Walmart versus Costco: Which is better for groceries？

Costco and Walmart are two major, nationwide retailers that offer a multitude of quality products at cheap prices.

Both stores have large grocery sections complete with meat and produce, as well as bakeries — though neither are traditional supermarkets.

We visited both stores to see which was better for grocery shopping.

We found that Walmart was better across the board, from its cheap prices, larger selection of name-brand items, and hot food section with options for single-servings.

Walmart and Costco have a lot in common, from low prices to large grocery sections.

It's no wonder the two stores have garnered such appeal among consumers who want the best bang for their buck. Both stores offer competitively low prices and quality products.

When it comes to food and grocery, both Walmart and Costco have meat, produce, bakeries, and aisles full of packaged products. Additionally, both stores have hot food options in the form of a food court or take-out buffet.

Read more: We shopped at Costco and Sam's Club to see which one does bulk better and discovered that Costco's extra membership cost is worth it

But despite their similarities, Costco and Walmart have vastly different models, which translates into divergent shopping experiences for the consumer. Unlike Walmart, Costco requires membership for its shoppers and offers wholesale products in massive, bulk quantities. Costco's in-house Kirkland Signature brand is also a defining feature of the warehouse chain.

We visited the grocery sections in both big-box stores to see which offered the better experience overall. Walmart's broader selection of name-brand products and its massive hot food section made it the place we'd most likely return for our grocery needs. Additionally, the superstore attracted us with its single-serving options for a snack or small meal on-the-go.