Best Buy Total vs AppleCare+: Which Wins?
AppleCare+ is the better pick if you own one Apple device and want coverage that keeps going as long as you pay for it.
My Best Buy Total is the better pick if you buy several gadgets a year and want one membership that protects all of them.
Best Buy sells both. You can buy AppleCare+ on its own at checkout, in store, or within 60 days of buying the device, and you can get it folded into a My Best Buy Total membership instead.
That choice is the whole decision, so this guide compares what each one costs, what it covers, and what happens the day you stop paying. Prices below are current as of July 2026.
This is information about how the plans work. It is not insurance or financial advice, and it does not evaluate coverage you may already carry.
What is My Best Buy Total?
My Best Buy Total is a yearly membership from Best Buy.
As of July 2026 it costs $199.99 a year and renews automatically until you cancel.
It bundles protection into the membership instead of selling it plan by plan. See how Geek Squad protection stacks up against AppleCare on its own if you want the older comparison.
Membership includes up to 24 months of product protection on most new Best Buy purchases while you stay a member. Apple products get AppleCare+ specifically. Other electronics get Best Buy Protection.
You also get 24/7 tech support, free computer and tablet service, 20 percent off repair labor, and 1 percent back in rewards (6 percent with the store credit card).
Can you still buy AppleCare+ from Best Buy by itself?
Yes. Best Buy sells AppleCare+ as a standalone plan and lists several payment options: two year and three year plans paid up front, or monthly and annual recurring plans.
Best Buy also sells AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
You add it during checkout after putting an Apple device in your cart, at the register in a store, or up to 60 days after you buy the device.
Best Buy is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, so the repairs run with Apple trained technicians and genuine Apple parts either way.
What is AppleCare+?
AppleCare+ is Apple’s own extended coverage plan. You buy it for one specific device: an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or another Apple product.
It extends your one year limited warranty and adds unlimited accidental damage repairs, battery coverage, and 24/7 priority support straight from Apple.
You can pay monthly for as long as you want coverage, or pay up front for a fixed two or three year term. Price depends on which device you cover.
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is sold as its own plan for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. On iPhone the theft and loss insurance piece runs $3.50 a month, or $35 a year, on top of the AppleCare+ price.
It covers up to two lost or stolen device claims every 12 months and requires Find My turned on when the device goes missing.
Curious what counts as accidental damage? Here is whether AppleCare covers a cracked screen and what it actually costs to fix.
What does an AppleCare+ repair cost?
Every accidental damage repair carries a service fee, and the fee depends on the device. The iPhone numbers get quoted everywhere, and Mac fees run several times higher.
| Device | Screen, back glass, or enclosure | Other accidental damage |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | $29 | $99 |
| Current iPad models | $29 | $99 |
| Older iPad models | Not listed separately | $49 |
| Mac | $99 | $299 |
| MacBook Neo | $49 | $149 |
| Apple Watch | Not listed separately | $69, or $79 for Ultra and Hermes |
| AirPods and Beats | Not listed separately | $29 |
| Watch the Mac number | Highest screen fee on the list | Highest damage fee on the list |
Current iPad models here means iPad Air 11 inch and 13 inch on M2 and newer, iPad Pro 11 inch and 13 inch on M4 and newer, iPad with the A16 chip, and iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip. Every other iPad falls in the older row.
A theft or loss claim carries its own deductible on top of the repair fee: $149 on iPhone, $129 on iPad, and $119 on Apple Watch.
Best Buy Total vs AppleCare+: price and coverage
| Feature | Best Buy Total | AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $199.99 a year | Monthly or up front, varies by device |
| Coverage length | Up to 24 months per item, while a member | Ongoing while you pay |
| Devices covered | Any eligible purchase, one membership | One device per plan |
| Accidental damage | Included on eligible items, service fees and claim limits apply | Unlimited incidents, service fees apply |
| iPhone screen fee | $29, since Total includes AppleCare+ | $29 per incident |
| Theft or loss | Not standard | A separate plan, $3.50 a month on iPhone |
| Service location | Any Best Buy or Geek Squad | Apple Store or Authorized Provider |
| Best for | Frequent Best Buy shoppers | One Apple device owners |
Best Buy Total wins on breadth. One membership can protect your iPhone, your laptop, and your TV at the same time.
AppleCare+ wins on depth for a single device. Apple builds it, prices it, and attaches it to the device itself, so it travels with the hardware.
What happens if you cancel Best Buy Total?
Best Buy states that canceling your membership cancels any remaining months of protection tied to it.
If you bought a laptop last month and cancel next month, that laptop loses its remaining coverage too.
Budget the membership as an ongoing cost, because the protection lives and dies with it.
AppleCare+ works differently. It stays attached to your device and keeps going as long as you keep paying for that specific plan, even if you never join a Best Buy membership at all.
What is AppleCare One?
AppleCare One is Apple’s newer plan for people with more than one Apple device.
AppleCare One costs $19.99 a month for three devices.
Add a fourth device or more for $5.99 a month each.
It includes everything AppleCare+ covers, plus theft and loss protection on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch built in, with three claims a year instead of two.
You can add devices you already own too, as long as they are less than four years old and pass a quick condition check. Headphones have a tighter limit at under one year old.
Apple says AppleCare One saves up to $11 a month against buying separate plans for the same three devices.
It works alongside a Best Buy Total membership too, because it attaches to the device itself and ignores where you bought it.
Which should you buy?
Pick AppleCare+ or AppleCare One if Apple devices are most of what you own and you want service and pricing straight from Apple.
Pick My Best Buy Total if you buy a mix of brands and devices from Best Buy every year and like the idea of one membership covering everything.
Skip both if you already have a credit card or renters policy that covers accidental damage. Check that coverage before you pay twice for the same protection.
Want the Mac specific breakdown instead? Read how Best Buy Mac warranty coverage compares to AppleCare.
People also ask
Does Best Buy still sell an Apple warranty by itself?
Yes. Best Buy sells AppleCare+ as a standalone plan, with upfront two and three year terms as well as monthly and annual recurring options, plus AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. You can also get AppleCare+ included with a My Best Buy Total membership instead.
Is AppleCare+ worth it over Best Buy Total?
AppleCare+ is worth it if you own one Apple device and want coverage that stays active for as long as you keep paying, regardless of any other memberships. Best Buy Total is worth it if you buy several devices a year and want broader coverage in one plan.
Can Geek Squad still help if I have AppleCare+?
Yes. Best Buy is an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Geek Squad locations can help with setup and troubleshooting even when your device is covered by AppleCare+ instead of Best Buy Protection.
Does AppleCare+ cover a lost or stolen iPhone?
Only on an AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan. Base AppleCare+ stops at accidental damage and battery service. For everything else the plan covers, read the full rundown of what AppleCare covers.
Can I transfer AppleCare+ if I sell my iPhone?
Yes. A fixed term plan transfers once to the new owner. Monthly and financed plans carry restrictions, and no plan moves to a different device. See our guide on how to transfer AppleCare to a new owner for the exact steps.
What if I only own an Apple Watch?
AppleCare+ still applies to a single Apple Watch, and an accidental damage repair runs $69, or $79 on Ultra and Hermes models. If you are still deciding which model to buy, our guide on picking the right Apple Watch covers the current lineup first.