Where to Buy 5 Gallon Buckets: 7 Sources Compared [2026]

Where to Buy 5 Gallon Buckets: 7 Sources Compared [2026]

Every year, U.S. businesses purchase billions of dollars worth of plastic containers — and knowing where to buy 5 gallon buckets at the right price can mean the difference between a $9.99 unit cost and a $16.99 one (a 70% cost difference on large orders). The problem: most buyers default to Home Depot or Amazon without realizing they are paying retail prices for a product that has well-established wholesale channels.

At PailHQ, we manufacture and sell UN-certified, FDA food-grade 5-gallon HDPE pails direct to businesses across the US. We have compared our pricing against every major buying channel and put the data in this guide so you can make the most informed purchasing decision.

Whether you need 12 buckets for a small operation or 1,200 for a production line, this guide covers every buying channel, compares real current prices, and tells you exactly which source to use for your order size. For a quick price check on your quantity, use our live pricing tool at pailhq.com/quote.

What you'll learn:

  • Where to buy 5 gallon buckets near you (retail vs. online)
  • Cheapest places to buy 5 gallon buckets in bulk
  • Which sources carry UN-certified or food-grade options
  • Real price comparisons for small and large orders in 2026

Table of Contents

  1. Home Depot
  2. Lowe's
  3. Walmart
  4. Amazon
  5. Uline
  6. Restaurant Supply Stores
  7. Industrial Wholesale Suppliers (PailHQ)
  8. Which Source Is Right for You?
  9. FAQ

1. Home Depot {#home-depot}

Best for: 1–5 buckets, immediate pickup

Home Depot's ubiquitous orange Homer Bucket ($4.98) is the most recognizable 5 gallon bucket in America. You'll find them in nearly every store, often in the paint department.

Pros:

  • Available same-day at 2,300+ locations nationwide
  • Inexpensive for 1–3 units
  • Generic lids available separately

Cons:

  • Not food-grade (not FDA compliant for food contact)
  • No UN certification for hazardous materials transport
  • No bulk pricing — $4.98 per unit at any quantity
  • Inconsistent lid fit across bucket lines
  • Not stackable at the same density as industrial pails

Pricing: $4.98/unit (no bulk discounts)

Food grade: No

UN certified: No

If you're buying more than 10 buckets, you'll pay $49.80 or more with zero discount — while industrial suppliers offer 20%+ savings at those quantities.

2. Lowe's {#lowes}

Best for: Small DIY and home use

Lowe's carries similar utility buckets to Home Depot, typically in the 5 gallon range for paint, construction, and general use. Prices run $4.98–$6.99 depending on the product line.

Pros:

  • Convenient local pickup
  • Sometimes available in multipacks

Cons:

  • Same limitations as Home Depot: no food grade, no UN certification
  • Limited bulk options
  • Paint-grade only — not rated for chemicals

Pricing: $4.98–$6.99/unit

Food grade: No

UN certified: No

3. Walmart {#walmart}

Best for: Budget buyers needing 1–6 units

Walmart sells both in-store and online, with 5 gallon buckets ranging from $4.97 for basic utility models to $8.99 for better-quality options. Online orders can be shipped to store.

Pros:

  • Lowest single-unit price
  • Convenient pickup locations

Cons:

  • Consumer-grade only
  • No bulk pricing
  • Thin walls, lower load ratings
  • No certifications for industrial use

Pricing: $4.97–$8.99/unit

Food grade: Select models only (check label carefully)

UN certified: No

4. Amazon {#amazon}

Best for: Ordering 1–24 units online

Amazon offers the broadest selection of 5 gallon buckets — from cheap utility buckets to food-grade options. Prices vary widely by seller and quality level.

