10 Ways Trader Joe's Is Better Than Whole Foods

If you love a good grocery store focused on healthier foods and unique options, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have likely been vying for a spot in your heart for quite some time now. They each have their perks, but there's no doubt that there's a handful of reasons why Trader Joe's is better than Whole Foods, plain and simple.

While Whole Foods may excel in some areas, in a head-to-head competition, Trader Joe's easily comes out on top. Actually, I'd even go so far as to say it isn't even a fair fight, and I go to both stores quite frequently, so it's not like I'm an outsider looking in. I've witnessed the ways that Trader Joe's bests Whole Foods in real time over and over again. From lower prices to friendlier vibes to more expansive private label brand selections, TJ's has your back. Sorry Whole Foods — you're lagging behind and show no signs of catching up. Once you learn about the 10 undeniable reasons found below, I'm confident you won't need any more persuading.

There's one area in particular where Trader Joe's not only beats Whole Foods, but every other grocery store around — the frozen section. Really, it is a sight to behold. If you've never been, this is your sign to do so as soon as possible.

So, what makes Trader Joe's frozen section so superior? Well, it is stocked full of unique offerings you won't find anywhere else, thanks to the company's private label brands. From pre-made, microwaveable meals that beat out any typical TV dinner to a sprawling selection of frozen pastas and beyond, Trader Joe's rules the freezer section game. Don't even get me started on the desserts. Give the mini ice cream cones a try and you may never be able to escape the store without a box of them again. Ask me how I know.

Compared to Whole Foods specifically, the frozen section at Trader Joe's is also much larger, so there is a lot more to choose from. Obviously, this could fluctuate from one location to the next, but I have been to quite a few and this is generally the case. Besides, even in larger Whole Foods locations, you won't find any of the amazing items you find at Trader Joe's. The winner is clear, and it's Trader Joe's by a long shot.

I know we just touched a little on how Trader Joe's private label brands crush the competition regarding the frozen section, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The same can be said for the rest of the store as well. Whole Foods has some decent products under its private label brand, 365 by Whole Foods, but they don't all hit the mark. In my experience, many are noticeably bland.

It's not like every single one of Trader Joe's private label offerings is worthy of extreme praise. As is expected, there are a few duds tucked in (I'm looking at you, Organic Ranch Dressing). Even so, the company is known for cycling out products that customers don't absolutely love. Back to the salad dressings, though, the rest of these are yummy, and Trader Joe's lineup of salsas is something to be envied. You'll find more than 15 different kinds, from pico de gallo to fruity salsas, so there is something for every preference, plus some stuff you may never have thought of before. At Whole Foods, on the other hand, the options are far more modest under the private label brand name. A couple of salsas have two heat variations, but this is still trailing far behind Trader Joe's in this category. The same goes for many other product offerings throughout the store.

Another reason Trader Joe's massive selection of private label brands is so spectacular is that it allows the company to keep prices extra low. Whole Foods also has lots of private label brand products, but the prices still don't dip nearly as low as they do at Trader Joe's. In fact, prices are so high at Whole Foods that people often refer to it as "Whole Paycheck." Anecdotally, I noticed prices drop a marginal amount once they teamed up with Amazon, but not enough to make me a regular shopper there.

If the nickname alone doesn't sell you, all you have to do is make a couple of direct product comparisons to see that the proof is in the pudding. For example, 365 by Whole Foods Market Unsweetened Crunchy Peanut Butter costs $2.69 for a 16-ounce container. At Trader Joe's, the Crunchy Unsalted Peanut Butter only costs $2.49 per 16 ounces. That's quite the difference, and I don't know about you, but saving money sounds like the way to go to me. When you compare ranch dressing, similar price differences can be seen. Classic Ranch Dressing costs $4.79 or $0.40 per fluid ounce at Whole Foods, and Buttermilk Ranch costs $3.99 or roughly $0.36 per ounce at Trader Joe's. So yeah, this is just the beginning, and Trader Joe's prices have Whole Foods' beat all over the store.

Another cut-and-dry area that Trader Joe's has Whole Foods bested is the adult beverage department. Trader Joe's sells everything from wine to beer to liquor under its private label line of brands, as well as numerous familiar spirits. At this point, you are probably wondering about Whole Foods, and let me tell you — they aren't even trying. That's right, they don't sell any private label booze. Talk about a party pooper, right?

Here's the thing — not only does Trader Joe's offer a plethora of adult beverages under the company name, but they are also good enough to compete with mainstream brands. As a die-hard fan of Trader Joe's more affordable wines, I can personally attest to their general quality and overall ability to punch well above their weight. The vodka and beer are pretty darn good choices as well. Over at Whole Foods, though, you won't get any of this. Sure, some stores sell booze, but not under the 365 by Whole Foods brand. 

Searching for new foods to try at the grocery store is part of the fun of shopping, at least when you go to Trader Joe's. At Whole Foods, not so much. I'm not trying to say Whole Foods doesn't release new products; they do. Still, the ones the company does introduce sure aren't as quirky and unique as the ones you'll find at Trader Joe's. For example, right now Trader Joe's new products include Hazelnut & Cocoa Filled Crepes and Brie Cheese Flavored Spread. Sounds delicious, right? You know what's new at Whole Foods right now, though? Salad kits and Pasture-Raised & Regenerative Chicken Bone Broth. Umm ... boring!

