Before we get into the list of stores like Best Buy, it’s worth noting that there’s a lot to like about the electronics retail giant.
They offer just about everything you need to survive in the digital world and have a ton of locations across the continent, plus a pretty great website that makes online orders easy.
But as good as Best Buy is, it’s hardly the only game in town.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just a price-conscious consumer, there are plenty of viable Best Buy alternatives offering similar products at comparable prices.
In this post I’ve rounded up 17 of the best electronic stores like Best Buy that will give you other options when shopping for electronics.
(Note that many brick and mortar stores have only been offering curbside pickup in their parking lot over the last year, not full in store shopping.)
17 Electronic Stores Like Best Buy
Breaking Down the Best Best Buy Alternatives
(Repetitive? A little. Helpful? Very.)
Amazon
What It’s Great For:
- TVs
- Laptops & Computers
- Tablets & E-Readers
- Video Games, Consoles & VR
- Pretty much everything else (who are we kidding?)
- Free shipping with Prime
Why It’s Great:
As the world’s biggest online store, Amazon is the 800-pound gorilla of the retail world, and electronics are no exception.
With a wide variety, excellent shipping capability and their famous Amazon Prime benefits, this is easily one of the best alternatives to Best Buy, and arguably one of the best retail stores in damn near every category.
Walmart
What It’s Great For:
- Home Electronics
- Laptops, Computers & Office Electronics
- Household Gadgets & Small Appliances
- Major Kitchen Appliances
- iPad and Tablets
- Low pricing and digital sales
Why It’s Great:
Walmart’s both an Amazon and Best Buy alternative. It’s like Amazon in that it sells not just electronics, but practically everything else under the sun.
And it’s high on the list of stores like Best Buy because they also have brick and mortar local stores all across the United States.
Plus, their focus on great prices means it also offers some of the best deals and online sales, in addition to a website that’s well laid out and easy to navigate.
Target
What It’s Great For:
- Headphones
- TVs & Home Theaters
- Computers & Office
- Cell Phones
- Speakers & Audio Systems
Why It’s Great:
And speaking of alternatives to Best Buy and Amazon, Target is very much in the Walmart mold of popular big-box stores.
Though they tend to be known for their emphasis on stylish and affordable apparel (which makes them a favorite around here), they also carry a pretty wide selection of electronics that’s worth checking out.
Home Depot
What It’s Great For:
- Home Appliances
- Smart Speakers
- Lighting Solutions
- Security Systems
- Electric Tools
Why It’s Great:
Home Depot probably isn’t the first brand that comes to mind when you think of stores like Best Buy, but if you’re looking for home appliances or any “smart” home devices, it’s a smart place to turn (unlike that pun, which was incredibly dumb).
Lowe’s
What It’s Great For:
- Appliances
- Smart Home
- Small Appliances & Gadgets
- Tools
Why It’s Great:
Both an alternative to Best Buy and to Home Depot, Lowe’s is another good option for electronic household appliances and gadgets.
It’s also arguably the best place to buy power tools, and a good place to turn for bigger-ticket items like full size appliances.
Overstock
What It’s Great For:
- Computers & Tablets
- Cell Phones
- Televisions
- Digital Cameras
- Home Theater & Audio
- Video Games & Systems
- Smart Home & Security
Why It’s Great:
Moving away from big-box brick and mortar locations to online-only outlets, Overstock is kind of like the digital equivalent of Best Buy stores.
Like Amazon, it’s an online retailer that sells pretty much everything under the sun, including a wide selection of electronics.
Sears
What It’s Great For:
- Appliances
- TVs & Electronics
- Computers & Tablets
- Cameras & Camcorders
- Connected Solutions
- Gaming
Why It’s Great:
Ah, Sears. While many of the great American department stores have had to shut their doors in recent years, Sears keeps trucking along (at least for now).
Both their website and physical stores offer a pretty solid selection of electronics, which ranges from big appliances down to video games.
eBay
What It’s Great For:
- Cameras & Photo
- Cell Phones, Smart Watches & Accessories
- Computers, Tablets & More
- Headphones & Portable Audio
- Smart Home & Surveillance
- TV, Video & Home Audio
- Video & PC Gaming
Why It’s Great:
While Amazon and Overstock have become dominant online retailers, eBay is kind of the forgotten O.G. While all the stores above offer brand new electronics, eBay gives you the chance to buy used products at significantly discounted prices.
