Cheapest Place to Buy a Laptop in 2026 (We Checked Every Major Retailer)

Laptops are one of the biggest purchases most people make each year — and one of the categories where retailer prices differ most dramatically. We've tracked laptop pricing across every major US retailer so you know exactly where to look before spending $400–$2,000.

The Short Answer

For most laptops, Amazon and Walmart.com tend to be cheapest on everyday pricing. Best Buy wins during its own sales events and when you factor in open-box deals. Manufacturer sites (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple) occasionally offer exclusive bundles or student discounts that beat everyone else.

Amazon: Best for Mid-Range Windows Laptops

Amazon carries the widest selection of Windows laptops in the $300–$900 range and frequently undercuts Best Buy on everyday pricing. The main advantage is Prime shipping and a competitive return window. Watch for Lightning Deals on brands like Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo — these can knock 15–25% off instantly.

Tip: Set a price alert or check CheapestFinder on the specific model you want before buying. Amazon prices fluctuate daily.

Best Buy: Best for MacBooks and Open-Box Savings

Best Buy is an authorized Apple reseller and often matches Apple's own pricing on MacBooks — but their open-box deals are where serious savings happen. A MacBook Air returned with minimal use can be found for $150–$300 less than retail, with the same return window and warranty coverage.

Best Buy's Geek Squad protection plans are also competitively priced for users who want coverage beyond the standard warranty.

Walmart: Best for Budget Laptops Under $500

Walmart.com has dramatically improved its laptop selection and often matches or beats Amazon on budget and mid-tier models. Brands like HP and Lenovo list exclusive Walmart SKUs that aren't sold elsewhere — these can look like good deals but sometimes have slightly lower specs than the standard models, so compare carefully.

For Chromebooks specifically, Walmart is consistently one of the lowest-priced options.

Costco: Best for Bundles and Warranty Value

Costco carries a curated selection of laptops — usually 20–30 models — but bundles them with extended warranties and often includes accessories like a laptop bag or software package. The upfront price may look slightly higher than Amazon, but the total value is often better.

Costco's return policy (essentially no time limit on electronics) is also genuinely valuable on an expensive laptop purchase.

Manufacturer Sites: Check for Student and Business Discounts

Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple all offer significant discounts through education pricing programs — usually 10–20% off. Apple's Education Store is the most well-known, but Dell's and Lenovo's are equally generous. If you're a student, teacher, or work in eligible industries, always check these first.

When to Buy a Laptop

Back to school (July–September): Best Buy and Amazon run deep laptop promotions. This is consistently the best time of year to buy.

Black Friday / Cyber Monday: The second-best window. Deals are real but sell out fast.

Tax refund season (February–April): Retailers quietly run promotions knowing people have extra cash. Often overlooked.

Avoid January and June: Lowest promotional activity of the year.

The Smartest Move

Use CheapestFinder to search your specific model name before you buy. We compare real-time prices across Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more in seconds — so you never pay more than you need to.