Temu vs. Amazon: Which shopping site is best for your buying needs?

Even if you’re just a casual online shopping fan, chances are you’ve placed plenty of orders on Amazon. If you’re downright obsessive about online shopping, you’re likely familiar with Temu, a digital marketplace for low-priced goods.

Also: Is Temu legit? What to know before you place an order

If you’ve paid close attention, you may have noticed that some products on Amazon are also on Temu. And if you’re a savvy shopper preparing to order holiday gifts, you may be wondering: which online marketplace is the best?

Here are some guidelines to consider when deciding whether to buy something from Amazon or Temu.

You should buy from Temu if… 

1. You’re looking for tech accessories

Many people have smartphones, headphones, laptops, and smartwatches in their daily use rotation. That same group also likes personalizing their products with cases, stickers, wristlets, phone stands, and other accessories.

If you like changing up your phone case or smartwatch band frequently, buying multiple Otterbox phone cases or Apple-branded Apple Watch bands can be a pricey luxury. Investing in at least one sturdy case helps to extend your device’s longevity. Additionally, experimenting with colorful accessories can be a fun way to express yourself through your devices.

Also: Temu’s return policy changes: What happened when I tried returning a bunch of items

Most people go to Amazon to find a wider assortment of accessories than they’d find in the tech department of big box stores like Walmart. However, Temu has an even wider assortment of tech accessories than Amazon.

You can find all kinds of gadgets on Temu, and sometimes you’ll see the same accessories advertised on Amazon. The upside is you’ll find them much cheaper on Temu. There are even bonuses available. Purchase at least $20 worth of items (that’s about four iPhone cases, based on Temu pricing), and you’re guaranteed free shipping.

I bought cases for my iPhone 14, MacBook Air, and AirPods Pro on Temu and have only been unhappy with two of the nine iPhone cases I purchased. Temu has more cases that protect the bezels around the iPhone camera, an area that tends to go unprotected in most Amazon iPhone cases.

On Temu, you can choose from thousands of AirPods Pro cases, ranging from clear cases with cute characters to cases that look like miniature Vaseline containers.

My colleague, David Gewirtz, bought a few non-tech products from Temu and was pleasantly surprised with what he received. David offers some buying tips as well, so be sure to check out his article.

I would not recommend any charging stations or cords from Temu for Apple devices. I prefer sticking to accessories that don’t charge or interfere with my phone or AirPods’ batteries because I don’t want to risk damaging them with faulty accessories. There may be third-party chargers on Temu that won’t damage your device’s battery, but I don’t like to risk it.

Also: How much tech can I get from Temu for $100 (and is it any good)?

If you purchase third-party Lighting USB-C charging cables or MagSafe 3-in-1 charging stations, make sure they have a “Made for Apple” label.

That label means the manufacturer went the extra mile to ensure their third-party charging accessories are certified by Apple and safe for your devices. You can search Apple’s database for which brands manufacture accessories that received a “Made for Apple” label. You can also peruse ZDNET’s best USB-C chargers list, which includes products certified by Apple.

If you have an Android phone, you should check your phone’s charging standards, which you can find online on a smartphone manufacturer’s official device spec sheet. Most Android phones use the USB-PD charging standard, so most third-party chargers should work fine as long as their wattage is compatible with your smartphone. 

2. You can wait a few weeks for your items

Many of the items on Temu come from China, meaning that US shoppers will have to wait about 10 days from purchase to receive their Temu packages.

Sometimes, the items will come sooner; other times, they will appear on your doorstep at the last minute. So, if you’re pinched for time, I wouldn’t recommend buying from Temu. 

Also: The 39 best Black Friday deals under $100 of 2024: Early sales live now

I’ll give you a scenario. A few months ago, someone stole my iPhone 11. Unsurprisingly, I went to the Apple store to buy a replacement. I was desperate for a case on my new phone, but I couldn’t wait 10 days for the phone cases I bought from Temu later that day.

So, I rush-shipped a case from Amazon to have some protection on my phone until my cases from Temu came in. I got my Otterbox from Amazon in two days, but I don’t plan on buying any more cases from anywhere other than Temu.

3. You want to experiment with “dupes”

Temu has many lookalike products, or “dupes”, on its platform. However, if you see people online reviewing “AirPods Max from Temu”, they may look like AirPods Max, but the seller cannot advertise them as real AirPods Max. 

