Five Best & Five Worst Things to Buy at Kohl’s

By on May 31, 2020

Kohl's

Looking for the best deals before your next trip to Kohl’s? We’ve identified some of the best product categories that you can find on sale at Kohl’s as well as some of the worst that you will want to avoid. These picks are based on average discounts as well as the potential for additional coupons used in the transaction.

Five Best:

1. Small Kitchen Appliances (Magic Bullet, Waffle Makers, Keurig)

More focused with online sales rather than in-store savings, this is the product category we on sale most often on Ben’s. Kohl’s typically offers greater discounts than other retailers.

kohls-small-appliances

Look to stack coupons on these items and add bonus savings with a rebate (Example: 20% off any order coupon + $10 off $30 or more Home coupon + a $20 rebate.)

2. Towels, Bedding, Rugs, Linens, General Home Decor

Look for the best sales on Kohl’s store brand products, then combine those sales with stacked coupons with dollar-off codes on the Home category.

bedding

Consider purchasing multiple items to reach the dollar-off coupon minimums. (Example, a recent deal offered 16 of Kohl’s “Big One” bath towels for $36 using stacking coupons; just over $2 per towel.)

3. Outdoor Kids’ Items (Mini-Pools, Inflatable Water Parks)

Similar to small kitchen appliances, these deals are more plentiful online rather than in-store. Look for the bonus addition of Kohl’s Cash on the higher-priced items, ideal for your next trip to Kohl’s.

4. Adult Apparel (Logo t-shirts, Work Clothes)

While we recommend avoiding adult apparel at regular retail prices, the savings in the clearance section when combined with coupons is tremendous.

Kohls4-clothing

Specifically, look for the best deals on men’s graphic t-shirts, Dockers slacks and Big & Tall sizes for men as well as women’s underwear / lingerie.

5. Apparel Accessories (Purses, Sterling Jewelry, Gloves)

As long as you aren’t a brand snob, Kohl’s offers excellent prices on quality purses and gloves (often made from real leather). You are also going to find more aggressive sales on sterling silver jewelry when compared to competitors like Macy’s or JC Penney.

Five Worst:

1. Kid’s Toys / Apparel

Unfortunately, Kohl’s is one of the worst retailers to find a significant discount on toys. Retail prices are inflated on toys; thus coupons don’t have much of an impact. Look to Target and Walmart for better deals in-store as well as Amazon for online deals.

Toy-section-kohls

The same advice applies to children’s apparel as the base MSRP starts too high for solid sales. For example, Kohl’s sell Carter’s brand of baby and toddler clothing. You are better off going directly to Carter’s for significantly cheaper prices during sale periods.

2. Electronics (TVs and Small Electronics)

Likely an attempt to become more relevant around the Black Friday shopping period, Kohl’s does carry some electronics. Unfortunately, the quality of the off-brand TV models is poor and Kohl’s doesn’t often allow coupons on other small electronics. Prices are usually better at any number of electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.

3. Shoes

While Kohl’s occasionally offers decent sale prices on lower-end Nike sneakers, these cheaper models are usually poorer quality than models that can be found in a specialized shoe store.

kohls-sneakers

In addition, other brands that Kohl’s carries are lacking in quality. You are typically better off shopping at retailers like Nordstrom Rack and 6pm.

4. Furniture

Retail prices on Kohl’s furniture offerings are usually too high for coupons to have a significant impact on dropping the cost for the consumer. In addition, shipping charges are exorbitant on oversized items, pushing the price tag up even more. Alternatively, look to retailers like Target, IKEA and Walmart for better prices on furniture that’s of similar quality.

5. Wrapping paper, Greeting Cards, Gift Bags

In general, it’s never a good idea to purchase these items at retailers like Kohl’s. You will be paying a premium for these items simply due to the convenience. As long as you have time, hit up a dollar store for significantly better prices.

Check out our latest Deals from Kohl’s

About Kristin Cook

I'm the Managing Editor for Bensbargains.com. When I'm not hunting for deals online, I enjoy good food, good beer, and Star Wars.

7 Comments

  1. Kat

    November 1, 2020 at 1:57 am

    I searched “inflatable water park” as indicated in the article and there was not one result.

  2. Cheryl Babrick

    February 28, 2020 at 6:02 am

    Done buying clothes at Kohl’s unless I happen to find something on clearance about two sizes up. More than half what I have purchased at Kohl’s over the years has shrunk so badly it can’t be worn. Cold water-gentle cycle or hand-washed and line-dried/no dryer. Same fabric content not a problem at Macy’s, JC Penney’s, etc. Heck, I’ve gotten better pieces at Walmart! The fit is often off, as well.
    Most things are overpriced, so it takes sales combined with coupons to bring them down to the regular prices at other stores.

  3. Vickie

    June 4, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    I bought a pair of Nike shoes for 60.00. I wish I hadn’t , the quality is not very good

  4. Lily

    March 31, 2019 at 1:01 am

    Absolutely disagree about the kids clothing. I buy almost all my daughter’s clothes at Kohls. You can frequently combine a $10 off coupon with a 30% (or sometimes 40% off coupon online). Further more, I buy clothes a year ahead of time when they are on clearance because Kohls has such an amazing return policy that I know that if it doesn’t fit my daughter 6 months later when it is back in season, I can simply return it for whatever I paid. I regularly buy Carters t-shirts and leggings for $2-$5 per pair, which is on par with or slightly cheaper than similar Walmart store branded items.

  5. Pingback: 5 Things You Shouldn’t Buy at Kohl’s - Rutherford Source

  6. dangerousnerd

    June 1, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    I love the Kohl’s clearance section for apparel. My favorite pair of shoes came from there for a mere $11 and I’ve gotten a ton of quality tees for around $2 or $3.

  7. Cubancheapskate

    August 5, 2016 at 7:47 am

    Pretty much spot on article. I have a Kohls card and rarely use it because it takes work to get good deals there but I have to say I really like their no nonsense return policy.

    I did get a great deal on a 65″ LG 4K TV around Thanksgiving at Kohls after the rewards cash but Electronic deals are a rarity there.

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