Pros:

  • Widest selection (food grade, standard, specialty colors)
  • Fast Prime shipping
  • Easy returns
  • Some food-grade options available (look for HDPE resin code 2)

Cons:

  • No bulk/wholesale pricing — quantity discounts are minimal (typically 5–10%)
  • Quality varies significantly by seller
  • UN-certified options rare and expensive ($18–$25/unit)
  • Shipping costs eat into savings on larger orders
  • No direct manufacturer relationship

Pricing: $6.99–$18.99/unit depending on certification level

Food grade: Available (verify seller claims)

UN certified: Limited — verify marking on bucket

For 36+ units, Amazon becomes more expensive than wholesale due to shipping costs. A 36-pack on Amazon often costs $350–$450 versus $359 from an industrial supplier with free shipping.

5. Uline {#uline}

Best for: Mid-volume buyers needing catalog-level service

Uline is the go-to industrial packaging supplier for many businesses. They carry HDPE pails in multiple sizes with same-day or next-day shipping from regional warehouses.

Pros:

  • Professional industrial grade
  • Reliable quality and consistent stock
  • Food-safe options available
  • Wide range of lid types

Cons:

  • Pricing is above wholesale: typically $11–$15/unit even at quantity
  • Minimum order quantities on some products
  • Limited UN certification options
  • No custom pricing for regular buyers

Pricing: $11–$15/unit at standard quantities

Food grade: Yes (select products)

UN certified: Available on specific SKUs

6. Restaurant Supply Stores {#restaurant-supply}

Best for: Food processing operations buying food-grade buckets locally

Restaurant supply stores like WebstaurantStore, Restaurant Depot, or local restaurant supply chains carry food-grade 5 gallon containers. These are typically white HDPE with Gamma Seal or snap lids.

Pros:

  • FDA food-grade compliant
  • Often available locally for immediate pickup
  • Good for 5–20 unit orders

Cons:

  • Higher price per unit ($8–$14)
  • Not UN rated for hazardous materials
  • Limited availability outside major metros
  • No bulk pricing for industrial quantities

Pricing: $8–$14/unit

Food grade: Yes

UN certified: No

7. Industrial Wholesale Suppliers (PailHQ) {#industrial-wholesale}

Best for: Businesses buying 12+ units who need quality, certifications, and value

Industrial wholesale suppliers like PailHQ are built specifically for B2B buyers who need volume pricing, verified certifications, and consistent quality. Unlike retail channels, these suppliers sell direct-to-business with tiered pricing.

At PailHQ, M2 5-Gallon HDPE Pails are:

  • UN 1H2/Y27/S certified — DOT-approved for hazardous materials in packing groups II and III
  • FDA food-grade — virgin HDPE resin, safe for direct food contact
  • Heavy-duty 70 mil walls — 1,200 lb stacking load rating
  • Made in USA

Pricing tiers:

| Quantity | Price per Unit | Savings vs. Retail |

|----------|---------------|-------------------|

| 1–5 units | $12.49 | — |

| 6–24 units | $11.49 | 8% |

| 25+ units | $9.99 | 20% |

Free shipping: 36+ units ship free anywhere in the continental US

For a 120-unit pallet order at $9.99/unit, you're paying $1,199 — versus $1,800+ at Uline or $2,000+ through Amazon. That's 33–40% savings.

Pros:

Cons:

  • Not the right source for 1–5 unit needs
  • No physical storefront (online order only)

Pricing: $9.99–$12.49/unit

Food grade: Yes

UN certified: Yes (UN 1H2/Y27/S)

Where to Buy 5 Gallon Buckets: Decision Guide {#which-source}

Use this decision guide to pick the right channel:

