We didn't just want to claim we were better. We wanted to prove it. We took ten of the most searched-for items this month - from air fryers to noise-canceling headphones - and ran a side-by-side comparison. The results expose exactly how much money you might be losing by trusting the default search engine.
The Methodology
To make this fair, we followed strict rules:
- All searches performed on the same day (December 9, 2025)
- Used Google Shopping's top result (first non-sponsored listing)
- Compared against FindPrices' lowest verified price
- Only included retailers with verified reviews and return policies
- Excluded refurbished or used items
- All prices include advertised discounts but exclude potential taxes/shipping
We chose 10 products across different categories that are consistently popular in online searches.
The Results
| Product | Google Top Result | FindPrices Lowest | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones | $399 | $299 | $100 (25%) |
| Ninja Air Fryer AF101 | $119 | $89 | $30 (25%) |
| Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) | $249 | $199 | $50 (20%) |
| Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum | $649 | $579 | $70 (11%) |
| KitchenAid Stand Mixer | $449 | $349 | $100 (22%) |
| Samsung 65" QLED TV | $1,299 | $1,099 | $200 (15%) |
| Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 | $99 | $79 | $20 (20%) |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | $299 | $229 | $70 (23%) |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | $349 | $319 | $30 (9%) |
| Vitamix E310 Blender | $349 | $289 | $60 (17%) |
Total Potential Savings: $730
Average Savings Per Item: $73 (18.7%)
Breaking Down the Winners
Product 1: Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
Google Top Result: $399 at a major electronics retailer
FindPrices Found: $299 at B&H Photo
B&H Photo is a legitimate, well-established retailer with excellent reviews. They simply don't participate in Google's bidding wars. Their lower overhead and direct relationships with manufacturers allow them to offer better prices.
Product 2: Ninja Air Fryer AF101
Google Top Result: $119 at a major retailer
FindPrices Found: $89 at Walmart.com
Interestingly, Walmart's price didn't show up in Google's top results even though Walmart is one of the biggest retailers in the world. The reason? Google Shopping rankings are based on bids, not retailer size or price.
Product 3: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Google Top Result: $249 at a consumer electronics chain
FindPrices Found: $199 at Best Buy
Best Buy was running a sale that day, but it didn't appear in Google's top results. Sales and promotions don't automatically boost Google Shopping rankings unless the retailer increases their bid.
Product 8: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Google Top Result: $299
FindPrices Found: $229 at an authorized Bose retailer
Smaller authorized retailers often have better prices than mainstream options, but they lack the ad budget to appear in top Google results.
Where Did FindPrices Find These Deals?
The retailers offering the lowest prices included:
- B&H Photo - Specialty electronics retailer with competitive pricing
- Walmart.com - Often cheaper online than in Google Shopping results
- Best Buy - Sale prices that didn't rank highly in Google
- Authorized brand retailers - Direct from manufacturer partners
- Regional chains - Smaller footprint, lower overhead, better prices
None of these are sketchy or unknown sellers. They're all legitimate, verified retailers with strong reputations. They just don't show up in Google's top results because they don't bid aggressively.
Why Google Shopping Missed These Deals
Google Shopping didn't miss these retailers by accident. Here's what happened:
1. The Bid Amount Dominates
Google Shopping is an auction. Retailers bid on placement. The highest bidders appear first, even if their prices aren't the lowest.
2. Smaller Retailers Can't Compete
A small electronics store can't afford to bid $3-5 per click. They'd go bankrupt. So even when they have the best price, they appear on page 3 or 4.
3. Sale Prices Don't Automatically Rank Higher
Just because a retailer drops their price doesn't mean they'll suddenly appear at the top of Google Shopping. They'd need to increase their bid, which costs money.
4. Google's Algorithm Optimizes for Revenue, Not Savings
Google makes money when you click on expensive ads. They don't make money when you find the cheapest price. Their incentives are misaligned with yours.
What This Means for You
If you bought all 10 of these products using Google Shopping's top results, you'd spend $3,909.
If you used FindPrices, you'd spend $3,179.
That's $730 in savings on just 10 items.
Now imagine that across everything you buy in a year. Electronics. Appliances. Clothing. Furniture. Tools.
The average American household spends about $5,000 per year on discretionary purchases. If Google Shopping leads you to overpay by 18.7% on average (as this study suggests), that's $935 per year you're wasting.
The Broader Pattern
This wasn't a cherry-picked test. We didn't hunt for edge cases where Google Shopping fails.
We chose 10 of the most popular products people search for. Common items. Mainstream brands. And in every single case, there was a better price that Google Shopping buried.
That's not a coincidence. It's the system working as designed.
How FindPrices Works Differently
FindPrices doesn't rank by bid amount. We rank by price. Lowest to highest. Always.
We crawl hundreds of retailers, including:
- Major chains (Walmart, Target, Best Buy)
- Specialty stores (B&H Photo, Newegg, Adorama)
- Direct manufacturers (Apple, Samsung, Dyson)
- Regional retailers (local electronics stores, outlet shops)
- Authorized dealers (brand-approved third parties)
We verify each retailer for legitimacy, then show you all the prices we find, sorted from cheapest to most expensive.
No bidding. No preferential treatment. Just raw data.
Find the Best Deal and Stop Overpaying
FindPrices finds the deals Google Shopping hides. Compare prices on every product to see the lowest price, not just the highest bidder.
Compare Pricing Now - It's FreeThe Takeaway
You don't have to take our word for it. Run your own test.
Pick any product. Check Google Shopping's top result. Then check FindPrices.
More often than not, you'll find a better price. Because we show you what Google Shopping hides.
Don't let a bidding war cost you hundreds of dollars.