As technology seems to get more and more expensive, especially with the current RAM crisis, we’re all looking for ways to save money on the electronics we want. While it’s always nice to look out for key shopping days of the year like Cyber Monday or Black Friday to find good prices – like these big discounts on Anker gadgets – you can also protect your wallet by shopping at the right store. Both Walmart and Costco are known for offering affordable technology, but which store you shop at will depend specifically on what you’re looking for.
For example, if you’re considering purchasing a new printer, you can find several different products at Walmart for less than $60. As of this writing, Walmart is offering an HP DeskJet 2942 with six months of free ink for $39. In comparison, the majority of printers at Costco cost well over $100. It’s no different when it comes to televisions. For a 55-inch TV, Walmart TVs start at $198 as of this writing. Costco TVs of the same size start at $279.
However, Costco is a store that only Costco members can shop at, which costs a fee. If you’re a member, you can benefit from exclusive membership offers and included warranties for TVs and computers. So Costco may actually give you a better deal based on what you buy if you’re a member.
Cheap technology available at Walmart
Walmart offers great tech at good prices, and items like smart headphones and LED bulbs are on our list of cheap Walmart gadgets worth buying. Walmart has a variety of tech items that you can find at a good price, but note that these items at these prices were the ones available at the time of writing this article.
If you want to add to your game collection, Walmart has some good deals. A wireless Xbox controller that typically costs $64 is on sale for $49, which includes universal support for PC and Android gaming, button customization, and a headphone audio jack. To complement that, Walmart is offering a Razer BlackShark V2
One of the cheapest technologies found was a Roku smart LED light strip, over 32 feet long, costing $22. A wireless Galayou outdoor security camera costs $30, which is pretty impressive considering it includes two-way audio, night vision, motion detection, and is waterproof. When it comes to shopping at Walmart, it’s a good strategy to keep an eye out for the technology you want. Walmart frequently puts items on sale, and you can get what you’re looking for for a good deal with a little patience.
When to Buy Cheap Tech at Costco
Some tech items at Costco beat Walmart on price, including an Anker power bank and a digital air fryer on our list. The main draw to Costco over Walmart for better deals, however, is the member benefits.
A standard Costco membership costs $65 per year, while an executive membership costs $130 per year. The benefit of paying more comes with special shopping hours just for executive members and a monthly credit for same-day delivery. This means that during good sales times, you can get to the store before anyone else to pick up the item you want, or you can pick up some money to spend on the next tech item you need.
Costco offers savings on select products like AT&T and T-Mobile cell phones, as well as large and bulky items. Prices vary between stores at different times of the year, so it’s a good idea to compare what you want at Costco versus Walmart to see which offers you the best deal when you’re shopping. A great savings point for TVs, computers and major appliances is two additional years of free warranty and included setup assistance and technical support. For comparison, if you bought a Lenovo Chromebook at Walmart, a year of technical support and setup would cost $58 more, and a three-year warranty would cost an additional $69.