| Your Situation | Best Source |

|---------------|-------------|

| Need 1–5 buckets today | Home Depot or Lowe's |

| Need food-grade, 1–10 units | Restaurant supply or Amazon |

| Need UN-certified, any quantity | PailHQ or Uline |

| Need 25+ units with best price | PailHQ |

| Need 120+ units (full pallet) | PailHQ (free freight) |

| Need paint/construction use | Home Depot |

| Need chemical storage | PailHQ (UN certified) |

Key Takeaways

  • ✓ Home Depot and Walmart are cheapest for 1–5 units ($4.97–$4.98/unit), but carry no certifications and zero bulk discounts
  • ✓ Amazon works well for 1–24 units, but shipping costs at 36+ units erase any savings vs. wholesale
  • ✓ UN-certified buckets for hazardous materials transport are only reliably available through industrial suppliers — not at retail stores
  • ✓ At 25+ units, industrial wholesale pricing ($9.99/unit) beats every retail channel by 20–40% on total cost
  • ✓ Free shipping kicks in at 36 units from PailHQ — a full pallet (120 units) ships free at $1,199 total
  • ✓ Food-grade and UN certified on the same SKU is only available from dedicated industrial suppliers, not Home Depot, Walmart, or general Amazon sellers
  • ✓ Response time: get a custom quote including freight within 2–4 hours on business days

Get a Bulk Quote

Ready to buy 5 gallon buckets in bulk? Request a free quote from PailHQ — just enter your quantity and ZIP code. We'll reply within 1 business day with exact pricing including shipping.

Already know what you need? View product details and order online.

Questions? Call us: 954-594-2108

Related Resources

FAQ {#faq}

Where can I buy 5 gallon buckets in bulk cheaply?

The cheapest source for bulk 5 gallon buckets (25+ units) is an industrial wholesale supplier. PailHQ offers $9.99/unit for 25+ units with free shipping on 36+, which beats Home Depot ($4.98 only sounds cheaper — no bulk discount at all, and consumer grade only), Uline ($11–15), and Amazon ($7–18 plus shipping).

Does Home Depot sell food-grade 5 gallon buckets?

The standard orange Homer Bucket is NOT food-grade. Home Depot does occasionally carry white HDPE buckets marked "food safe" — check for the HDPE #2 resin code symbol and "food grade" labeling. For consistent food-grade certification, buy from a dedicated food-grade pail supplier.

Can you buy 5 gallon buckets at Walmart?

Yes. Walmart sells basic 5 gallon utility buckets starting around $4.97. These are generally not food-grade or UN-certified. For industrial or food processing use, a specialized supplier is a better option.

What is the cheapest place to buy 5 gallon buckets?

For 1–3 units: Walmart (~$4.97) or Home Depot (~$4.98). For 25+ units: industrial wholesale suppliers at $9.99/unit represent the best value once you factor in quality, certifications, and shipping costs.

Where can I buy UN-certified 5 gallon buckets?

UN-certified (DOT-approved hazmat) 5 gallon pails are not sold at Home Depot, Walmart, or most Amazon listings. You need a specialized industrial pail supplier. PailHQ sells UN 1H2/Y27/S certified pails starting at $9.99/unit for 25+ units.

Can I buy 5 gallon buckets near me?

For immediate purchase, Home Depot and Lowe's are the most convenient local sources. For food-grade or UN-certified buckets in quantity, ordering online from an industrial supplier is typically faster and cheaper than trying to source locally.

What's the best 5 gallon bucket for chemical storage?

For chemical storage and transport, you need an HDPE bucket with UN 1H2/Y27/S certification. This rating means the container has been drop-tested, vibration-tested, and stack-tested per DOT requirements. Neither Home Depot nor Walmart carry UN-certified pails. See our chemical storage guide for more details.

About the Author

PailHQ Editorial Team — PailHQ is a direct manufacturer of UN 1H2/Y27/S certified, FDA food-grade 5-gallon HDPE pails. Our team includes industrial packaging specialists, logistics experts, and regulatory compliance consultants with over 20 years of combined experience in industrial container sourcing and supply chain optimization. We supply food processors, chemical manufacturers, agricultural operations, and government agencies across the continental US.

Questions about bulk pricing or certification requirements? Call 954-594-2108 or email sales@pailhq.com. We reply within 2–4 hours on business days.

Sources: Pricing data collected February 2026 from Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Amazon, and Uline online stores. Industrial wholesale pricing from PailHQ direct. HDPE certification data from DOT 49 CFR and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520.