Temu vs AliExpress UAE (2025): Which Online Store Saves You More?

17 Jul 2025

Saving Bunch

With online shopping booming, shoppers are always on the hunt to find the best deals. When someone talks about affordable, versatile, good-quality products, we turn heads to AliExpress or Temu, but today we are here to settle the debate – where can you save more dirhams? AliExpress or Temu.

In this blog, let us discuss the top categories of each brand and compare the prices and draw out benefits and bonuses – talk about exclusive coupon codes and promo codes that you can find!

Understanding Temu and AliExpress

Before we start comparing the two big players, let’s understand more about them:


Temu

Relatively new in the UAE market, Temu has a variety of products at slashed prices. Additionally, with the flash sales and seasonal sales, customers can save up to 80% on apparel, electronics, home essentials, beauty products and much more.

Temu focuses on trendy, quirky, and incredibly low-priced goods that attract a great number of youngsters. With its user-friendly interfaces, frequent flash sales, and gamified shopping experience, customers often like shopping at Temu.

AliExpress

One of the biggest names in the e-commerce industry, known for good-quality, low-priced products. operates as a massive online marketplace, connecting millions of sellers with buyers worldwide.

AliExpress offers a wide range of products, ranging from tech gadgets to pet essentials, sports equipment, automotive parts and much more. With frequent sales and discount codes available, AliExpress is another brand that is famous among budget-conscious shoppers.

Top Categories at Temu and AliExpress

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Temu

Let’s explore some of the top categories at Temu.

Home and Kitchen

At Temu, you can find everything from daily-use kitchen essentials like chopping boards and food clips to aesthetic home decor like glass vases, paintings, and vintage furniture. The items are often stylish and affordable – perfect for your home and pocket.

Apparel

Whether you are on the lookout for jumpsuits, oversized streetwear, or the latest trendy styles, Temu offers a vast selection. Temu is especially popular among the younger generation, as it gives you trendy styles at lower prices. Plus, if you club your purchase with the Temu coupon codes, you save massively.

Sports and Outdoors

If you are into fitness or want to start your fitness journey, Temu is your place. At Temu, you can be assured of finding all sports and fitness equipment and accessories at affordable prices.

Jewellery and Accessories

Temu jewellery and accessories are filled with dainty jewellery and fast fashion accessories. At Temu, you can find dainty rings, stackable bracelets, appliqué patches, quirky bags, and personalised jewellery at slashed prices.

Beauty

In the beauty category, you can find skincare tools, grooming accessories, nail accessories and gadgets like facial rollers, makeup brushes, scalp massagers and more. Apply the Temu promo code and get an extra 30% off your order.

AliExpress

Now let’s look into the top categories at AliExpress:

Electronics

AliExpress is one of the most trusted platforms for affordable electronic items. For phone cases and smartwatches, speakers, and computer accessories, users usually turn to AliExpress.

Apparel

Similar to Temu, AliExpress too has a wide selection of trendy and fast fashion items. Paired with the AliExpress promo codes Dubai, you can save up to 80% on clothing, footwear, and accessories. Shoppers in the UAE can find various options on sportswear, hijabs, traditional clothing, latest sneakers and much more.

Toys

AliExpress’s toy section is a child’s playhouse. Here you can find toys for all age groups. From STEM learning kits, fidget toys, toy vehicles, and puzzles to party favours. Parents can find toys for their little ones at affordable prices.

Automotive Accessories

For car owners in the UAE, AliExpress is a popular go-to for affordable and functional car accessories. Whether it’s seat organisers, phone mounts, cleaning accessories, or other car accessories like LED lights or decorative items. It is great for anyone who wants to personalise their car without spending a fortune.

Deals at Temu and AliExpress Top Categories

Category

Temu

AliExpress

Home and Kitchen

Up to 80% off on home and kitchen essentials 

Save up to 80% on kitchen utensils, home decor and rugs.

Apparel

Get up to 75% off on men and women clothing and footwear

Avail up to 80% off on all apparel

Sports and Outdoors

Save up to 80% on sports equipments

Up to 70% off on gym equipments, camping essentials, and yoga accessories

Jewellery and Accessories

Up to 80% off on watches, caps, ties, and jewellery boxes

Get up to 80% off on watches, hair clips and accessories, and waist chains

Beauty and Health

Avail up to 75% off on makeup tools, oral care and nail care

Up to 80% off on false eyelashes, massage chairs and rollers.

Toys

Up to 85% off on outdoor and indoor games

Save up to 85% on card games, plushies and action figures

Automotive Accessories

Save up to 85% on accessories, exterior and interior care, stickers, tools and equipments

Get up to 60% on car and bike accessories, interior replacement parts, and helmets

Temu vs AliExpress Shipping and Delivery Policy

Now, let’s dive into the Temu vs AliExpress delivery and shipping policy. As someone who often shops from the respective brand, I will break down the shipping duration, costs, and other policies of the brands.

Policy

Temu

AliExpress

Shipping

Free standard shipping and pickup

Free shipping on orders over AED 150

Delivery

6-20 days

15-45 days

Return

90 days post delivery of product

90 days post delivery of product

Refund

5-14 days after the package is received 

15 days after the package is received

Temu vs AliExpress Which is Cheaper?

Now that we've covered the top categories, shipping policies, and ongoing offers at both Temu and AliExpress, let's compare some of the items available on these platforms.

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Product Name

Price at Temu

Price at AliExpress

Lenovo XT53

AED 26.57

AED 43.37

Puma ST Runner

AED 292.61

AED 219.96

MIUI Air Fryer

AED 169.35

AED 682.54

Nike SB Force

AED 287.03

AED 226

Payment Options Available 

Temu

At Temu, there are various payment options available like Tabby, Tamara, PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner Club, JCB, Apple Pay, and G Pay.

