5 Gallon Bucket at Home Depot vs Lowes vs PailHQ: Complete Price Comparison (2026)
Last Updated: January 30, 2026 | Written by PailHQ Industrial Packaging Team | Reviewed by supply chain specialists with 20+ years in plastic container manufacturing
Looking for a 5 gallon bucket at Home Depot or Lowes? While hardware stores offer convenient same-day pickup, their buckets are designed for general use—not food storage, chemical handling, or bulk orders. For UN-certified, food-grade pails with free shipping on 36+ units, check PailHQ's 5-gallon pails.
Quick Answer: Home Depot orange buckets cost $4.48-$5.98 each. Lowes blue buckets run $4.98-$6.48. PailHQ's professional-grade HDPE pails start at $8.49 with volume discounts to $5.99/pail at 48+ units—with free shipping.
Related guides: Food Grade vs Regular Buckets | 5 Gallon Bucket with Lid Guide | Bulk Wholesale Pricing
Industry Context: The 5 Gallon Bucket Market
The U.S. plastic pail and bucket market is valued at approximately $2.1 billion annually, with 5-gallon containers representing the largest segment at 45% of total volume, according to IBISWorld industry research. Home Depot and Lowes together operate over 4,000 retail locations in North America, making them the most accessible sources for consumer-grade buckets.
However, industrial and food-grade applications require containers meeting specific FDA 21 CFR and UN/DOT certification standards—certifications that hardware store buckets do not carry.
Key Takeaways:
- Home Depot and Lowes buckets are best for DIY projects, painting, and household use
- Neither store offers food-grade certified or UN-rated pails for chemical/hazmat shipping
- The U.S. FDA requires food-contact containers meet 21 CFR 177.1520 standards for HDPE
- PailHQ offers volume pricing: $8.49/each → $5.99/each at 48+ units
- Free shipping on orders of 36 units or more (1 pallet = 36-48 units)
- Professional-grade pails use 90 mil wall thickness vs. 60-70 mil for retail buckets
Home Depot 5 Gallon Bucket Options
Home Depot is known for their iconic orange "Homer" bucket, selling an estimated 15+ million units annually across their 2,300+ U.S. locations.
Homer Bucket (Standard Orange) - Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|--------------|-------|
| SKU | 05GLHD2 |
| Price | $4.48 each |
| Material | HDPE plastic (recycled content) |
| Wall Thickness | 60-70 mil |
| Capacity | 5.0 gallons (18.9 liters) |
| Dimensions | 14.5" H x 12.0" top diameter |
| Weight (empty) | 1.8 lbs |
| Food Safe | No - not FDA 21 CFR compliant |
| UN Certified | No - not rated for hazmat |
| Lids | Sold separately ($2.18-$4.97) |
Home Depot Bucket Pros:
- Immediate in-store pickup at 2,300+ locations
- Convenient for small quantities (1-5 buckets)
- Suitable for paint, cleaning, DIY projects
- Stackable design with reinforced rim
Home Depot Bucket Cons:
- Not food grade certified (FDA 21 CFR)
- No UN certification for chemical/hazmat shipping
- Contains recycled content with unknown chemical history
- Orange dye may leach with certain solvents
- No volume discounts available
- $4.48 price doesn't include lid ($6.66-$9.45 total)
Lowes 5 Gallon Bucket Options
Lowes operates 1,700+ stores across North America. Their primary 5-gallon offering is the Encore Plastics bucket in signature blue.
Encore Plastics 5 Gallon Bucket - Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|--------------|-------|
| Item # | 10138 |
| Price | $4.98 each |
| Material | HDPE plastic |
| Wall Thickness | 65-70 mil |
| Capacity | 5.0 gallons (18.9 liters) |
| Dimensions | 14.5" H x 11.9" top diameter |
| Weight (empty) | 1.9 lbs |
| Food Safe | No - not FDA approved |
| UN Certified | No |
| Lids | Sold separately ($3.48-$5.98) |
Lowes Bucket Pros:
- In-store pickup at 1,700+ locations
- Clean blue color preferred by some contractors
- Good for household and construction projects
- Compatible with standard 12" lids
Lowes Bucket Cons:
- 11% higher base price than Home Depot ($4.98 vs $4.48)
- Not food grade certified
- No chemical resistance guarantee per ASTM standards
- No bulk pricing program
- Total cost with lid: $8.46-$10.96
PailHQ 5 Gallon Pail: Professional-Grade Specifications
For businesses, food storage, chemical handling, or anyone needing more than a few buckets, professional-grade pails provide certifications and durability that hardware stores cannot match.
