The affiliate marketing landscape for tech, electronics, and photography niches is crowded with opportunities. But if you run a blog, YouTube channel, or social media platform that focuses on gadgets, cameras, or PC hardware, three names inevitably rise to the top: Newegg, B&H, and Adorama.
Each of these retailers has carved out its own reputation in the consumer electronics space. Newegg dominates the PC building and gaming component market, B&H has become a household name for professional photographers and videographers, and Adorama sits somewhere between, appealing strongly to photo and audio enthusiasts while also catering to general electronics buyers.
Yet for content creators and affiliate marketers, the question is not just which retailer is popular, but which affiliate program delivers the best results. Commission rates, cookie lengths, payout thresholds, tracking systems, and the type of products people buy through your links all shape how much money you can actually earn.
This guide will give you an in-depth, no-fluff comparison of Newegg, B&H, and Adorama’s affiliate programs. By the end, you’ll know which one is the best fit for your audience, what strengths and weaknesses each brings to the table, and how to maximize your affiliate income by using them strategically.
Affiliate marketing isn’t just about recommending products you love. It’s about ensuring that the time and effort you put into creating content actually translates into income. Two factors matter most: conversion rates and commission earnings.
Conversion rates depend on trust, audience fit, and timing. Earnings depend on how much you get paid when those conversions happen. You could generate hundreds of clicks, but if you’re promoting a retailer with a poor cookie policy or low commissions, your income will barely grow. On the other hand, the right affiliate partnership can make even modest traffic extremely profitable.
This is why the subtle details of each program—like whether you get paid 2% or 5%, or whether the cookie lasts seven days or thirty—make such a difference. Over time, these numbers translate into real income gaps that can amount to thousands of dollars a year.
Newegg Affiliate Program Overview
Newegg has long been a go-to retailer for PC builders, gamers, and tech enthusiasts. From graphics cards and motherboards to monitors and peripherals, it carries nearly every component needed to assemble or upgrade a computer.
For affiliates, this makes Newegg particularly appealing if your content is focused on gaming builds, performance hardware, or budget component roundups. People shopping at Newegg usually come with a buying mindset—they already know they need RAM, a power supply, or a monitor, and they often purchase quickly after research.
Commission Rates and Structure
Newegg is known for offering relatively low commission percentages compared to other affiliate programs. Most categories fall in the 1% to 2% range, with some products dipping lower. While that may seem discouraging at first glance, remember that PC parts are often high-demand items that convert quickly. If your site attracts large traffic volumes, especially from audiences that are actively building PCs, Newegg can still deliver solid earnings through sheer transaction volume.
Cookie Length and Tracking
The cookie duration is relatively short, often around seven days. This means if a visitor clicks your affiliate link but waits two weeks to buy, you lose the commission. For audiences that tend to purchase impulsively or make quick buying decisions, this shorter cookie isn’t a big issue. However, for long research cycles, it limits your earning potential.
Ease of Use
Newegg’s affiliate program is managed through Rakuten and other partner networks. It offers a link generator, banners, and tracking dashboards. If you’re already familiar with Rakuten, you’ll find it relatively straightforward to use.
The program also integrates with Newegg’s creator campaigns, which sometimes include special bonuses, extra commission opportunities, or product collaborations.
Who It’s Best For
If your site revolves around PC hardware, gaming gear, or tech enthusiasts, Newegg can be a strong fit. The lower percentage is offset by fast conversions and frequent sales. On the flip side, if your content focuses on long-consideration purchases like high-end cameras, Newegg may not provide the best return.
B&H Affiliate Program Overview
B&H Photo Video, often referred to simply as B&H, is one of the most trusted names in photography, videography, and professional electronics. Walk into their massive New York City store and you’ll see why—they cater to serious professionals as well as passionate hobbyists.
Their online presence is just as strong, and their affiliate program is a favorite among content creators in the photography niche.
Commission Rates and Structure
B&H’s affiliate program offers a base rate of 2%, though many affiliates report higher rates available for certain categories or through performance tiers. In practice, that means as you generate more volume or promote specific product lines, you can unlock commissions of up to 8%.
Even at the 2% base, the high average order value of B&H products makes the program appealing. Selling a professional DSLR or a cinema camera rig at several thousand dollars can translate into substantial commissions, even at modest rates.
Cookie Length
Here’s where things get tricky. B&H does not clearly publish a cookie length across all channels. Some affiliates report very short durations—around 60 hours—while others reference 30 days. Because of these conflicting reports, affiliates should verify cookie windows directly in their dashboards.
If the shorter cookie applies, it means B&H heavily rewards immediate conversions. That can work well if your audience tends to buy quickly after clicking, but it may hurt for those who take longer to research.
Payouts and Thresholds
One notable aspect of the B&H program is its $80 minimum payout threshold. Payments are issued monthly, typically via check, and you need to surpass that threshold to receive your commission. For smaller bloggers or newer affiliates, this can create delays in getting paid.
Support and Assets
B&H provides banners, product links, and regular updates to affiliates. Their reputation in the industry also helps with conversion rates—photographers and videographers trust the brand, which often makes them more willing to complete purchases through B&H compared to a general electronics retailer.
Who It’s Best For
B&H shines for photography, videography, and professional audio niches. If your audience consists of photographers researching high-ticket gear, B&H’s strong reputation and product depth can convert well. However, the uncertainty around cookie length and the higher payout threshold can be obstacles for smaller publishers.
Adorama Affiliate Program Overview
Adorama is another powerhouse in the photography and audio-visual retail space. It’s a direct competitor to B&H but differentiates itself by emphasizing customer service, strong affiliate support, and a slightly broader electronics catalog.
