If you've read our breakdown of who really makes Member's Mark toilet paper, you already know Walmart's warehouse brand has built a loyal following at Sam's Club. The question homeowners often ask is: how does Member’s Mark toilet paper compete with Costco's equally beloved Kirkland Signature? Both products have many supporters. Here's how they compare once you look past the marketing.
The Quick Comparison Between Member’s Mark Toilet Paper and Costco’s Kirkland
Based on published price-per-square-foot data, sheet counts, and hundreds of verified customer reviews across Sam's Club, Costco, and Amazon, Member's Mark generally wins on value and roll count. Kirkland Signature Ultra Soft edges ahead on plushness for people who want a hotel-style feel. Neither is a "bad" choice; the right pick depends on whether you prioritize cost per use or texture.
Price and Value: The Numbers That Matter
Comparing the flagship two-ply tissues side by side tells the real story:
| Member's Mark Ultra Premium | Kirkland Signature Ultra Soft | |
| Sheets per roll | 235 | 231 |
| Rolls per pack | 45 | 36 |
| Total sq. ft. | ~1,254 | ~1,040 |
| Price per sq. ft. | ~1.8 cents | ~2.4 cents |
Sam's Club packs more tissues into its case, typically bringing the cost per square foot down by roughly 20-25% compared to Kirkland's Ultra Soft line. Costco does sell a cheaper, thinner "regular" Kirkland Bath Tissue that can undercut Member's Mark on raw price. However, most shoppers describe the base tier as noticeably thinner and less absorbent, closer to a rest-stop roll than a premium brand.
Softness and Strength
Neither brand publishes independent lab results, but the pattern across consumer testing sites and long-running review threads remains consistent. Member's Mark tends to be described as sturdier when unrolling; reviewers say it tears less than Kirkland's Ultra Soft when pulled quickly. Kirkland's Ultra Soft, meanwhile, is frequently praised for a plusher, more cushioned feel, closer to mid-tier Charmin.
If you dislike anything that feels thin, Kirkland Ultra Soft is the safer buy. If you want a roll that survives strong use without shredding, Member's Mark tends to win.
Septic Systems and Sustainability
This is where the two brands genuinely differ. Member's Mark is marketed and tested as septic-safe, and its higher sheet count per roll means people typically use fewer sheets per visit, which helps older or smaller septic tanks. Kirkland Signature is also septic-safe, but its fiber sourcing draws more scrutiny: NRDC's Issue with Tissue scorecard has repeatedly given Kirkland a failing grade, citing its reliance on virgin wood pulp sourced from Canada's boreal forest rather than recycled content. If sustainability matters to you, not using recycled material is a matter of concern and should be factored in.
The manufacturing process also differs for both. Neither Walmart nor Costco owns paper mills; both outsource to contract manufacturers without naming a specific supplier. Kirkland tissue is widely reported to come from a rotating list of partners, including Georgia-Pacific, Sofidel, and Clearwater Paper. Member's Mark keeps its supply chain secret, which is exactly why our earlier piece dug into who's really behind the Sam's Club label.
Which Should You Buy?
If your priority is going beyond your budget across a big household, Member's Mark's higher sheet count and lower cost per square foot make it a more practical choice. If plush texture matters more than price and you don't mind paying a bit more, Kirkland Signature Ultra Soft is worth upgrading from the base Kirkland tissue. Either way, skip Costco's non-Ultra Kirkland Bath Tissue if softness matters to you at all; reviewers consistently steer people away from it.