If you serve or have served, both Home Depot and Lowe’s advertise military discounts — but the details matter. This guide breaks down eligibility, verification, what’s excluded, and real strategies to get the most value from the home depot military discount and Lowe’s offers. Read on to learn which retailer saves you more on tools, appliances, and seasonal purchases.
How the home depot military discount works
Home Depot provides a verified discount program for active duty, veterans, and eligible family members through a third-party verification system. The typical benefit is a small percent off or targeted savings on select purchases. Verification connects your military status to the account so the savings appear at checkout. For official program details, Home Depot’s military page lists current terms and verification steps.
Eligibility and verification
Eligibility generally includes active duty service members, reservists, veterans, retirees, National Guard, and immediate family members, though exact rules can change. To use the home depot military discount you usually need to verify your status via the provider Home Depot relies on; that verification links to your account or gives you a code for in-store use.
Step-by-step:
- Prepare proof of service or personal information required by the verifier.
- Complete verification online and link the result to your Home Depot account or present it in-store.
- Apply the discount at checkout or use verified deals in-store.
For a deeper verification walkthrough, see our guide on how to use the discount online: Use the Home Depot Military Discount Online (2025 Guide).
How Lowe’s military discount compares
Lowe’s has a long-standing military discount program that typically offers similar eligibility and sometimes different benefits, such as percentage-off or exclusive coupon codes for verified customers. Lowe’s verification methods often mirror Home Depot’s — they may use the same third-party identity services or an equivalent process — but the timing and promotional windows differ.
Key practical differences to watch:
- Type of discount: fixed percent vs. targeted sale pricing.
- Online applicability: some offers only work in-store or only via certain checkout flows.
- Exclusions and limits: major appliances, gift cards, or contractor services are commonly excluded.
Which retailer gives bigger value?
There’s no single winning answer. Your savings depend on the categories you buy and whether you stack other discounts. Here’s how to decide:
- If you buy large appliances or massive seasonal items, compare advertised sale prices from each retailer during big events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. (See our Home Depot Cyber Monday guide for timing and stacking tactics: Home Depot Cyber Monday Deals: 2025 Online Savings Guide.)
- If you buy tools regularly, factor in Pro Xtra or store loyalty perks — sometimes loyalty pricing plus a military discount yields better lifetime savings than a single big store discount.
- For one-off purchases, check exclusions: the home depot military discount often excludes bundled services or already-discounted clearance items.
Example scenarios
- Buying a $400 power tool kit: a 10% military discount saves $40; stack that with a seasonal coupon and the savings grow.
- Purchasing a $1,200 refrigerator: many discounts exclude major appliances, so compare advertised sale price at both stores rather than relying on the military discount alone.
- Renovation supplies (paint, lumber, hardware): small percent savings add up fast when buying in bulk, and in-store pickup plus coupon stacking often yields the best net price.
How to verify, redeem, and stack savings
Verifying your status quickly pays off. Complete verification before you shop so your account is ready. Use these tactics:
- Verify online and link the result to your store account; this avoids delays at checkout.
- Combine the verified discount with valid promo codes or manufacturer rebates when allowed.
- Sign up for store emails and loyalty programs to get exclusive coupons that may stack with your military benefit.
If you want a step-by-step verification checklist, our eligibility and rules article explains the required documents and common gotchas: Home Depot Military Discount 2025: Eligibility & Rules.
Online vs in-store use
Some discounts apply online after verification, others require in-store presentation. Confirm the program’s online rules before checking out. For precise online usage tips, consult our focused guide: How to Use the Home Depot Military Discount Online (2025 Guide).
Exclusions, limits, and common surprises
Both retailers list exclusions. Typical limitations include:
- Gift cards, delivery fees, and installation services.
- Already-discounted clearance or limited-time flash deals.
- Quantities per transaction or limits per customer during special promotions.
Before you finalize a purchase, check the fine print. We also maintain a list of common exclusions to help avoid checkout surprises: Home Depot Military Discount: Exclusions & Limits.
Smart shopping checklist for service members
Follow this checklist before buying to maximize savings:
- Verify military status and link it to your store account.
- Compare sale prices on identical SKUs at Home Depot and Lowe’s.
- Stack the verified discount with manufacturer rebates, coupons, or loyalty offers when allowed.
- Ask a manager in-store about exclusions and whether a special order qualifies for the discount.
- Track purchase categories where smaller percentage discounts still yield big dollar savings (lumber, cabinets, bulk supplies).
Authoritative resources
For official verification rules and updates, check Home Depot’s military page and national veteran resources. Home Depot maintains a program page with current terms and verification partners: HomeDepot official military program. For federal veteran benefits and services, see: USA.gov Veterans.
Conclusion
Which is better depends on your shopping habits. The home depot military discount can deliver reliable savings on tools and supplies when verified and stacked correctly, while Lowe’s may offer stronger deals for specific product categories or during promotional windows. Verify your status before shopping, compare identical SKUs during sales, and stack coupons and loyalty perks where permitted. Use our linked guides on verification, exclusions, and online usage to prepare — then pick the store that offers the best final price for your purchase.