You can buy practically anything online, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always want to—or ought to.

The convenience is undeniable, of course, but the matter of cost is still very much a question. About 71 percent of products are essentially priced the same online and in-store, according to a recent study by Anthem Marketing Solutions. When there was a difference, the online product was cheaper 72 percent of the time. Those deals are the biggest reason people choose to shop the Internet, according to a recent survey of 19,000 consumers worldwide by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

But stores have advantages that the virtual world can’t match: opportunities for shoppers to touch, see, and size up the goods and to walk away with a purchase. Those are the top reasons people still opt for a brick-and-mortar experience, according to the survey. That might explain the relatively slow rise of online categories like groceries and eyeglasses.

More channels and more choices can mean more opportunity as well as more potential pitfalls. We asked our experts and industry analysts to share with us the things you should buy online—and when you’re better off with a trip to the store.

Check our reviews of shopping websites to see how they stack up.

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Electronics

In addition to the fact that you’ll find a much wider selection online, more than two-thirds of electronics are cheaper when purchased on the Internet, according to Anthem. That’s true for big-ticket items like computers as well as for smaller accessories like HDMI cables and cell-phone cases, which are often 30 to 40 percent less than in stores. (Stores get away with charging more because customers don’t always compare prices on items that cost under $20, says Andrea Woroch, an independent consumer savings expert.) Still prefer to buy a TV in person? Do your research online. Many walk-in retailers will price-match a Web deal.

Small appliances

You’ll find the best selection of blenders, toasters, and the like online, although you’re still better off trying out heavy or hard-to-maneuver items, like vacuums, in a store first.

Pet supplies

By signing up for regularly scheduled pet-food delivery from Petco.com, you can save 15 percent on every qualifying order and guarantee that Fido never runs out of kibble. You can also net big discounts by buying pet meds online—if you’re not in a rush—rather than going to the vet, where markups over wholesale prices can be 100 percent and up.

Theme park tickets

You’ll pass by the ticket booth anyway, but buying online helps you “avoid lines at the park and find some of the best ticket-price deals that a park has to offer,” says Robb Alvey, founder of ThemeParkReview.com. If you’re a member of AAA or have a credit card with rewards points, you may also be able to snag discounted tickets.

Baby supplies

It’s cheaper and more convenient to order diapers, baby food, and ancillary items (like diaper-pail refills) online, especially if you opt for a delivery program like Amazon’s Subscribe and Save, which discounts your entire order by 15 percent if you select five or more items.

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Bath fixtures

Online, you have the benefit of a massive selection that no single showroom could contain, particularly if you’re seeking special features or unusual hardware. If you’re buying toilets or faucets, make sure you have the exact measurements. Get it wrong and you could wind up having to return it and pay a hefty restocking fee, or having to drill extra holes in your sink or countertop or—even worse—having to hide extra holes or unsightly metal plates. (Check our buying guide and Ratings for toilets and showerheads.)

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