Is it worth paying for a Costco membership?

For most households, yes. The average Costco member saves $1,200-$1,500 annually on groceries, gas, and bulk items, easily offsetting the $65-$130 annual membership cost. The 90-day return policy and 2% Executive cash back add additional value. Best Buy's free access is better only if you primarily shop for electronics occasionally.

Which store has better prices on electronics?

Costco typically offers 10-15% lower prices on bulk electronics and appliances due to warehouse pricing. However, Best Buy often beats Costco on individual, premium tech items and offers Geek Squad installation/support. For bulk household electronics (TVs, laptops), Costco wins; for cutting-edge single items, Best Buy is competitive.

Can I return items after 30 days?

Best Buy allows 15-30 day returns on most items. Costco's 90-day return window is significantly more generous and applies to most products. Costco's electronics carry a lifetime return policy, making it superior for long-term satisfaction guarantees.

Which store is better for everyday shopping?

Costco is better for regular household and grocery shopping due to bulk pricing and membership perks (gas discounts, food court). Best Buy is specialized for electronics and media. Most households benefit from Costco membership for routine purchases while using Best Buy strategically for tech needs.

Does Best Buy price match or have loyalty programs?

Best Buy's My Best Buy loyalty program (free) offers exclusive sales, early access to deals, and points rewards. Best Buy matches competitor prices online and in-store. Costco members automatically receive discounts and Executive members earn 2% cash back, which can exceed Best Buy's rewards value for frequent shoppers.

Best Buy vs Costco

Updated June 11, 2026

Best Buy

U.S. consumer electronics retailer with 900+ locations and Geek Squad technical support services.

Tech-savvy shoppers, electronics buyers needing expert support, those seeking product variety without membership commitment

Check Price

Costco Wholesale

Membership-based warehouse club with 870 locations offering bulk purchases and lower per-unit pricing on quality goods

Bulk buyers, families, budget-conscious shoppers, business owners, those who value lowest prices on staples

Short Answer

Best Buy specializes in consumer electronics with expert staff and generous return policies, while Costco is a membership-based warehouse offering bulk goods and lower prices across diverse categories. Best Buy excels for tech purchases; Costco wins for bulk buying and overall value.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

Choose Best Buy if you're shopping for consumer electronics, want immediate access without membership fees, need expert tech support, or value product variety. Choose Costco if you buy in bulk, want the lowest prices on groceries and household essentials, prefer an extended return window, and are willing to pay for a membership that offers additional benefits like gas and food court discounts.

Was this verdict helpful?

Thanks — we'll use this to improve our verdicts.

Best Buy5

10Costco Wholesale

Choose Best Buy if

Tech-savvy shoppers, electronics buyers needing expert support, those seeking product variety without membership commitment

Track this comparison

Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.

Triggers: price change new spec verdict update

No spam. Stop anytime.

Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Business Model: Costco Wholesale wins (Membership-based warehouse club vs Open to public, no membership required)

💰

Annual Membership Cost: Best Buy wins ($0 vs $65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive))

🔹

Primary Product Focus: Consumer electronics, appliances, media vs Bulk groceries, household items, electronics, gas

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	Best Buy	Costco Wholesale	Diff
Prime Members(millions)	None	—	—
Physical Locations(stores)	1,000+	—	—
U.S. Store Count(stores)	~1,000 stores	—	—
Average Electronics Price Premium(%)	5-12% higher than Walmart	—	—

Key Differences

Best Buy

Attribute

Costco Wholesale

Open to public, no membership required

Business Model

Membership-based warehouse club🏆

$0🏆

Annual Membership Cost

$65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive)

Consumer electronics, appliances, media

Primary Product Focus

Bulk groceries, household items, electronics, gas

Related Comparisons

Best Buy vs Amazon

products

Walgreens vs Costco

products

Best Buy vs Walmart

companies

Target vs Costco

companies

CVS vs Costco

brands

Netflix vs Disney+

companies

Google vs Microsoft

companies

Amazon vs Walmart

companies

Home Depot vs Lowe's

companies

DoorDash vs Uber Eats

companies

Costco vs Sam's Club

companies

Target vs Walmart

companies

technology

Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest

Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.

technology

Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide

Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.

