You can save cash and assist save the planet by shopping for used or refurbished electronics as a substitute of recent units. Since many of the environmental affect of units comes from the manufacturing part, shopping for secondhand gear can cut back your carbon footprint. Do it proper, and shopping for refurbished can really feel very like shopping for new. This information delves into what you must find out about refurbished terminology, presents tips about what to search for to snag your self one of the best offers, and lists among the greatest locations to purchase refurbished devices and used electronics.
You may be fascinated with How to Buy Ethical and Eco-Friendly Electronics, The Best Used Tech to Buy and Sell, What to Think About Before Buying a Used Smartphone, and How to Responsibly Dispose of Your Electronics.
Updated March 2026: I’ve added some ideas for purchasing, new hyperlinks to refurbished sellers, and recommendation on what to do after you purchase.
Table of Contents
What Does Refurbished Mean?
There isn’t any authorized definition of refurbished. Some sellers want used, pre-loved, secondhand, reconditioned—the checklist continues. Refurbishment implies that the vendor has examined the system and should have repaired and cleaned it, however the one manner to make certain is to learn the positive print and perceive what the vendor means by no matter time period is used.
If you’re fortunate, you might get an open-box system, which a purchaser has opened however by no means truly used. Sellers should not legally allowed to resell returned units as new, and it’s frequent for all returns to finish up bought in the identical place. At the opposite finish of the dimensions, you might find yourself with a tool that appears prefer it has survived the apocalypse and doesn’t work.
Tips for Buying Refurbished
I’ll advocate just a few good locations to purchase refurbished electronics under, however first, let’s discover what it’s best to search for in a vendor and what you must do to guard your self once you purchase.
While shopping for older electronics is usually a good way to economize, there are some things to bear in mind. It could make extra sense to purchase a reduced flagship telephone from a few years in the past than a brand-new finances telephone, for instance, however there are additionally some potential cons. Always take into account software program updates and ask:
- How many extra years of software program updates will the product obtain?
- How lengthy will it proceed to get safety updates?
- What model of the software program does it include?
- How simple is it to replace the software program?
Aside from figuring out what the vendor means by refurbished, it’s best to learn the itemizing for any potential buy very fastidiously and attempt to reply questions equivalent to these:
- Has it been examined, and does every thing work?
- Does it have a brand new battery or a assure about battery well being? (This is essential for outdated telephones and laptops.)
- Has it been wiped if a earlier person set it up?
- Is there any beauty harm like scratches or cracks? (Look for a clear grading system.)
- What is included? (Does it include chargers, cables, manuals, and unique packaging?)
- Is there any guarantee supplied? (The longer the higher.)
- If there’s a downside, how do returns work? Do it’s important to pay, and what’s the return window?
If you’re unsure about something, it’s value asking before you purchase to keep away from disappointment.
Photograph: Simon Hill
There are protections for purchases, equivalent to Section 170 of the Fair Credit Billing Act within the US or Section 75 within the UK. But it’s best to use a bank card for purchases to get one of the best charge-back safety and keep away from going via a third-party cost service, equivalent to PayPal. Some banks and bank card corporations are higher than others, so it is value researching their reputations and the protections they provide.
If you’ll be able to examine and check units before you purchase, do it. Otherwise, it’s best to intently look at and totally check any system you purchase instantly once you obtain it. Remember that there’s a restricted window to report any faults or points with the situation and return an merchandise. Always preserve the field and packaging it arrived in no less than till you might be glad that you simply gained’t have to return it.
You’ve accomplished your preliminary checks and determined that you’re preserving the refurbished system to procure, however there are nonetheless a few belongings you may take into account doing earlier than you begin utilizing it.
Best Places to Buy Refurbished Electronics
Photograph: Simon Hill
You have an unlimited selection when shopping for refurbished electronics, so let’s break down your choices.
We have had some good experiences shopping for refurbished units from their unique producers, which is sensible since they know exactly learn how to check and restore their very own units. All of those producers certify the refurbished units they promote, and most supply no less than a one-year guarantee, however the financial savings differ; for instance, Apple presents as much as 15 % off, whereas Dell presents as much as 50 % off.
