Kohl's vs. TJ Maxx: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Kohl's operates as a traditional department store, offering a predictable shopping experience with consistent inventory, frequent sales, and stackable coupons on both national and private-label brands. In contrast, TJ Maxx is an off-price retailer known for its "treasure hunt" model, providing designer and brand-name goods at significant discounts, though inventory is constantly changing and less predictable.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right retailer for your needs.

Kohl's: The Dependable Family Department Store

Kohl's is a go-to department store for families and budget-conscious shoppers looking for apparel, home goods, and accessories all in one place. Its business model thrives on a combination of reputable national brands and its own exclusive private labels, all supported by a constant stream of promotions, coupons, and its popular Kohl's Cash rewards program. The shopping experience, both in-store and online, is designed to be straightforward, organized, and convenient.

• Product mix: A broad selection of clothing, footwear, home decor, kitchenware, and beauty from brands like Nike, Levi's, and Simply Vera Vera Wang.
• Price point: Prices are moderate, but the real value comes from leveraging sales events and stacking discounts or Kohl's Cash. A pair of Levi's jeans might be listed at $69.50 but is often available for much less during a promotion.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing across Kohl's private labels is notably consistent and generally true to size. Detailed size charts and extensive customer reviews on their website make online shopping reliable.
• Rewards program: The Kohl's Rewards program is a major draw. Shoppers earn Kohl's Cash ($10 for every $50 spent) during specific promotional periods, which can later be used as a discount on future purchases.
• Sales: Kohl’s runs near-constant sales and distributes frequent percent-off coupons, making it unusual for shoppers to pay full price for anything.
• Shopping Experience: Stores are clean and organized by department. The website is user-friendly, offering robust filtering options, curbside pickup, and the popular option to make Amazon returns in-store.
• Return policy: Kohl's offers a generous 180-day return window for most items, providing ample time for customers to make a final decision.

Kohl's offers reliable quality and consistent sizing with an unrivaled savings structure, making it ideal for families and anyone who loves a predictable bargain.

Shop Kohl's: kohls.com

TJ Maxx: The Designer Deal Treasure Hunt

TJ Maxx is the quintessential off-price retailer where the thrill is in the find. By purchasing designer overstock, past-season items, and special orders, they offer high-quality, genuine brand-name products at impressive discounts. The business thrives on a rapidly changing inventory that encourages shoppers to visit often because the items available one day are likely to be gone the next. This "treasure hunt" style attracts savvy, trend-conscious shoppers looking for high-end brands without the high-end price tag.

• Product mix: An ever-changing assortment of designer and brand-name apparel, footwear, handbags, beauty products, and gourmet food. You could find a Coach handbag one day and an All-Clad pan the next.
• Price point: Prices are consistently 20-60% below what you'd see at traditional retail stores. Discounts are already built into the sticker price.
• Sizing/Fit: Fit is unpredictable due to the enormous variety of brands sold. What's a medium in one brand might be a large in another, making it essential to try on items in-store.
• Quality: You can find exceptionally high-quality designer merchandise, but inventory also includes past-season items or minor irregularities. A hands-on inspection of each piece is a good idea.
• Shopping Experience: The store layout can feel more chaotic than a department store, organized by size and category but not by brand. This encourages browsing and discovery.
• Sales: TJ Maxx doesn't run traditional sales or accept storewide coupons. Its entire model is based on offering low prices every day. Clearance markdowns offer even bigger savings.
• Return policy: Generally offers a 30-day return policy for unused merchandise with a receipt for a full refund.

TJ Maxx is perfect for shoppers who enjoy the thrill of discovering unique, fashionable pieces and designer labels at a steep discount and don't mind a little digging.

Shop TJ Maxx: tjmaxx.com

Kohl's vs. TJ Maxx Comparison

Price Comparison

The price advantage depends entirely on your shopping style. TJ Maxx offers a lower upfront sticker price on designer and brand-name items. For example, you might find a $200 Michael Kors dress for $79.99. The discount is immediate and requires no extra effort.

Kohl's, on the other hand, relies on its multi-layered discount system. A pair of "Sonoma" brand jeans might be priced at $50, but with a 30% off coupon during a Kohl's Cash earning period, the final effective price can be significantly lower. Kohl's gives you the tools to create a deep discount, while TJ Maxx delivers it upfront.

