20 products you should buy at Bed Bath & Beyond - and 20 more you should skip every time

Buy: Crock-Pot Choose-a-Crock

If you are a slow-cooker fan, you've probably encountered a time when you wished your Crock-Pot were a different size.

"Bed Bath & Beyond carries the Choose-a Crock, which features 6-quart, 4-quart, and Split 2.5-quart capacity pots all in one unit," shopping expert Trae Bodge told Business Insider. "This item is 'exclusive' to Bed Bath & Beyond and priced at $99, but I did find it on Amazon for $120."

Don’t buy: Ring video doorbells

"Ring video doorbells have become wildly popular and while they are comparably priced on Amazon at the time of this writing, Amazon has been known — especially during Amazon Prime Day — to deeply discount the Ring and offer bundles with Amazon proprietary devices, like the Echo Dot," Bodge said.

Buy: SALT 2-piece Double Boiler

Double boilers are handy for melting chocolate and sauces. "This version is an exclusive to Bed Bath & Beyond and is versatile enough to be used on induction stovetops as well as standard," Bodge said. "It's priced at $30, where similar options from other brands are in the $35 and above price range."

Don’t buy: iRobot Roomba

Buying a robotic vacuum can be life changing, but if you're looking at Roombas, you'll find better pricing elsewhere, according to Bodge.

"The Roomba 890 is a full $100 less expensive at Amazon. Plus, most Roomba models are exempt from the Bed Bath & Beyond 20% coupon," she said.

Buy: Moving Starter Kits

There are no two ways about it: moving is a pain.

"To make the job a bit easier, Bed Bath & Beyond has pre-packed Starter Kits, including the Duck Bubble Wrap Moving Kit ($53), which contains a variety of moving boxes, tape, and bubble wrap," Bodge said.

Don’t buy: Instant Pot

If you want to jump on the Instant Pot trend, buy yours elsewhere.

"Not only is the 6-quart Instant Pot 9-in-1 Duo Plus $10 more expensive at Bed Bath & Beyond than at Williams Sonoma and Amazon, it's also exempt from the 20% coupon," Bodge said.

Buy: Le Creuset

Le Creuset cookware could last a lifetime, but it can be expensive.

"It's exempt from the Bed Bath & Beyond 20% coupon, but at the time of this writing, there was a large selection of Le Creuset on clearance, with a beautiful Tagine at over $100 off," Bodge said. "Le Creuset Clearance came up immediately in my search on Bedbathandbeyond.com, which leads me to believe that clearance pricing is fairly common."

Don’t buy: Rachael Ray Enamel Cookware Set

"The popular 12-piece enamel cookware sets from Rachael Ray are available in several beautiful colors and are priced at $150 at Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy's. However, they are available at Walmart for as low as $80," Bodge said.

Buy: college essentials

Shopping for everything you'll need for college can be tricky.

"Does your dorm allow you to ship items ahead of your arrival or do you have to buy everything and bring it with you? Bed Bath & Beyond has a handy Pack & Hold service, which allows you to order everything you need online or at your local store and it can be held at a Bed Bath & Beyond store near campus," Bodge said.

Don’t buy: baby products

"Since Bed Bath & Beyond's pricing and selections of baby products are comparatively less attractive than their sister company Buy Buy Baby, you should consider buying baby products directly from Buy Buy Baby," Tiara Jing, retail and marketing expert at Dealmoon.com, told Business Insider. "It has registries, a wider range of options, and special discounts just for parents that trump what Bed Bath & Beyond offers in this category."

Buy: Bee & Willow home collection

"The Bee & Willow home collection offers shoppers a mix of rustic and modern home decor," Sara Skirboll, shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot, told Business Insider. "The brand has everything from bedding and bath to furniture and rugs, and you can find it all exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond. The pieces are designed with character and charm and made to last."

Don’t buy: beauty products

Bed Bath & Beyond's brick-and-mortar stores usually have a beauty essentials section, but you can save on these products elsewhere.

"The cost of Bed Bath & Beyond's beauty essentials add up quickly so it may not be worth it," Jing said.

They also don't have an extensive selection of higher-end products. Shoppers are likely better off looking at retailers like Sephora and signing up for the beauty store's rewards program.

Buy: UGG Home

"Bed Bath & Beyond is one of the few retailers that carries UGG Home products and they offer amazing prices on everything from blankets and pillows to bath essentials. Right now you can score a twin-size comforter set for $39.99," Skirboll said.

Don’t buy: food and snacks

You can get a lot more for your buck by shopping at your local grocery stores for things like food and snacks, according to Jing.

"Stick to your regulars for daily food essential to make sure you are getting the best value and making the most of loyalty rewards," she said.

Buy: Dripless Ice Stick Trays

If you've ever struggled to fit an ice cube into a smaller water bottle opening, this product is a lifesaver. "Make your ice in stick form so you can easily drop it in with Dripless Ice Stick Trays," Skirboll said. "Plus, Bed Bath & Beyond has an amazing price on these: $4.99 for a set of two."

Don’t buy: brands excluded from the 20% off coupon

Make sure to check out which brands are excluded from the 20% off coupon before you shop.

"Some popular brands are not included and in that case it's recommended to check out their direct site to find the best and exclusive offers," Jing said.

Buy: Olivia & Oliver

"Olivia & Oliver is a Bed Bath & Beyond exclusive brand that offers gorgeous dinnerware, stemware, home decor, and more," Skirboll said. "It's perfect for a wedding registry because these items offer a high-end look at affordable prices."

Don’t buy: art and decor

If you're looking for unique and high-end decor pieces to amplify your space, Bed Bath & Beyond shouldn't be your primary destination.

"Overall Bed, Bath and Beyond is much better for essential items and art just isn't their specialty, meaning their choices are limited for decor," Jing said.