(They also have a pretty wide range of brand new products as well, thought they’re still best known as an online auction house where people can sell things to each other directly.)
Office Depot
What It’s Great For:
- Office Equipment
- Batteries & Power Protection
- Audio
- Smart Home
- Phones & Accessories
- Networking & Cables
Why It’s Great:
Office Depot doesn’t exactly scream “consumer electronics retailer,” and admittedly doesn’t carry quite the same product range as some of the other stores on this list.
But if you’re looking for computer, audio or (of course) office equipment, then it’s a solid Best Buy alternative, and can often be found in the same retail plazas.
Apple
What It’s Great For:
- Laptops & Computers
- iPads
- iPhones
- Headphones
- Apple TV
- Apple Watches
Why It’s Great:
Apple devices are among the best-selling products at Best Buy, but if you’re looking for the latest gadgets, it’s often best to cut out the middle man and go straight to the source.
Apple stores can be found at most malls, and their website and online service is second-to-none.
Samsung
What It’s Great For:
- Mobile Phones
- TVs
- Computer Monitors
- Smart Watches
- Home Appliances
Why It’s Great:
Arguably Apple’s closest competitor (at least in terms of phones, smart watches and tablets), Samsung is another example of a brand that sells big at Best Buy, but that you can also shop directly online.
Microsoft
What It’s Great For:
- X-Box Console and Games
- Surface Computer/Tablet
- Surface Headphones
- Surface Ear Buds
Why It’s Great:
Microsoft is better known as a software company than an electronics brand, and for good reason. (Remember the Zune? We all have our strengths, Mr. Gates, and while yours might be saving the world through philanthropy, it ain’t mp3 players.)
With that said, in recent years they’ve learned their lesson by narrowing their electronics offering and focusing on their core competency – the X-Box and computing – and gained back some credibility for their impressive line of Surface products.
Gamestop
What It’s Great For:
- Cell Phones
- Tablets
- Wearable Technology
- Headsets
- Speakers
- TVs & Monitors
- Drones
- Smart Home Automation
Why It’s Great:
Best Buy is a good place to go for gaming consoles and accessories, but if you’re looking for an even more gamer-focused alternative, GameStop’s your best bet.
With everything from consoles to collectibles and even clothing (plus a few products that don’t start with the letter “c”), Gamestop’s basically the leader in all things gaming.
Fry’s
What It’s Great For:
- Computers
- Networking & Smart Home
- Computer Components
- Cell Phones
- Audio
- TV & Home Theater
Why It’s Great:
Similar to Overstock, Fry’s is better known as an electronics retailer, making it a more direct alternative to Best Buy.
It offers a wide range of electronics across a number of categories and products, all listed on a website that’s pretty no-frills in terms of design, but easy to use and effective.
Micro Center
What It’s Great For:
- Laptops
- Desktop Computers
- Computer Components
- Video Cards
- Computer Monitors
- Computer Processors
- Routers & Wireless Networking
Why It’s Great:
And speaking of websites that are pretty no-frills, Micro Center is a computer-focused electronics store that offers popular consumer items like laptops and monitors, along with more technical computer components like video cards, processors and mother boards.
Costco
What It’s Great For:
- Audio/Video
- Cameras & Camcorders
- Cell Phones & Accessories
- Musical Instruments
- Phones & Two-way Radios
- Security Cameras & Video Surveillance
- Smart Watches
- Video Games & Consoles
Why It’s Great:
Costco is another retail behemoth that sells a wide range of electronics alongside just about everything else.
The catch, of course, is that you have to be a member in order to shop there, so if you’re just looking to make a one-off purchase it might not be your best bet.
But if you are a member, you’ll often find the lowest price on electronics here.
Sony
What It’s Great For:
- Televisions & Home Theater
- Audio
- Cameras
- Mobile
- Video Cameras
- Storage & Cables
Why It’s Great:
When it comes to electronics manufacturers, Sony’s not quite as popular as rivals like Samsung and Apple when it comes to categories like smart phones and wearables.
But the venerable Japanese giant still offers a pretty impressive range of TVs and home audio equipment, which you can buy straight from the source.
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