Best Buy is the main electronics retailer that still price matches, covering 19 named competitors including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco, for identical, in-stock items sold by those retailers. Competitor matching pauses from the Thursday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after. The most common reason electronics matches fail is a different model number.
Who matches electronics prices
| Store | Electronics matching |
|---|---|
| Best Buy | Yes, 19 listed competitors. Thanksgiving-week blackout |
| Home Depot / Lowe's | Yes, for appliances and tools they carry |
| Target | Own prices only since July 2025 |
| Walmart | Walmart.com prices only |
| Costco | No, but refunds its own drops within 30 days |
The model-number traps
- Retailer-specific TV models. The same TV line often has different model numbers per retailer, sometimes with different panels, stands or remotes. Those won't match.
- Laptop configurations. Same screen size and name, different RAM, storage or processor. Compare the full model number.
- Bundles. A bundle with a mount or software is a different item.
- Open-box and refurbished are excluded from matching.
- Carrier phone deals tied to activation or trade-in generally don't qualify.
Comparing by barcode or full model number is the only reliable check:
- Scan the barcode of the item on the shelf with Price Match Paradise. No account needed to start.
- Review matching offers across supported retailer sources, with stock status and price-match guidance when the retailer data is available.
- Decide in the aisle: ask for a match, buy it here because it's already the best price, or pick it up where it's cheaper.
Timing matters for electronics
- New model season. TVs often drop in price in early spring as new lines arrive.
- Holiday blackouts. Competitor matching pauses Nov 19–30 in 2026. See Black Friday price matching.
- After you buy. Best Buy adjusts its own price drops within 15 days for most products, longer for some members. See price-drop refunds.
How to ask
Show the competitor's live listing with the full model number visible, confirm it's sold by that retailer and in stock, and ask before you pay. See what to say and why requests get denied.
FAQ
Does Best Buy price match TVs?
Yes, for identical, in-stock TVs sold by one of its 19 listed competitors. The model number must match exactly, and competitor matching pauses during Thanksgiving week.
Why do TVs have different model numbers at different stores?
Manufacturers often make retailer-specific versions that can differ in panel, stand, remote or features. Stores only match the identical model.
Can I price match a laptop?
Yes, at stores that match competitors, but the configuration must be identical: same processor, RAM and storage, not just the same model family.
Can I price match a phone?
Unlocked phones sold by a listed retailer can qualify. Carrier deals tied to activation or trade-in generally don't.
Never overpay for electronics again.
Scan the box and compare the exact model at 50+ supported retailer sources. Free to start, no account needed.
Keep reading
Sources: Best Buy Price Match Guarantee. Summary as of September 22, 2026. Policies change and individual stores have discretion, so confirm with the store. Price Match Paradise isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any retailer mentioned.
Price Match Paradise Team
We build the barcode price comparison app that helps shoppers find the lowest price on the item in their hand. Spotted a policy change? Let us know.