Best Buy’s accessibility and aging lineup is shockingly vast

Best Buy has been a trusted name in the consumer electronics sphere for nearly 40 years, and, while it’s still one of the best retailers to purchase a top-tier smartphone or game console, the storied brand aims to chart new waters in the burgeoning industry of accessible and health-focused products.

As Reviewed has ramped up its own accessibility coverage over the past year, we’ve been encouraged to see that brands large and small have made commitments to fostering accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the design and promotion of products. Best Buy is no exception. Did you know you can buy a rolling walker, wheelchair, or even hearing aids at Best Buy? To be honest, we initially weren’t aware of that either. Which is why we’re all the more enthusiastic to highlight the fact that such a prominent company shares our passion for accessibility and service for persons with disabilities.

While the pairing may sound strange at first blush, here’s a look at what to expect when seeking out accessible products at Best Buy.

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What kinds of accessible products can you find at Best Buy?

Best Buy sells a wide range of accessible products no matter your age or condition. If you’re in need of hearing aids or amplifiers, we suggest taking a look at the Pocketalker line from Williams Sound, which offers two tiers of products for $157 and $226, respectively. At a fraction of the cost of commercial hearing aids, these devices allow you to boost the sound around you by up to 50 decibels. Should you desire something more discreet, these $400 hearing-specific IQbuds 2 MAX earbuds from Nuheara may do the trick.

Then, of course, there’s a wide range of assistive devices available for those with mobility impairments as well. The aforementioned rolling walkers and wheelchairs serve as suitable stand-ins or secondary options for insurance-level products, particularly products on offer from Medline, which include a wide range of mobility aids, commodes, and bath chairs. Carex is another buyer-trusted brand, with a strong focus on shower aids, that has a big presence in Best Buy’s catalog.

Not to be outdone by bespoke medical companies, however, it goes without saying that Best Buy remains one of the best retailers to purchase the latest in accessible tech if you’re interested in the latest from the likes of Apple or Google. Android Talkback and VoiceOver on iOS are both beloved by members of the blind-and-low-vision community, making purchases like an iPhone 13 or Pixel 6 an intelligent choice for anyone. Voice commands in products like the Apple Watch Series 7 and Amazon Echo can serve as lifelines for those who know tactile buttons aren’t an option.

The surprising reality is that Best Buy’s accessible and health-focused lineup is a bit overwhelming. With these major bases covered, there’s still a wide range of vital monitors, scales, and massagers ready to be bought at a moment’s notice. If your local healthcare retailer is low in stock in the face of supply chain constraints, there’s a decent chance Best Buy may have what you’re looking for.

Can I use my HSA, FSA or HRA to purchase accessible products from Best Buy?

Many of the products we’ve listed above are clearly marked as HSA, FSA, or HRA eligible on their product pages. If you’ve set aside some money in one of those funds through your healthcare provider, a large swath of medical aids can be reimbursed with those savings. Best Buy doesn’t take the relevant cards as a direct payment option, but customers can save their receipt and submit it to employers to potentially take advantage of the protocol.

How do shipping and returns measure up?

A large portion of the accessible products on Best Buy’s website qualify for free shipping, but smaller items may require a shipping charge of around $5.99 added to the listed price. Thankfully, because Best Buy still has more than 1,000 physical stores across the U.S. and Canada, there are also free in-store pickup options for those who’d like to avoid that extra fee. Just visit the official store locator page and type in your zip code to find the Best Buy nearest you. Typically, the closest store will also be clearly listed as a possible shipment option during purchase too. It may take a day or two longer for products to make it to your store if you take that route, but you’ll save some money in the long run.

As for returns, Best Buy offers a 15-day return window on most products and a 14-day return window on activatable devices like cell phones. If you’re a Totaltech rewards member ($199 per year), that window expands to 60 days and includes free two-day shipping on all products. Should you be dissatisfied with a purchase, you can drop it off at a nearby Best Buy store or use a prepaid shipping label.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.