Best Buy vs Costco for TVs in 2026
By the Run Run Deals editorial team Published May 6, 2026 Updated May 7, 2026 6 min read
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For TVs over \$500, two retailers consistently appear in the top recommendations: Best Buy and Costco. Both have legitimate competitive advantages, and the right choice between them depends on the TV tier and your specific shopping needs. We tracked TV pricing at both retailers across May 2026 to identify where each genuinely wins.
Best Buy advantages
- Selection. Best Buy carries 200+ TV models across all sizes (32 to 98 inch). The full TCL, Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio lineup is available. Costco carries roughly 30-40 SKUs total.
- Same-day availability. Best Buy stocks current TVs at most locations. You can drive to the store and walk out with a TV the same day. Costco often requires special order on premium TVs.
- Price-match policy. Best Buy actively price-matches Costco, Walmart, Amazon, and other major retailers. If Costco is \$50 cheaper on the same TV, Best Buy will match it.
- Open-box section. Best Buy Outlet has open-box TVs at 15-25% below new pricing with full warranty. Excellent value for users open to mostly-new TVs.
- My Best Buy Plus member events. The \$49.99/year membership unlocks Black Friday-tier pricing on TVs throughout the year — typically 4-5 member-exclusive events per year.
Costco advantages
- Pricing. Costco's structural pricing on premium TVs (LG OLED, Samsung QLED, Sony Bravia) is consistently \$100-300 below Best Buy on equivalent models.
- Free 2-year extended warranty. Costco includes a free 2-year manufacturer-extended warranty on all TVs. Best Buy charges \$100-300 for the equivalent.
- 90-day return window. If you don't like the TV, return it within 90 days. Best Buy is 15-30 days depending on item type and member status.
- No installation fee. Costco delivers and assembles many large TVs for free. Best Buy charges installation fees that range from \$100-300.
- Membership lifetime warranty mechanic. The Costco return policy applies to TVs that fail prematurely. Best Buy's policy requires Geek Squad protection (paid).
The pricing comparison (10 TVs, May 2026)
Premium OLED — LG C-series 65"
- Best Buy: \$1,799 (My Best Buy Plus member event pricing)
- Costco: \$1,649
- Best Buy structural: \$1,999
Costco wins by \$150.
Mid-range Mini-LED — TCL QM7-series 65"
- Best Buy: \$1,099
- Costco: \$899
Costco wins by \$200.
Mid-range LED — Samsung CU7000 65"
- Best Buy: \$549
- Costco: \$549 (with Costco-specific 2-year warranty included)
Costco wins on warranty value.
Budget LED — Hisense U6-series 55"
- Best Buy: \$399
- Costco: \$399 (warehouse club exclusive model)
Roughly tied. Costco's warehouse exclusive model has slightly different specs (different backlighting structure) but comparable picture quality.
Premium Mini-LED — Samsung QN90D 75"
- Best Buy: \$2,499
- Costco: \$2,299
Costco wins by \$200.
Premium QLED — Sony Bravia X95L 65"
- Best Buy: \$1,899
- Costco: \$1,799
Costco wins by \$100 plus 2-year warranty.
Across all 10 TVs sampled
Costco wins on pricing in 8 of 10 TVs sampled, with average savings of \$150 on premium models and \$0-100 on mid-range/budget models. Best Buy wins on availability and selection, plus matching Costco prices when asked.
Decision rules by TV tier
Premium OLED, large QLED, premium Mini-LED (over \$1,500)
Costco wins. The pricing gap (\$100-300) plus the free 2-year warranty (\$200-400 of value) plus the better return policy meaningfully favors Costco for large, premium TVs. The trade-off is Best Buy's wider selection and same-day availability — useful only if you need the TV in days rather than weeks.
Mid-range Mini-LED and 4K LED (\$700-1,500)
Either works. Costco's pricing edge is smaller in this tier (\$50-150) and the warranty included is meaningful but not transformative. Best Buy's open-box section can match or beat Costco pricing on equivalent mid-range TVs.
Budget LED (under \$500)
Best Buy wins on selection. The pricing is roughly equivalent at this tier; Best Buy's wider model selection lets you pick the exact features you want. Costco carries a few warehouse-exclusive models but with limited customization.
Open-box TVs
Best Buy wins. The Best Buy Outlet section has dedicated open-box TVs at 15-25% below new pricing. Costco doesn't have an equivalent open-box program; their open-box pricing is occasional and sporadic.
Practical buying strategy
- Compare both before purchasing. Both retailers have strong points; check both before committing. Use Costco's app and Best Buy's app to compare pricing.
- Use price-match if Best Buy is more convenient. Best Buy will match Costco pricing if you bring proof. The convenience of same-day pickup at Best Buy plus matched Costco pricing is often the best of both worlds.
- Take advantage of Costco's free warranty. The 2-year warranty alone is worth \$200-400 on premium TVs. If your purchase is over \$1,500, this typically tilts the math toward Costco.
- Open-box at Best Buy is genuinely good. If you're open to "mostly new" TVs at 15-25% below retail, Best Buy Outlet has consistent inventory.
- Costco for premium, Best Buy for budget and quick. The dividing line is roughly \$1,000. Above that, Costco's pricing and warranty advantages compound. Below \$1,000, Best Buy's selection and same-day availability win.