Most of the products you see on Temu that resemble authentic, name-brand tech products are not legitimate. When I reviewed some HP and Lenovo products from Temu in June, an HP representative told me the company could not verify whether the HP products on Temu were “from an authorized reseller or are authentic HP devices.”

Also: Scammers are increasingly using messaging and social media apps to attack

Since then, all the devices Temu advertised as HP products are no longer available on the site. Some tech products on Temu will work with your devices. The “AirPods Max” you see on Temu may connect to your devices and sound decent, but you’ll miss out on many of the features real ones deliver, and they may not offer you much longevity.

So, if you’re okay with trying your luck on Temu dupes and want a pair of “AirPods Max” for only $14, Temu is your place.

You should buy from Amazon if…

1. You’re a last-minute gift-giver

If you have an Amazon Prime account (these days, who doesn’t?), your items are eligible for same-day, one-day, and two-day shipping. If you’re buying a last-minute gift for a friend’s birthday or anniversary, your best bet — aside from visiting a physical store — is ordering from Amazon with Prime shipping.

Also: The 12 best tech stocking stuffers people will actually want

Still, even without a Prime membership, Amazon boasts faster shipping times. All Amazon customers can expect most items to arrive in four to five business days. So, even if you’re a week away from giving your gift, you’ll get it faster from Amazon than from Temu.

However, if you’re not a Prime member, you’ll have to purchase at least $35 worth of products to qualify for Amazon’s free shipping. 

2. You’re looking for reliable tech

If you want to buy a reputable piece of tech, choose Amazon. Amazon is a reliable seller whether you’re buying refurbished or brand-new tech.

Amazon has a comprehensive open-box policy, and Amazon Renewed products are tested, inspected, and given a rating and price based on their condition. For example, a 2022 13-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip, 8-core GPU, and 256GB SSD costs $899 at Apple.

Also: Amazon just launched four new Kindles, including a full-color model. Here’s what’s new

The same laptop from Amazon Renewed is $745 and in excellent condition, meaning the screen has no scratches, and the body has no signs of significant cosmetic damage. The refurbished MacBook Air also has the same accessories as a brand-new MacBook Air. 

Brand-new tech often goes on sale at Amazon, and refurbished tech can be returned and refunded within 90 days of purchase. 

3. You want easier returns

Most items on Amazon can be returned within 30 days of receipt. Although Temu has a forgiving 90-day return policy, returning items to Amazon is much more convenient.

Also: 48% of people have been scammed while holiday shopping online – what to watch for

You can return items purchased from Amazon at an Amazon Hub locker in your area or drop them off at your nearest UPS Store, Kohl’s, Whole Foods, Staples, or Amazon Store. You don’t have to worry about printing labels or shipping boxes, as Amazon will provide you with a QR code to present to the attendant at the return location. 

After you scan the code, you give your items to the attendant, and you should receive a refund soon after.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The bottom line: if you’re looking for legitimate, name-brand products, consult Amazon. In the tech accessories department, Temu holds the crown. However, the platform may lose its throne.

Amazon has recently launched a new service called Amazon Haul, which operates similarly to Temu. Everything there is sold for less than $20. You can find electronics, beauty products, clothing, and more. Shipping is $4 for orders under $25, but once you go over $25, shipping becomes free. Because the website is so new, we don’t know if it will usurp Temu as the premier place to buy low-cost products. Only time will tell.

Also: How Amazon Haul aims to beat Temu and Shein with its $20-or-less store

Recently, people took to TikTok to accuse Temu of stealing their payment information after finding their bank accounts drained of funds. Amazon, meanwhile, has had its fair share of payment scams. I’ve never encountered these issues, probably because I’ve never supplied any online retailer with my debit card information.

I recommend never using your debit card when completing transactions online. Instead, you can buy a Visa or Amazon gift card, load money onto it, and use that. You can also use Apple Pay or PayPal on Temu, which are less likely to be hacked. If the gift card method isn’t viable, I recommend using Apple Pay or PayPal on any online store you buy from. You can also opt to use your credit card, as credit card companies usually offer more fraud protection for unauthorized purchases. 

Also: How to use Apple Pay in stores and online

Apple Pay doesn’t store your card information on Apple’s servers, and PayPal offers $0 liability for items charged to your bank account that you didn’t purchase. It’s complicated for bad actors to hack a gift card, and should they succeed, they can’t access the funds in your bank accounts.

Happy shopping!