Do colleges and universities still use print textbooks, or are they mostly digital?

You'll probably find a mixture of both. At some schools, you can choose whichever format you prefer (and, according to The New York Times, 50% of students prefer a print textbook!).

How much do textbooks cost?

You won't be surprised to hear that books can be free, like certain open source online textbooks, but some can cost as much as $1,000 or more! The College Board recommends that students plan on setting aside $1,200 each year for textbooks and course materials.

Why would I buy my textbooks online instead of my campus bookstore?

Your campus bookstore will likely be selling the textbooks at full retail value, or maybe even with a bit of a markup. And, even if they offer used books, you'll be competing with everyone else at your school to get a copy. Shopping online lets you get the exact same books for the best available price.

Can I buy good used textbooks online?

Absolutely. Most online textbook stores make it easy to determine the condition of any title you need, and you can even get them in new or like-new condition - at a fraction of the price you'd pay for a brand-new text at your college bookstore.

How much will I pay for shipping?

That depends on the textbook store you use and how quickly you need the book. Many providers offer free shipping for economy shipping, with options to upgrade if you want to get it faster.

Is it true that I can rent my textbooks instead of buying them?

Yes! Both print and digital textbooks can be rented through many textbook stores. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before choosing the rental option: you'll want to know if you're allowed to mark up the book or save any of your digital notes, when your rental period will end, and any instructions you'll need to follow to return the textbook when the class finishes.

What if the textbook comes and isn't what I needed? Can I exchange it or get a refund?

Most textbook stores know that students may buy a textbook they wind up not needing: classes get cancelled or dropped, the wrong edition is ordered, and so on. You typically have a risk-free return period of anywhere from 14-21 days from the purchase date, so you'll need to time your purchase carefully (ordering enough in advance that the title is available, but not so far ahead that you can't return it once the class starts).

Are online textbook stores legitimate?

Without a doubt. Some textbook stores have been in business for a decade or more, with excellent customer ratings and a strong reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Buying your textbooks online can save you a significant amount of money and hassle!

Textbooks Review for April 2026 | Best College Textbook Stores

Item: Textbooks Review
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Friday, April 17th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 College Textbook Store Reviews

Where can you find the cheapest college textbooks online? With education costs on the rise, college students are seeking ways to save money wherever possible. However, a person can only eat so much ramen soup or mac and cheese. Enter the online textbook marketplace.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Textbooks

Shipping is free for orders over $25
Offers 30-day returns
Some books have guaranteed cash back offers when you re-sell to them
1,400 5-star ratings
"A+" rating from the BBB
In business since 2006

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Textbooks website

With more than 10 million books in their warehouse, Textbooks says they exist to help you buy your books at a good price fast. Started in 2006, this online vendor also stands as a platform to connect all students juggling their various responsibilities, including parents, readers, and tech geeks, with their core philosophy: "Happy you, happy us."

Most used textbooks in one place

Textbooks claims they have "the most used textbooks on the planet," as well as selling new books and eTextbooks. Unlike some sellers, they say that if you order a used textbook from them that comes with a CD or DVD, you will get it with your shipment. Listings will indicate whether or not supplemental items are included, so be sure to look. However, do not expect to get an online access code with a used book purchase, though Textbooks says you may be able to purchase the code separately from them or from the publisher. Textbooks only sells books; there is no option to rent.

Marketplace offers more options

In addition to selling millions of textbooks themselves, Textbooks has a marketplace with authorized sellers. These companies and individuals process their own orders and returns, and they charge different shipping costs. Interestingly, despite the fact that their marketplace sellers are "carefully vetted," they "recommend that for the best service and fastest delivery" you should order directly from Textbooks. (We wonder why they even bother to have a marketplace if they are going to discount their sellers in this manner.)

Shipping is free for most orders

Offering free standard shipping on orders of $25 or more, it's pretty easy to qualify at Textbooks. If you don't meet the minimum, the cost is $3.99. Also available are second-day air ($11.99) and next-day air ($19.98), which are much lower cost options than seen at some other used textbook sellers. If you are purchasing from the Textbooks marketplace, standard shipping is $4.99 per item and can take 6-18 business days to arrive. Alternatively, the marketplace express shipping option is $6.99 per item and should arrive in 5-8 business days. Tracking is unavailable for marketplace purchases.

Returns don't charge restock fee

Offering hassle-free 30-day returns, Textbooks guarantees your satisfaction. Books must be returned in the same condition and arrive within the 30-day return window, or they will be considered at the current buyback value (if there is one). You are responsible for shipping charges, but there is no restock fee, unlike other companies we reviewed. Activated eTextbooks are not returnable.