PailHQ M2 Professional HDPE Pail - Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|--------------|-------|
| Model | M2-5GAL |
| Price | $8.49 each ($5.99 at 48+ units) |
| Material | 100% virgin HDPE resin |
| Wall Thickness | 90 mil (30% thicker than retail) |
| Capacity | 5.25 gallons (19.9 liters) |
| Dimensions | 14.5" H x 12.0" top diameter |
| Weight (empty) | 2.4 lbs |
| Food Safe | Yes - FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 compliant |
| UN Certified | Yes - UN 1H2/Y1.8/100 rated |
| DOT Approved | Yes - 49 CFR 178.601 compliant |
| Lid Included | Yes, gasket-sealed lid |
| Shipping | FREE on 36+ units |
| Origin | Made in Ohio, USA |
Why Professional-Grade Matters:
- FDA 21 CFR Compliance: Required for any container in direct food contact. Virgin HDPE meets FDA 177.1520 standards for food-safe polymers.
- UN/DOT Certification: The UN 1H2/Y rating means the container is tested and approved for transporting hazardous materials up to 1.8 specific gravity—legally required for chemical shipping.
- 90 Mil Wall Thickness: Industry standard for professional applications. At 30% thicker than retail buckets, 90 mil walls resist puncture, cracking, and flexing under load.
- Virgin HDPE Resin: No recycled content means no unknown chemical residues, no dye leaching, and consistent material properties batch to batch.
- Gasket-Sealed Lids: Creates airtight seal preventing moisture ingress, contamination, and product degradation—critical for food storage and chemical applications.
Price Comparison: Total Cost Analysis
| Feature | Home Depot | Lowes | PailHQ |
|---------|-----------|-------|--------|
| Single Bucket | $4.48 | $4.98 | $8.49 |
| With Lid | $6.66-$9.45 | $8.46-$10.96 | $8.49 (included) |
| 10 Buckets + Lids | $66.60-$94.50 | $84.60-$109.60 | $84.90 |
| 48 Buckets + Lids | $319.68-$453.60 | $406.08-$526.08 | $287.52 ($5.99/ea) |
| Shipping (48 units) | ~$50-150 | ~$50-150 | FREE |
| Food Grade | No | No | Yes |
| UN Certified | No | No | Yes |
| Wall Thickness | 60-70 mil | 65-70 mil | 90 mil |
| Lid Type | Snap-on only | Snap-on only | Gasket sealed |
Break-Even Analysis: At 48+ units, PailHQ's professional pails cost less than hardware store buckets with lids—while providing FDA certification, UN rating, and 30% thicker walls.
When to Buy from Home Depot or Lowes
Hardware store buckets are appropriate for:
- Small quantities (1-5 buckets): Immediate pickup, no shipping wait
- DIY projects: Paint mixing, tool storage, yard work
- Non-food applications: Washing vehicles, carrying supplies
- One-time use: Construction debris, cleaning projects
- Budget constraints: When certifications aren't required
Important: According to FDA guidelines, containers not manufactured for food contact should never be used to store food, beverages, or potable water—regardless of the plastic type.
