Best Site for Cheap Electronics
Summary
The best site for cheap electronics is Micro Center if you live near one — in-store pricing on CPUs and motherboards regularly beats online by 10-20 percent. Costco is the best for warranty backing on common consumer electronics. B&H Photo is the right pick for cameras and pro AV gear with strong service. Newegg's reputation took a real hit after the 2022 GamersNexus investigation into their returns handling — we don't pretend it didn't happen. Amazon remains the convenient default with third-party seller risk. Most listicles default to Amazon; we acknowledge the manufacturer-direct and specialty alternatives that often beat it.
Top 5 at a glance
| # | Site | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micro Center | In-store CPU, motherboard, and PC component pricing | Often 10-20 percent below online for in-store-only deals |
| 2 | Costco | Warranty-backed consumer electronics with member return policy | Competitive on TVs, laptops, and major appliances |
| 3 | B&H Photo | Cameras, audio, and pro AV gear with strong service | Competitive on cameras and pro equipment |
| 4 | Amazon | Convenience and Prime shipping speed | Often competitive but third-party sellers vary |
| 5 | Newegg | Historical PC-builder destination, but use with awareness | Often competitive on PC components |
Detailed rankings
Micro Center
In-store CPU, motherboard, and PC component pricing
The default for PC builders within driving distance. The in-store-only pricing is the structural advantage no online retailer matches.
Pros
- Famous CPU and motherboard bundle pricing for in-store pickup
- Strong PC-builder community and staff knowledge
- Open-box deals on returned components
- Reasonable return policy
Cons
- Best deals require physical store presence — limited US locations
- Online pricing less competitive than in-store
- Limited international presence
Price: Often 10-20 percent below online for in-store-only deals
Sources: www.microcenter.com
Costco
Warranty-backed consumer electronics with member return policy
The default for TVs and major consumer electronics if you're a member. The return policy and warranty backing reduce risk significantly.
Pros
- Costco's 90-day electronics return policy is industry-leading
- Extended 2-year warranty included on major electronics
- Costco Concierge service handles warranty claims
- Reasonable everyday pricing without sales-event waiting
Cons
- Costco membership required
- Selection narrower than dedicated electronics retailers
- Inventory rotates — wait too long and the item is gone
Price: Competitive on TVs, laptops, and major appliances
Sources: www.costco.com
B&H Photo
Cameras, audio, and pro AV gear with strong service
The default for camera and AV gear. The specialization translates to service quality general retailers don't match.
Pros
- Industry-leading specialty store for cameras and AV gear
- Strong return policy on most items
- No-tax in many states pre-Wayfair ruling — sales tax handling now standardized
- Used and refurbished sections with quality grading
Cons
- Closes for Jewish holidays — orders pause briefly
- Less competitive on general consumer electronics outside camera/AV
- Customer service quality varies between phone and chat
Price: Competitive on cameras and pro equipment
Sources: www.bhphotovideo.com
Amazon
Convenience and Prime shipping speed
The convenient default. Verify the seller is Amazon or a reputable brand before relying on it for expensive electronics.
Pros
- Vast selection and Prime shipping convenience
- Reasonable return policy on Amazon-fulfilled items
- Strong search and reviews infrastructure
- Subscribe-and-save reasonable for repeated purchases
Cons
- Third-party sellers can sell counterfeit or used-as-new items
- Returns of third-party items handled less smoothly than Amazon-fulfilled
- Reviews include fake and incentivized reviews — verify with external sources
- Customer service quality has declined per public reports
Price: Often competitive but third-party sellers vary
Sources: www.amazon.com
Newegg
Historical PC-builder destination, but use with awareness
Functional for low-stakes purchases. For expensive components where return handling matters, the GamersNexus episode means Micro Center or Amazon (with the seller-verification caveat) are safer.
Pros
- Long history serving PC builders
- Open-box and refurbished sections
- Strong category filters for PC components
- Frequent component sales
Cons
- 2022 GamersNexus investigation documented serious issues with how returns and defective product claims were handled — read the coverage before high-value purchases
- Customer service complaints accumulated since the investigation
- Third-party seller marketplace risk
Price: Often competitive on PC components
Sources: www.newegg.com, gamersnexus.net
How we chose
- Total price at checkout including shipping and any restocking fees.
- Return policy quality and ease.
- Warranty backing — extended coverage from the retailer.
- Customer service quality from public reports.
- Authentic-product guarantees against counterfeits.
- Category specialization — generalists versus specialty stores.
Frequently asked questions
What happened with Newegg in 2022?
Tech journalism outlet GamersNexus published a multi-video investigation in 2022 documenting cases where Newegg returns and warranty claims for defective components were handled in ways customers found inappropriate, including returning damaged items as authorized RMA. Newegg acknowledged some issues. The pattern was widespread enough to affect consumer trust significantly. The episode is worth understanding before high-value Newegg purchases.
Is Amazon trustworthy for electronics?
For Amazon-fulfilled and Amazon-branded items, yes. For third-party sellers, quality varies — counterfeits, used-as-new, and listings that aren't what they appear all happen. Always check the seller name. For high-value purchases, prefer Amazon-fulfilled or buy from manufacturer-authorized retailers.
Why is Micro Center so much cheaper in-store?
Micro Center uses loss-leader pricing on CPUs and motherboards to drive store traffic, where customers add accessories at higher margins. The strategy works for them but means online pricing doesn't match. For users within driving distance, the savings on a PC build can be hundreds of dollars.
Are extended warranties worth it?
Usually no for inexpensive items. For expensive items where Costco offers free extended warranty as part of membership benefits, the value is clear. Paid extended warranties from BestBuy and similar are profitable for the seller — actuarially, most customers pay more in premiums than they receive in claims.
What about Best Buy?
Functional brick-and-mortar electronics retailer. Pricing competitive on sale items, less so otherwise. Customer service quality varies by store. For users without Costco membership or Micro Center proximity, Best Buy is the next physical-store option.