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Best Apps for Electronics Shopping Deals: Expert Review
There is no need to spend a fortune when shopping for tech. You can save quite a bit, even when looking for high-end gadgets, and results may come as a surprise.

Your wallet will love this one
Going in, we didn't exactly expect this platform to snatch the top spot with such bravado. Easy to navigate and tweak to suit your needs, it is arguably the best path to saving your hard-earned cash. No other online store presented us with lower prices. A winner by a long shot.
Why we chose Newegg Mobile:
- The store offers both refurbished and brand new products, allowing you to save as much as possible in the process.
- The prices of laptops start as low as $92. Tablets are even cheaper.
- A brand new iPhone 11, fresh out of the box, averages at $799. The most recent addition to the Apple family, iPhone 12, starts at $890.
- A smart TV system can be had for a mere $109, letting you turn your home into a proper entertainment center at the fraction of the cost.
- The app boasts an excellent recommendations section that uses your previous searches and purchases to show products you might like.
- Ships all over the world.
No other app on the list has been able to perform so well, ticking every box that was important to our test.
Read Newegg's Full ReviewA pleasant surprise
Coming in second, B&H is known for its focus on professional equipment. Still, there's also plenty for us regular people. Regardless of whether you're a student, between jobs, or simply looking to pinch a few pennies, you definitely cannot afford to skip this heaven for all frugal folks out there.
Why we chose B&H Photo Video:
- The store offers an impressive selection of tech - including phones, computers, and home entertainment centers.
- You'll have to part with a mere $124 for a laptop. Plenty of excellent choices when it comes to selecting a good smart TV.
- Faithful to its original purpose, it is perfect for lovers of top-notch audio and video equipment.
- Many items come with free US shipping, often resulting in substantial savings.
- The only downside is the search function. It's impossible to order items by price. Everything else has left us impressed.
Despite the last point, B&H is a destination no lover of tech should miss.
Read B&H's Full ReviewDon't underestimate the Chinese market
We couldn't possibly wrap this top 3 up without mentioning AliExpress. China's answer to Amazon and eBay rolled into one; it allows you to connect with sellers from across Asia and the world for a host of reasonable prices.
Why we chose AliExpress:
- Enormous selection of tech - both famous brands and lesser-known names.
- Laptops start at $92, smart TVs at $116, while an iPhone 12 can be had for $944.
- AliExpress offers great customer support and buyer protection, making sure that every product is delivered to your door - or you get a full refund.
- Unfortunately, most items are shipped from China, which can rack up the shipping costs. You can get some items directly from US sellers - but not all.
Some people may feel apprehensive but, according to our experience, there is no need to be. Customer protection is excellent.
Read AliExpress' Full ReviewEverything We Recommend
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Our PickUpgrade your online shopping with Newegg! We are the largest electronics e-retailer in North America and we sell millions of products in 50 countries like the USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Kingdom and more. Browse through our products and read through the 4M+ reviews we have collected from customers like you. Our app puts Newegg’s award winning marketplace in your hands and makes it convenient to shop.
Features & Functionality
We have taken everything you love about Newegg.com and put it in our app. Whether you are a new or existing customer, we make it easy for you to buy. With our app, you can easily log into an existing account if you are a previous customer. If you are new to the Newegg family, we welcome you! Feel free to shop as a guest or create an account today so you do not miss out on our amazing deals.
You can check an order’s status, scan barcodes, give feedback, write reviews, check or adjust your account’s settings, create wish lists, read product reviews, chat with Newegg, personalize your homepage and so much more. You can even do a side-by-side comparison of products’ features and pricing from categories like:
1. Computer Systems
2. Computer Components
3. Electronics
4. Gaming
5. Networking
6. Office Solutions
7. Software & Services
Discounts & Deals
At Newegg, we are proud to offer our customers the highest quality merchandise at a great price. You can be sure that all of our products will be competitively priced, and you may find yourself constantly watching for our killer sales. Activate notifications on your phone so you can be the first to know about Newegg’s promotions or get pricing alerts about your favorite products. With Newegg's app you can follow our Daily Deals, Shell Shocker, or Newegg Flash sales.CostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNoNo -
Runner UpWelcome to B&H!
The B&H Photo Video Android App allows users to shop our vast product catalog on the go, in the most convenient, befitting way. View products with high-resolution photos, read professional reviews, get educated on features and specifications, all with an easily accessible, intuitive interface. Our mobile app makes it virtually effortless to browse and search for products, check product availability, and share products with friends and family. As you experience the “on-the-go” B&H experience, remember that B&H’s goal is to provide you with a state-of-art environment in which to shop, browse, and learn about the products you love, regardless of whether you shop on our Website, in our SuperStore, or on our mobile app.
