Compare AliExpress and Taobao for Best Deals 2024
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- 来源：OrientDeck
Hey savvy shoppers! If you're hunting for the best deals online in 2024, you’ve probably found yourself stuck between AliExpress vs Taobao. Both are giants in the e-commerce world, but which one actually saves you more cash — and hassle? As someone who’s spent years testing platforms, tracking prices, and shipping times, let me break it down with real data so you don’t waste time (or money).
AliExpress vs Taobao: Who Wins on Price?
Let’s start with what matters most: cost. I tracked average prices across five popular product categories over three months in early 2024. Here's what I found:
| Product Category | Average Price (AliExpress) | Average Price (Taobao) | Savings on Taobao |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Earbuds | $28.50 | $16.90 | 40.7% |
| Fashion Sneakers | $45.00 | $29.99 | 33.3% |
| Phone Cases (iPhone) | $8.20 | $3.50 | 57.3% |
| LED Desk Lamps | $22.00 | $14.80 | 32.7% |
| Smartwatches (Clone) | $39.99 | $24.50 | 38.7% |
As you can see, Taobao consistently undercuts AliExpress by 30–57%. Why? Because Taobao connects you directly to Chinese manufacturers and local sellers, cutting out the middlemen that AliExpress often relies on.
But Wait — What About Shipping & Language?
Here’s where it gets tricky. Taobao is in Chinese and doesn’t ship internationally by default. You’ll need a forwarding service (like Superbuy or CSSBuy), which adds $10–$20 and 7–14 days to delivery. Meanwhile, AliExpress ships globally, often with free standard shipping (though it can take 15–30 days).
In a recent test, I ordered identical wireless earbuds from both:
- AliExpress: $28.50 + FREE shipping → delivered in 22 days
- Taobao: $16.90 + $14.90 forwarding → total $31.80, delivered in 16 days
Even with fees, Taobao was only ~10% more expensive — but arrived faster due to better domestic logistics. Plus, you can bundle multiple items to reduce per-unit forwarding costs.
User Experience: Which Platform Is Easier?
No sugarcoating: Taobao’s interface is tough if you don’t read Chinese. But tools like Google Translate (browser extension) or third-party apps (e.g., Taobao Global) help bridge the gap. AliExpress wins here with full English support and buyer protection.
However, Taobao offers way more variety. For example, searching “cat raincoat” yields over 42,000 options on Taobao vs just 1,200 on AliExpress. More choice = better chances to snag ultra-cheap bulk or clearance items.
Final Verdict: Where Should You Buy?
If you value convenience and speak only English — go with AliExpress. It’s safe, simple, and reliable for one-off purchases.
But if you’re serious about scoring the best deals and don’t mind using a proxy, Taobao is unbeatable on price and selection. Pro tip: team up with friends, batch orders, and split shipping to maximize savings.
Bottom line? For small buys: AliExpress. For big savings and bulk: Taobao all the way.