84% of e-commerce merchants say that finding a good dropshipping supplier has been the biggest hurdle to starting their own dropshipping business.
So, why is finding good dropshipping suppliers such a challenge? There are 2 main reasons:
- Many dropshipping companies are small, making them difficult to find through a simple Google search.
- There are plenty of dishonest companies out there ready to charge sky high fees or even scam dropshippers.
In this article we’ll help you navigate the minefield of finding the right supplier for your dropshipping business. We’ll show 24 of the best dropshipping suppliers out there, including those for dedicated niches. We’ll also talk you through:
- the different types of dropshipping companies out there.
- how to pick the right supplier.
- what steps to follow once you have found them.
- and how to spot a fake dropshipping company.
Then we will dive into our ultimate list of the 24 best dropshipping suppliers, before tackling a few FAQs just for good measure.
Got you covered? Great, then let’s get to finding the ultimate dropshipping supplier.
The different types of dropshipping companies
When you’re looking for a supplier for your dropshipping business it’s important that you understand the different types of companies out there. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main ones.
E-commerce marketplaces
An e-commerce marketplace is an online platform consisting of a massive network of sellers. Marketplaces allow you to manage all your relationships with dropship suppliers from a single place.
Marketplaces are a great option if you want to sell products in different categories sourced from a variety of dropshipping suppliers.
The AliExpress Dropshipping Center is a great example of a marketplace dedicated to dropshippers. Check out this in depth guide to the AliExpress Dropshipping Center.
Manufacturers
Going straight to the manufacturer is your best bet if you want the lowest possible prices – no third parties involved means no additional costs. While this can be incredibly lucrative in some cases, there are three points that you should consider.
- Not all manufacturers will be able to facilitate dropshipping. This means that you’ll probably need to use dropshipping software to get things moving.
- You’ll be limited to the product ranges of your chosen manufacturers.
- At scale, sourcing different products from different manufacturers can become a fairly complex juggling act.
Wholesale suppliers
Rather than manufacturing products of their own, wholesale suppliers operate warehouses with inventory from a variety of manufacturers.
Just like marketplaces, wholesale suppliers are a great option if you don’t want to be stuck with only one type of product.
The prices - while not as low as sourcing directly from manufacturers - are reasonable. This makes wholesale suppliers an excellent option for dropshipping.
Supplier directories
Supplier directories give you access to a variety of vetted suppliers (including their prices and other relevant information) from around the world. You can partner with them and start selling their products from your online store.
Most supplier directories are locked behind a paywall, so if you want to use them you’ll have to pay a membership fee. Some directories, however, can be accessed free of charge. Some of those free directories are featured in our list of the best dropshipping companies.
A checklist for picking the right dropshipping supplier
When you find a good option from our list of the best dropshipping companies, you’ll then need to check they meet your needs. Here’s a checklist you can follow to ensure you pick the right dropshipping supplier.
1. Read product reviews
These will help you to get an idea about the quality of the supplier’s products and customer service. Think about your brand and what quality level you need for your products. And what customer service expectations do your customers have? Then make sure your dropship supplier is the right fit.
2. Understand their policies
Suppliers have different policies for handling damaged goods, missing packages, returns, and more. These can usually be found on the supplier’s website. Think about your target customer demographic and product niche when looking at these policies.
- How fragile are the goods?
- What are standard shipping and return conditions in your product niche?
- Do you want to offer trials or free returns on your products?
3. Order a batch of product samples
Pictures, descriptions and reviews can provide lots of valuable information, but nothing can beat holding a product in your own hands. In addition, this will allow you to see what the real delivery times are and adjust the shipping details on your website accordingly.
4. Understand the costs
Before jumping head first into a partnership, make sure that you have a firm grasp on shipping rates, subscription, stocking fees, or any other fees they may have. You want to make sure you avoid any unforeseen or hidden costs that can hurt you down the line, so read that small print.
