Best Apps for Electronics Shopping Deals: Expert Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.