Unless you’re craving that $1.50 hot dog or the famous rotisserie chicken, it’s not always necessary to visit your local Costco store to do your shopping. The warehouse giant offers even more items online than it does in its physical aisles. While walking through a Costco can feel like navigating an endless sea of pallets, even the largest brick-and-mortar stores are limited by square footage. To overcome that constraint, Costco stocks a wide selection of products exclusively on its website, many of which come with surprising discounts and features you won’t find on the shelves.
When we shop for a new car, most of us like to take it for a test drive before committing. But when you’re buying a new piece of tech, such as a laptop, tablet, smartwatch, or home automation device, that physical inspection isn’t as crucial. Shopping online often yields better prices, easier price comparisons, and a much wider selection than what’s available at your local store. You can check detailed specifications, read user reviews, and look for independent evaluations from popular tech websites or magazines. While you can’t physically touch the item, the pros of convenience, savings, and variety often outweigh the cons when it comes to online shopping.
If you’re in the market for some new tech, or you’re simply a technophile who enjoys browsing for a good deal, here are five highly rated tech items available now on Costco’s website. The best part might be that you don’t have to be a Costco member to take advantage of some of these deals, though non-members will pay a 5% surcharge that members are exempt from. With that in mind, let’s dive into the offerings.
iPad Pro 13-inch
If you’re looking for a versatile, portable tablet that can double as a laptop replacement, it’s hard to go wrong with the iPad Pro. That said, the price can be a bit salty for some shoppers. Nevertheless, this Costco deal saves you hundreds over the standard manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). The 13-inch iPad Pro with one terabyte of storage normally costs $2,099. Costco members pay just $1,749.99, a savings of $349. If you’re not a Costco member, you’ll pay about $1,837, which still represents a savings of more than $260 over the tablet’s MSRP. Taxes and shipping are not included in these figures, though standard shipping is only $4.99 for both members and non-members.
This iPad model offers 16GB of unified memory and is powered by Apple’s latest M5 chip, which delivers exceptional performance for creative workflows, gaming, and multitasking. The 13-inch screen is the largest iPad available and matches the size of many laptop displays, making it an excellent choice for artists, students, and professionals who need a high-resolution canvas. The iPad Pro comes with Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven features that enhance photography, writing, and productivity. It also boasts a 12-megapixel camera and a four-speaker audio system with support for spatial audio. This model is Wi-Fi only — no cellular connectivity is built in. It includes a USB-C cable and a 20-watt USB-C power adapter. The iPad Pro 13-inch supports both the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple’s Magic Keyboard, which are sold separately, allowing you to transform it into a full-fledged workstation.
The iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display uses mini-LED technology for extreme brightness and contrast, making it ideal for HDR content. With Apple’s iPadOS 18, you can run multiple apps side by side, use Stage Manager for windowed multitasking, and even connect an external monitor. For power users who need massive storage, the 1TB option is generous, and those who edit video or work with large design files will appreciate the speed of the M5 chip and the ample RAM. Costco often includes extra perks like free cloud storage trials or discounted AppleCare+ plans, but even without those, the price advantage over Apple’s own store is significant.
Color changing string lights
These vintage-style string lights by Embrighten can add fun and ambiance to any space, both indoors and out. They feature a retro Edison-style design with exposed filament bulbs, but they’re anything but old-fashioned. The lights are both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-compatible, allowing them to be voice controlled through Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Alternatively, you can use a free downloadable app on your smartphone to adjust colors, brightness, and modes. With 56 color options and customizable effects like twinkle, strobe, or fade, you can set the perfect mood for a patio party, a cozy indoor evening, or a holiday display.
The bulbs are impact resistant and rated for long-term use, making them suitable for year-round outdoor installation. One 24-foot strand costs $89.99, while a 48-foot strand is $149.99. The shorter strand contains 12 bulbs, and the longer one has 24. Users can link up to 750 feet, or roughly 31 strands, for a truly impressive light show that covers an entire house or yard. These lights require only a standard, grounded three-prong wall outlet and don’t need any special hub or bridge. On Costco’s website, the product currently holds a 4.7-star rating out of five, with many reviewers praising the easy setup, vibrant colors, and weather resistance. Several customers mentioned adding them to home exteriors for holidays, while others use them year-round in covered porches.
Smart string lights have become increasingly popular as part of the smart home ecosystem. They allow you to automate lighting schedules, sync with music, or create scenes that transition from bright daylight to warm evening tones. The Embrighten set offers both cool white, soft white, and warm white presets in addition to the color spectrum, so you can match the lighting to your decor or activity. For those who love outdoor entertaining, these lights are a relatively low-cost way to dramatically enhance the atmosphere without needing an electrician or permanent wiring.
