Tips and Advice for Buying Used or Refurbished Electronics

You can save money and help save the planet by buying used or refurbished electronics instead of new devices. Since most of the environmental impact of devices comes from the manufacturing phase, buying used equipment can reduce your carbon footprint. Do it right, and buying new can feel like buying new. This guide explains what you need to know about refurbished terminology, offers tips on what to look for to find the best deals, and lists some of the best places to buy refurbished gadgets and used electronics.

You might also be interested in How to Buy Ethical and Eco-Friendly Electronics, The best used technology to buy and sell, What to think about before buying a used smartphoneAnd How to Responsibly Dispose of Your Electronics.

Updated March 2026: I’ve added some buying tips, new links to refurbished sellers, and advice on what to do after purchasing.

What does refurbished mean?

There is no legal definition of reconditioned. Some sellers prefer pre-owned, pre-owned, second-hand, refurbished products – the list goes on. Refurbished implies that the seller has tested the device and may have repaired and cleaned it, but the only way to be sure is to read the fine print and understand what the seller means by whatever term they use.

If you’re lucky, you might get an open box device, which a buyer opened but never actually used. Sellers are not legally allowed to resell returned devices as new, and it’s common for all returns to end up being sold in the same place. At the other end of the scale, you might end up with a device that looks like it survived the apocalypse and isn’t working.

Tips for Buying Refurbished Products

I’ll recommend some good places to buy refurbished electronics below, but first let’s explore what you should look for in a seller and what you should do to protect yourself when you buy.

While purchasing older electronics is often a great way to save money, there are a few things to keep in mind. It may make more sense to buy a discounted flagship phone from a few years ago rather than a brand new budget phone, for example, but there are some potential downsides as well. Always think about software updates and ask:

How many additional years of software updates will the product receive?
How long will it continue to receive security updates?
What version of software is provided?
Is it easy to update the software?

In addition to determining what the seller means by refurbished, you should read the listing very carefully for any potential purchase and try to answer questions such as these:

Has it been tested and does everything work?
Does it have a new battery or warranty on battery condition? (This is crucial for older phones and laptops.)
Was it cleared if a previous user had set it up?
Is there any cosmetic damage like scratches or cracks? (Look for a transparent grading system.)
What is included? (Does it come with chargers, cables, manuals and original packaging?)
Is there a guarantee offered? (The longer, the better.)
If there is a problem, how are returns handled? Do you have to pay and what is the return window?

If you are unsure about something, it is worth asking before purchasing to avoid disappointment.

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There are protections for purchases, such as Section 170 of the Fair Credit Billing Act in the United States or Section 75 in the United Kingdom. But you should use a credit card for your purchases to get the best protection against chargebacks and avoid go through a third-party payment servicelike PayPal. Some banks and credit card companies are better than others, so it’s worth researching their reputation and the protections they offer.

If you can inspect and test the devices before purchasing, do so. Otherwise, you should carefully examine and thoroughly test any device you purchase immediately when you receive it. Please remember that there is a limited window to report any defects or condition-related issues and return an item. Always keep the box and packaging it came in at least until you are satisfied that you will not need to return it.

You’ve done your first tests and decided to keep the refurbished device you purchased, but there are still a few things you might consider doing before you start using it.

Clean it: Even though it may look clean, I would still give it a quick look. We have guides on how to clean a tv screen or monitor, how to clean AirPods and headphones, how to clean your keyboard, how to clean your smartphoneAnd how to clean your computer.
Wipe it: This is unlikely if you are buying a refurbished device, but when buying second-hand you may find that the previous owner failed to wipe down the device properly, so you will need to do this before you start using it. We have guides on how to reset a smartphone to factory settings And how to reset a laptop to factory settings.

Best Places to Buy Refurbished Electronics

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You have a huge choice when shopping for refurbished electronics, so let’s break down your options.

We’ve had good experiences purchasing refurbished devices from their original manufacturers, which makes sense since they know precisely how to test and repair their own devices. All of these manufacturers certify the refurbished devices they sell and most offer at least a one-year warranty, but savings vary; for example, Apple offers up to 15% off, while Dell offers up to 50% off.

Some brands have outlets for refurbished equipment on eBay, so it’s worth looking if you have a specific brand in mind. For example, Bose, Panasonic, DysonAnd Kitchen help all have official eBay stores that sell refurbished products.

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Many major retailers and carriers offer refurbished electronics, usually in a separate store, and there are some good deals to be had. Here are some of your best options:

Several specialists refurbish electronic devices to high standards and sell them with return policies and warranties.

Return to the market: You can find all kinds of electronics at Back Marketincluding smartphones, tablets, smart watches, game consoles, headphones, speakers and even household appliances. The devices are professionally refurbished and you can find a detailed explanation of what does that mean. Everything comes with a 30-day return policy (at no cost to you) and a one-year warranty.

KÉH: This camera specialist offers a wide range of refurbished cameras and accessories that have been inspected, renewed and graded. It also offers repair services and expert advice. It all comes with a 21-day return policy (with a $25 handling fee) and a 180-day warranty.

Retrospection: Specializing in Polaroid cameras, Retrospekt refurbishes original cameras and combines renovated interiors with new exteriors. It also sells old game consoles, VCRs, and typewriters, as well as vinyl, cassettes, VHS tapes, camera film, and more. The devices come with a 30-day return policy (with return shipping and 10% restocking fee) and a 90-day warranty.

There are many other options for refurbished technologies, including Gazelle And Repost it. People in the UK should try OC.

You can find used electronics, sometimes for great prices, at charity stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army, but many charities now sell the best electronics donations they receive through websites like eBay or pass them on to third-party services that refurbish the devices for them. If you’re poking around in a store, be sure to ask if the devices have been tested and see if you can try them before you buy, or at least return them for a refund if you take them home and discover they don’t work.

You’ll get the best prices when you buy directly from other people, but these potential savings should be weighed against the risks of acquiring a faulty device or being scammed. Marketplace sites that serve as intermediaries for private sales offer some protection to buyers, but also charge fees on each sale, which can inflate prices slightly. While you can find good deals and reputable sellers, there are some risks, and support can be disappointing and time-consuming if you ever need to dispute something.

eBay: You can find everything on eBay, the sellers have ratings, and there are a few protection against scams. We have a detailed guide on how to buy used equipment on ebay.
Écha nge: Another market that connects buyers and sellers to a small extent, Swappa focuses on electronics. It doesn’t allow broken equipment, does some basic checks on some devices, and has people review and approve listings.
Vinté: Initially aimed at clothing, Vinted has expanded to electronics and connects buyers and sellers for a fee. She recently launched a Electronic Verification Service so that sellers can send the devices for testing before sending them to buyers. Unfortunately, it is only available in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland and Lithuania.
MPB: This company has specialists who check the quality of used photo equipment. Buyers benefit from a six-month warranty.

To get the lowest possible prices, you can cut out the middlemen completely and agree to a direct sale with a buyer, but this can be very risky, especially for electronics.

Craigslist: Simple and straightforward listings, but you will need to arrange to meet the seller and usually pay in cash. The danger is that you have little or no recourse if the electronics you buy are defective or stolen.
Gum: This is a popular Craigslist alternative in the UK that offers similar listings with buyers and sellers meeting directly and usually paying in cash.
Facebook Marketplace: Someone on Facebook Marketplace probably has exactly what you’re looking for. Just be wary of scams, choose a public hangout like a park, and bring a friend if you’re nervous.

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