Are you even Nigerian if you haven’t clicked a Temu link this year?
The propaganda is everywhere: “Zero naira deals, free shipping,” “shop like a billionaire,” and that one friend constantly begging you to click their link for “free” items.
Since entering Nigeria in 2024, Temu has been doing the absolute most, and we’re all falling for it. The brand has somehow convinced a suspicious number of influencers to become their personal sales rep.
But here’s the real question: Is Temu actually offering us the best deals, or are we just being bamboozled by flashy campaigns and the rush to get stuff for free?
To find out, I went window shopping so you don’t have to. I compared Temu’s prices with the OGs: AliExpress and Shein, across everyday items Nigerians typically buy online. I didn’t look for brand names or premium listings, just the cheapest versions.
Let’s see who’s really giving us the best bang for our naira.
The Test: How I Compared
I picked 10 popular everyday items Nigerians typically shop for online. For fairness, I searched for products with identical specifications (exact dimensions, features, and piece counts) across Temu, AliExpress, and Shein.
The process:
- I sorted each platform from lowest to highest price.
- I picked products with matching specs, not just similar-looking items.
- I picked the cheapest functional version of each item (no mini versions or obvious duds).
This way, I’m comparing like-for-like.
Product Comparison Breakdown
1. 10-Inch LED Ring Light
Temu and AliExpress are basically neck-and-neck, with a difference of just ₦58. Shein, on the other hand, is over ₦3k more expensive for what looks like the same setup: tripod stand, dimmable light, and phone holder.
Winner: Temu by a whisker
Most Expensive: Shein
- Temu: ₦17,326
- Shein: $13 = ₦20,670
- Aliexpress: ₦17,384
2. Bluetooth Smartwatch
For ₦1,590, you get a basic Bluetooth smartwatch with a touch screen and health tracking on Shein. Temu and AliExpress had similar listings, but for nearly double the price.
Winner: Shein
Most Expensive: AliExpress
- Temu: ₦2,934
- Shein: $1 = ₦1,590
- Aliexpress: ₦3,121
3. 3pcs Silicone Spatula Kitchen Set
There isn’t much of a price war here. Temu and AliExpress are almost identical, again showing how these platforms aggressively undercut each other. Shein’s price? Not even trying.
Winner: Temu
Most Expensive: Shein
- Temu: ₦2,490
- Shein: $2 = ₦3,180
- Aliexpress: ₦2,510
4. Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
This one surprised me: Shein was the most expensive. The same wireless mini speaker is ₦3,000 cheaper on AliExpress and a whole ₦6,000 more affordable than Shein’s.
Winner: AliExpress
Most Expensive: Shein
- Temu: ₦18,000
- Shein: $12.90 = ₦20,511
- Aliexpress: ₦14,803
5. 24pcs Press-On Nails
If you’re a press-on girlie on a budget, AliExpress is your plug. Temu’s price isn’t bad either, and frankly, Shein’s press-ons are still reasonably priced at $0.79.
Winner: AliExpress
Most Expensive: Shein
- Shein: $0.79 = ₦1,256
- Temu: ₦887
- Aliexpress: ₦540
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6. 13pcs Makeup Brush Set
Another win for Shein. Their ₦1,590 brush set looks like the others, with full face brushes and blending tools. Temu and AliExpress were at least ₦1k higher.
Winner: Shein
Most Expensive: AliExpress
- Temu: ₦2,634
- Aliexpress: ₦3,330
- Shein: $1 = ₦1,590
7. 15–16 Inch Laptop Bag
AliExpress is ₦6k more expensive than Temu. Shein? A whole ₦12k more. It’s the same minimalist grey laptop bag with side padding. Temu won this round effortlessly.
Winner: Temu
Most Expensive: Shein
- Temu: ₦8,849
- Aliexpress: ₦14,548
- Shein: $13 = ₦20,670
8. Fashion Sunglasses
All I looked for was a basic black rectangular frame, and Temu had it for half the price of the others. If you just need something cute and cheap for the ‘Gram, Temu wins hands down.
Winner: Temu
Most Expensive: AliExpress
- Temu: ₦1,751
- Aliexpress: ₦3,993
- Shein: $2 = ₦3,180
9. 4-Piece Ring Set
No sentimental gold here, just trendy rings that give Pinterest baddie. And Temu came in cheapest.
Winner: Temu
Most Expensive: Shein
- Aliexpress: ₦2,197
- Temu: ₦1,404
- Shein: $2 = ₦3,180
10. 4mm Thick Yoga Mat
Same thickness, same purpose, just for stretching or lying on the floor. Temu gives you the best deal under ₦11k. AliExpress costs ₦6k more, and Shein? Almost double the price for the same thing.
Winner: Temu
Most Expensive: Shein
- Temu: ₦10,743
- Shein: $12 = ₦19,080
- Aliexpress: ₦16,512
Quick notes: Prices were accurate at the time of writing but may vary due to ongoing sales and promotions on these platforms. Temu currently offers free shipping on all products, but it’s not the same for all items on other platforms.
The Verdict: Is Temu Really the Cheapest?
After testing 10 popular items, here’s the breakdown:
Final Tally:
- Temu wins: 6 out of 10 products (60%)
- Shein wins: 2 out of 10 products (20%)
- AliExpress wins: 2 out of 10 products (20%)
Total Cost Comparison: If you bought all 10 items from one platform:
- Temu: ₦67,047 (cheapest overall)
- AliExpress: ₦78,938
- Shein: ₦94,907 (most expensive)
Why Is Temu So Cheap?
Temu’s “shop like a billionaire” tagline is already lifestyle creep territory — it’s cheap, but they still want you to spend. Their aggressive pricing works because of:
- Volume discounts from Chinese manufacturers
- Direct-to-consumer model cutting out middlemen
- Cross-subsidisation — they lose money on some items to attract customers
- Data harvesting — your shopping behaviour is valuable gold to them
The Bottom Line
Temu isn’t just cheap, it’s playing an entirely different game. The numbers don’t lie. With six wins out of ten and the lowest total spend by far, it’s engineered to dominate. But “cheap” isn’t always the same as better.
While Temu’s prices and free shipping are undeniably tempting, remember you’re trading off brand variety, shipping times, and sometimes quality for that low price. If your priority is to stretch every naira, Temu is worth a look. But if you want variety or reliability, AliExpress and Shein still have their place.
But if you’re shopping on a budget and just want cute, functional stuff fast(ish), Temu delivers precisely what it promises: more stuff for less money.
