Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot: Where Should You Shop?

Choosing between Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot can be daunting because the two mega-retailers share many similarities. Both offer an exceptional variety of home improvement products and are in constant competition over pricing and perks.

So to help with the decision, we asked more than 40 pros and DIYers about their experiences. A common theme with their answers was that as contractors they lean toward The Home Depot, but as homeowners, they often prefer Lowe’s.

“Lowe’s tends to offer more variety when it comes to product finishes, colors and design-oriented choices, making it more appealing for projects where aesthetics are a high priority,” says builder Luka Milicevic. “The Home Depot, on the other hand, stocks fewer variations but caters more directly to contractors, focusing on function, availability and standardization over design customization.”

Here is more about the differences between Lowe’s and The Home Depot, plus some handy hacks for saving money at each.

What’s the Difference Between Lowe’s and The Home Depot?

Both Lowe’s and The Home Depot offer just about everything one might need to improve, beautify or fix up their home. And both provide skilled tradespeople and staff experts to guide customers needing extra help and information. But each retailer features nuances only they can claim.

The pros we talked with particularly appreciated the following in-house brands:

Lowe’s Brands

• Sherwin-Williams and Valspar paints
• Kobalt tools
• Stainmaster carpet
• allen + roth home decor
• Project Source kitchen cabinets

Brands The Home Depot sells

• Behr Paint
• Kilz Primer
• Ryobi, Rigid, Makita and Milwaukee tools
• ChemDry carpet stain removers

As for specific trades, the pros comments included:

• Lumber: generally better at The Home Depot, with the exception of specialty and artistic lumber;
• Tile: Better selection at Lowe’s, but The Home Depot has Flexbond thin-set glue;
• Roofing: The Home Depot has a wider selection, especially with metal fabricated pieces, underlayment, fasteners and brand variety;
• Lighting: Lowe’s has a better selection, and showroom displays that make it easier to visualize how it will look at home;
• Landscaping: Lowe’s has the edge with a better selection and prices. “They also seem to take better care of their plants,” says Ben Ashton, CEO of Rocky Mountain Turf. “I’ve seen a lot of stressed, under-watered or over-watered plants in Home Depot.”

“I try using both stores in a focused way: Home Depot for building materials and construction supplies, and Lowe’s for decorative items, paint and appliances that are on price match,” says handyman Travis Wilson.

Lowe’s

JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES

Lowe’s Store Atmosphere

Many of the pros we consulted appreciated the atmosphere of Lowe’s stores, especially with associates who are consumer-focused and take the time to help them find what they need. It’s not uncommon to have a real plumber working in this store’s plumbing equipment department, or a skilled handyman helping you pick lumber.

People also like the wider aisles and less-crowded feel of Lowe’s. “The layout feels cleaner, and it’s easier to spot inspiration pieces,” says interior designer Steven Fernandez. “It just feels more approachable for someone like me who’s not walking in with a contractor’s clipboard but with a vision board. I’ve also had better luck with Lowe’s when it comes to customer support. Associates … seem used to working with people who are figuring it out as they go.”

Lowe’s Return Policy

Most of those we polled were happy with Lowe’s return policy. According to their website, many items are returnable within 90 days, but if you have a commercial account or a Lowe’s credit card, that jumps up to 365 days.

However, their appliance return policy is strict. “I’ve had to return a damaged appliance once through Lowe’s, and the process was fine, but you need to act fast, like within 48 hours,” says Fernandez. “Lowe’s was a little more flexible about accepting a return even after the box had been opened, which I appreciated. Delivery fees not being refundable is kind of annoying, but it’s not unique to either place.”

For paint, in particular, Lowe’s allows returns of unopened paint for 30 days. If you open it but don’t like the color, they’ll replace it with a different color during that same timeframe.

Lowe’s Prices and Discounts

Does Lowe’s price match?

Yes, Lowe’s will price match, plus sometimes give an additional 10% off. You can also stack coupons on top of this for extra savings.