AliExpress

AliExpress comparatively has fewer payment options. These are the following payment options available at AliExpress: PayPal, MasterCard, UnionPay, Visa, American Express, and Apple Pay.

Temu vs AliExpress: Reviews By Customers on Trustpilot

Trustpilot is one of the most popular review platforms where customers can be transparent about their feedback. Below we have summarised the reviews for the respective brands so that you can make a proper decision.

Temu Reviews on Trustpilot

Temu has a 2.3-star rating on Trustpilot from over 37,000 customers. Overall, Temu receives mixed reviews from users. Many customers share that their orders arrived on time; however, a significant portion of customers highlighted the issues with their customer care and refund services. 

Order Accuracy
The maximum number of shoppers mentioned that their orders arrived as mentioned in the description. A few customers who received wrong packages contacted customer care, and their issues were resolved. 

Customer Service
Customer service remains one of the most criticised services for Temu. A few reviewers appreciate the quick responses from customer support for simple issues; however, the majority complain about the delayed responses. The delayed responses mostly centre around lost orders and refund orders.

Shipping Duration
A high number of customers mentioned that their orders arrived faster than expected, often ahead of the estimated delivery date. However, others complain about delays, especially for international orders, with some packages taking weeks or even months to arrive. Note Temu UAE offers free shipping on all orders.

Product Quality
Temu’s product quality is often described as hit-or-miss. While some buyers are happy with what they get for the low price, others say the products look cheap, break quickly, or don’t match the online images.

Refund Process
The refund process, like the customer care, is a service that is talked about negatively. While buyers do eventually get their money back for defective or missing items, there are frequent complaints about the delays and follow-up they have to take for this process to complete.

Overall Experience
Overall, shoppers view Temu as a good place for cheap, novelty or disposable items, but not for high-quality or urgent orders. Many people recommend doing extra research and being prepared for possible delays and quality inconsistencies.

You can read more Temu reviews here.

AliExpress Reviews on Trustpilot

AliExpress holds a 2.4-star rating on Trustpilot from around 171,500 customers, a slightly higher overall rating compared to Temu. AliExpress too has mixed reviews with complaints about shipping and product quality.

Product Selection
AliExpress is praised for its massive product range and variety. With countless options, shoppers can find almost anything – from electronics to clothes to unique gadgets. However, buyers recommend you check the product reviews and ratings before going ahead with the purchase.

Delivery Service
Shipping is one of the most talked-about topics. Customers mention that they receive the package well before the expected delivery date. Others, however, report long waits varying from weeks to months with packages lost in transit. AliExpress lets you track your package; however, there are oftencomplaints about updates being unreliable.

Refund Policy
Like Temu, the refund policy of AliExpress doesn’t always work smoothly. Many customers report slow responses and delays in getting refunds. A few buyers also mentioned that refunds are sometimes given as store credit instead of cash, which they find inconvenient.

Customer Support
Customer service experiences are mixed. Some users say their issues were resolved quickly, but many more describe support as slow or unhelpful. There are frequent complaints about getting generic copy-paste responses and cases being closed without a clear resolution.

Quality Control:
AliExpress product quality depends heavily on individual sellers, and this leads to huge variation. While some buyers get excellent deals on good qualityproducts, others receive items that are nothing like the listing on the website.

Overall Experience:
In the whole, AliExpress is still a good place for bargain hunters. Many shoppers find great value and unique items for very low prices, but they also warn new buyers to expect possible delays, product quality surprises, and the occasional hassle of sorting out refund disputes.

You can read more AliExpress reviews here.


Temu or AliExpress – Which One's Right for You?

Choose Temu If You:

  • Want to shop trendy styles, quirky accessories, and fast fashion on a budget.

  • Prefer flash sales, daily deals, and shop want to avail in-app rewards.

  • You are exploring apparel and accessories.

Shop at AliExpress If You:

  • Want to visit a brand where you can explore various categories under one umbrella.

  • Explore international sellers at affordable prices.

  • Want to explore tech gadgets, auto tools, and other electronics.


FAQ's 

Is Temu available in the UAE in 2025?

Yes, Temu is available in the UAE. Temu offers a wide range of products that cater to UAE customers, from fashion to electronics and accessories to autocare accessories.

Which is cheaper in the UAE – Temu or AliExpress?

When comparing Temu and AliExpress, Temu tends to have a slight edge in terms of pricing, especially when it comes to daily deals, flash sales, and bulk purchases.

However, AliExpress is known for its wide selection of products owing to sellers across the globe. Some items on AliExpress might be cheaper on AliExpress.

Does AliExpress offer faster shipping in Dubai?

AliExpress, like mentioned above, offers faster shipping in the UAE. Delivery duration can range from days to a couple of weeks depending on the shipping option you choose. However, Temu shipping is efficient and often quick in some regions.

Shipping duration in Dubai depends on your location, the seller, and the shipping method selected, but you may experience quicker delivery times with AliExpress, especially for locally sourced products.

Where can I find the latest Temu promo codes?

To find the latest Temu promo codes, you have several options:

  • Temu's Website and App: They regularly feature discount codes directly on their homepage, especially during promotional events or sales.

  • Social Media: Temu often posts exclusive promo codes on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

  • Newsletter: Signing up for Temu’s newsletter can also give you access to exclusive discounts and updates on sales.

  • Coupon Websites: Visit websites like SavingBunch.ae that often list active Temu codes shared by users and bloggers.

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