12-Zone smart sprinkler controller
If you’ve recently laid sod, planted grass seed, or are simply hoping to keep your yard healthy and vibrantly green this summer, a smart sprinkler controller can make a huge difference. The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is designed to work with in-ground irrigation systems and can control up to 12 separate zones. On Costco’s website, this model is priced at $199.99. Buying directly from the manufacturer would cost you $199 for only the smaller eight-zone version, so the Costco deal gives you four extra zones essentially for free. You’ll need a strong Wi-Fi connection wherever you plan to install the controller, and a smartphone to manage it.
Once installed, you use the Rachio app to control the entire system. You can set it up to skip watering if rain is predicted using hyperlocal weather data, adjust the duration for each zone based on soil type and sun exposure, and start, stop, or skip individual zones as needed. The controller can also create custom schedules for different seasons, helping you reduce water usage and lower your water bill. The Rachio 3 is certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program, meaning it meets strict efficiency standards. In addition to the smartphone app, the controller works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can use voice commands to check the status of your system or start a manual run.
Installation is straightforward: the device replaces your existing timer and connects to the same wires. No special tools or professional help are required, though some users may need to ensure their Wi-Fi signal reaches the garage or basement where the controller is mounted. The Rachio 3 has a 4.7-star rating on Costco’s website, with many homeowners reporting significant water savings (typically 30–50% per month). The controller also provides detailed insights into water usage, so you can track how much you’re using by zone and adjust accordingly. For environmentally conscious gardeners, this device is a smart step toward a more sustainable landscape.
SimpliSafe security system
When you leave for vacation, your first thought after arriving at your destination might be about relaxation — or you might worry whether you locked all your doors and windows. The SimpliSafe Security System, available online from Costco for $199.99, is a highly rated solution that offers peace of mind. This 10-piece set includes a base station, a keypad, four entry sensors, a motion sensor, a key fob, a panic button, and one outdoor camera. We’ve ranked SimpliSafe among the best home security brands for its ease of use, reliability, and no long-term contract required.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Series 2 provides an ultra-wide 140-degree field of view and records in 1080p HD resolution with color night vision. You can choose between wireless or wired installation — a rechargeable battery and an outdoor power cable are both included in the box. The entry sensors are designed for doors and windows, while the motion sensor detects movement within 35 feet and has a 90-degree field of view. The key fob allows you to arm or disarm the system with a single button push from up to 30 feet away, which is convenient when arriving home with groceries or leaving in a hurry.
Your purchase includes three months of professional monitoring at no extra cost, and there is no long-term contract required. After the trial period, you can choose to continue monitoring for a reasonable monthly fee. Additionally, the optional SimpliSafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection plan alerts security agents if your outdoor camera detects a potential intruder, and a real person will speak through the camera’s two-way audio to deter them. This feature is only available with select monitoring plans and requires the outdoor camera to be wired. Additional sensors, cameras, and other equipment are available directly from SimpliSafe, allowing you to expand the system over time. The system integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can arm it using voice commands or view camera feeds on smart displays.
Smart ceiling fan
If you hate the look of old-school, faux-wood ceiling fans, the Atomi Smart Nouvo 3 52-inch indoor ceiling fan might be the solution. It features a modern, minimalist design with three blades and a flush-mount construction that works well in low ceilings. The integrated LED light offers adjustable color temperature from warm to cool white, plus a color-changing mode capable of 16 million hues. The light is fully dimmable, so you can set the perfect brightness for reading, watching TV, or winding down for the night. The fan is typically available in matte black, white, or silver finishes; at the time of writing, only silver was in stock, and it was priced at $149.99 after a $35 discount. Tax is extra.
The fan comes with a remote control, but you can also operate it via the Atomi Smart App on your phone. The app allows you to control the fan speed, light color, and even set schedules or countdown timers. The fan works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can adjust it hands-free. The six-speed motor operates quietly, with a rated noise level suitable for bedrooms and living spaces. The 52-inch diameter is recommended for rooms up to 400 square feet, making it ideal for master bedrooms, home offices, and open-plan living areas. The manufacturer offers a five-year warranty, which covers the motor and all components. The fan is compatible with standard wall switches, so you can still use the existing wiring without a smart hub.
One important tip after installation: remember to reverse the direction of the blades depending on the season. In summer, the blades should spin counterclockwise to create a cooling downdraft. In winter, reverse the rotation to clockwise at a low speed to push warm air trapped near the ceiling back down into the room. This simple adjustment can improve comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs. The Atomi Smart Nouvo 3 combines energy efficiency with smart home integration, and its high customer ratings on Costco’s site reflect that users appreciate both its looks and functionality.
Source: SlashGear News