Lowe’s military discount

Lowe’s gives 10% off to all active duty, retired and military veterans and their spouses, with no maximum cap on purchases. To qualify for the discount, you’ll need to verify your status through ID.me.

MyLowe’s Rewards and MyLowe’s Pro Rewards

The Lowe’s rewards program features three tiers, depending on how much you spend per year, with benefits including free shipping, free member gifts, exclusive offers and points that are redeemable for savings.

The MyLowe’s Pro rewards program also has three tiers and includes free shipping, member-only deals and redeemable points, plus volume discounts, pro-business solutions and a 20% paint discount (after you’ve spent $3,000 on paint).

“MyLowe’s has been useful for me personally,” says Fernandez. “It helps me keep track of what I bought for past projects, so I’m not guessing on paint codes or tile SKUs.”

MyLowe’s Pro Rewards Credit Card

Most purchases made at Lowe’s with the Lowe’s credit card are eligible for a 5% discount. There’s no annual fee, plus when you save your card into your lowes.com account wallet, you’ll also be upgrated to the second tier of the MyLowe’s Pro rewards program.

“Every swipe logs on the MyLowe’s card, so a lost receipt never kills a return,” says home improvement expert Tony Hoang. Also, the “military discount stacks over sale tags, shaving hardware costs to boutique rates.”

Lowe’s Shopping Hacks

Besides taking advantage of loyalty and bulk purchasing deals, some of our pros suggested:

• Look for price drops on open-box tools and clearance paint.
• Check for clearance tags tucked on lower shelves.
• When you see a “new lower price” tag, wait a few days, as it might drop again.
• Go to the scratch-and-dent aisle on Wednesdays, when displays are swapped out.
• Use the 10% discount coupon, which can be found in USPS change of address packets.
• Shop the clearance plant racks.
• Walk clearance corridors on the final two days of each month, as yellow tags often slip below cost.
• Wait for bonus gift card events for greater savings when using a Lowe’s credit card.

“Pro Tip: building strong relationships with your local sales reps at either store can unlock additional discounts, priority service and insider tips that save thousands over the course of a project,” says Chris Hock, contractor and president of Earth Saving Solutions. “Learning to navigate their apps and delivery options can also provide significant advantages.”

How To Find a Lowe’s Near Me

Lowe’s has more than 1,700 stores in North America. Check here to find the one closes to you.

The Home Depot

MEDIANEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD/GETTY IMAGES

The Home Depot Store Atmosphere

Many of the pros we consulted said The Home Depot has a more industrial vibe and is better geared for bulk buyers and pros. A few noted that it can feel hectic, with narrow and more congested aisles.”

Overall, “The orange box wins on sheer depth,” says Hoang. “Need 30 matching cabinet pulls the same afternoon, no sweat… [and] the Pro Desk rips plywood to my CAD specs and loads the van with me. The vibe is noisy but efficient, perfect for speed runs.”

The Home Depot Return Policy

Like Lowe’s, Home Depot offers a 90-day return policy on most items with proof of purchase. That policy also increases to 365 days if you make the purchase with a Home Depot credit card or commercial account. However, a company spokesperson confirmed that tinted paint is not returnable or refundable.

The Home Depot Prices and Discounts

Does The Home Depot price match?

Yes, they price match for products in-store and online, so long as the items are available from the competitor to ship to your location. “Just bring the ad, printout or photo with you to the register for validation,” a company spokesperson told Family Handyman.

The Home Depot military discount

The Home Depot gives 10% off to all active duty, retired and military veterans and their spouses, with a cap at $400 annually. To qualify for the discount, you’ll need to verify your status online.

Military families can also shop tax-free on some merchandise through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Navy Exchange, with exclusive military pricing.

Pro Xtra Loyalty Rewards Program

Pros really appreciate The Home Depot’s Pro Xtra program, which is available to everyone but especially caters to business accounts and high-volume projects. It has three tiers depending on spending, and benefits including discounts, rewards points, preferred pricing, gift card rewards, account management and a 20% paint/stain/primer discount. Savings can also be accessed via an app.