Ah, Trader Joe's. All of your unique products may not be bangers, but they sure are interesting enough to keep me coming back for more. Maybe not of the same product, but you never know what you'll find, and that's part of the fun of shopping there. Actually, many of their products even develop a cult-following. If you are familiar with Trader Joe's Hall of Fame, you know what I'm talking about. If not, this is your sign to go get a bag of the Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets as fast as humanly possible. Yum! So, if you want to go on a shopping adventure, Trader Joe's is the obvious pick.

At Whole Foods, the shelves stand a mile high, and they are loaded with what seems to be endless products. At Trader Joe's, that simply is not the case. Instead, it pretty much exclusively stocks its private label brand, and there aren't nearly as many items. As a result, when you walk into a Trader Joe's, it doesn't feel quite so overwhelming, which makes the store much simpler to navigate.

Interestingly enough, it also feels like Trader Joe's has a flow throughout the store that easily takes you from one section to the next. Whether this is by design or not — my guess is that it is — Trader Joe's is a breeze to shop at. The lower shelf heights, which are less densely stocked, make it simple to find what you are looking for quickly and easily. So, if you want to make a quick grocery store trip and still get everything you want, Trader Joe's is ready and waiting. Whole Foods is too, but the sheer quantity and layout of products seems to keep me in the store forever, which is likely deliberate. Still, easy navigation is another area where Trader Joe's steals the show from Whole Foods.

Tucked in the back of Trader Joe's, you'll find a little counter offering samples. Sometimes it is a fun drink or a little bite of something, but either way, samples are a thing. At Whole Foods, there is no such counter, and samples are unheard of. While the samples you get at Trader Joe's are nothing compared to what is offered at Costco, a little something never hurts, and it's better than what Whole Foods is offering, which, again, is absolutely nothing.

Both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have a policy where you can ask an employee to sample a product you find on the shelves. If you do, they'll gladly give you a taste. However, this doesn't count when it comes to straight-up sample giveaways. Besides, both companies do it, so once again, Trader Joe's comes out on top in this round. Give the people what they want, Whole Foods, and we all know that's free samples without having to ask for them.

On the off chance that you get something you truly detest or it somehow spoils unexpectedly, making a return at a grocery store should be simple. Thankfully, Trader Joe's ensures it is just that: simple and straightforward. You don't need a receipt, although it can make refunding to your original form of payment easier. Additionally, Trader Joe's will accept anything you want to return, half-consumed or not.It sure makes me more likely to try new things without any monetary hesitations. Since that's basically the name of the game at Trader Joe's, sounds like a major win to me.

Whole Foods also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee on the products it sells. There's one big hitch, though — you have to have your receipt. Without it, you are out of luck. The company website also notes that there are notable exceptions to the rule, including gift cards and WIC purchases. These restrictions make it sound less reliable. I, for one, would hate to attempt a return, receipt in tow, and be turned away. For this reason, Trader Joe's has Whole Foods bested once again.

During my time as a food writer I've taken my lifelong love of snacking to a whole new level, trying more than my fair share of treats from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Both grocery stores have some tasty offerings, but Whole Foods doesn't hold a candle to the lineup of yummy and unique sweet snacks you'll find at Trader Joe's. For example, have you heard of the iconic Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Cups? Perfectly sized for snacking, available in both dark and milk chocolate, and downright delectable, they will have you thinking of them for way longer than the package lasts. At Whole Foods, good luck finding something sweet and snackable that can even try to compete.

Another prime example of how Trader Joe's surpasses Whole Foods regarding snacks can be found in the lineup of chips. At Trader Joe's, it is something to be marveled at. From Ketchup Flavored Lattice Chips to Garlic Butter Irish Potato Chips to Norwegian Sourdough Rye Chips and beyond, Trader Joe's not only has tasty options, but a list of products that will make you wonder how they even came up with such unusual, yet intriguing flavor combinations. At Whole Foods, on the other hand, you get a bunch of the usual suspects like Kettle Brand, a few mainstream tortilla chips, and some other standard styles and flavors. 

The final way that Trader Joe's beats Whole Foods doesn't have to do with selection or prices. However, it's just as important, maybe more so. Simply put, the vibes at Trader Joe's are just better.

From the quirky and colorful artwork on the walls to the funky Hawaiian shirts that the staff wears to their overall attitude and friendliness, Trader Joe's keeps the vibes high. I mean, have you ever made it through the checkout line without having a full-blown conversation with the person ringing you up? I haven't. They're always so curious, and they won't hesitate to tell you how you did a great job picking out some of their favorite items. I mean, who doesn't want compliments on their selections? What's more, the staff will even hold products for you if they are in limited stock and you call ahead. Talk about five-star service, from a grocery store no less. Whole Foods wouldn't hear of it. The entire place feels more sterile and, dare I say, soulless.

Now that you know about the many reasons Trader Joe's is better than Whole Foods, all that's left for you to do is to head on over and fill a cart or basket. Of course, brushing up on some TJ's-specific shopping tips won't hurt, but either way, let the grocery shopping fun commence!