Product Selection & Style

Kohl's provides a stable and predictable inventory of mid-range brands and its private labels, like Sonoma Goods for Life and Nine West. Their style is generally classic and targets a broad family demographic. It's the place you go when you know exactly what you need - be it black work pants or kitchen towels.

TJ Maxx is driven by whatever great deals its buyers can find, resulting in an eclectic and trend-focused selection. The inventory is unpredictable and brand availability changes weekly. This makes it exciting for fashion lovers who want to discover something unique but less reliable for shoppers needing a specific item.

Fit & Sizing

Kohl's is the clear winner for sizing consistency. Their private label brands maintain predictable fits, and their massive library of online reviews helps shoppers choose the right size with confidence. If you wear a size 8 in LC Lauren Conrad pants, you can likely buy another pair a year later in the same size without issue.

TJ Maxx carries hundreds of different brands from all over the world, meaning sizing is highly inconsistent. A "medium" can mean very different things from one brand to the next. This makes in-store trying on almost essential and online shopping a bit of a gamble.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Kohl's is methodical and convenient. The stores are neatly organized, the website is easy to filter and navigate, and services like curbside pickup and Amazon Returns streamline the process. It's built for efficiency.

The experience at TJ Maxx is intentionally a "treasure hunt." Aisles are long, items are densely packed, and the fun is in sifting through racks to find a hidden gem. It's less efficient but creates a rewarding feeling of discovery for those who enjoy the process.

Rewards & Savings

Kohl's has one of the most robust rewards and savings programs in retail. Between percentage-off coupons, stackable category deals, Kohl's Rewards, and the highly popular Kohl's Cash, savvy shoppers can almost always secure a significant discount.

TJ Maxx’s approach to savings is simpler: low prices every day. It doesn't run sales, promotions, or offer coupons. They do offer the TJX Rewards credit card, which gives users rewards points back on purchases, but there are no store-wide savings events.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both retailers offer compelling value, but they cater to very different shopping priorities.

Choose Kohl's if:

• You're shopping for basics for the whole family under one roof.
• You value predictable stock, consistent sizing, and organized stores.
• You love a good deal and enjoy the strategy of stacking coupons and rewards.
• You do a lot of your shopping online and rely on site navigation and reviews.

Choose TJ Maxx if:

• You are hunting for high-end designer brands at a significant discount.
• You love the thrill of discovery and don't mind browsing for hidden gems.
• You prioritize fashion and unique, trend-forward pieces over everyday basics.
• You almost exclusively shop in-store and can try on items for fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kohl's or TJ Maxx cheaper?

TJ Maxx is typically cheaper on a per-item basis for designer brands, with discounts of 20-60% off retail built into the price. However, a savvy Kohl's shopper using coupons and earning Kohl's Cash can often achieve a similar or even better final price on their total purchase.

Which store has better quality clothing?

This is a trade-off. TJ Maxx offers access to higher-quality brands known for premium materials and construction. Kohl's, on the other hand, provides more consistent and dependable quality across its core selection of private and national brands, with fewer surprise defects.

Can you find the same brands at both stores?

Occasionally a brand like Adidas or Calvin Klein might appear in both stores, but their brand mixes are largely different. Kohl's has long-term partnerships with specific national brands, while TJ Maxx's inventory is opportunistic, featuring a much wider but less predictable range of designer labels.

Which is better for online shopping?

Kohl's is better for online shopping. Its website has consistent inventory, reliable sizing information, robust filters, and customer reviews. The TJ Maxx website inventories are much smaller and change fast, making it a less reliable online destination.

Does TJ Maxx have coupons like Kohl's?

No, TJ Maxx does not offer coupons or frequent sales. Its entire pricing structure is built on offering discounted prices every day. Any additional discounts come in the form of clearance markdowns on individual items.

Which store's sizing is more reliable?

Kohl's offers far more reliable and consistent sizing, especially across its private-label brands. The variability of brands at TJ Maxx makes sizing unpredictable.

Which store is better for home goods?

It depends on your goal. Kohl's is better for buying complete, matching sets of bedding, towels, or dinnerware. TJ Maxx is superior for finding unique, decorative accent pieces, gourmet kitchen tools, and designer brand items at a discount.

What is the return policy at Kohl's vs. TJ Maxx?

Kohl's has a very generous return policy, allowing returns on most items for up to 180 days after the original purchase date. TJ Maxx typically requires returns to be made within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.