“Home Depot shines when it comes to large orders and custom pricing through their Bid Room,” says Milicevic. “While both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer this service, I’ve consistently gotten better pricing from Home Depot on identical products when special ordering for large-scale projects.”

Also, “Home Depot’s outside sales team is a real game-changer,” says Hock. “These reps work tirelessly to source materials, negotiate better pricing and meet with us monthly to ensure our businesses grow alongside HD’s offerings.”

Home Depot Shopping Hacks

Besides taking advantage of loyalty and bulk purchasing deals, some of our pros suggested:

• Use the Home Depot app to scan items in-store; sometimes hidden discounts show up.
• Rent tools after 4 p.m. and you’ll get billed for one day, but have it for an extra evening.
• On Pro Xtra, you can sometimes negotiate cheaper delivery with your rep.
• Use the app for inventory checks and to find items’ locations in the aisles.
• Look for items with yellow tag sales and prices marked .03 and .06. The .03 means the item will be moved to clearance or donated to charity in three weeks (and is typically the lowest price for the product). And the .06 means the price will be lowered in six weeks.

“With Home Depot, I’ve found some of the best deals in the pro section online, especially their ‘Special Buy of the Day,” says Fernandez. “I’ve also picked up scrap lumber for custom pieces at a big discount, usually found in the back corner of the lumber section.”

How To Find a Home Depot Near Me

The Home Depot has more than 2,300 stores in North America. Check here to find the one closest to you.

Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot

Lowe’s Vs. Home Depot: Customer Rewards Program

Both loyalty programs are free to join and offer benefit tiers depending on your spending. Overall, the pros we talked to felt that they got more out of The Home Depot’s Pro Xtra, especially for larger jobs, but said MyLowe’s Rewards and MyLowe’s Pro benefits were solid for making multiple, smaller purchases over time.

Lowe’s Vs. Home Depot: Credit Card

Both cards have no annual fee and offer one-year returns on most items purchased with the card. They also both have periodic promotions for extended financing. But, Lowe’s has a sizable advantage with 5% off all purchases made with the card.

“And [Lowe’s] frequently sends out 10% off coupons throughout the year,” says Milicevic. “It’s one of my top shopping hacks. If you’re buying regularly, it adds up quickly.”

Lowe’s Vs. Home Depot: Paint

Lowe’s offers Sherwin-Williams and Valspar, while The Home Depot has Behr and Kilz primer. With Lowe’s, if you don’t like the color, you can exchange it within 30 days. Both stores offer 20% off of paint with their pro rewards programs, once you buy a certain amount.

FAQ

Are dogs allowed in Lowe’s or Home Depot?

Service animals are allowed in both stores, plus Lowe’s allows well-behaved leashed dogs that are not service animals. A Home Depot spokesperson verified that non-service dogs are not allowed, but from our observations, many stores do not enforce that policy.

Do Lowe’s and Home Depot deliver?

Yes, both stores deliver, though from our experience, if you live in a rural area or are otherwise a long distance from a store, some larger items may not qualify for delivery.

Does Lowe’s or Home Depot cut wood for you?

Yes, both stores offer wood cutting services, but it’s a good idea to check with your local store to confirm they can handle the particulars of your request.

About the Experts

We consulted more than 40 experts for this article, including:

• Chris Hock is a contractor, founder and president of Earth Saving Solutions. He has two decades of experience in the construction industry, including being a Lowe’s General Contractor for kitchen and baths for nine locations in Denver.
• Steven Fernandez is an interior design expert and creative director at Residence Supply. He focuses on enhancing living spaces with lighting fixtures and illuminating homes and offices with unique, handcrafted designs.
• Luka Milicevic is a contractor/home builder with more than a decade of experience, plus an avid DYIer and Real Estate agent in the Nashville, Tennessee, area.
• Travis Wilson is owner of Space Maker Pro, where he shares his passion for home improvement and handyman services.
• Tony Hoang is a home improvement, and interior design expert and owner of What A Room.
• Ben Ashton, CEO of Rocky Mountain Turf, an artificial turf design and installation contractor serving Utah.