Some of our app’s features:
• Order securely and safely on the fly.
• Check out using your favorite method: Android Pay, PayPal or B&H Secure Checkout.
• Go back in time and check an old purchase, with our newly-designed Order History feature.
• Read professional product reviews, with detailed descriptions, specs, videos and high-resolution product images.
• Add products to your wishlist, share wish lists, and create wish lists, all on the go.
• Share a product with a friend on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, email, and even SMS.
All in all, the B&H Android App brings new resources to working professionals in the field, and to those preferring mobility. B&H Photo Video appreciates each and every customer, and looks forward to supplying you with the hottest, latest gear and accessories. Our Android app is an extension of our website and SuperStore, and includes reliable speedy shipping, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service, all of which you’ve grown accustomed to as a customer of B&H Photo Video.
A Note on Requested Permissions
• Writing to external storage: This allows us to save product manuals for offline reference. We also give you the option to move the app to your SD card, if you choose to do so.
• Camera: This allows you to scan barcodes from the search bar, to find products quickly and accurately. You can also use it to scan your card when checking out.
• Identity: This lets you use a Google account to check out quickly.
• Location: To better improve your shopping experience. Stay tuned for new location-based features!
• Phone Calls: To enable our Customer Service calling feature. Check it out on the bottom of a detail page.CostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNoNo -
Also GroovyAliExpress is the go-to online shopping app for everyone, anywhere. New users rejoice! You can enjoy special newcomer deals or gifts! With thousands of good quality brands and endless deals, there's something for everyone. Plus enjoy FREE SHIPPING on over 75% of items.
MILLIONS OF ITEMS
Shop from an extensive collection of items ranging from fashion, home, health, tech, toys to sports and shoes! You won't leave without a suitable item!
TOP RANKINGS
Explore all the top-ranked items based on number of orders, views, adds to cart and more! Never miss a good deal on the best ranking items!
IMAGE SEARCH
Take a picture of the item you’re looking for or upload a photo to find an exact match or items similar to what you want. Easy peasy!
PERSONALIZED 'MORE TO LOVE' SECTION
Enjoy shopping from a personalized channel that will showcase items picked especially for you.
INTERACTIVE & FUN GAMES
Make shopping fun by playing our range of mini games such as Fantastic Farm and Coupon Pals. Earn more rewards while you play!
BUYER PROTECTION
If your item is not delivered within the Buyer Protection period, you may apply for a refund and receive it within 15-30 days.
SECURE PAYMENT METHODS
Make transactions with your preferred method - whether by credit card or wire transfer.
OTHER APP HIGHLIGHTS
- Daily Flash Deals
- Earn multiple coins and coupons
- Order management & automatic shipment notifications
- Multiple language and currency support
- 24/7 Help Centre
- More exciting features to come!
LEAVE US A NOTE
Enjoyed the experience on AliExpress? Tell us what you think - we'd love to hear from you!
If you noticed any bugs or would like to request for a feature, drop us a note in the app by tapping 'Account' then 'App Suggestion'.CostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNoNo
The 411 from our Appventurer
How we tested?
More than two decades after the trend first kicked off, shopping on the internet can still be a tricky business. This is particularly true when it comes to purchasing tech. Any lover of gadgets will admit - only the most reliable online outlet will do. We tested the most famous platforms and lesser-known spots to see which app will bring you the most significant savings - during Black Friday or year-round.
Retailers, as well as apps focused on deals and discounts, were included in the mix. In addition to judging functionality, aesthetics, ease of use, and other standard factors, we chose to focus on the numbers. If you're looking to save, there is nothing better than your bank statement to tell you whether you've spent too much or just enough.
We decided to look for the brand new iPhone 12 but also see how low the prices can go when it comes to laptops and smart TVs. Comparing the numbers for the same thing across all platforms gave us a clear idea of how each option performed. We also paid attention to shipping destinations and costs, ensuring that your needs will be met - wherever you are. Of course, it was impossible to bypass price drop alerts, exclusive deals, and mailing lists that are worth a sign-up.
Why get the app?
Obviously, the main reason is cold, hard cash. Numbers don't lie, and almost all the apps we tested had exclusive in-app only deals. These unique deals often differ from the ones available on the website.
The Newegg app, for example, gives a new user a chance to receive a $10 promotional gift card after placing their first order. You can also push notifications and alerts for flash sales (called “Shell Shockers” and “Daily Deals”). With Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a whole bunch of other holidays coming up - what more can you ask for?