Some books offer guaranteed buyback amount

Claiming they "wrote the book on buyback," Textbooks asserts that you'll get the most cash if you sell your used texts to them. With 30-day guaranteed quotes and free return shipping, they provide a great option for selling your used textbooks. In fact, their "Guaranteed Cash Back" program will return 50% of your purchase price if you sell it back to Textbooks at the end of the semester. We like this option, knowing that we'll get at least half of our money back.

Out of stock popular textbook

Unfortunately, the textbook we checked at every online retailer was out of stock here in the edition we searched for. Considering Textbooks is supposed to be one of the most popular and required texts for college students, this was disappointing. Perhaps if we looked at a different time in the semester, the text would be in stock. Despite this, we still find them to be the best option for your course materials shopping.

Thousands of happy customers

With no complaints in the past year and only two over the past three years, Textbooks has earned its stellar "A+" rating from the BBB, though it is not accredited. Reviews across online platforms are mainly excellent, with nearly 1,400 5-star ratings. Pleased customers raved about receiving discounted textbooks in a timely manner. Negative reviews mention issues with buyback and customer service. However, with the high number of excellent reviews, we can confidently recommend Textbooks as a trusted option for purchasing your needed texts.

Our top choice for textbook shopping

Despite not having the popular textbook we sought, Textbooks is an excellent choice for your college text needs. With their immense selection, low prices, and free shipping on small orders, they provide a one-stop shop for most of your course-required books if you're wanting to buy instead of rent, earning them the highest spot on our list.

On the Textbooks website

Continued from above...

Where Can You Find the Cheapest College Textbooks Online?

With education costs on the rise, college students are seeking ways to save money wherever possible. However, a person can only eat so much ramen soup or mac and cheese. Enter the online textbook marketplace.

Instead of visiting the school's bookstore where books will cost the most, countless students are turning to online options to purchase their required textbooks prior to the start of class. These retailers provide unique money-saving options, such as rental titles, eTextbooks, and used books, often at significant savings for students across the country.

Not only can you save money by purchasing a used textbook, but you may even be able to slash costs with a rental text. When deciding between purchasing and renting textbooks, keep your end goal in mind: what will you be doing with the text while you have it and after you are finished using it? Those who don't need to reference a text for a future class may find that renting suits them just fine.

Some companies will even offer multiple rental time periods to meet students' needs. However, if you like to highlight, you should purchase a book, as many companies do not want you to write in their books (though some do permit a limited amount - be sure to read the rental agreement). However, if a book comes with CDs or access codes, your rental (or used textbook) likely won't include them.

Another option many textbook companies have started to offer is digital books or online access to materials. This can keep costs down and reduce landfill waste. But, some people read better from hard copies of books and would like a chance to recoup some of their textbook costs by reselling a used textbook, which isn't possible with digital options.

There are many factors to consider when comparing online retailers for college textbooks. Here are the top ones on our list:

Cost. Why spend more than necessary on your textbooks? When two books are identical and only the price differs, it's a no-brainer: go with the less expensive option. However, some online retailers have bulk discounts or rewards programs, making it a little trickier to decide which copy to purchase - and be aware of any "service fees" or "digital access fees" added at checkout at some vendors. Keep in mind the condition of the book you're buying as well, if you want to try to resell it to recoup some of your book budget.
Selection. Many online retailers we reviewed only sell textbooks and thus have a larger selection. If you want one-stop shopping, you'll have to choose one of those options. To save some money, you may be willing to look at multiple retailers, and that's a valid choice as well, especially when free shipping is offered.
Shipping. When you're spending this kind of money, you want to cut costs where you can. Some retailers offer free shipping options with minimum purchases while others have a per-item add-on charge. Make sure you know what you're paying regarding shipping when you compare textbook prices. Speed of shipping can also come into play if you're shopping close to the first day of class.
Return policy. Buying the wrong edition, dropping a class, or having the instructor change course materials on the first day of class - all of these can be costly mistakes if you buy from a retailer without a return policy you feel comfortable with. Some charge restock fees while others are more lenient. Similarly, the return window that retailers offer will vary.
Access codes and bonus materials. If you need a textbook with an online access code, a DVD, or other learning materials, you may need to focus on purchasing a new copy. Most rentals and used books do not include these features.

To help save you time and money, we at Top Consumer Reviews have sifted through the most popular online textbook retailers. Check out our top choices, order your class materials, and get back to the business of learning.

Textbooks Review: College Textbook Stores

2026 College Textbook Store Reviews

Textbooks

Where Can You Find the Cheapest College Textbooks Online?

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