Explore Entities

More Companies

People Also Compare

Last updated: June 11, 2026AI generated

Business Model

Best Buy

Open to public, no membership required

Costco Wholesale

Membership-based warehouse club🏆

Annual Membership Cost

Best Buy

$0🏆

Costco Wholesale

$65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive)

Primary Product Focus

Best Buy

Consumer electronics, appliances, media

Costco Wholesale

Bulk groceries, household items, electronics, gas

Return Policy Window

Best Buy

15 days for most items, 30 days for Premium Members

Costco Wholesale

90 days for most items, lifetime for electronics🏆

Average Number of SKUs

Best Buy

10,000+ per store🏆

Costco Wholesale

3,500-4,000 per store

Tech Support Services

Best Buy

Geek Squad on-site and in-home support🏆

Costco Wholesale

Concierge services for members only

Price Competitiveness on Electronics

Best Buy

Generally competitive with online retailers

Costco Wholesale

10-15% below Best Buy on bulk items🏆

Full Comparison

Attribute	Best Buy	Costco Wholesale

Prime Members(millions)	None	—

Ad Revenue (2026)(billion USD)	Not disclosed	—

Physical Locations(stores)	1,000+	—

AI Shopping Assistant(users)	Limited features	—
AI Rufus Interaction Growth(percent)	N/A	—

Prime Day 2026 Revenue(billion USD)	N/A	—

Product Categories(count)	Electronics focused	—
Product Categories Offered(categories)	~15 (electronics-focused)	—
SKUs per Location(items)	3,500-4,500	—
Product Selection (SKUs)(SKUs)	~4,000 SKUs	—

In-Person Support(availability)	Expert staff available	—
In-Store Tech Support(availability)	Geek Squad available at all 1,000 locations	—

U.S. Store Count(stores)	~1,000 stores	—

Average Electronics Price Premium(%)	5-12% higher than Walmart	—
Annual Membership Cost(USD)	$65-$130	—
Price Premium vs Competitors(percent)	-20-30%	—
Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent)	Baseline	—
Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount)	20-40% discount	—

Annual Membership Cost(USD)	Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99	$65 (Gold Star)

Membership Reward Rate(%)	2% rewards on eligible purchases	—

Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage)	~30% of metro areas (select markets)	—

Warranty Coverage for Electronics(coverage type)	Includes accidental damage protection and extended coverage	—

Pharmacy Services Depth	Limited: prescriptions and pharmacy services only	—
Pharmacy Services Available	Pharmacy only	—

Average Transaction Value(USD)	$150-200	—

Executive Membership Cash Back(percent)	2%	—

Prescription Discount for Members(percent)	20-50%	—

US Store Locations(stores)	569 warehouses	—
US Store Locations(stores)	870	—

Return Policy Window(days)	730 days (2 years)	—

Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits)	24-36 visits/year	—

Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD)	$65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven)	—

Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billions)	$275+ billion	—

Average Transaction Time(minutes)	45-60	—

Product Selection (SKUs)(items)	3,700-4,000 (curated)	—

Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD)	$500-$800	—

Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon)	40-60¢ cheaper	—

Best Buy

Costco Wholesale

Prime Members(millions)

None

—

Ad Revenue (2026)(billion USD)

Not disclosed

—

Physical Locations(stores)

1,000+

—

AI Shopping Assistant(users)

Limited features

—

AI Rufus Interaction Growth(percent)

N/A

—

Prime Day 2026 Revenue(billion USD)

N/A

—

Product Categories(count)

Electronics focused

—

Product Categories Offered(categories)

~15 (electronics-focused)

—

SKUs per Location(items)

3,500-4,500

—

Product Selection (SKUs)(SKUs)

~4,000 SKUs

—

In-Person Support(availability)

Expert staff available

—

In-Store Tech Support(availability)

Geek Squad available at all 1,000 locations

—

U.S. Store Count(stores)

~1,000 stores

—

Average Electronics Price Premium(%)

5-12% higher than Walmart

—

Annual Membership Cost(USD)

$65-$130

—

Price Premium vs Competitors(percent)

-20-30%

—

Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent)

Baseline

—

Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount)

20-40% discount

—

Annual Membership Cost(USD)

Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99

$65 (Gold Star)

Membership Reward Rate(%)

2% rewards on eligible purchases

—

Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage)

~30% of metro areas (select markets)

—

Warranty Coverage for Electronics(coverage type)

Includes accidental damage protection and extended coverage

—

Pharmacy Services Depth

Limited: prescriptions and pharmacy services only

—

Pharmacy Services Available

Pharmacy only

—

Average Transaction Value(USD)

$150-200

—

Executive Membership Cash Back(percent)

—

Prescription Discount for Members(percent)

20-50%

—

US Store Locations(stores)

569 warehouses

—

US Store Locations(stores)

870

—

Return Policy Window(days)

730 days (2 years)

—

Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits)

24-36 visits/year

—

Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD)

$65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven)

—

Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billions)

$275+ billion

—

Average Transaction Time(minutes)

45-60

—

Product Selection (SKUs)(items)

3,700-4,000 (curated)

—

Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD)