A pleasant browsing experience also makes a difference. What's the point of a bunch of cool offers if you can't find your way through them? Coupled with excellent daily, weekly, and monthly deals, Newegg won out as far as user-friendliness. B&H Photo Video and AliExpress stood out as almost equally impressive, being neck and neck in both prices and functionality. Still, at the end of the day, the numbers repeatedly pointed back to Newegg.
More About Newegg: Our Pick
Going into this little piece of research, we definitely didn't expect that Newegg, of all apps, would be the one that would impress us the most. Still, from the very start, we couldn't help but encounter one pleasant surprise after another.
The interface is clean and perfectly intuitive, allowing the user to navigate the substantial offer without any trace of lag. The transitions are smooth and seamless, and even the search function tends to come up with results rather quickly. Time is money, and, in this case, we have saved plenty.
They scored the next point with the prices themselves. A laptop for $92? Check. The new iPhone 12 starting as low as $890? Yes, please. A proper 32-inch smart TV for no more than $110? Where do we sign up? What was even better was the fact that, as we browsed along, the recommendations listed become more fine-tuned to our taste. It was easy to see that the algorithm is built in such a way to offer the user a tailor-made experience and really inspire them to get the very best for their buck.
It's evident that people don't really like signing up for price drop alerts and other spam generators. However, in the case of Newegg, it may as well be worth it. Daily, weekly, and monthly offers are nothing to sneeze at. If you have enough time to eye a new piece of tech for a while, you can easily encounter that exact thing on a discount sooner than you think. A bit of patience pays off - especially around the holiday season or Black Friday.
It may also be worth mentioning that the website and app offer a choice between new and refurbished products. In a day and age where fresh tech is released every single day, it does pay off to slow down and see if you can make use of something from last year - or the year before. All products come with at least a one-year warranty so, if something stops working, you can always get it fixed or replaced without any additional costs.
Juggling multiple shipping addresses and payment methods is easy enough and, overall, the app allows for a good deal of tweaking. This can prove particularly useful on two occasions. First is, obviously, a situation where you don't have any money left on your PayPal, but your card has enough cash for the purchase. The other scenario covered is ordering gifts for others. You can put a smile on the face of a loved one around Christmas - even if they live 2000 miles away.
Overall, Newegg really hit all the marks and, if you're looking for a good, all-rounder place to buy new (or refurbished) tech - this is the app to download. You cannot go wrong with it - even if you tried.
Snags but not drags:
Before we move onto other worthy contenders, it is important to mention a downside or two of our winner. They are not immense nor unavoidable but are still something you want to keep an eye on if you're trying to save as much as possible.
Newegg boasts the ability to deliver its products using multiple shipping methods. This is, of course, a fine claim to make. However, the app tends to select a pricier option - every time. Since our goal was to make savings, this grabbed our attention, and that should serve as a fair warning to you - the customer. It is a minor issue, easily avoided, but it's one to keep your eye on.
Another downside (which persisted with all the apps we tried) was high bandwidth usage. The numerous images and flashy animations that load as you happily browse along can eat up quite a bit of your monthly allowance, so make sure that you only log in after connecting to your wifi.
More About B&H Photo Video: Runner Up
During the preparations for this article, we toyed with several possibilities, and B&H Photo Video was, for a long time, at the bottom of our list. A platform traditionally focused on professional gadgets for audio and video producers didn’t seem worth looking into. Oh, how wrong we were. How horribly wrong.
The app has proven its worth - many times over. Their selection of phones, computers, and even home entertainment centers could be the envy of many online stores that have specialized in this segment from the get-go. Much like Newegg, the platform offers new and used items, so your savings can be substantial if you decide to focus on the refurbished option. Brand new smart TVs start at $149 while some phones are firmly placed below the $100 mark. This should make any frugal shopper more than happy.
A feature that sets the app apart is a clearly defined "special deals zone" that has shown us some of the most gobsmackingly low prices we have encountered in this process. Coupled with some pretty decent recommendations we received via the mailing list - and free shipping on many items - it is safe to say that this app will not be deleted from our phones anytime soon.
Gift cards are another convenience that stood out as a particularly well-thought-out solution. Not only can you surprise a friend or a relative, but you can do it with a carefully designed and customized card. It's something that doesn't make a huge difference in either functionality or savings (both of our main criteria), but it is a nice touch that remains impossible not to notice.
One thing that stood out as a significant downside - one we simply couldn't overlook - was the fact that you cannot perform any sort of price-filtering. Seems a bit odd for a platform that boasts having amazing deals on just about any category. This made our search for the cheapest laptop a bit haphazard, and, ultimately, the lowest price point we could find was hovering around the $124 mark.