5. Check for automation possibilities
When looking for suitable partners, prioritize suppliers that have integrations with your e-commerce platform. This way, as your business scales, you’ll be able to automate most of the daily workflows and focus on growing your revenue streams. You may not be using automations just yet, but you’ll definitely need them as you grow.
Tips on what to do before contacting a dropshipping supplier
Once you’ve zeroed in on a supplier, there are a few more things that you should consider before picking up the phone or introducing yourself via email. Here are some tips to help you out.
Tip 1: Make sure your company is set up
Your business needs to be legally incorporated before you start contacting dropshipping suppliers about anything concrete. If you want to make a proposal or get a quote, most suppliers will want to know that you are a real company.
Tip 2: Provide specific business plans and build trust
Suppliers, and especially wholesalers, get tons of calls and emails every day. They hear entrepreneurs talking excitedly about their revolutionary new business strategies.
But what these dropship suppliers actually want is capable, dependable partners with real-world experience. So, be specific about your plans and provide a concrete date for launching your online store or new product line. Also, you should communicate any successes that you’ve had in the past that prove you are reliable - experience in sales and/or marketing will go down very well. Your aim should be to build trust before you ask for discounts or make any special requests.
Tip 3: Pick up the phone
Talking to dropship suppliers over the phone may be nerve-wracking if you’re new to dropshipping. The good news is that most companies are used to having people call them, including nervous first-time entrepreneurs.
More than likely, you’ll get through to someone who’s friendly and fully equipped to answer your questions. If you’re still feeling anxious, a good idea would be to write out your questions in advance.
In the end, with a phone call you’ll get the information you need more quickly and there’s no risk of your enquiry getting overlooked in an inundated inbox.
How to spot fake dropshipping companies
We’re about to give you 24 great dropshipping suppliers to choose from, so this really shouldn’t be an issue. But of course, you might want to look further afield. In which case, beware of fake dropshipping companies. Here are some red flags to look out for.
Red flag 1: A low quality website
In many cases, a spammy website will be your first clue that there’s an issue. Sure, wholesalers - and to a lesser extent manufacturers - aren’t exactly known for their marketing or web design skills. But a cluttered, barely functional website often indicates that the “company” is only interested in making a quick buck and closing down before anyone gets wise to the scam.
Browse around for a few minutes and see if you can find a comprehensive “About Us” section, company address and other details. If not, don’t waste your time and just move on – there are plenty of other options.
Red flag 2: refusing to sign a contract/agreement
Formal business relations always function on the basis of a contract or agreement. These should specify the rights and duties of the contractual parties and the procedure to be followed in the case of any disputes or ambiguities.
If a supplier refuses to enter into a legally binding contract or agreement, something is definitely not right.
Here is an excellent dropship contract template that you can use for drawing up agreements with your suppliers.
Red flag 3: Wholesalers that sell to the public
Things like pre-order fees and minimum order sizes are perfectly legitimate. But beware “wholesalers” who offer their products to the general public at “wholesale” price.
It’s a scam. Companies who do this are just retailers selling products at inflated prices.
24 of the best dropshipping companies
Alright, you know everything you need to know about finding a supplier. So, let’s get to the actual list. We’ve divided it up into the following product niches:
- Clothing and footwear.
- Electronics, software and IT.
- Jewelry, necklaces and other accessories.
- Home decor and furniture.
Then we finish up by going through the best supplier directories and software for dropshippers.
Clothing and footwear dropshipping suppliers
BrandsGateway
Who they are: Trusted by more than 50,000 B2B registered users, BrandsGateway is considered to be the largest online marketplace for dropshipping luxury brands.
What they sell: You can choose from 90,000+ designer items from luxury brands with discounts of up to 90%. In addition, there is no minimum order amount for registered dropshippers.
BrandsGateway provides its network of dropshippers with the opportunity to sell luxury clothing and accessories at high margins (up to 250%) by setting their own prices. Best of all, they can deliver around the world within 5 days.