Buy: coffee and tea pods

"The retailer not only offers exclusive and unique flavors and collaborations, but they also have special discounted bundles on all Keurig items," Erin Sykes, a retail and sales strategy expert, told Business Insider.

"Examples include the exclusive Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup Half-Caff Hazelnut and Perfect Pod Eco-Fill 2.0 reusable single serve pod."

Don’t buy: curtains

According to Sykes, Bed Bath & Beyond's curtain and rod selection is not only mediocre when it comes to pricing, but also when it comes to selection, as they have just a few pattern and color options.

Buy: Wamsutta towels

"Wamsutta towels are affordable, soft, and come in a variety of colors," Skirboll said. "You can find any set you need and all at a great price. Plus, they can only be found at Bed Bath & Beyond."

Don’t buy: Jewelry storage

For jewelry storage Sykes suggests looking at QVC, which, she said, offers the smartest and most creative options.

Buy: bath/kitchen

Bath and kitchen selections like shower curtains and knives tend to be better quality than those at many other stores, and they're available at a competitive price point, according to Jing.

"You can almost guarantee that you'll be investing in bath and kitchenware that will last a long time. The retailer is on par with more luxury home products at a middle-market price," she said.

Don’t buy: Snacks near the register

"The jumbo candy boxes near the cash registers are preying on weary shoppers who want a quick sugar fix," Sykes said. They're almost never cheaper than at competitors and are rarely special or unique buys.

Buy: bedding

"Bed Bath & Beyond doesn't skip on quality with their bedding sets," Jing said. "They aren't necessarily inexpensive, but you're getting great quality and taste for your money. They also offer exclusive designer bedding collections."

Don’t buy: candles

"It's so tempting to pick up a few candles while cruising the aisles at Bed Bath & Beyond, but they tend to smell better en masse than on an individual level due to lower quality and tendency to burn with a lot of residue," Sykes said.

Buy: coffee machine

"Bed Bath & Beyond offers high-end Breville coffee machines that are worth every penny," Jing said.

"You can try them out in-store before buying, which is a definite plus for coffee enthusiasts. Sometimes they are on sale, too. Other kitchen appliances from popular brands like Cuisinart and Nespresso offer free add-ons like mixing tools and coffee pods with your purchase."

Don’t buy: lighting

"Lighting is a very important part of a living space, so it is important to source from a company that has a specialized lighting department," Lisa Jacobs, professional organizer and founder of Imagine It Done, told Business Insider.

Buy: non-traditional cleaning and kitchen tools

"From an OXO Good Grips tool to remove pomegranate seeds to Full Crystal Exterior Cleaning Tools for aluminum, brick and glass, explore Bed Bath & Beyond's aisles to discover unique cleaning and kitchen tools that you didn't know you needed," Sykes said.

Don’t buy: luggage

"I find luggage to be an investment, especially if you travel a lot. If you're going to buy new luggage I suggest getting one that is worth your money and that will last you a long time," Jacobs said. "Take the time you need to find out what kind of luggage you need and what brand would be best for you. Going to a department store where the salespeople are trained in knowing the difference in products is your best bet."

Buy: SodaStream

"Bed, Bath and Beyond sells starter kits and refills plus acts as a cartridge recycling center, so you can turn in your empty CO2 cartridges and get discounts on new ones, simplifying the process," Sykes said.

Don’t buy: personalized gifts

"If you're going to go through the effort of personalizing a gift, go to shops that specialize in personalization — not only in engraving, but specifically the kind of gift that you want to have personalized," Jacobs said.

Buy: tea kettles

"With a wide selection of over 350 options, well beyond any other brick-and-mortar retailer, Bed Bath & Beyond is the best place to find colorful or traditional teapots and kettles," Sykes said. "Check out whimsical options from brands like Kate Spade."

Don’t buy: wall coverings

"If you're going to do a wall covering, it is most likely going to be one of the focal points of your house or apartment," Jacobs said. "Investing in a good one that will make your space look the best it can be is important. Going to a design center that specializes in wall coverings is the best place to go for these types of purchases."

Buy: Artisanal Kitchen Supply Marble and Wood Serveware Collection

"For those who like to entertain, the Artisanal Kitchen Supply Marble and Wood Serveware Collection nails the latest trends while still maintaining functionality," Skirboll said. "Similar items can cost up to double at other home retailers, so keep an eye on this set if you're looking for new serveware."

Don’t buy: shower totes

While the shower totes at Bed Bath & Beyond might be great for camp because they're inexpensive and disposable, that's about where their usefulness ends.

"For better design and quality shower totes that will actually last, source from companies that produce higher end home accessories," Jacobs said.

Buy: personal care items

"Walking into Bed Bath & Beyond is like walking into the largest CVS, but it also has everything else you need for the home, making it the perfect one-stop shop for personal care items," Jacobs said. Pick up everything from tampons to Blistex, often at lower prices than your local drugstore.

Don’t buy: furniture

"While Bed Bath & Beyond does sell some functional furniture, it's never one of my top choices to shop for myself or clients," Jacobs said. "There are many other furniture stores that I would suggest that specialize in home furnishings, which would be the best bet."

A fantastic alternative is West Elm, which offers a great price-quality ratio and discounts items throughout the year.

Buy: Mover Safe and Sound Kit

"One-stop shops like Bed Bath & Beyond are a go-to when people are making a change in their life whether it be going to college, scaling down, or scaling up," Jacobs said. "The Mover Safe and Sound Kit comes with everything you need in case there is an emergency, like a first-aid kit, a Ring video doorbell in case your apartment does not come with a peep hole, and a flashlight."

Don’t buy: maternity items

Most maternity items — like the Motherhood Maternity belly band — are excluded from the retailer's coupon, and you'll find better prices at competing stores.