Despite this flaw, B&H Photo Video serves its purpose very well indeed, and you can definitely make massive savings, no matter the kind of gadget you're looking for. A smartwatch, a laptop, or pro equipment for your studio - you can have it all at a bargain. Its second place is firmly secured in our hearts and phones.
More About AliExpress: Also Groovy
This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning the now already world-famous AliExpress. An offshoot of Alibaba - functioning in the manner of Amazon or eBay - this platform connects sellers and buyers from across the globe.
With quite literally several million items in the tech category, it is bound to satisfy any shopper’s needs. This Chinese giant is certainly one to explore and appreciate. Filled to the brim with coupons and deals, it practically guarantees a good find. Add to this a selection of awesome invite codes and a traditional 11.11. sale - and you will get more than you bargained for.
The prices are a tad higher than our top two choices but still remain considerably lower than those on other apps. A brand new iPhone 12 hovers around $944. The most affordable laptop, however, manages to beat even the one on Newegg. At only $94, it could be the choice of every college student. A smart TV will set you back only $116, but the shipping costs may augment this sum.
Speaking of which, you might want to bear in mind that most sellers are located in China and neighboring countries. Some will bypass this issue by offering free shipping, while others will simply hike up the prices and call it a day. With such a vast offer of items, you will need to do a bit of research (and pay attention to the small print) before finding the right option for you.
Despite an initially dodgy reputation, AliExpress has made a substantial effort in tackling scams and problematic behavior. Today, buyer protection is at a particularly high level, and you should never fear for your cash. Secure payments, as well as refunds, are the norm.
Another impressive feat that sets the app apart from its competitors is the ability to search the enormous database using either your voice or even an image found online. This way, we've discovered some fascinating new brands we've never heard of and also bumped into a few familiar names. After all, the now world-famous Xiaomi started its journey here, eventually taking over Huawei's spot and slowly but surely approaching Samsung’s sales. AliExpress definitely is one to watch.
Other Apps Considered
This app was very easy to navigate - without any lag. It connects the shopper to all of the most famous online stores, offering online and in-store discounts and very moderate prices. Still, the search function seems to be somewhat defective, especially when looking for specific products. This is a massive downside, and the deals were not quite as good as our top picks anyway.
Walmart undeniably has some good Black Friday sales, but they go fast. Even if you are able to jump on them before they're sold out, the discounts weren't as impressive as expected when compared across all the apps we tested.
Obviously, a classic. Good, middle-of-the-road solution with an exceptionally wide selection of goods in all categories. Still, some of the more popular items (such as ALL versions of iPhone 12) were out of stock for days.
Another platform well-known to just about everyone on the internet. Some of the prices are almost as low as those on AliExpress. It allows you to connect with a vast selection of sellers from across the globe. Sadly, over the years, the site (and the accompanying app) have gained a less-than-ideal reputation. In short, you may end up running into more than a couple of scammers.
This app seems to be partnered with all the major store chains. It also benefits from a very interesting news section. While it does offer decent deals, the app itself is rather slow and clunky. In addition to the glitches, you also can't see some of the prices until you visit the individual store's website. Definitely a pass.
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About the Appventurer
Stefan Racic
WriterMy phone tends to be filled to the brim with apps I am either trying on for size of using on a regular basis. I use them for a variety of tasks, including sketching and creating art, keeping in touch with friends, being up to date with the latest news, learning about diverse spiritual practices and, of course, playing games!
With over 10 years of experience as a translator and writer, I channel my creativity into writing about things I enjoy. My education in business (I hold a bachelor's degree in operations management) is but one part of expertise. I have worked for art magazines, spiritual blogs, news and business sites, and now I explore the fascinating world of apps.
My previous work is as diverse as my interests. Fresh out of college, I was employed as a translator and interpreter at the fringes of the corporate world and the NGO sector. After switching to writing, I first focused on business news, then shifted to working for a series of art magazines (WideWalls perhaps being the most well known), and even wrote content for a couple of spirituality-focused apps for Labyrinthos Academy. Little did I know that I would eventually devote a good chunk of my time to writing about all sorts of interesting new apps out there.
Introduction
Should a new laptop or smartphone ruin your credit score? Of course not! The internet offers an endless sea of bargains and possibilities but is also filled with poor customer service and even scammers. So we bit the bullet and tested the top online stores and deal platforms, finding that the most impressive savings came from the Newegg Mobile app with the lowest prices for the hottest laptops and the new iPhone 12. Here's why we chose this app and more: