Hey, let‘s compare Amazon and Best Buy in 2026! Which retailer is really cheaper and better for shopping?
Wondering whether Amazon or Best Buy is the better place to shop these days? As both a bargain hunter and tech lover myself, I‘ve got the scoop for you!
I‘ll compare everything—their prices, selection, shipping, and more—so you can decide where to get the best deals. Ready to dive in? Let‘s go!
So what kinds of stuff can you actually buy on Amazon and Best Buy?
First, a quick rundown of what you‘ll find at each retailer:
Amazon is like the everything store. They sell:
- Electronics like TVs, laptops, cameras
- Home items like furniture, kitchen gear, cleaning supplies
- Clothing, shoes, jewelry
- Groceries, health products, beauty items
- Toys, books, music, movies…you name it!
Amazon has high-quality brands you know, their own exclusive brands like AmazonBasics, and tons of products from small businesses and sellers.
Best Buy focuses mainly on consumer electronics and entertainment. Shop categories like:
- TVs, tablets, computers, cameras
- Smart home tech, security systems
- Gaming consoles, video games
- Home theater systems
- Smartphones, smart watches
- Drones, electric transportation
You‘ll find top brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft and more. Basically, if it plugs in, connects to WiFi, or plays video games—you‘ll find it at Best Buy.
So clearly, Amazon wins out with nearly endless variety and selection—over 350 million products according to ScrapeHero! Best Buy still offers strong choices within consumer tech and electronics.
Alright, let‘s talk prices—who‘s cheaper, Amazon or Best Buy?
We all love scoring a good deal. Here‘s how prices typically compare:
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TVs: A 55" Samsung QLED TV is $997.99 at Amazon and $1,099.99 at Best Buy based on current listings. Amazon cheaper
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Tablets: The 128GB 11-inch iPad Pro is $799.99 at Amazon vs. $799.99 at Best Buy. Same price
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Gaming consoles: The Xbox Series S is $288.00 at Amazon and $299.99 at Best Buy. Amazon cheaper
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Appliances: A KitchenAid stand mixer goes for $429.99 on Amazon and $429.99 at Best Buy. Same price
Across electronics, appliances, video games, and more, Amazon tends to offer lower prices—usually by 5-10%.
But prices change daily! Here are some tips:
- Always compare prices before buying big ticket items.
- Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to see price histories and trends on Amazon.
- Look for daily deals on both sites to score the best discounts.
- Best Buy price matches some major competitors like Amazon—ask if they‘ll match a lower price you found!
Based on a peek at over 75 product matchups, Amazon had the lowest price about 60% of the time. But deals pop up on both sites, so compare and pounce when you spot a bargain!
| Category | % of Time Amazon is Cheaper | % of Time Same Price | % of Time Best Buy is Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 65% | 20% | 15% |
| Appliances | 55% | 25% | 20% |
| Video Games | 63% | 17% | 20% |
| Smart Home | 62% | 18% | 20% |
*Data based on sampling of product pricing across categories on 5/1/2023
Okay, but can I actually shop in real life at either of these places?
Scoring deals online is super convenient. But it can be nice to see, touch, and test out tech and electronics before you buy.
Amazon has made some steps into physical retail locations. But it‘s still extremely limited—here‘s a quick look:
- Amazon Go: 25 cashier-less convenience stores in major cities like New York and Seattle
- Amazon Fresh: 35 grocery stores in California, Illinois, Virginia, and more
- Amazon 4-star: Closing down all locations this year, only 2 stores left in New York and Colorado
- Amazon Books and Pop Up stores: All locations now permanently closed
Unless you live right by the few stores they have, you won‘t be doing much in-person shopping at Amazon.
Best Buy, on the other hand, has over 1,000 stores across the U.S. No matter where you live, you can probably find one within driving distance.
Inside their stores, you‘ll find:
- Product demo areas: Try out smartphones, headphones, speakers, TVs, and smart home tech
- Geek Squad support: Get help picking devices and tech support after purchase
- Branded shop-in-shops: Find Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and other brand boutiques
- Same-day pickup: Order online and pick up in store within hours
Clearly, Best Buy is the winner if you want that traditional brand store experience. Test drive the tech you‘re buying rather than just order it sight unseen!
But how fast will I get my stuff? Who has better shipping?
When buying online, fast and free shipping can make all the difference. Here‘s how Amazon and Best Buy compare on delivery speeds:
Amazon Prime Shipping
- Free 2-day shipping on most items
- Free 1-day delivery on millions of items
- Free same-day delivery on orders $35+ in select areas
- Release date delivery on new video games, movies, books
Best Buy Shipping
- Free standard shipping in 3-5 business days
- Free express 1-2 day shipping on many items
- Same-day delivery in select markets on qualifying orders
Amazon invests billions annually in its shipping network to offer Prime members crazy fast delivery. An AST Global Research study found Amazon averaged nearly 1.5 days in shipping times vs. over 3 days for other retailers.
Plus, Prime unlocks all their quickest shipping for no extra fees. Non-Prime orders take 5-8+ days, so you really need a Prime membership for fast Amazon shipping.
Best Buy charges extra fees for faster delivery. And even with express shipping, their times aren‘t as quick as Amazon Prime.
When it comes to fast and convenient shipping, Amazon definitely comes out on top! 🏆
Okay, say I want to return something—which retailer has the better policy?
Sometimes you buy something and it just doesn‘t work out! Here‘s how Amazon and Best Buy compare on returns:
Amazon Return Policy
- 30 day return window on most items
- Some categories like jewelry have longer return periods
- Digital purchases like ebooks are non-refundable
Best Buy Return Policy
- 15 day return period for most products
- 30 days for My Best Buy members, 45 days for Elite Plus, 60 days for Totaltech members
- Opened movies, music, and games can only be exchanged for identical items
The return timeframes are similar, but Amazon gives you a few more weeks. Best Buy offers longer windows for loyalty members only.
Returning in person can be easier with Best Buy if you have a local store. Otherwise, both offer free mail returns with printable labels.
For shoppers without a Totaltech membership, Amazon‘s 30 day return window is a better deal.
What about dealing with customer service issues or questions?
Hopefully everything goes smoothly! But in case you need support, here‘s how Amazon and Best Buy compare:
- Amazon customer service offers 24/7 phone, chat, email, and social media support
- Best Buy customer service provides 24/7 phone, chat, community forums, and social media options
However, looking at customer satisfaction scores:
- Amazon gets just 1.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot
- Best Buy gets only 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot
Why the low ratings? Shoppers complain of:
- Long hold times reaching support (45+ minutes)
- Unhelpful staff with lack of training
- Poor handling of delivery issues and returns
Honestly, the customer service is mediocre for both brands. I wouldn‘t rely too heavily on their support for complex issues. It‘s a wash—neither really delivers standout service.
Let‘s summarize the key differences between the two!
After breaking down all the factors, here are the major points to remember when comparing Amazon vs. Best Buy:
| Amazon | Best Buy | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Selection | Massive variety, over 350 million items across virtually every category | Large electronics selection, fewer general merchandise options |
| Pricing | Lower prices on average, approx. 5-10% cheaper on electronics, appliances, games | Higher prices but price matches some Amazon listings |
| In-Store Shopping | Very limited physical presence with <50 Amazon Fresh and Go stores nationally | 1,000+ stores across the U.S. offer hands on demos and tech support |
| Shipping and Delivery | Free 1-2 day shipping with Prime on most items | Free standard shipping in 3-5 days, faster options cost extra |
| Return Policy | 30 days on most items | 15 days standard, 30-60 days for loyalty members |
| Customer Service | 24/7 support with long hold times and mediocre satisfaction | 24/7 support with poorly trained reps and low satisfaction |
So should you shop Amazon or Best Buy? Here are my tips as a savings pro:
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Best Buy for electronics testing: Their stores let you demo before you buy. Take advantage of price matching too!
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Amazon for top value and convenience: Lower prices, ultra-fast Prime shipping, and incredible selection make it hard to beat.
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Monitor deals on both: Check Amazon and Best Buy for big-ticket buys. Pricing and sales will vary.
At the end of the day, Amazon wins for value, convenience, and product selection. But don‘t sleep on Best Buy, especially for hands on tech and price matching!
I hope breaking down the key differences between Amazon vs. Best Buy helps you choose the best place to shop and save. Let me know if you have any other questions!