Pricing: You can choose between three all-in-one packages: a monthly one that costs $360, a start-up package for $720 (paid every three months), or an annual package for $2,070.
Buy2Bee
Who they are: Buy2Bee has an extensive catalogue of clothing and footwear.
What they sell: A wide range of clothing and shoes for men, women, and children. Their brands include Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Chloé, and many others.
Pricing: Sign-up costs start at $199/month. Once you’ve set up an account, you can use the Shopify app or Buy2Bee’s own API to integrate with your store and sync product information and images automatically.
CCWholesaleClothing
Who they are: CCWholesaleClothing is an LA-based wholesaler and dropshipper of women’s clothing. Over 3,500 unique items are added to the catalogue 3-4 times per week.
What they sell: Women’s clothing, accessories (belts, sunglasses, handbags, etc.), and jewelry.
Pricing: The dropshipping program starts at $19.99/month and gives you access to their wholesale price list, datafeed (updated every 2 hours), and all product images. The minimum order limit is $100 and you can dropship products one at a time.
Sparkle in Pink
Who they are: Sparkle in Pink’s motto is “Adorable made Affordable!”. The company has a small team of professional designers who are constantly looking for the latest trends and making children’s clothing that doesn’t break the bank.
With only a slight mark up on top production costs, the company offers low prices and excellent quality.
What they sell: Children’s clothing, footwear, and accessories. Dropshipping with them is extremely easy – all you have to do is add the “Drop Ship My Order” to your cart, type in your customer’s address in the shipping address section at checkout, and the order will be shipped the next business day.
Dropshipping suppliers for electronics, software, and other IT products
ASI Partner
Who they are: Established in 1987, ASI Partner is a hardware and software wholesaler. The company has over 500 employees across 13 warehouse locations in the US and Canada. As a leading distributor of IT products, ASI is now working with over 10,000 organizations of all sizes that rely on its industry experience and expertise.
You can choose from a massive catalogue of roughly 20,000 products made by tech giants like Asus, Intel, Msi, Microsoft, Kingston, and many more.
What they sell: Computer hardware, software, and other IT products.
Uniqbe
Who they are: Uniqbe is a wholesaler and dropshipper offering a massive variety of electronics and IT products, including tablets, smartphones, and cameras. They carry over 1,000 products from brands like Nokia, Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Google, LG, and others.
Since they don’t charge any sign-up fees, it’s a great option if you’re just starting out and your funds are somewhat limited.
You can browse their website to get an idea of what their prices are like or go straight to the dropshipping page for some more detailed info.
What they sell: Consumer electronics (tablets, smartphones, smart wearables, earphones, accessories)
MegaGoods
Who they are: MegaGoods, founded in 2004, is one of the leading distributors and dropshippers of consumer electronics and video game-related products at wholesale prices. Don’t let the dated website fool you – they provide excellent service and quality merchandise.
What they sell: Consumer electronics such as headphones, gaming accessories, home stereo systems, cameras, and TVs
Pricing: The general service fee is $14.99/month.
Albany Distributing
Who they are: Albany Distributing is a wholesaler and dropshipping supplier of consumer electronics. After signing up, you’ll be provided with access to their product data feed that can be linked up with your e-commerce store and other platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and WooCommerce.
The company offers over 40,000 products from 600 brand name manufacturers at wholesale prices. Orders placed by 3 PM EST are dispatched the same business day and shipments can be made worldwide.
Albany Distributing alos guarantees what they call “Super Blind Dropshipping.” This means that their name will remain invisible to your customers. In addition, they accept returns on most items within 30 days.
What they sell: Consumer electronics (laptops, printers, phone accessories), office suppliers, and more
Dropshipping suppliers for jewelry, necklaces, and other accessories
Richard Cannon Jewelry
Who they are: Richard Cannon Jewelry is a leading manufacturer and wholesaler of fine jewelry (gold, silver, and diamond) established in the New York diamond district in 1999.
