better than Home Depot is coupons. You can browse coupons across almost every department on their website, and they’re good to use in stores and online.
Return window: 90 days
Loyalty program: Yes (Inside Track Club; paid)
Rentals: None
Price matching: No
Garden center: No
6. True Value
True Value is a lot like Ace Hardware. They have many of the same home improvement items as Home Depot, but they sell them in much smaller quantities. True Value sells a combination of tool brands that Lowe’s and Home Depot carry: Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Skil, and Black & Decker. But just like Ace Hardware, you can expect higher prices at True Value than you’ll find at Home Depot.
True Value doesn't have a large selection of paint or building materials either. However, they do offer a rewards program called True Rewards. As a member, you earn 10 points per dollar spent and get a $5 reward for every 2,500 points earned.
Return window: 30 days
Loyalty program: Yes (True Value Rewards)
Rentals: None
Price matching: No
Garden center: No
7. Best Buy (for major appliances)
When you think of stores like Home Depot, Best Buy probably doesn't come to mind. But they do sell a range of major appliances from brands like Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, and Frigidaire, just like Home Depot does. They even have an online outlet for major appliances, and you can filter your search by discounts of 50% - 60% off or more.
The best part is, Home Depot and Best Buy will price match each other. So, if you find a lower price on a new dishwasher from one store over the other, you can lock in the best deal at the store where you want to make your purchase.
Also, the My Best Buy Credit Card has more perks than the Home Depot Credit Card. With Best Buy’s card, you get special financing benefits and 5% back in rewards on your purchases.
Return window: 15 days
Loyalty program: Yes (My Best Buy)
Rentals: None
Price matching: Yes
Garden center: No
8. Walmart (for patio furniture)
If you love Home Depot’s patio furniture selection but want cheaper prices, Walmart is a great alternative.
Even without a sale, Walmart’s everyday low prices get you a pretty good deal. Their Mainstays and Better Homes & Gardens brands have outdoor dining and conversation sets for under $100. And with plenty of Walmart rollbacks to shop at any given time, you have the chance to save up to 70%.
Also, you have 90 days to return furniture to Walmart, but with Home Depot, you only get 30 days to make a return.
Return window: 90 days
Loyalty program: Yes (Walmart+; paid)
Rentals: Carpet cleaning (select stores only)
Price matching: No
Garden center: Select stores only
9. Amazon (for tools)
Amazon is a great backup store for almost anything you need for the home. So not surprisingly, they have a huge selection of power tools from top brands. You can even buy Home Depot’s exclusive Ryobi tools on Amazon — and some are cheaper than the HomeDepot.com price.
Take this Ryobi drill and driver, for example. It costs $59 on Home Depot’s website but Amazon has it for $54.95. Even so, Home Depot price matches Amazon. So you can still get the lowest price either way.
Return window: 30 days
Loyalty program: Yes (Amazon Prime; paid)
Rentals: None
Price matching: No
Garden center: No
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