Costco Vs. Sam’s Club Toilet Paper: An Epic Showdown

If you’re comparing Costco and Sam’s Club toilet paper, you’re really comparing two warehouse-club private labels:

• Costco’s Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue
• Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Ultra Premium Toilet Paper

Both are 2-ply, both are septic-safe, and both are sold in large bulk packages. But the packages are much more different than the roll counts suggest.

Costco currently gives you 30 rolls with 380 sheets per roll, while Sam’s Club gives you 45 rolls with 235 sheets per roll.

That means Sam’s gives you more individual rolls, but Costco actually gives you more total sheets and more total square footage.

At the current online prices I checked, Costco also works out slightly cheaper per 100 sheets and per square foot. However, Member’s Mark specifically advertises reduced lint, and many shoppers prefer its feel.

So which one should you buy? Let’s compare the numbers first.

A Brief Comparison Table

The Contenders: Kirkland and Member’s Mark

Let’s get to know our contenders first. Costco’s Kirkland and Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark are the two major players in this head-to-head. Both are widely praised for their quality and affordability. But, how do they stack up against each other?

Costco Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue: The Ups and Downs

• Pros

The Kirkland brand stands out in a crowd, and their toilet paper is no exception.

Users rave about the softness and thickness of the paper.

It’s 2-ply, but it feels more like 3. Costco is famous for prioritizing quality and it shows.

Another plus is the sheet count.

You get a whopping 425 sheets per roll. That’s a lot of trips to the bathroom! Plus, the septic-safe claim adds to its popularity among eco-conscious consumers.

• Cons

Although it’s a quality product, Kirkland toilet paper comes with its own set of drawbacks. It’s not the cheapest on the block. Price-wise, you may find better deals elsewhere.

Also, some consumers have complained about a certain lintiness to the paper. Not a deal-breaker for most, but worth considering for those who are sensitive.

Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Bath Tissue: The Highs and Lows

• Pros

Member’s Mark toilet paper provides a gentle touch and excellent absorbency. At 2-ply, it offers a delicate balance between strength and softness.

This Sam’s Club brand also tends to run a bit cheaper than its Costco counterpart, without skimping on quality.

What’s more, it has a pretty similar sheet count, offering a generous 425 sheets per roll.

• Cons

While it is cheaper, some users note that Member’s Mark tissue is a little thinner than the Kirkland brand.

If thickness is high on your priority list, this may deter you.

Another issue is the size of the rolls. They’re bulkier, which can be a problem for those with smaller bathrooms or less storage space.

Key Differences Between Costco Kirkland and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Toilet Paper

While both Costco’s Kirkland and Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark offer high-quality toilet paper, several key differences set them apart.

• Price

When comparing Costco and Sam’s Club toilet paper, one of the first differences that stand out is the price. Generally, Member’s Mark comes out as the more budget-friendly option.

If you’re looking for quality and affordability, Sam’s Club might have the upper hand.

• Thickness and Softness

Kirkland toilet paper prides itself on its thickness and softness, almost making you forget it’s only 2-ply. It brings a plush, luxurious experience to your bathroom routine.

Member’s Mark, while still soft and gentle, is a bit thinner. For those who prefer a cushier feel, Kirkland might be your best bet.

• Lint Factor

Kirkland is known for leaving a bit more lint behind than Member’s Mark. While this might not be a major issue for most, it’s something to consider if you or a family member has sensitivities.

• Roll Size

Another point of distinction is the size of the rolls.

Member’s Mark rolls are generally bulkier than Kirkland rolls.

While both provide a generous 425 sheets per roll, the extra bulk could pose storage issues if you’re working with a smaller bathroom or limited storage space.

• Septic-Safe Claim

Costco stands out with its septic-safe claim. For those mindful of their ecological footprint, this can be a significant advantage.

In the end, the choice between Costco’s Kirkland and Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark depends on your individual needs and preferences.

It’s about finding the perfect balance between price, thickness, softness, and environmental concerns. No matter what you choose, you’re getting a product that has been lauded by many for its quality and value.

Which Is Softer?

This category is much harder to measure objectively.

Both companies describe their toilet paper as soft.

Costco says Kirkland Bath Tissue uses two soft and absorbent layers with embossed sheets.

Sam’s Club markets Member’s Mark as combining superior softness with reliable strength.