The company offers over 3,000 unique items with no minimum order limit for dropshipping accounts. Shipping is available both locally and internationally.
Their product feed is automatically updated in real time and compatible with eBay, Amazon, and Shopify. Go to the dropship page or check out their extensive FAQ to find out more.
What they sell: Jewelry (chains, bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces, pendants, and more)
Pricing: Monthly fee is $29.99 with no long-term commitment. If you want, you can have a 7 day free trial to make sure that it’s a good match for your business.
Gold-N-Diamonds
Who they are: Gold-N-Diamonds Inc. was founded in 1998. It is one of the largest manufacturers and wholesalers of gold, silver, platinum, and diamond jewelry in the US.
The company has a total of 93 employees across all of its locations and generates $8.95 million in sales a year.
They offer a truly massive range of products – over 80,000 unique items ready for immediate shipping (usually on the same day). Contact them directly or go to their dropshipping page to find out more.
What they sell: Jewelry (gold, silver, platinum, and diamond)
Ancient Wisdom
Who they are: Ancient Wisdom is a wholesaler operating a modern 30,000 square foot distribution warehouse. It offers 10,000+ products that are produced in India, Indonesia, Nepal, and China. In addition, they manufacture bathroom, aromatherapy, and home fragrance products.
Ancient Wisdom has been dropshipping since 2011 with over 5,000 product lines available for this service. They offer low minimum order limits and delivery charges.
What they sell: Jewelry, bathroom products, home fragrance items, gifts and gift packaging, eco and fashion bags
Dropshipping suppliers for home décor and furniture
Urban Country Décor
Who they are: Urban Country Décor is a dropshipping supplier headquartered in Canada. It offers a wide range of furniture and home décor products.
The merchandise is shipped from their fulfillment location in Ontario or directly from the manufacturer within 7-14 business days.
What they sell: Furniture, floor mats, and home décor accessories
Wholesale Interiors
Who they are: Wholesale Interiors has been selling furniture online since 2002.
The company focuses on meeting – and exceeding – industry standards by hiring, training, and retaining the finest crafts people. Their inventory consists of over 350 unique designs and over 1,500 stock-keeping units.
Go to their Baxton Studio/Wholesale Interiors Trade Program Registration page to see if you qualify for a dropshipping account.
What they sell: Furniture, including commercial
Eastwind Wholesale Gift Distributors
Who they are: Eastwind Wholesale Gift Distributors is a wholesaler of unique home décor accessories, gifts, and seasonal merchandise with a massive range of different products.
Shipments are completed within 1-3 days and there’s no minimum order limit, which gives you some extra flexibility.
For more information on their dropshipping conditions, visit their FAQ page.
What they sell: Home décor products, candles, gifts, figurines, home accessories, jewelry, kitchen accessories, toys, and more
Park Designs
Who they are: Park Designs has been in business for over two decades, selling home and kitchen textiles, decorative accessories, and lighting fixtures at wholesale prices.
Check out their dropship section for available items.
What they sell: Kitchen accessories, lighting fixtures, rugs, bath towels and more
Dropshipping suppliers for makeup, skincare, and other beauty products
Beauty Joint
Who they are: Beauty Joint is one of the leading online wholesalers and dropshippers of makeup, skincare, and other beauty products for women. The company offers both name brand products and unique artisanal beauty brands. All products are available for international delivery.
Check out their dropshipping page for more information.
What they sell: Makeup, nail polish, skincare and hair products
GreenDropShip
Who they are: GreenDropShip is a dropshipping supplier offering access to over 20,000 natural, organic, gourmet, and specialty products. All items can be imported to your Shopify, WooCommerce, or marketplace account, and sold either individually or in bulk.
What they sell: Natural and organic body care products, vitamins and supplements, health and wellness items, household and baby products
Pricing: Membership of their dropship program costs $149/year.
