6 Best Places to Buy TVs, According to Tech Experts
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Best Buy / Costco / Target / B&H
Buying a TV can be a complicated process. For starters, TVs tend to be a big-ticket item, even more so if you're splurging on special features or capabilities. Plus, it can be hard to predict how much you'll like it once you get it home, unbox it, mount it, and settle in for a movie night. (What if the resolution feels less-than-crisp? Or what if the sound isn't quite right?) Because of that, TVs require a little more research than your average electronic device. With these retailers, though, you can find options to suit every budget, comfort level, and personal preference — plus extra perks, like protection plans and free returns, that provide a little more peace of mind when shopping.
Keep scrolling to discover the best places to buy TVs, according to tech reviewers and experts.
Amazon
Pros
Wide selection
Fast shipping
Cons
No brick-and-mortar returns or shopping
Not only does Amazon have the enormous selection that made the e-tailer famous, but it also makes it easy to shop for TVs, breaking them down according to the type (LED, LCD, QLED, OLED, 4K), TV control method (app, remote, touch, voice), and even what have made popular gifts. Plus, it’s a great place to find a deal. “They offer a variety of models from different brands, and their prices are typically lower than other retailers,” says Oberon Copeland, a consumer products reviewer and CEO of VeryInformed.com. “Amazon also has a helpful customer reviews section that can be useful when making a purchase decision.”
Plus, because you might already be familiar with their delivery method — especially if you’re a Prime member — that makes purchasing a TV even more of a breeze. “They have fast and free shipping, and you don't have to worry about transporting the TV yourself [thanks to] their trusted delivery systems,” says Christen Costa, the CEO of Gadget Review. “Amazon also reliably compares their prices to other sellers on the market, guaranteeing you the best price option for your budget.” The sole drawback? Since the retailer is online-only, you can’t check out TVs in-person if you’re trying to get an idea of resolution and color, unless you view them in another brick and mortar first.
Return policy: Free returns for all TVs within the return window | Delivery options: Varies according to seller, with free shipping for Prime members | Return window: 30 days of the delivery date | Customer service options: Live chat, email, phone | Perks: You can pay with credit-card rewards points
Insignia
$349.99
$199.99
Best Buy
Pros
Generous selection
Cons
Expensive membership program with extra fees for perks
If you’re looking to shop around different TV brands for the best price — think Samsung, LG, and Vizio — Best Buy is a great place to start. “They carry all the major brands, and their prices are competitive,” says Copeland. Plus, the retailer tends to mark down the prices for holiday events like Memorial Day and Black Friday, so there’s a high chance you can get a great TV for a steal. Best Buy also produces its own line of budget TVs, Insignia — so it’s all in on the TV game. (That said, tech support and extended warranties do cost extra.)
For those who are very into TVs — for instance, you can explain what makes an OLED TV different — this is also a good spot to shop, since Best Buy offers a Totaltech membership. They get a ton of extra benefits, although at $200 annually, it’s not cheap. “For instance, regular shoppers will have 15 days to return purchases, in general, but Totaltech members will have 60 days to return most products, including TVs,” says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews.com. They’ll also enjoy two years of product protection, free two-day shipping, delivery and installation, VIP access to customer service, and exclusive pricing. “If you shop at Best Buy often enough to warrant a membership, it can make the retailer a solid place to shop for TVs,” she says.
Return policy: Free returns in-store or by shipping, with some exceptions | Delivery options: Free standard shipping on orders $35+ on qualifying products | Return window: Within 14 days of purchase, with an extended window during the holidays | Customer service options: Live chat or phone | Payment options: Lease-to-own option
Target
Pros
Relatively lower prices
Accessible to most for in-person shopping
Cons
Protection plans come at an extra cost
With different types of TVs to choose from, from gaming sets to those that double as artwork, Target isn't too far behind the competition in terms of variety. “They have a good selection of LED and 4K TVs, and their prices are generally lower than other retailers,” Copeland says. Plus, Target offers extra perks, like the option to have a pro hang your TV via a partnership with HelloTech as well as protection plans provided by Allstate — both for an additional fee, of course.
Plus, if you’re a RedCard member, you get extra benefits. If you use it to purchase your TV, you’ll get an extended timeframe for a return. “Another perk of shopping at Target and using your RedCard to pay is that you'll save 5% on your purchase — this is standard practice for Target, so whether you shop online or in-store, as long as you pay with a RedCard, you save 5% every day,” Ramhold says. “But it's an especially nice perk for large purchases as it can really add up then, so the combined savings with an extended return period makes Target a great store to shop for a new TV.”
Return policy: Free returns or exchanges on unopened purchases | Delivery options: Free standard shipping on orders $35+ | Return window: Within 30 days of shipping or store pick-up, with an extended window during the holidays | Customer service options: Live chat or phone
Walmart
Pros
Accessible for in-person shopping
Wide selection
Cons
Few perks beyond free returns and shipping
One of the biggest advantages of Walmart's is not only in their wide selection, but that you can usually find one nearby in case you want to scope out your options in person. Plus, “they offer free two-day shipping on most orders over $35,” says Copeland. On top of that, the retailer now offers a membership program; when you join Walmart+, which costs $98 annually (but can also be billed monthly), Walmart offers early access to Black Friday deals, which can translate to big savings on TVs. You’ll also get free shipping without minimums, and the ability to earn rewards on eligible items.
You can also get Walmart Protection Plans, provided by Allstate, to cover your electronics purchase; they cover mechanical and electrical failures, power surges, and unexplainable breakdowns, including tech support. (That said, damage due to accidents isn't covered.) If you’ve had bad luck with TV failures or want to protect a splurge, it might be worth the additional cost.
Return policy: Free returns or exchanges | Delivery options: Free standard shipping on orders $35+ | Return window: Within 30 days of shipping or store pick-up, with an extended window during the holidays | Customer service options: Live chat or phone
B&H Photo Video
Pros
Expert guidance when shopping
Various pricing options
Cons
Limited selection
While it might not have the same name recognition as other tech retailers, B&H Photo Video is still a great option when you're shopping for a TV — especially if you’re a tech newbie and aren’t sure where to start. That’s in part because they make customer service readily available.
“Many of the staff members, beyond being really nice and attentive, are really knowledgeable about their products — they are often followed by the refrain ‘the professional’s source,'" says Aimee White, the founder of tech review site Keyboard Kings. “While I would consider myself a bit of a tech geek, their employees can even put me through the paces of pixel size, color contrast, and all the other features you want to hear about when you are buying a TV.”
The New York City-based store has a dedicated phone line that you can dial for advice from the experts as well as a retail website if you're not local. If you’re looking to save even more, you can shop their selection of open-box and used TVs, which often come at a respectable discount (think anywhere from 10% to 40% off the original price).
Return policy: Returns accepted, less shipping fees | Delivery options: Various shipping options at a cost | Return window: Within 30 days of delivery or store pick-up, with an extended window for the holidays | Customer service options: Live chat or phone | Perks: Discounts for students and educators, easily accessible pros
Costco
Pros
Free tech support and product protection
Cons
Limited selection
Have to buy a membership first
Similar to Sam’s Club and BJ’s, Costco is a warehouse club, meaning you pay an annual fee for everyday discounts. And if you’re already a Costco member, then it’s a no-brainer to at least check out their offerings for a good TV. “Considering that Costo often has excellent prices on TVs in general, and especially around Black Friday, this is a solid way to go if you're in the market for a new set,” says Ramhold. “The biggest issue might be finding a particular model if you're looking for something specific, but Costco has a huge variety to choose from, so there's definitely going to be something to fit your budget and needs.”
Costco currently carries nine TV brands, some of which are more obscure affordable brands among trusted manufacturers like Samsung, SONY, LG, and Vizio. But what's especially alluring is the product protection, which is totally free — and among the longest-standing in the business. “Costco also offers an extended warranty up to two years from the date of purchase on TVs, so you have extra protection at no added cost just by shopping at Costco,” Ramhold says.
Return policy: Free returns or exchanges on unopened purchases | Delivery options: Various shipping options at a cost | Return window: Within 90 days of shipping or store pick-up | Customer service options: Live chat or phone
How to Pick the Right TV
Size
The most important factor when shopping for a TV for your space is the size. “TVs are measured diagonally, so make sure to [correctly] measure the space where it will go,” Copeland says. The last thing you want is to order a new TV and realize it doesn’t quite fit above your fireplace.
Type
Not all TVs are created equal, so it helps to do homework on the type. “LCD and LED TVs are the most common, but there are also plasma and OLED TVs,” Copeland says. This can impact the value, too, so that’s worth keeping in mind. QLED, for instance, has high brightness without the price tag, where OLED delivers deeper blacks and is supposedly easier on the eyes (since they offer higher color contrast and natural lighting). If you’re really not sure where to start, consider visiting a store to talk to an employee who can help steer you in the right direction.
Features
“4K resolution, HDR compatibility, and smart capabilities are some of the most popular features,” says Copeland. If you’ve cut the cable cord, for instance, you may want a smart TV that can deliver various streaming platforms instead (or if you still have cable, you may just want a way to easily access all of your accounts). In terms of visual quality, 4K resolution allows for crystal-clear picture, whereas HDR offers higher contrast.
Why Trust PEOPLE
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and copywriter based in New York. She has over a decade's experience and has written for sites like Vogue, New York Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, and more. For this piece, she interviewed four tech analysts and experts from across the country (Oberon Copeland, a consumer products reviewer and CEO of VeryInformed.com; Christen Costa, CEO of Gadget Review; Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews.com; and Aimee White, the founder of tech review site Keyboard Kings) for their input on the best television retailers, including both big-box and more overlooked, under-the-radar stores.
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