Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Auditors

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Plan (Nos. 333-49371 and 333-80967), the 1997 Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (No. 333-39531), the 1997 Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Nos. 333-39533 and 333-61897), the 1987 Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (No. 33-54875), the 1994 Full-Time Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (No. 33-54871), and the 1987 Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (No. 33-54873) of Best Buy Co., Inc. of our report dated March 28, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Best Buy Co., Inc. incorporated by reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended February 26, 2000.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 24, 2000

QuickLinks