Best Buy specializes exclusively in electronics with expert staff and comprehensive tech support, while Walmart offers a broader general merchandise selection with lower prices across all categories. Best Buy's advantage lies in product expertise; Walmart's advantage is cost and convenience for one-stop shopping.
Best Buy vs Walmart — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Specialty electronics retailer with expert staff and comprehensive tech support services.
General merchandise mega-retailer offering groceries, apparel, home goods, and electronics at competitive prices.
Primary Product Focus. Average Electronics Price Premium. In-Store Tech Support Staff. Number of U.S. Store Locations (2026). Product Return Window (Electronics). Extended Protection Plans Available. Average Transaction Value
Choose Best Buy if you prioritize expert advice, device protection plans, and specialized tech support for electronics purchases—ideal for complex items like laptops, gaming systems, and home theater setups. Choose Walmart if you want competitive pricing, broader product selection, more store locations, and prefer one-stop shopping for groceries, clothes, and electronics together.
Best Buy: Limited features | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: Electronics focused | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: Expert staff available | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: ~1,000 stores | Walmart: ~3,600 stores
Best Buy: 5-12% higher than Walmart | Walmart: Baseline (lower)
Best Buy: Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99 | Walmart: $98 for Walmart+
Best Buy: 2% rewards on eligible purchases | Walmart: 5-10% discount on select items (members only)
Best Buy: ~30% of metro areas (select markets) | Walmart: ~85% of metro areas
Best Buy: Includes accidental damage protection and extended coverage | Walmart: Basic manufacturer defect coverage only
Best Buy: Geek Squad available at all 1,000 locations | Walmart: Limited technical support in electronics departments
Best Buy: 1 (Electronics) | Walmart: 9+ (Groceries, apparel, electronics, furniture, etc.)
Best Buy: None (price match only) | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: Geek Squad (installation, repair, setup) | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: 1 hour (most items) | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: Electronics only | Walmart: N/A
Average Electronics Price Competitiveness
Best Buy: 100 (baseline with price match) | Walmart: N/A
Best Buy: +10% markup | Walmart: Baseline
Best Buy: 15 standard / 30 members | Walmart: 90
Best Buy: Yes (Geek Squad) | Walmart: No
Best Buy: Comprehensive (Geek Squad Protection) | Walmart: Limited
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: $50-60 million
Customer Satisfaction (Net Promoter Score)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: $16-18
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: Same-day available
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: $400+ billion
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Walmart: 2.1+ million
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: N/A (no membership)
Kirkland/Great Value Private Label Market Share
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Single units available
Private Label Savings vs National Brands
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 10-15% (Great Value brand)
Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 30,000-40,000 items
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Baseline pricing
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 25-30% private label
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 20+ services (grocery, pharmacy, gas, vision, financial, auto, home services)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: ~140 million weekly
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: $400+ billion USD
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 5-15¢ (Walmart+ only)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 10-20% (Great Value)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 2-5 days (standard)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 8,000-12,000 SKUs
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: No dedicated program
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Limited hours, chat/email
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: Free (no membership required)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: 3-5 days (free over $35)
Best Buy: N/A | Walmart: $0.5 billion (minimal)
How to choose between Best Buy and Walmart
Best Buy vs Walmart — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Best Buy vs Walmart. Contains 88 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Best Buy vs Walmart — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Best Buy vs Walmart.
Which store has better prices on electronics?
Walmart typically offers 8-12% lower prices on most electronics compared to Best Buy. However, Best Buy frequently runs price-match guarantees and seasonal promotions. For budget-conscious shoppers, Walmart is the better choice, but Best Buy's higher prices reflect included expert consultation and extended service options.
Where should I buy if I need technical support?
Best Buy is the clear winner for technical support. Geek Squad offers in-store device repair, setup services, and technical consultations. Walmart has minimal tech support staff and cannot assist with complex electronics issues. If you need professional help setting up or troubleshooting devices, Best Buy is essential.
Which store is more convenient for one-stop shopping?
Walmart is significantly more convenient for one-stop shopping. With 4,700+ U.S. locations versus Best Buy's 990, Walmart is more likely near your home. Additionally, Walmart offers groceries, clothing, furniture, and household items alongside electronics, making it ideal for comprehensive shopping trips.
What are the return policies, and which is better?
Walmart offers a 90-day return window for most items, significantly better than Best Buy's standard 15-day window (extended to 30 days for membership holders). If you're uncertain about a purchase, Walmart's longer return period provides more flexibility and peace of mind.
Does either store offer membership benefits?
Both stores offer membership programs. Best Buy's membership ($199.99/year) includes extended return windows (30 days), priority support, and exclusive deals. Walmart+ ($98/year or $12.98/month) offers free shipping, fuel discounts, and grocery delivery. Walmart's membership is more budget-friendly, while Best Buy's focuses on tech-specific benefits.
How to Choose Between Best Buy and Walmart
Primary Product Focus: Best Buy has Electronics & Technology only, while Walmart has General merchandise (groceries, clothing, electronics, home goods).
Consider: Average Electronics Price Premium
Average Electronics Price Premium: Best Buy has 8-12% higher than Walmart, while Walmart has Baseline for comparison.
In-Store Tech Support Staff: Best Buy has Dedicated Geek Squad technicians, while Walmart has Limited electronics staff.
Consider: Number of U.S. Store Locations (2026)
Number of U.S. Store Locations (2026): Best Buy has ~990 locations, while Walmart has ~4,700 locations.
Consider: Product Return Window (Electronics)
Product Return Window (Electronics): Best Buy has 15 days standard, 30 days for members, while Walmart has 90 days for most items.
Consider: Extended Protection Plans Available
Extended Protection Plans Available: Best Buy has Yes (Geek Squad Protection), while Walmart has Limited offerings.
Average Transaction Value: Best Buy has $180-250 (electronics focused), while Walmart has $45-65 (broad categories).