When to Choose Professional-Grade Pails
Certified pails are required or recommended for:
- Food storage: Emergency prep, bulk dry goods, fermenting (FDA compliance required)
- Bulk orders (10+): Volume pricing provides better value than retail
- Chemical handling: UN certification legally required for hazmat transport
- Manufacturing: Consistent specs for production line compatibility
- Quality requirements: 90 mil walls, virgin HDPE, gasket seals
- B2B operations: Food processing, agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
5 Gallon Bucket Near Me: Finding Local Options
Home Depot Store Locator
- 2,300+ U.S. locations at HomeDepot.com/store-finder
- Most stores stock 50-200 Homer buckets
- Call ahead for quantities over 20
- No bulk pricing available in-store
Lowes Store Locator
- 1,700+ U.S. locations at Lowes.com/store-services/store-directory
- Blue Encore buckets typically in stock
- Same-day pickup available for in-stock items
- Limited to store inventory levels
PailHQ Direct Shipping
- Order online at PailHQ.com/product
- Ships within 1-2 business days from Ohio
- Free freight on 36+ units (full pallet)
- Delivered direct to your facility or residence
- Volume pricing to $5.99/pail at 48+ units
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Home Depot buckets food safe?
No. Home Depot orange buckets are not manufactured to FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 standards for food contact. They may contain recycled plastics, dyes, or additives not approved for food storage. The FDA recommends using only containers specifically manufactured and labeled for food contact. For food storage, use certified food-grade buckets.
Can I use Lowes buckets for emergency food storage?
Not recommended. According to FEMA emergency preparedness guidelines, food storage containers should be food-grade and airtight. Lowes buckets lack FDA certification and are designed for general use. For emergency preparedness, use food-grade pails like PailHQ's FDA-approved options.
What's the difference between orange and white buckets?
Color indicates brand (Home Depot = orange, Lowes = blue), but the more important distinction is certification. White or natural-colored buckets from professional suppliers are typically made from virgin HDPE without dyes and carry FDA food-grade certification. The PailHQ white pail is FDA-approved and UN-certified for both food and chemical applications.
How much is a 5 gallon bucket at Home Depot?
As of January 2026, a standard orange Homer bucket costs $4.48 without lid (SKU 05GLHD2). Add $2.18-$4.97 for a snap-on lid. Total cost per complete bucket: $6.66-$9.45 depending on lid type selected.
Where can I buy 5 gallon buckets in bulk near me?
For bulk orders (36+ units), direct-from-manufacturer pricing typically beats retail by 20-40% when including shipping costs. PailHQ offers free shipping on full pallet orders with prices starting at $5.99/pail for 48+ units—less than hardware store buckets with lids.
Are Homer buckets HDPE?
Yes, Homer buckets are made from HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene, recycling code #2). However, they contain recycled content and may include post-consumer or post-industrial materials with unknown chemical history. For applications requiring virgin HDPE with documented chain of custody, choose certified suppliers.
What is the weight capacity of a 5 gallon bucket?
A standard 5 gallon bucket can safely hold 40-50 lbs of material depending on wall thickness. Professional 90 mil buckets can hold heavier loads without flexing. When filled with water, a 5 gallon bucket weighs approximately 42 lbs (water weighs 8.34 lbs/gallon).
The Bottom Line
For 1-5 buckets needed immediately: Home Depot or Lowes is your most convenient option. Pick up orange or blue buckets for $4-5 each and get started on your project today. These are suitable for non-food, non-chemical DIY applications.
For 10+ buckets, food storage, or chemical handling: PailHQ offers better value and required certifications. At 48+ units, you pay just $5.99/pail for a product that's 30% thicker, FDA food-grade certified, and UN-rated for hazmat—with free shipping included.
Ready to order? Get a free quote within 24 hours or call us at 954.594.2108.
About PailHQ
PailHQ is a direct-to-business and direct-to-consumer supplier of professional-grade 5-gallon HDPE pails. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we specialize in UN-certified, FDA-approved containers for food processing, chemical handling, agriculture, and industrial applications. All pails are manufactured in Ohio with 100% virgin HDPE resin and carry full documentation for regulatory compliance.
Sources & References
- IBISWorld Industry Report: Plastic Bucket & Pail Manufacturing in the US (2025)
- FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 - Olefin Polymers for Food Contact
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations
- DOT 49 CFR 178.601 - General Requirements for Packaging
- Home Depot Product Specifications (homedepot.com)
- Lowes Product Specifications (lowes.com)
- FEMA Emergency Food Storage Guidelines (ready.gov)