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The places below are ranked by the kind of protection they provide, not simply by sticker price. Manufacturer-operated refurbishers generally offer the clearest warranty terms. Marketplaces provide more selection, but you must inspect the listing, seller, condition grade, and return policy yourself.
Best places to buy used electronics at a glance
| Place | Best for | Protection or return terms | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Certified Refurbished | Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches | One-year Apple warranty; free returns | Low |
| Samsung Certified Re-Newed | Galaxy phones | One-year Samsung warranty; certified battery | Low |
| Microsoft Certified Refurbished | Surface devices | 12-month warranty | Low |
| Dell Outlet | Dell laptops, desktops, monitors | 30-day returns; category-specific warranty | Low to moderate |
| Lenovo Outlet | ThinkPads and business PCs | One-year warranty on Certified Refurbished devices; generally 14-day returns | Low to moderate |
| Best Buy Outlet | Open-box and refurbished retail electronics | Return terms and warranty depend on condition and seller | Moderate |
| Amazon Renewed | Broad selection of refurbished electronics | Generally 90-day Renewed Guarantee; check the listing | Moderate |
| Amazon Resale | Used and open-box deals | Condition and included accessories are listing-specific | Moderate |
| Back Market | Comparing refurbished sellers | 30-day returns; 12-month seller warranty | Moderate |
| eBay Refurbished | Phones, laptops, cameras, and appliances | One- or two-year Allstate-serviced warranty depending on grade; free 30-day returns | Moderate |
| eBay Certified Open Box | Like-new or unsealed products | One-year Allstate warranty; free 30-day returns | Moderate |
| Swappa | Used phones and personal electronics | Staff-reviewed listings; PayPal protection; 3% buyer fee | Moderate |
| Gazelle | Used phones and tablets | 90-point inspection; 30-day returns | Moderate |
| GameStop | Consoles and gaming hardware | 90-day refurbished-tech warranty; defective-item rules generally include a 15-day exchange window | Moderate |
| Woot | Refurbished deal hunting | Generally up to 90-day Woot warranty; batteries excluded | Moderate to high |
| Walmart Resold/Restored | Low-cost phones, tablets, and appliances | Restored Premium: one-year warranty and 30-day returns; other grades vary | Moderate |
| Newegg Refurbished | PC parts and computer equipment | Vendor-specific grades and warranty terms | Moderate to high |
| B&H Used Department | Cameras, lenses, and video equipment | Condition and terms vary by listing | Moderate |
| MPB | Used cameras, lenses, and drones | Six-month warranty; 14-day returns with authorization | Low to moderate |
| ShopGoodwill.com | Vintage gear and repair projects | Seller-specific; some listings are “As Is” | High |
| OfferUp | Local, in-person bargains | In-person sales are generally final after payment | High |
| Facebook Marketplace | Local private-party sales | Little platform-backed recourse for ordinary local transactions | High |
| Local computer stores and pawn shops | Equipment you can inspect locally | Written store warranty varies | Moderate to high |
Terms can vary by product, seller, condition, and category. Read the individual listing before paying.
1. Apple Certified Refurbished
Apple Certified Refurbished is usually the safest choice for buyers who want a used Apple device without giving up manufacturer support. Apple says refurbished products receive full functional testing, genuine replacement parts when needed, and a one-year limited warranty. Refurbished iOS devices also receive a new battery and outer shell.
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- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
The tradeoff is selection. Apple does not keep every current model in stock, and the discount may be smaller than what you find on a peer-to-peer marketplace. For an expensive Mac or iPad, however, the warranty and easier returns can justify paying more.
2. Samsung Certified Re-Newed
Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program is the most straightforward route to a refurbished Galaxy phone. Samsung says these phones use genuine parts, a certified new battery, a new IMEI, and Samsung-technician inspection and cleaning. They include a one-year limited warranty.
Confirm the exact model and storage capacity before comparing prices. Samsung’s inventory is limited to models it currently offers, while third-party marketplaces may have older or carrier-specific versions.
3. Microsoft Certified Refurbished Surface
Microsoft Certified Refurbished Surface devices are screened, repaired, tested, cleaned, and repackaged with standard accessories and manuals. Microsoft lists a 12-month warranty for refurbished Surface products.
