Geopolitical tensions and trade concerns have prompted some investors to focus on gold as a safe-haven asset. In late May 2026, the spot price of gold hovered above $4,500 per ounce — below the record high of $5,400 set in late January but still at historically elevated levels.
If you're interested in adding gold to your portfolio, one strategy is to buy shares of gold ETFs and mining companies. Purchasing physical gold is another strategy, but you'll need to consider additional logistics, such as finding secure storage.
Below, CNBC Select shares the best ways to acquire physical gold, from big-box stores to online gold dealers. For more on how we made our selections, see our methodology.
Best places to buy physical gold
Best for in-person retail: Costco
Who's this for? While the wholesale store does require you to be a Costco member, you may be able to buy gold bars in some stores, depending on availability in your location. Bars can also be bought online.
Standout benefits: Costco's gold bar prices are typically low, at just 1% to 2% above spot. That's less of a markup than some other dealers, which can be as much as 10% above.
Read more: How to buy gold from Costco
Best for online retail: Walmart
Who's this for? Though the brand doesn't sell them in-store, Walmart offers several options for buying gold bars online, including by the gram or ounce. Many of the options also have free shipping.
Standout benefits: Unlike Costco, Walmart doesn't require a membership to buy gold from its site, making this option more accessible.
Read more: How to buy gold from Walmart
Best for variety: JM Bullion
Who's this for? JM Bullion is an online gold dealer that offers gold, silver, platinum and copper in a variety of sizes and formats. In addition to bullion, many types of coins are available.
Standout benefits: JM Bullion also buys precious metals from customers.
JM Bullion Precious Metals
Features
JM Bullion has been selling precious metals online since 2011, and sells gold, platinum and silver bullion and coins. In addition to selling precious metal products, the brand also buys gold from consumers and offers a gold IRA. For assistance, the brand's Texas-based customer service team is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
Shipping
Domestic orders of $499 or greater receive free shipping. Shipping on orders under $499 cost $9.95.
Pros
- Offers a gold IRA option
- Buys scrap precious metal ($1,000 minimum)
Cons
- Costs vary by payment type
- Higher free shipping limit than competitors
Best for free shipping: APMEX
Who's this for? APMEX offers free shipping for all orders over $199, which is an easy threshold to meet when purchasing precious metals.
Standout benefits: APMEX has been in business since 2000 and is known for its excellent customer service with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
APMEX Precious Metals
Features
APMEX is a longstanding gold dealer, selling precious metals online since 2000. It offers gold, silver and platinum in both bullion and coins. The brand offers plenty of educational resources on its website to help you make informed purchases. And, when its time to sell, APMEX also buys gold, silver and platinum from consumers.
Shipping
Domestic orders of $199 or greater receive free shipping.
Pros
- Also buys gold and other precious metals from consumers
- Support can be reached by phone or via online chat
- Also offers Gold IRAs
Cons
- Prices vary by payment method
- Cancelled orders may be charged the greater of $50 or 5% of the order total
Best gold IRA: American Hartford Gold
Who's this for? Gold IRAs combine physical gold with the tax benefits of an IRA. With these accounts, you choose the assets and a management company holds them securely for you. American Hartford Gold's low and transparent annual fees, along with the storage costs, make it an affordable option.
American Hartford Gold
Initial Purchase Requirements
Minimum purchase requirement of $10,000
Account Minimums
Minimum account balance of $10,000
Fees
Annual IRA fee of $75 for accounts valued at $100,000 or less, $125 for accounts valued at $100,001 or more
Storage fee varies with the depository but typically is a flat $100 annual storage fee in most cases
Terms apply.
Pros
- A+ Better Business Bureau and AAA Business Consumer Alliance rating
- Orders are shipped free of charge
- Offers a free Gold & Silver Information Guide
- No initial fee for account setup
Cons
- Lack of educational resources on their site
- The website feels slightly dated and straightforward
Standout benefits: In addition to gold IRAs, American Hartford Gold also offers gold that can be shipped to you.
Pros and cons of investing in physical gold
While gold can provide peace of mind in a volatile market, it has downsides.
Pros
- Diversification. Depending on your cash flow needs and time horizon, precious metals can help diversify a portfolio that is primarily tied to one asset class.
- Hedge against inflation. When inflation reduces the buying power of paper money, gold often becomes an attractive alternative.
- Safe-haven asset. The supply of gold is limited and it can be easily traded internationally, both of which make it attractive during volatile periods.
Cons
- Hard to sell quickly. Physical gold can be less liquid than stocks or ETFs, especially when trying to sell in small amounts or during short time frames.
- Difficult to store. Keeping gold at home raises security concerns, while using a bank vault or storage service adds ongoing fees.
- No income generation. Unlike dividend-paying stocks or interest-bearing accounts, physical gold does not produce income. You only realize a profit if you sell at a higher price than you paid.
Buying gold FAQs
Do you have to pay tax on gold?
If you buy physical gold and sell it for a profit later, you could owe capital gains taxes on the sale. Since the IRS considers gold bars collectible items, the sale is taxed at your marginal tax rate, up to 28%.
Is it a good idea to buy physical gold?
Buying physical gold can be one way to add another asset type to your portfolio. However, you'll need to make a plan for securely storing it, as well as converting it into cash in the future.
How is a gold IRA taxed?
Like a traditional IRA, a gold IRA is taxed as ordinary income when you take a distribution from the account. Roth gold IRAs are also an option, and since these accounts use after-tax dollars to contribute, you won't pay taxes on qualified distributions later.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every gold review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of gold products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best gold investing companies.
Our methodology
CNBC Select analyzed more than a dozen providers of physical gold products and gold IRAs, comparing them based on the following:
- Pricing and fees: All retailers on our list offer transparent pricing and competitive fee structures.
- Shipping: We considered the price and speed of shipping (if applicable)
- Ease of use and customer support: The gold companies on this list all had strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau, as well as numerous customer support channels.
- Educational resources: We gave preference to gold retailers that offered educational tools on precious metal investing.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
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