7 of the Best Products to Buy at Sam's Club

As my fellow personal finance fanatics can attest, getting a good bargain feels good. But we've all been bitten by the bargain that wasn't -- you know, those items that are so bad, even the low price doesn't stem the tide of regret.

Store brands, in particular, are often guilty of being on the wrong side of the quality-price scale. That is, unless you're shopping at Sam's Club. The Member's Mark house brand is not only full of great values, but many of the items are of name-brand quality (or better).

Here's a look at some of the best products unique to Sam's Club that offer value and quality.

1. Member's Mark Ultra Premium Soft & Strong 2-Ply Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is one of those things that many of us don't realize we have strong opinions about -- but we all do (and that's before you get started on the over-under debate!). The Member's Mark toilet paper must be made of clouds and parental approval, because it has over 78,000 five-star reviews. Think about that: 78,000 people took time out of their day to say this is good toilet paper. And, of course, you can't beat that price.

Cost: $22.98 ($0.002 per sheet)

Rating: 4.9 / 5.0

2. Member's Mark Antihistamines

Persistent allergies are the worst, and not just for your face -- though that can really suck. They can also be really bad for your budget when you need a daily antihistamine. Member's Mark has two different types: Aller-itin loratadine tablets and Aller-Zyr cetirizine tablets (based on the active ingredients from Claritin and Zyrtec, respectively). Users give both products 4.9 stars, and the cost per pill is a fraction of what the name brands charge.

Cost: $12.23–$15.98 ($0.03–$0.04 per pill)

Rating: 4.9 / 5.0

3. Member's Mark Super Premium 2-Ply Paper Towels

While I've started relying more on washable towels than paper ones, some jobs simply require a good paper towel. The Member's Mark select-and-tear option performs well while costing less than $0.01 per towel. (And in case you're wondering, the name-brand Bounty towels cost more than twice as much -- and they only have 4.6 stars.)

Cost: $19.98 ($0.008 per sheet)

Rating: 4.9 / 5.0

4. Member's Mark Natural Shelled Walnuts

Walnuts are a delicious snack and an excellent addition to baked goods, but they have one major drawback: They're expensive! Member's Mark walnuts are a reasonable price, and I think they taste pretty good, too. I'm not alone, either; they have a couple thousand reviews giving them a total rating of 4.8 stars. In fact, you can find a variety of whole nuts under the Member's Mark brand, all of which seem to be fairly well reviewed.

Cost: $7.98 ($0.17 per ounce)

Rating: 4.8 / 5.0

5. Member's Mark Coffee Single-Serve Cups

Coffee pods are undeniably convenient, but those little 12-count boxes from the grocery store can be ridiculously expensive. Member's Mark makes five different types of single-serve coffee pods, all of which have at least 4.7 stars (the French Roast edges out the rest with 4.8 stars). They also have a completely reasonable cost of just $0.28 per cup.

Cost: $27.98 ($0.28 per cup)

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0

6. Member's Mark Premium Chunk Chicken Breast

Chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients around, and a quality canned version means you always have it on hand. Use it for salads, soups, and even quesadillas for quick and easy meals. While I haven't tried this one myself, Member's Mark chunk chicken breast has more than 8,500 five-star reviews and an overall 4.7-star rating.

Cost: $12.84 ($2.14 per can)

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0

7. Member's Mark Batteries

For every new rechargeable device you can purchase, there are still two more electronics that seem to require an endless stream of batteries. (Why do TV remotes eat batteries so fast?!) Member's Mark sells big packs of both AA and AAA batteries for less than $0.50 a battery. And they seem to work well; a few thousand reviewers have given both battery types a total rating of 4.7 stars each.

Cost: $21.48 ($0.50 per battery)

Rating: 4.9 / 5.0

Tip of the bargain iceberg

Provided the quantities don't overwhelm your pantry, there are a ton of deals to be had at Sam's Club, especially on Member's Mark items. But there are other perks to a Sam's Club membership worth mentioning. For instance, if you have a Plus membership, you also get free shipping and free store pickup, and Scan & Go, which lets you cut the checkout line (it's truly revolutionary).

Then there's also the fact that you don't have to worry about which credit card you're using (I'm looking at you, Costco). While Sam's Club, like Costco, won't code as groceries on your credit card bill, you can still get some good credit card rewards with the right card. Since you're already getting a bargain on prices, that extra bit of savings from your rewards is icing on the proverbial cake.