This is particularly useful for buyers comparing a refurbished Surface with a new budget laptop. Check the processor generation, RAM, storage, and keyboard configuration: an older premium Surface can still be slower—and less upgradeable—than a newer inexpensive laptop.
4. Dell Outlet
Dell Outlet sells certified refurbished, scratch-and-dent, and other outlet categories across laptops, desktops, monitors, and workstations. Dell advertises free three-to-five-day ground shipping and generally allows returns within 30 days of the invoice date, subject to product-specific exceptions.
Do not treat every Outlet label as equivalent. A certified refurbished workstation and a scratch-and-dent monitor may have different testing, cosmetic standards, and warranty coverage. Save the product page and invoice in case the condition or included accessories do not match the listing.
5. Lenovo Outlet
Lenovo Outlet is a strong source for ThinkPads, ThinkCentres, ThinkStations, Legion systems, and other Lenovo hardware. Lenovo says Certified Refurbished devices undergo testing and data sanitization, use original Lenovo parts, and receive a standard one-year Lenovo warranty.
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The return deadline is easy to miss: Outlet returns generally must be requested within 14 calendar days of the invoice date. That is considerably shorter than the 30-day period many shoppers expect from ordinary retail purchases.
6. Best Buy Outlet
Best Buy Outlet includes clearance, open-box, refurbished, and pre-owned products. Those conditions are not interchangeable. Open-box generally means a previously purchased item was returned, while refurbished and pre-owned products may have gone through different inspection or restoration processes.
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- Smart Connector. 3.5 mm headphone jack. Stereo speakers. On/Off - Sleep/Wake. Home/Touch ID sensor. Dual microphones. Volume up/down. Nano-SIM tray (cellular models). Lightning connector
- A10 Fusion chip.
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor,
- 8MP back camera, 1. 2MP FaceTime HD front camera.
- Stereo speakers.
Check whether the item is sold by Best Buy or a marketplace seller. Marketplace inventory may not qualify for Geek Squad Protection, Best Buy Protection, AppleCare+, or Samsung Care+. The seller shown on the product page determines much of the warranty and support experience.
7. Amazon Renewed
Amazon Renewed offers a broad selection of refurbished phones, computers, cameras, appliances, and accessories. Participating sellers must meet Amazon’s program requirements, and products are backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
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The generally stated customer window is 90 days for a refund or replacement, although Renewed Premium products can have different terms. Verify the guarantee on the specific product page, and inspect the seller’s rating, included accessories, battery language, and return instructions before ordering.
8. Amazon Resale
Amazon Resale is the current name used for much of Amazon’s used, pre-owned, and open-box inventory formerly associated with Amazon Warehouse. Amazon says returned merchandise is inspected and assigned a condition description before being offered for sale.
Resale is best for buyers who can tolerate cosmetic wear or missing original packaging. Read the “Condition” notes carefully. A product marked “Like New” may still arrive with a replacement charger or without the accessory you expected.
9. Back Market
Back Market makes it easy to compare refurbished phones, tablets, laptops, game consoles, headphones, and appliances from multiple refurbishers. Its U.S. offer generally includes free 30-day returns and a 12-month limited warranty.
The important distinction is who provides the warranty: the individual refurbishing seller, not Back Market itself. Start a warranty request through the order page, keep the seller and order information, and do not assume two listings with the same cosmetic grade received identical repairs or battery testing.
10. eBay Refurbished
Official eBay Refurbished listings provide more structure than ordinary eBay listings. The program uses Certified, Excellent, Very Good, and Good grades. Certified items receive a two-year Allstate-serviced warranty; the other official grades receive one year. Eligible items include free 30-day returns.
Look for the official “eBay Refurbished” program label. An ordinary listing marked “Seller Refurbished” is not automatically covered by these terms and may have only the seller’s stated warranty.
11. eBay Certified Open Box
Certified Open Box is a separate eBay program for like-new pre-owned or unsealed products. Eligible items include free shipping, free 30-day returns, and a one-year Allstate warranty.
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- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Read the listing details because the product may lack original packaging or be a factory second. Open-box can be a good middle ground when you want a lower price but do not want the uncertainty of an ungraded private-party sale.