In real-world discussions, many shoppers say they prefer the feel of Member’s Mark. For example, several recent Sam’s Club and Costco discussions contain users who specifically prefer Member’s Mark toilet paper over Kirkland.

But that isn’t a laboratory softness test.

Other users prefer Kirkland, and some complain about dust or lint from Member’s Mark as well.

So I wouldn’t tell you that one is objectively softer.

Toilet paper texture is surprisingly personal.

If softness matters more than unit price, trying one package of each is more useful than relying entirely on online opinions.

Which Produces Less Lint?

This is one category where Sam’s Club makes a specific product claim.

The current Member’s Mark listing says its 2-ply tissue is designed to produce less lint.

Costco doesn’t make an equivalent low-lint claim on the Kirkland product page I reviewed.

That doesn’t prove every Member’s Mark roll produces less lint than every Kirkland roll, but Sam’s Club is at least specifically designing and marketing the product around that characteristic.

Online experiences remain mixed.

Some users complain that Kirkland sheds or tears easily, while others report dustiness from Member’s Mark.

If lint is a major concern for you, Member’s Mark has the clearer manufacturer claim, but personal experience can still vary.

Also Read: Is Member’s Mark Toilet Paper Worth It?

Strength and Tear Resistance

Both products are 2-ply.

Sam’s Club specifically markets its tissue as soft and strong, while Costco emphasizes softness and absorbency.

I haven’t found a standardized public strength test from the two retailers that would justify claiming one is unquestionably stronger.

User feedback often favors Member’s Mark for durability, but those are subjective experiences rather than controlled testing.

This is another area where I would avoid statements such as:

“Member’s Mark is definitely stronger.”

A better conclusion is that both are positioned as premium warehouse-brand 2-ply toilet paper, with Member’s Mark emphasizing strength somewhat more heavily in its current marketing.

What About Costco and Sam’s Club Membership Costs?

Toilet-paper prices don’t exist in isolation if you aren’t already a warehouse-club member.

Costco’s standard Gold Star membership currently costs $65 per year.

Sam’s Club’s standard Club membership costs $60 per year, before temporary promotional discounts.

That’s only a $5 annual difference.

If you already shop regularly at one warehouse club, I wouldn’t switch memberships just to save a few cents on toilet paper.

Consider the complete membership:

• Grocery prices
• Gas
• Pharmacy
• Delivery
• Pickup
• Paper products
• Household supplies
• Location
• Shopping convenience

Sam’s Club, for example, provides Scan & Go, while Costco may be closer or offer other products you prefer.

The best toilet-paper deal isn’t very useful if the warehouse is 40 minutes farther from your house.

Costco Vs. Sam’s Club Toilet Paper: Which Is Better?

If I were comparing strictly by the amount of toilet paper you receive for your money, Kirkland currently has the advantage.

You’re getting:

• More total sheets
• Wider sheets
• More total square footage
• Slightly lower cost per 100 sheets
• Slightly lower cost per square foot

Member’s Mark still has reasons to choose it.

It gives you more individual rolls, specifically advertises less lint, and has a large base of shoppers who prefer its softness and strength.

So I would break the choice down this way:

Choose Kirkland Signature if value per sheet, larger rolls, and changing the toilet-paper roll less frequently matter most.

Choose Member’s Mark if you prefer its texture, want more individual rolls, or find its low-lint design more comfortable.

Because the package prices are so close, personal preference matters almost as much as the math.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Verdict

The current Costco and Sam’s Club toilet paper comparison looks quite different from a few years ago.

Kirkland Signature currently comes in a 30-roll package with 380 sheets per roll, while Member’s Mark Ultra Premium comes with 45 rolls containing 235 sheets each.

Although Sam’s gives you 15 more rolls, Costco provides more actual toilet paper: about 11,400 sheets and 1,425 square feet, compared with Member’s Mark’s 10,575 sheets and roughly 1,254 square feet.

At current online prices, that also gives Kirkland a modest advantage in cost per sheet and square foot.

Member’s Mark still has a compelling advantage for shoppers who prefer its feel or want a product specifically designed to produce less lint.

Both are 2-ply. Both are septic-safe. Both come with responsible-fiber certifications.

So instead of choosing by roll count alone, compare total square footage, current price, texture, lint, and which warehouse membership you already use.

That’s a much better way to decide which bulk toilet paper belongs in your bathroom.