Best Buy might be your go-to for gadgets, but not everything on the shelves deserves a spot in your cart. Overpriced extras and tech with hidden issues often sneak into shopping bags. Before you check out something you’ll regret, take a quick look at these 10 products smart shoppers skip. Save your cash and shop smarter starting right now.
Open-Box Laptops And Components
While the price tag might seem attractive, open-box electronics at Best Buy can come with missing accessories, battery issues, or signs of heavy use. You often get minimal savings in exchange for reduced quality and uncertain history, especially when compared to certified refurbished alternatives elsewhere.
Insignia Smart Home Devices
Best Buy discontinued support for Insignia smart home products in 2019. Customers were left with nonfunctional devices that couldn’t be integrated into newer systems. The loss of software updates and cloud services renders them limited for use, making them a risky and unreliable purchase today.
Third-Party Accessories
Third-party accessories at Best Buy, like chargers and cables, often come with higher price tags than online alternatives. Many budget-friendly brands offer comparable quality for significantly less. Ordering online or directly from the manufacturer avoids markups and ensures reliable compatibility.
Insignia Televisions
Insignia TVs sell well based on price, but they often sacrifice clarity, brightness, and long-term reliability. With limited software support and fewer firmware updates, their smart features can become outdated quickly. For just slightly more, shoppers can get better brands with longer-lasting tech.
Refurbished MacBook Air 15-Inch Laptop
Best Buy’s refurbished MacBooks undergo Geek Squad certification, ensuring reliability. However, purchasing directly from Apple guarantees factory-level diagnostics and direct support, which may justify the small price difference. Both Best Buy and Apple offer limited warranties, but Apple’s refurbished products include direct support.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Purchasing the newest iPhone at Best Buy can cost more upfront without carrier discounts or trade-in offers. In-store inventory also lags behind Apple’s direct releases. For warranty coverage and upgrade programs, going through Apple or your carrier gives more control and better perks.
Rocketfish 50-Inch Fiber Optic HDMI Cable
At $124.99, an HDMI cable delivers the same 4K signal as a $15 version. Best Buy’s markup on Rocketfish cables targets uninformed buyers, but performance remains identical. Unless you’re running commercial setups with high interference, spending triple the cost makes no technical or financial sense.
HP Two-Pack Standard Capacity Ink Cartridges
Printer ink is one of the most overpriced items in retail. Best Buy charges full price for HP ink that can be found cheaper through online stores or subscription plans. Frequent printing means costs add up fast, and there’s zero added value for buying in-store.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Series Smartphones
Some Galaxy S20 users report vertical screen lines after software updates, often after the warranty ends. Best Buy doesn’t cover manufacturer defects beyond basic return periods. If you don’t have Samsung Care+, repairs can cost hundreds. It’s safer to buy from Samsung for direct service and coverage.
Canon Pixma MG6320 All-In-One Printers
Canon’s design disables scanning functions when the ink runs out, even though scanning doesn’t use ink. Best Buy still stocks these models without flagging the issue. Consumers looking for affordable scanning and printing end up paying more for unnecessary cartridge replacements just to get basic functions.