12. Swappa
Swappa is a peer-to-peer marketplace for phones, tablets, laptops, watches, consoles, cameras, and related electronics. Staff review listings, and purchases use PayPal buyer and seller protection. Buyers also pay a 3% buyer fee, which should be included in your price comparison.
Most ordinary used listings do not include a manufacturer warranty. Your protection comes from the listing, the seller’s stated policy, PayPal, and Swappa’s dispute process. Ask about battery health, carrier status, repairs, and accessories before buying.
13. Gazelle
Gazelle is a centralized reseller for used phones, tablets, and selected Apple devices. It says devices receive a 90-point functional and cosmetic inspection and are factory-reset before shipment. Purchases can generally be returned within 30 days of delivery.
Gazelle usually refunds returned orders rather than exchanging or replacing them. If you need a specific color, storage size, or carrier model, confirm that the replacement can be found elsewhere before sending a working device back.
14. GameStop
GameStop is a practical option for pre-owned and refurbished consoles, games, controllers, phones, and gaming accessories. Its current policy states that refurbished tech has a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty through OnPoint Warranty Solutions. Defective refurbished technology can generally be exchanged through customer service within 15 days, subject to product-category rules.
Test controllers for stick drift, verify that consoles include the correct power supply, and check whether a game is a disc, cartridge, or digital-code product before treating the price as a bargain.
15. Woot
Woot regularly sells refurbished and factory-reconditioned electronics at deal-oriented prices. Its own limited warranty is generally up to 90 days unless the product page says otherwise. A manufacturer or third-party warranty shown on the product page can supersede Woot’s warranty.
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16. Walmart Resold and Walmart Restored
Walmart’s Resold category groups non-new inventory, including Pre-Owned and Restored products. Restored Premium items receive at least a one-year warranty and 30-day returns, subject to stated exceptions. Restored Like New, Good, and Fair products receive free 90-day returns, while warranty details may come from the third-party seller.
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- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Use the condition grade as a starting point, not a substitute for reading the listing. Identify the seller, warranty provider, included accessories, and battery terms before checking out.
17. Newegg Refurbished
Newegg Refurbished is especially useful for PC components, monitors, desktops, laptops, networking equipment, and peripherals. Refurbished products may use vendor-specific A, B, or C grades, and warranty support outside Newegg’s return policy generally comes from the refurbishing vendor rather than the original manufacturer.
For a graphics card or motherboard, verify the return period before buying. A component that fails after the retailer’s window may need to be shipped to a vendor you have never dealt with before.
18. B&H Used Department
B&H’s Used Department is a strong specialist source for cameras, lenses, lighting, audio equipment, and video gear. The department evaluates equipment and supplies listing-specific condition information.
Photographic equipment is unusually sensitive to condition differences. Look for notes about fungus, haze, scratches on optical elements, autofocus operation, sensor marks, included caps, and battery or charger availability. Used-equipment return and warranty terms may differ from B&H’s new-product policies.
19. MPB
MPB specializes in used cameras, lenses, drones, and video equipment. Its product specialists inspect gear, and U.S. purchases receive a six-month limited warranty. The warranty excludes consumables such as batteries and items explicitly sold for parts or repair.
MPB’s U.S. return period is 14 days, and authorization is required before sending an item back. That makes an immediate inspection essential, particularly for camera sensors, lens mounts, stabilization, autofocus, and drone batteries.
20. ShopGoodwill.com
ShopGoodwill.com can uncover inexpensive vintage electronics, unusual equipment, parts, and repair projects. It also carries substantially more risk than a conventional refurbisher. Individual Goodwill sellers set their own return policies, which appear in the listing’s “Seller Info” tab.
Some items are sold “As Is.” Other sellers may allow only a short defective-item window, such as seven days or 72 hours. Factor shipping, buyer fees, possible missing parts, and repair costs into your maximum bid.
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OfferUp works best when you can inspect and test an item in person. Its buyer guidance says in-person sales are final once payment is made; any refund or exchange is optional and up to the seller.
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Meet in a public location, do not pay before seeing the device, and bring the cable, SIM, memory card, or laptop needed for testing. For a phone, confirm that the seller has removed Apple Activation Lock or Android device protection before money changes hands.
22. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace can produce good local prices, but ordinary local transactions may have little or no platform-backed recourse. Treat the seller as a private party unless the listing clearly provides a structured purchase and return process.
The FTC recommends checking the marketplace’s refund rules, using a safer payment method, and never paying outside the platform’s payment system. Avoid gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and requests to move payment to an unrelated app.
23. Local computer stores, repair shops, and pawn shops
A reputable local shop can be worth considering because you may inspect the equipment, ask questions, and obtain a written store warranty. This is particularly useful for desktops, monitors, consoles, and business laptops.
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How to choose the safest used-electronics deal
- Start with the total cost. Add shipping, buyer fees, sales tax, a replacement charger, battery replacement, and likely repairs. A $280 phone with a $35 fee and $90 battery is not a $280 phone.
- Prefer a documented condition grade. “Certified refurbished” should identify who tested or repaired the device. “Used” alone does not tell you whether it was tested.
- Check battery coverage separately. Cosmetic grades do not reliably indicate battery health. Look for a stated capacity threshold or assume a replacement may be necessary.
- Confirm locks and compatibility. For an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > About and check Carrier Lock; an unlocked phone should say No SIM restrictions. During setup, an Activation Lock prompt means the prior owner must remove the device from their Apple Account. Android devices may require the previously associated Google Account after a reset.
- Verify the exact model. Check the model number, storage, supported U.S. carrier bands, eSIM/SIM support, ports, RAM, and processor generation. “Unlocked” does not guarantee compatibility with every carrier or region.
- Pay through protected rails. A credit card and the marketplace’s own buyer-protection system generally provide better dispute options than cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or off-platform payment.
- Test immediately. Photograph the package, serial number, condition, and startup screen. Test charging, ports, cameras, speakers, microphones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, biometrics, display uniformity, battery health, and every included accessory before the return deadline.
Used, open-box, renewed, and refurbished are different
| Label | What it may mean | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Used or pre-owned | Previously owned; testing may be limited or listing-specific | Functional testing, defects, battery, accessories, return rights |
| Open-box | Previously opened or returned, often without a full refurbishment | Who inspected it and whether all original parts are included |
| Renewed | A retailer or program’s refurbished category | Program standards and guarantee duration |
| Refurbished | Tested, repaired, cleaned, or restored to a program-specific standard | Who performed the work, replacement parts, battery standard, and warranty |
These labels are not universal quality grades. A manufacturer-backed refurbished device may have clearer standards than a marketplace listing using the same word.
FAQ
What is the safest place to buy used electronics?
Manufacturer-backed programs such as Apple Certified Refurbished, Samsung Certified Re-Newed, and Microsoft Certified Refurbished generally offer the clearest testing standards and one-year warranties. For other brands, choose a seller with a written return period and warranty rather than relying on the word “refurbished.”
Is it better to buy refurbished or used electronics?
Refurbished is usually safer when the refurbisher, testing process, battery standard, warranty, and return period are clearly stated. A used item can be a better deal if you can inspect it, test it, and pay through a protected system, but it carries more condition risk.
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How can I avoid buying a locked phone?
For an iPhone, have the seller erase it and remove it from their Apple Account, then check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock for “No SIM restrictions.” For Android, complete setup before paying and confirm that the phone does not request the previous owner’s Google Account after reset.
What should I do when a used electronic device arrives?
Record the unboxing, photograph the serial number and condition, and test every major function immediately. Check the battery, charging, ports, cameras, speakers, wireless connections, display, biometrics, accessories, and account locks before the seller’s return deadline expires.
The Bottom Line
The best place depends on the balance you want between price and recourse. Use Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Dell, or Lenovo when warranty certainty matters most. Use Back Market, eBay Refurbished, Swappa, Gazelle, or retailer outlet programs when you want more selection. Use OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, ShopGoodwill, and pawn-shop listings only when the discount compensates you for weaker protection—and only after checking the device, seller, payment method, and return terms.
Before comparing prices, calculate the all-in cost and write down the return deadline. That simple step prevents a low sticker price from becoming an expensive electronics purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
