Amazon’s big sales event tends to dominate the headlines — and all but control — but Costco has been loading up on aggressive member deals to beat or at least come close to Prime Day prices. And as a veteran warehouse shopper and commerce editor, I’ve been sifting through Costco’s most recent markdowns to see what the real standouts are. Here are the best Costco deals I’d buy right now, as well as reasons why this warehouse club remains a savvy Prime Day alternative.
Why Costco demands a place in your Prime Day plan
Costco is worth more than sticker prices. Members enjoy a 90-day return window on most electronics and concierge tech support for peace of mind on big-ticket purchases. You’ll also find that many electronics get extended warranty support via Costco’s services, something that’s uncommon at this price point. Nonmembers can still shop online, but they should expect to pay about a 5% surcharge and are occasionally unable to access members-only deals. Memberships begin at $65 (and Executive members can layer on a 2% annual reward on top of that), but an even crazier deal comes with the co-branded Visa, which gives you 2% back not just on Costco purchases but also everywhere else you’d swipe the thing.
The strategy works. Electronics consistently stand out as among the most-discounted categories during big retail events, according to Adobe Digital Insights, and Costco’s warehouse model often sweetens that amount with bundle value (extra accessories, longer support). Price-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel reveal that Apple and TV deals at Costco tend to hit or near all-time lows during competing promotions. In summary: it’s a real alternative to sifting through lightning deals all day.
Editor’s top picks of Costco tech deals we’ve seen so far
- Hisense 100-Inch U6 Series 4K TV — $1,899 (save $700): A true wall-filler at a price that was once only for 75-inch. The U6 line is not flagship, yet you’ll still get the full-array local dimming system and Dolby Vision, as well as solid HDR brightness for sports and movies. The return policy and support from Costco make a big-screen leap far less risky.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15-inch touchscreen — $499 (save $270): A workaday Windows laptop for students or hybrid workers who are after a dependable daily driver that doesn’t crack the budget of a subcompact car. Look for snappy web performance, a usable keyboard and Alex’s promise of plenty of ports. Assuming your workflow is browse first and then, in order, productivity apps, this is the sweet spot.
- AirPods Pro (2nd gen) — $149 (save $50): This pricing is at an all-time low for the USB‑C case variant. You’re still getting great noise cancellation, Transparency mode that remains the leader in natural sound and easy toggling among Apple gadgets. It is still the default iPhone selection.
- MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) — $799 (save $150): Apple’s fanless Air remains the best balance of speed, battery life and portability for most people. If you’re not cutting 8K video, this thing handles everything from Lightroom to dozens of Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat. Costco’s return policy provides a pillow that is uncommon in Apple sales.
- iPad 11-inch — $299 (save $40): A low-key tablet purchase for streaming, note-taking and travel. Combine it with a Bluetooth keyboard case and it’s a dandy light-duty laptop for students. At this price point, the cost per hour of gameplay is hard to argue with.
- Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe — $139 (save $40): If you’ve wanted the cafe-level crema without the barista learning curve, this is where to start. Capsules are not inexpensive, but Costco’s low prices on sleeves bring down the per-cup cost. The finish and included accessories of the Deluxe trim add insult to injury.
- Jackery 1000 Plus with Mini 100W solar panel — $649 (save $150): An all-in-one power station for emergencies, tailgates or camping. The 1 kWh class represents a happy medium that you can actually use: it’s got some juice in case you need to power up your CPAP, keep your fridge running for a few hours, charge laptops and phones for days. Jackery has received independent testing props for build quality and consistent output, and it’s all bundled together with the included panel to boot.
Home and daily upgrades at Costco worth checking out
Do not forget the power of Costco’s private labels. Kirkland Signature AA and AAA batteries, for example, are often rated among the best by consumer testers — but cost a fraction of sophisticated brand names. Mattress-in-a-box options from brands like Casper or Novaform turn the tide toward aggressive promos, and the warehouse’s generous return policy takes some of the risk out of something you’ll use for a decade.
For smart home consumers, look out for multipacks of mesh Wi‑Fi systems and security cameras. Multi-unit bundles frequently undercut single-pack counterparts being sold elsewhere, particularly when Costco is adding free batteries or extended coverage plans to the box.
How to get the most from these Costco deals
Compare warehouse and online pricing. Some offers are available in-club only and can be a couple of dollars cheaper than on the website. If you find a better price after the fact, Costco has an easy-to-use online price adjustment process — no dragging that TV back to the store.
Stack rewards if you can. That Executive membership’s 2% annual reward plus 2% back with the warehouse’s Visa card becomes about $75 cash back on a $1,899 TV — real money over and above the discount. If you’re not a member, do the math: Will the surcharge on just one big purchase be higher than the annual membership fee? For many shoppers, that’s all it takes to sign up.
Finally, don’t get caught waiting too long on hot SKUs. Inventory at Costco can turn more quickly than traditional retailers, because buys are limited and regional. Data firms that track retail, like the National Retail Federation and CIRP, say shoppers eager for deals are dividing their carts among stores more than ever during big events; the best Costco picks are often taken first.
Bottom line on these Costco Prime Day alternatives
If you’re hunting top deals during Amazon’s marquee sale, clear some space in your comparison tabs for Costco. Between deep member markdowns, safer big-ticket buying policies and bundle value, these are the Costco deals I’d focus on now — and the ones most threatened by imminent sellouts.