$500-$800

—

Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon)

40-60¢ cheaper

—

Full Comparison

Attribute	Best Buy	Costco Wholesale

Prime Members(millions)	None	—

Ad Revenue (2026)(billion USD)	Not disclosed	—

Physical Locations(stores)	1,000+	—

AI Shopping Assistant(users)	Limited features	—
AI Rufus Interaction Growth(percent)	N/A	—

Prime Day 2026 Revenue(billion USD)	N/A	—

Product Categories(count)	Electronics focused	—
Product Categories Offered(categories)	~15 (electronics-focused)	—
SKUs per Location(items)	3,500-4,500	—
Product Selection (SKUs)(SKUs)	~4,000 SKUs	—

In-Person Support(availability)	Expert staff available	—
In-Store Tech Support(availability)	Geek Squad available at all 1,000 locations	—

U.S. Store Count(stores)	~1,000 stores	—

Average Electronics Price Premium(%)	5-12% higher than Walmart	—
Annual Membership Cost(USD)	$65-$130	—
Price Premium vs Competitors(percent)	-20-30%	—
Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent)	Baseline	—
Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount)	20-40% discount	—

Annual Membership Cost(USD)	Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99	$65 (Gold Star)

Membership Reward Rate(%)	2% rewards on eligible purchases	—

Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage)	~30% of metro areas (select markets)	—

Warranty Coverage for Electronics(coverage type)	Includes accidental damage protection and extended coverage	—

Pharmacy Services Depth	Limited: prescriptions and pharmacy services only	—
Pharmacy Services Available	Pharmacy only	—

Average Transaction Value(USD)	$150-200	—

Executive Membership Cash Back(percent)	2%	—

Prescription Discount for Members(percent)	20-50%	—

US Store Locations(stores)	569 warehouses	—
US Store Locations(stores)	870	—

Return Policy Window(days)	730 days (2 years)	—

Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits)	24-36 visits/year	—

Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD)	$65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven)	—

Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billions)	$275+ billion	—

Average Transaction Time(minutes)	45-60	—

Product Selection (SKUs)(items)	3,700-4,000 (curated)	—

Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD)	$500-$800	—

Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon)	40-60¢ cheaper	—

Best Buy

Costco Wholesale

Prime Members(millions)

None

—

Ad Revenue (2026)(billion USD)

Not disclosed

—

Physical Locations(stores)

1,000+

—

AI Shopping Assistant(users)

Limited features

—

AI Rufus Interaction Growth(percent)

N/A

—

Prime Day 2026 Revenue(billion USD)

N/A

—

Product Categories(count)

Electronics focused

—

Product Categories Offered(categories)

~15 (electronics-focused)

—

SKUs per Location(items)

3,500-4,500

—

Product Selection (SKUs)(SKUs)

~4,000 SKUs

—

In-Person Support(availability)

Expert staff available

—

In-Store Tech Support(availability)

Geek Squad available at all 1,000 locations

—

U.S. Store Count(stores)

~1,000 stores

—

Average Electronics Price Premium(%)

5-12% higher than Walmart

—

Annual Membership Cost(USD)

$65-$130

—

Price Premium vs Competitors(percent)

-20-30%

—

Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent)

Baseline

—

Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount)

20-40% discount

—

Annual Membership Cost(USD)

Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99

$65 (Gold Star)

Membership Reward Rate(%)

2% rewards on eligible purchases

—

Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage)

~30% of metro areas (select markets)

—

Warranty Coverage for Electronics(coverage type)

Includes accidental damage protection and extended coverage

—

Pharmacy Services Depth

Limited: prescriptions and pharmacy services only

—

Pharmacy Services Available

Pharmacy only

—

Average Transaction Value(USD)

$150-200

—

Executive Membership Cash Back(percent)

—

Prescription Discount for Members(percent)

20-50%

—

US Store Locations(stores)

569 warehouses

—

US Store Locations(stores)

870

—

Return Policy Window(days)

730 days (2 years)

—

Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits)

24-36 visits/year

—

Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD)

$65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven)

—

Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billions)

$275+ billion

—

Average Transaction Time(minutes)

45-60

—

Product Selection (SKUs)(items)

3,700-4,000 (curated)

—

Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD)

$500-$800

—

Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon)

40-60¢ cheaper

—

Best Buy vs Costco

Best Buy

Costco Wholesale

Short Answer

Our Verdict

Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Companies

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

Best Buy

Pros

Cons

Costco Wholesale

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Where to Buy

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Best Buy vs Costco

Best Buy

Costco Wholesale

Short Answer

Our Verdict

🔔Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Companies

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

Best Buy

Pros

Cons

Costco Wholesale

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Where to Buy

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Track this comparison