Shopping Experts: 5 Best Budget Tech Items at Costco in 2025
Explore More:
Read Next:
But with so many options available, what items truly deliver in 2025? GOBankingRates asked shopping experts to share their top Costco tech recommendations for budget-minded consumers this year.
Price: $499.99
This student-friendly laptop, featuring a Ryzen 5 processor, is a fabulous deal at under $500.
'This is perfect for remote workers and students,' said Nick Drewe, CEO of savings platform Wethrift. 'The extended warranty protection Costco offers makes this an even better value compared to similar models elsewhere.'
Find Out:
Price: $349.97
Apple products rarely come with budget-friendly price tags, making this iPad a standout deal.
'At $349, this is already a steal for an Apple product,' Drewe said. 'It's ideal for entertainment, browsing and casual gaming. Look for the bundles that include accessories for even better value.'
The tablet's versatility makes it perfect for both productivity and entertainment, with enough power to handle most everyday tasks.
Price: $349.99
Not only are TVs getting better, but they're also getting less expensive. This TCL model offers premium features at a fantastic price.
'TCL has established itself as a trusted brand for value-conscious shoppers,' Drewe explained. 'This model, available for around $350-$400, includes built-in Roku or Google TV capabilities, making it a perfect choice for a budget-friendly home theater upgrade.'
Price: $149.97
Home security doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, and this DIY security system proves it.
'An affordable home security solution that can be installed on your own, saving installation fees,' Drewe said. 'A similar package can cost $50 to $75 more at other retailers.'
Price: $169.99
These earbuds are the best of the best — active noise cancellation, water resistance and impeccable sound quality. The extended battery life makes them an easy purchase, especially if you like to walk and talk or listen to your favorite songs at the gym.
Before rushing to grab these deals, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin of Mind Money Balance recommended taking inventory of what you already own.
'It's OK to buy new tech if you use it frequently and it needs to be updated,' she said. 'It's less helpful to buy new tech because you think you'll use it.'
Bryan-Podvin suggested asking yourself three key questions before making any purchase:
How often do you use this type of item? If rarely, even a good deal isn't worth it.
Is your current device working? If yes, you probably don't need an upgrade yet.
Could a simple fix or software update solve your issues instead of a full replacement?
'Too many of us think that if we had the latest fill-in-the-blank item, we'd become the type of person who uses fill-in-the-blank. Our unused tech items tell us otherwise,' she explained.
By combining these mindful shopping strategies with Costco's already competitive pricing, you'll be sure your tech dollars stretch further in 2025.
Editor's note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
More From GOBankingRates
10 Best Spring Items To Buy at Costco Before They Sell Out4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 20255 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Shopping Experts: 5 Best Budget Tech Items at Costco in 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tech Stocks Are Under Pressure. Why Some Wall Street Analysts Say That May Not Last
Tech stocks are having a rough day, extending their recent slump amid a sector rotation away from big tech leaders. The Nasdaq lost close to 1% in recent trading, and the S&P 500 slid 0.4% as tech sector losses weighed on the indexes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed as retail and consumer defensive names gained, while Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), and Nvidia (NVDA) ranked among its weakest performers as all of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks declined. Caution ahead of a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday, uncertainty about policy changes from the Trump administration, and worries about returns from AI spending have all added to pressures on the sector. However, some Wall Street analysts said they don't expect that to last long. "While some near-term tech volatility is not surprising given the run-up in valuations, we advise investors against becoming overly defensive," UBS said Wednesday. "While we think some caution may be warranted in the more cyclical parts of tech, we remain confident in the broader AI sector's long-term growth and resilience. We recommend investors seek balanced exposure across the AI value chain (infrastructure, semis, and applications), with a preference for laggards offering a more attractive risk-reward balance," UBS said. "We view tech sell-offs like yesterday as opportunities," bullish analysts at Wedbush told clients in a note Wednesday, suggesting the slump could be short-lived, and pointed to earnings from AI chipmaker Nvidia next week as a potential positive catalyst. "When Nvidia reports earnings next week on August 27th the tech world and Wall Street will be listening closely," they said, adding that they believe the "tech bull cycle will be well intact at least for another 2-3 years given the trillions being spent on AI." Read the original article on Investopedia Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jim Cramer Says Reports Of Apple Inc. (AAPL)'s 'Death' Are Overblown
We recently published . Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Giuseppe Costantino/ Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s shares have reversed tack recently as the firm appears to have smoothed over its friction with the Trump administration. The firm announced a $100 billion additional investment in the US earlier this month, and the shares have gained 13.8% since then. Cramer discussed Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s shares adding 30 dollars to their value in ten days: 'Well we've got a lot of exciting things that people are talking about. About the release perhaps of new AI powered products. Uh, smart home push, including robots. Life like version of Siri, well that would certainly be helpful. Smart speaker with display and home security camera. I don't know, home security is something that people want but the main thing here is that if we get robots and they're not from Musk, they're from Apple, I think we'd be very interested in that. While we acknowledge the potential of AAPL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