For affiliates, Adorama can be an especially attractive partner thanks to its balance between cookie length, commission rates, and resources.
Commission Rates and Structure
Adorama offers a base commission of 2%, similar to B&H, but affiliates can earn up to 8% on certain private-label brands. The company highlights its average order value of around $500, which means even a modest percentage can generate healthy earnings.
Cookie Length
Unlike the ambiguity with B&H, Adorama clearly advertises a 30-day cookie window. This is a major advantage if your audience tends to research gear over several days or weeks before pulling the trigger. A longer cookie means you’re more likely to capture those delayed conversions.
Affiliate Tools and Resources
Adorama has invested heavily in making its affiliate program user-friendly. They provide access to advanced product feeds, deep-linking tools, banners, and a dedicated affiliate team. For content creators managing large product review sites or comparison charts, these tools make integration much smoother.
They also run frequent promotions and affiliate-only specials, giving you opportunities to highlight deals that can boost conversions.
Payouts and Terms
Adorama’s program is managed through platforms like Impact, which generally offers flexible payout methods and reasonable thresholds. Payments usually clear after the product return window has passed, which is common across most affiliate programs.
Who It’s Best For
Adorama is ideal for photography, audio, and general electronics content creators who want longer cookie durations and robust affiliate support. If your readers often take their time to decide before purchasing, Adorama’s 30-day cookie gives you an edge over competitors.
Newegg vs. B&H vs. Adorama: Key Comparisons
Now that we’ve broken down each program individually, let’s look at the big picture.
Commission Potential
Newegg’s commissions are generally the lowest, but high purchase volume can offset this.
B&H and Adorama both start at 2% and go higher for certain categories. The real difference lies in how often you can secure those higher tiers.
For high-ticket items, even a 2% commission can deliver strong earnings, making B&H and Adorama more lucrative per transaction.
Cookie Duration
Newegg: around 7 days.
B&H: inconsistent reporting, potentially very short (around 60 hours).
Adorama: clear 30-day window.
In practice, Adorama offers the most affiliate-friendly cookie, especially for long research cycles.
Ease of Payment
B&H has a strict $80 threshold and pays by check.
Newegg depends on Rakuten’s policies, which are generally straightforward.
Adorama uses Impact, known for flexible and timely payments.
For newer affiliates or those earning smaller amounts, Adorama is the least frustrating.
Tools and Support
Adorama leads with its advanced affiliate resources and support team. Newegg’s program is functional but barebones, while B&H provides decent tools but is more conservative in its program management.
Real-World Example: Selling a $2,000 Camera
Let’s illustrate with a simple scenario: you write a review for a $2,000 mirrorless camera.
Adorama at 2%: You earn $40, with a good chance of capturing delayed purchases thanks to the 30-day cookie.
B&H at 2%: You also earn $40, but if the cookie is indeed only 60 hours, you risk missing out if the buyer takes too long.
Newegg at 1%: You earn $20, assuming Newegg even carries that particular camera model, which is less common.
In this scenario, Adorama provides the best balance of security and potential. B&H matches the commission but may lose out on delayed conversions. Newegg simply isn’t optimized for high-ticket photography gear.
How to Maximize Earnings Across All Three Programs
The best affiliate marketers don’t just pick one program; they strategically use multiple merchants depending on the product and buyer behavior. Here’s how you can do the same:
Match retailers to product categories. Use Newegg for PC parts and gaming gear, Adorama for cameras and lenses, and B&H for professional equipment. This ensures you’re linking to the retailer most likely to convert.
Take advantage of cookie windows. For content where buyers act fast (like build guides or flash deals), Newegg’s short cookie is less of an issue. For longer research journeys, lean on Adorama.
Experiment with link placement. If a cookie is short, place links in comparison tables or “Buy Now” buttons that encourage immediate action. For longer cookies, you can afford softer CTAs or email funnels.
Negotiate as you grow. Both B&H and Adorama offer better commissions for high performers. Once you start sending consistent sales, reach out and ask about private tiers.
Which Program Is Best for You?
If your site is focused primarily on PC hardware, gaming, or tech builds, Newegg is still the most logical choice, despite its lower commissions. The brand recognition among gamers and DIY PC builders is unmatched, and fast conversions make up for the low percentage.
If you’re in the photography or videography niche, both Adorama and B&H deserve a place in your affiliate strategy. Between the two, Adorama edges out as the more affiliate-friendly program thanks to its clear 30-day cookie and robust resources. B&H remains highly valuable because of its strong brand reputation and massive catalog, but the shorter cookie and stricter payout terms are worth keeping in mind.
And if you can manage it, the smartest strategy is not to pick just one. By weaving all three programs into your content—choosing the right retailer for the right product—you maximize both conversions and commissions.
Final Thoughts
Affiliate marketing in the tech and photography niches isn’t just about traffic; it’s about matching the right retailer to your audience’s buying behavior. Newegg, B&H, and Adorama each have unique strengths:
Newegg excels in high-volume, fast-decision PC parts sales.
B&H brings trust and massive product coverage in professional gear, with potential for higher commissions if you scale.
Adorama offers the most affiliate-friendly structure with longer cookies, excellent tools, and high order values.
If you’re just starting out, Adorama is the easiest to recommend thanks to its transparency and support. If you’re building content for gamers, Newegg should be part of your toolkit. And if you’re serious about professional photography gear, you’ll eventually want B&H in the mix as well.
Ultimately, the best affiliate strategy may not be choosing one program over the others, but instead building a portfolio approach where each retailer complements the other. Done right, this approach ensures you don’t just earn commissions—you maximize them.
