Best places to shop for gadgets online

If you're planning to buy a gadget gift this holiday season, you might want to just sit back, flex your fingers and get ready to score some great deals right at your fingertips. This year, the best digital doorbusters are more likely to be found online than by battling hordes of holiday shoppers in stores.
But there are so many places to buy online that it can be seriously overwhelming, and most people just end up on Amazon because they have no idea where to begin looking elsewhere. But are the most popular online stores really the best?
Amazon — It likely comes as no surprise that a whopping 40% of all online electronics purchases are made on Amazon. This mega-retailer has it all, and many electronics makers sell their goods directly via Amazon, so there's little (or zero) extra cost slapped on. Fast shipping is also a plus, and Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping, as long as the item is in an Amazon storehouse. The retailer's beloved Daily Deals section is starting to ramp up in anticipation of the holiday shopping rush, so keep your eye out for brief, rock-bottom sale prices on gadgets. Amazon has everything, and is a great choice, but that doesn't mean it's the only choice.
B&H — The top-rated online electronics shop is B&H. It has the bulk buying power of Amazon but deals only in electronics, so I never search for a gadget I want and end up with a page full of baby clothes that happen to have a similar name. B&H's used gear selection is huge and a great way to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on refurbished hardware that is just as good as new. They ship to just about anywhere on Earth, and I love that I can chat live with a representative at any time to make sure I don't end up with something I'll need to return.

Newegg is a great place to search for deals and get good service.(Photo: Newegg)

Newegg — Newegg used to be a secret that only geeky shoppers knew about, but now just about everyone shopping for electronics ends up there sooner or later. Newegg is legendary for its customer service, which is pretty rare these days, so I'm never afraid to place a big order. I'm kind of addicted to Newegg's daily deals and "Shell Shocker" flash sales, because each discounted price is available only for a super short time, and the prices are downright insane. How insane? How does up to 80% off sound?
Crutchfield — These guys are the ultimate experts in everything to do with audio. I've discovered that Crutchfield is a great place to shop online even if you're not super sure exactly what you want. For example, if you know you want a speaker system or pair of nice headphones but aren't sure which ones, the live chat feature is a great way to get all the details and personal recommendations from someone who spends their lives dealing with these gadgets. The 60-day return policy and free shipping are icing on the cake.
For ideas about what to buy, I get a lot of good ideas from sites like Gifts.com, where they show you popular choices based on personality. It's a great way for serious non-techie shoppers to get solid ideas.

Hammacher Schlemmer, where else?(Photo: Hammacher Schlemmer)

For the unusual electronics and one-of-a-kind gadgets, it's hard to beat Hammacher Schlemmer. Where else can you find a Submarine Sports Car or Flying Bicycle? ThinkGeek is also a great place to check for weird gadget gifts, like a TV remote that lets you hijack any TV within 400 feet, or a Star Wars robot that can recharge your phone while it sits in your cup holder. The same is true of GadgetsandGear, where you can find a button that helps you snap selfies and the coolest pair of earbuds around.