TechCrunch
25 minutes ago
- TechCrunch
Pixel 10, new Gemini features, the Pixel Watch, and everything else announced at the Made by Google 2025 event
The Made by Google 2025 event is finally happening, notably before Apple's hardware event is expected to take place in September. On Wednesday, the tech giant debuted its Pixel 10 series, a new foldable, the Pixel Watch 4, the second generation of the cost-friendly A-Series earbuds, generative AI capabilities with Gemini, and more. Get ready for a Gemini boost Image Credits:Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket / Getty Images Google already dropped several AI-related updates at its developer conference in May, but the company demonstrated more Gemini features during the Pixel 10 event. In a recent YouTube video promoting the new devices, Google even seemed to poke fun at Apple's failed promises with Apple Intelligence advancements on the iPhone. Gemini Live received an upgrade this year, so now when you ask questions, you can share your camera, and the assistant can follow along and guide you. For instance, sharing an image of your room with the AI and getting interior design ideas. Taking photos on the Pixel 10 also got a boost. A new feature called 'Camera Coach,' for example, lets Gemini give you real-time tips for taking better photos. The AI is able to see what's going on and suggest the best angles and lighting for your shot. In addition, there's a new conversational photo editing tool, where you tell Gemini what you want to tweak in a photo, such as increasing the brightness, removing objects, or changing the background. Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL Image Credits:Google The standard Pixel 10 phone underwent significant changes, particularly with the addition of a dedicated telephoto lens, a feature that was previously exclusive to the Pro models. Google released a teaser for the Pixel 10 prior to Wednesday's event. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW The company says the new 5x telephoto lens is its best zoom quality, and the 100x Pro Res Zoom allows for high-quality closeups. Additionally, all phones in the lineup are powered by a new Tensor G5 processor, ushering in the Gemini era and enhancing performance and power efficiency compared to the Tensor G4 chip. Aside from these updates, there weren't many obvious changes. The basic design of the phones remains similar to that of the Pixel 9 series. The displays are also staying the same, with the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro featuring a 6.3-inch display, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL with a larger 6.8-inch display. The Pro models also get improved camera and video quality, along with battery size, which allows for faster charging and finally addresses the longevity gap between Pixel and flagship phones from Apple and Samsung. PixelSnap Notably, the Pixel 10 devices have magnetic technology built into them thanks to 'PixelSnap,' the company's version of 'MagSafe.' Google released a line of magnetic accessories to pair with the lineup, including a new $40 Pixelsnap charger that supports Qi2 wireless charging. The company also launched a $50 phone case with a magnetic ring in the center and a $30 ring stand for hands-free use. Pixel 10 Pro Fold Image Credits:Google As for Google's latest foldable, it has a larger cover display, measuring at around 6.4 inches, alongside an 8-inch main screen. Google also enhanced the strength of the hinge, and the bezels are thinner for a sleek appearance. Another exciting addition is an IP68 rating, a first for the device. This means it can stand up to both dust and water, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has zero dust protection. Like the other Pixel 10 phones, the Pro Fold is powered by the new G5 chip and includes the latest Gemini AI features. The camera system also received improvements, potentially featuring a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The phone also saw an improvement in battery life. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold costs $1,799 and is available in Moonstone and Jade colors. Pixel Journal app Image Credits:Google The tech giant is coming for Apple's Journal app with Pixel Journal, a new journaling app for Pixel 10 devices. With the app, you can write entries, add photos, locations, and activities, as well as lock entries for privacy. The app also includes AI features, such as prompt suggestions to spark inspiration. The Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Image Credits:Google Wearables will also get their time to shine at Google's event, with the Pixel Watch 4 getting a thicker design, a longer battery life, and smaller bezels. The smartwatch also introduced its own AI capabilities, such as the ability to access Gemini by lifting your wrist. The Pixel Buds 2a offer a much-needed upgrade from the first generation of the A-Series earbuds, coming with active noise cancellation and fun new colors: Hazel and Iris. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 introduced a new Gemini feature for answering calls with gestures and comes in a new Moonstone color. Fitbit gets an AI-powered health coach Image Credits:Google Google announced a new AI personal health coach for the Fitbit fitness tracking app. This feature allows users to create customized workout routines by discussing their goals, preferences, and available equipment. The AI coach generates a personalized fitness plan with workout suggestions and adjusts plans in real-time based on user data to help achieve fitness goals. The AI trainer also acts as a sleep coach, providing insights into how to improve your sleep quality. A preview of the AI coach will be available in October. It will be integrated into the redesigned Fitbit app and will work with the latest Fitbit trackers, smartwatches, and Pixel Watches. This story has been updated after publication. We're always looking to evolve, and by providing some insight into your perspective and feedback into TechCrunch and our coverage and events, you can help us! Fill out this survey to let us know how we're doing and get the chance to win a prize!
