Where to Buy: Network Vendors and Resellers That Don't Suck
Originally Posted: March 13th, 2022
Network Vendors and Resellers That Don’t Suck
If you do networking for a living, or just want to spruce up your home network, it helps to have the right equipment for the job. The following is a list of my favorite vendors and resellers for buying networking equipment, materials, and tools.
These are for the most part US retailers. Sorry International readers! If you think I'm wrong or missed any, let me know in the comments below, or on my Discord server.
Table of Contents
Enterprise, Prosumer, or WISP Equipment Resellers
Baltic Networks
- Website: Baltic Networks
- Baltic Networks is my favorite, and default vendor for most networking equipment and supplies. I have had nothing but good experiences with them, and I like that they are upfront with stock levels and expected delivery dates for backordered items. Most other resellers make you call or email them for that information.
Streakwave
- Website: Streakwave
- Streakwave has become my default second option. They usually have among the best pricing for networking hardware, especially Ubiquiti and MikroTik. Before purchasing from somewhere else, it's worth checking Streakwave.
ISP Supplies
- Website: ISP Supplies
- ISP Supplies sells almost everything, and they are my go to for mounting, enclosures, installation equipment, and outdoor power delivery. They also have a big variety of networking equipment, radios, and antennas from most major vendors.
Double Radius
- Website: DoubleRadius
- Double Radius is another good reseller, and is one of the first places I look if the vendors above are out of stock on something.
Fiberstore (FS.com)
- Website: Fiberstore
- Fiberstore is the good source for fiber optic cabling, DAC cables, SFP modules, and related equipment. They offer a wide variety of compatible modules for most common networking brands, allowing you to save money compared to buying 1st party transceivers from big vendors like Cisco or Juniper. They also sell other networking equipment such as patch panels, cable testers, and their own brand of network switches and servers.
CDW
- Website: CDW
- Aruba Instant On Store
- CDW is one of the biggest e-commerce sites dedicated to computing and networking equipment, and is a good source for enterprise equipment from big brands like Cisco or Juniper. Since I'm not usually in the market for enterprise equipment, CDW isn't usually the first place I look, but they do have a massive variety of equipment. If there's something you're looking for that you can't find elsewhere, there's a good chance CDW has it.
Consumer or Prosumer Equipment Resellers
B&H Photo and Video
- Website: B&H Photo and Video
- Aruba Instant On Store
- TP-Link Store
- B&H Photo is another big retailer, mainly focused on photo and video equipment. They also have a smaller selection of networking equipment from the usual consumer and prosumer brands. I'm including them in this list because they are partnered with Aruba Instant On and TP-Link Omada, making it a good place to buy that equipment.
Amazon
- Website: Amazon
- In case you didn't know, Amazon sells more than books now. They sell everything. Depending on the brand and equipment you're looking for, availability and pricing of networking gear on Amazon has been all over the place recently. I've seen a lot of 3rd party sellers gouging and overcharging for hard-to-find items. For a lot of common items and some equipment, Amazon can be a good option though.
- A lot of networking brands have their own dedicated Amazon store page, such as Netgear, TP-Link, Cisco, Meraki, HP/Aruba, Juniper, Linksys, TRENDnet, and many others.
Micro Center
- Website: Micro Center
- If you're lucky enough to live near one, Micro Center offers a good selection of common networking equipment, such as Ubiquiti, TP-Link, Netgear, and Asus. They also usually carry a decent selection of Ethernet cabling, and a limited selection of networking tools.
Best Buy
- Website: Best Buy
- If you're shopping online, you can do better than Best Buy for equipment choice and pricing. If you need to get something today, Best Buy retail stores are almost everywhere. They mostly carry consumer grade modems, all-in-one routers, and mesh Wi-Fi kits find big brands like Netgear, ASUS, Linksys, TP-Link, Google, and Eero. They usually carry some overpriced Ethernet patch cables and accessories as well.
NewEgg
- Website: NewEgg
- Aruba Instant On Store
- NewEgg has had it's fair share of issues lately, but is still one of the bigger e-commerce sites for computing and networking equipment. They are a preferred reseller of Aruba Instant On equipment, and also stock a lot of common brands like Ubiquiti, TP-Link, EnGenius, MikroTik, Netgear, Ruckus, and HP.
Costco
- Website: Costco
- If you have a Costco near you and you're a member, Costco carries some common all-in-one routers and mesh Wi-Fi equipment. Similar to Best Buy, Costco can be a decent option if there is a sale, or you have a store near you. If you're shopping online you can usually find better deals or more options from other resellers, though.
Last Resorts
- Target
- Walmart
- Staples
- OfficeMax/Office Depot
- Apple
Buy Direct: Network Vendors
This is not a full list of networking vendors I like, but it is a list of vendors that sell their equipment directly
Ubiquiti
- Website: Ubiquiti Store
- Ubiquiti sells most of what they make directly on their own website. Sometimes they have items in stock that resellers don't, and sometimes have the best pricing as well. Ubiquiti also has a separate store for AmpliFi equipment.
- My posts about Ubiquiti.
Eero (Amazon)
- Website: Eero Store
- Eero is still one of my favorite mesh Wi-Fi manufacturers, and they sell their equipment directly on their website. Eero is owned by Amazon, so they also have a big presence on Amazon as well.
- My posts about Eero.
TP-Link
- Website: TP-Link US Store
- TP-Link doesn't sell everything they make themselves, but they do sell most of their Deco mesh Wi-Fi kits, and their Archer all-in-one Wi-Fi routers directly. They have a 30 day return policy, free shipping for orders over $75, and frequently have discounts as well. If you're looking for other TP-Link equipment, they have a very extensive Amazon store as well.
- My posts about TP-Link.
Netgear
- Website: Netgear Store
- Netgear's website doubles as an online store, offering free 2-day shipping and "hassle free" returns. They also offer some discounts, and financing, making it a decent place to order your Orbi, Nighthawk, or Netgear Business equipment. They also have a dedicated Netgear Amazon store front.
Asus
- Website: Asus
- ASUS is another vendor that does direct sales through their website. They sell most of their all-in-one routers, and their excellent Zen Wi-Fi mesh kits on their website. They also offer some deals occasionally.
