Shop smarter with Copilot: your AI shopping assistant

Shopping should be fun. But between endless options, conflicting reviews, and that nagging “did I pick the right one?” feeling, it often isn’t. Microsoft Copilot can change that. Whether you’re browsing online, building a wishlist, or standing in a store aisle trying to choose between two nearly identical products, Copilot is your AI shopping assistant that helps you cut through the noise and buy with confidence.

What does an AI shopping assistant actually do?

Think of Copilot as a knowledgeable friend who’s done the research. Tell it what you’re looking for, and it will:

• Narrow down options based on your budget and priorities

• Compare products side-by-side in plain English

• Summarize reviews so you get the highlights without reading thousands of them

• Flag common complaints or issues buyers discover after purchase

• Help you track prices and know when to pull the trigger

You can access Copilot on the web , on mobile , or directly in Microsoft Edge ¹—where built-in shopping features like price comparison and price tracking are built right into your browsing experience.

5 ways AI for shopping makes your experience better

1. AI turns options into a shortlist you can actually use

Choice overload is real. When every product has thousands of reviews and dozens of “top-rated” competitors, it’s easy to spend more time researching than it’s worth.

Copilot can take your specific constraints—budget, must-have features, deal-breakers—and return a focused shortlist. Try something like: “Find me the best wireless headphones under $150, comfortable for glasses wearers, good for calls, and not bass heavy.” You’ll get a starting point instead of a rabbit hole.

2. AI compares products in a way that actually helps you decide

Most product comparison charts are either too technical or too vague. Copilot can go deeper—explaining the meaningful differences, who each option is best for, and where you’d be paying for features you won’t use.

For example: You’re deciding between two blenders that look nearly identical on paper. Copilot might say: one is louder but handles ice better; the other is quieter but struggles with frozen fruit. That’s the kind of detail that makes your decision easier.

3. AI turns thousands of reviews into useful takeaways

A product with 4.7 stars and 6,000 reviews sounds great—but reading even a fraction of them isn’t realistic. Copilot can summarize the patterns: what people consistently love, what they complain about, and whether quality issues show up after a few months of use.

It’s the difference between “4.7 stars” and “People love the comfort and organization, but zipper durability is a recurring complaint if you overload it.”

4. AI helps you track prices without the mental overhead

Prices move constantly. If you’re not in a rush, Copilot can help you figure out what a fair price looks like for a product—and with Price Tracking in Microsoft Edge , you can set price drop alerts so you’re notified when the right moment arrives.

No more checking back every few days or missing a sale. You decide when to buy; Copilot keeps watch.

5. AI is useful even when you’re in a physical store

Standing in a store aisle staring at two coffee makers? Pull up Copilot on your phone and ask it to compare them, flag what matters most for your use case, or tell you whether the price is reasonable. It’s like having a knowledgeable shopping assistant on speed dial.

AI art created via Copilot

How to use Copilot for shopping: a simple playbook

The more specific you are with Copilot , the better the output. Here’s a reliable approach:

1. Start with a “shopping brief.” Include your budget range, must-haves, nice-to-haves, and what you’ll actually use it for.

2. Ask for a shortlist of 3–5 options with reasons why each made the cut.

3. Request a side-by-side comparison with key tradeoffs and a recommended pick.

4. Sanity-check with follow-up questions: “What are the common complaints?” or “Who should not buy this?”

5. If you’re not in a rush, set a price alert and come back when the deal is right.

Ready-to-use Copilot prompts for shopping

Find options

• “I want to buy a [product]. My budget is [$X–$Y] and I care most about [top 3 priorities]. Recommend 5 options and explain why.”

• “What’s the best [product] for [specific use case]? Give me one budget pick, one mid-range, and one premium option.”

Compare products

• “Compare [Product A] vs [Product B]. What are the meaningful differences? Who is each one best for?”

• “Create a comparison table for these options: [list]. Include pros, cons, and a recommendation.”

Timing and price

• “What’s a reasonable target price for [product]? When does it typically go on sale?”

• “Should I buy this now or wait? My timeline is [timeframe].”

Make the call

• “Based on what I’ve told you, which option would you choose and why?”

• “What’s the biggest risk with this purchase, and how do I reduce it?”

A few smart habits to keep in mind

Copilot works best as a decision partner, not a replacement for basic due diligence. Before you buy:

• Double-check key specs like dimensions, compatibility, and return policy.

• Ask “why” and “what are the downsides?”—not just “which is best?”

• You generally don’t need to share sensitive personal information to get good recommendations.

The goal is confidence. Copilot does the heavy lifting, and then you make the final call.

Ready to shop smarter?

Next time you’re stuck between five “top-rated” picks, try this: tell Copilot what you actually care about, ask for a shortlist, and request a side-by-side comparison. You’ll spend less time researching—and feel a lot better about what you buy when you use Copilot as an AI assistant.

Frequently asked questions