Volcanic Earth
Who they are: Volcanic Earth is a unique manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and exporter of organic, eco-friendly skin and hair care products. All products are made with volcanic ash, pumice, and tamanu oil on the basis of old-but-golden recipes of people from the Republic of Vanuatu.
Their products are available for dropshipping. Register to see prices and other pertinent information.
What they sell: Skin and hair care products
Strawberrynet
Who they are: Strawberrynet is an industry-leading e-commerce company that sells and delivers beauty and skincare products to 190+ countries around the world. Their product range comprises over 33,000 items from more than 800 brands. The fact that Strawberrynet has been going strong for 20+ years is proof enough that it doesn’t sell cheap, low-quality products or provide sub-standard customer service.
Shipments are dispatched within 24 hours and have a 30 day return guarantee.
Check out their partner program for more information on dropshipping.
What they sell: Makeup, skincare products, perfume, home scents, hair care products
Dropshipping supplier directories and software
Oberlo
Oberlo is hands-down the best free dropshipping supplier directory on the market today. With Oberlo, you’ll be able to easily find products on AliExpress to sell in your Shopify store. Easy sign-up process, over 30,000 products ready to dropship around the world, 60+ niche categories – what’s not to like?
The basic functionality of Oberlo is accessible completely free of charge. Paid plans start at $29.99/months.
Modalyst
Modalyst is an automated dropshipping app. Thanks to its API partnership with AliExpress Dropshipping, all you need to get access to millions of products is a suitable Google Chrome extension.
Along with glitzy brands like Calvin Klein, DSquare, and Dolce & Gabbana, Modalyst also has a curated list of cool independent brands whose products can be shipped to over 80 countries around the world.
Modalyst offers a free 14 day trial, a free “Hobby” plan with a 25 product limit, a $35/month “Start Up” plan with a 250 product limit, and a $90/month “Pro” plan with no product limit and access to premium suppliers.
Worldwide Brands
Worldwide Brands – a real industry veteran founded in 1999 – is one of the best wholesale supplier directories out there. All suppliers included in the directory have been thoroughly vetted as legitimate and reliable.
The product list is quite astounding, with over 16 million certified wholesale items available. It covers dropshipping niches ranging from pet supplies to jewelry.
Joining Worldwide Brands is not cheap ($299), but you get lifetime access to an amazing resource that can help you brainstorm ideas or find the best suppliers in any product category.
SaleHoo
SaleHoo is a supplier directory that is popular with merchants on eBay and Amazon. The directory has over 8,000 bulk-purchase and dropshipping suppliers, which would pretty much set you up for life!
Unlike some other comparable resources, SaleHoo is very affordable ($67/year) and offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Wholesale Central
This is one of the few supplier directories that is completely free of charge to use. Their business model relies on charging suppliers a fee to be listed and displaying ads on their websites.
With over 1,400 dropshipping suppliers and 700,000+ products, Wholesale Central is a great resource for dropshippers in many different niches.
A word of caution, though. While most of the suppliers are screened for legitimacy, you should probably stay vigilant. Scammers are adept at finding their way into resources not locked behind a paywall.
Dropshipping suppliers: the takeaways
Finding high-quality, reliable wholesalers and other suppliers for your dropshipping business may not look easy. And sure, it’s going to take some time and effort to get it right. But when you know how and where to look for them, it’s really not that big of a deal.
With all the options available to you, from supplier directories and dropshipping software, all the way to marketplaces and individual wholesalers, finding a supplier in your niche shouldn’t be a problem.
If you’re just starting out try free resources like Oberlo, Modalyst, and Wholesale Central. Then once you’re set up, you can start looking to connect directly with suppliers to improve your profitability.
Once you’ve found a good supplier and the products you get from them are selling well, the next step in growing your dropshipping business will be to add more products. For this, you’ll want to know which products are most popular at the moment. Check out this guide to the best selling products online in 2021 for some inspiration!
