Buying Used Electronics Online: A 15-Point Checklist
A 15-point checklist for buying used phones, laptops, TVs and consoles online: locks and blacklists, battery health, screen defects and proof of ownership.
Buying Refurbished Electronics: What to Check
How to buy refurbished phones, laptops and tablets with confidence: refurbished vs used vs open-box, grades, warranties, battery health and seller checks.
Key takeaways
- “Refurbished” isn’t a regulated term, so quality depends on who did the work.
- Look for a warranty (ideally a year), a return window, battery health details and an unlocked, activation-free device.
- Test everything as soon as it arrives, and check the model still gets security updates.
On this page
Refurbished electronics can cost a lot less than new and keep good devices out of landfill. The catch is that “refurbished” isn’t a regulated term. It can mean a device restored by the manufacturer with new parts and a full warranty, or a used phone wiped and given a quick polish. Buy from manufacturers or reputable refurbishers, and check the warranty, return window, battery health and lock status before you pay.
Refurbished, renewed, used or open-box?
| Label | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer refurbished | Inspected, repaired and tested by the brand, often with new parts and a full warranty |
| Seller refurbished or “renewed” | Restored by a third-party refurbisher; standards and warranties vary |
| Open-box | Returned or display item, often nearly new, sold by a retailer |
| Used or pre-owned | Sold as is, usually with little or no testing or warranty |
Who does the work matters
| Source | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer programs | The strongest standards. Apple’s Certified Refurbished products, for example, come with a one-year warranty, and refurbished iPhones get a new battery and outer shell |
| Retailer programs | Warranties and return periods vary by program; read the terms |
| Specialist refurbishment marketplaces | Many independent sellers under a platform guarantee; check each seller’s rating and warranty |
| Individual sellers | The least protection; treat it as buying used |
Understand the grades
Many sellers grade cosmetic condition, but there’s no industry standard:
- Excellent or A: little or no visible wear.
- Good or B: light scratches or scuffs.
- Fair or C: obvious wear, fully working.
Read each seller’s own definitions and look at example photos. Grades usually describe appearance only; function should be tested regardless of grade.
Checklist before you buy
- Warranty: how long, and who honors it (the manufacturer, the refurbisher or the marketplace)? A year is a good benchmark.
- Return window: enough time to test everything properly.
- Battery health: for phones, ask for the battery health percentage; for laptops, the cycle count. A worn battery is the most common weakness.
- Unlocked and compatible: check it works with your carrier and bands.
- Not blacklisted: a phone reported lost or stolen may be blocked by carriers; ask for the IMEI and check it.
- Not activation-locked: the device must be free of the previous owner’s Apple or Google account.
- Exact specification: storage, memory, processor and model year.
- Accessories: is a charger and cable included, and is it genuine?
- Software support: check the manufacturer still provides security updates for the model.
Our used electronics checklist covers extra checks for buying from individuals.
When it arrives: test everything
| Area | What to test |
|---|---|
| Screen | Dead pixels, discoloration, touch response across the whole display |
| Buttons and ports | Every button, charging port, headphone jack and card slot |
| Cameras | Front and back, focus, flash and video |
| Audio | Speakers, microphone and calls |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, GPS |
| Battery | Charge to full and watch the drain over a normal day |
| Laptops | Keyboard, trackpad, webcam, fans and temperature under load |
| Accounts | You can sign in with your own account and run a factory reset |
If anything is wrong, contact the seller immediately and keep a record. Don’t let the return window run out while you wait for replies.
Good and not-so-good buys
Usually good value refurbished: phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, game consoles, cameras and lenses, and smartwatches from recent generations.
Be more cautious with: older devices near the end of software support, cheap earbuds (hygiene and battery wear) and anything whose battery can’t be replaced.
How much can you save?
Discounts vary with the model’s age, the grade and the seller. The newest flagship models are often only modestly cheaper refurbished, while devices a generation or two old usually offer the biggest savings for the smallest compromise. Compare the refurbished price with the current new price, which often drops after a launch, and with a newer refurbished model. Factor in the warranty too: a slightly higher price with a one-year warranty can be the better deal.
Paying safely
Pay by credit card or a service with buyer protection so you can dispute a charge if the item isn’t as described. Our guide to buyer protection with PayPal, cards and banks explains how each works, and returns and refunds rights covers what sellers must offer.
The sustainability bonus
Buying refurbished extends a device’s life, and passing on your old one keeps it in use too. If you’re upgrading, see our guide on whether to sell or trade in your old phone, and recycle anything that can’t be reused through a certified electronics recycler.
Frequently asked questions
Is refurbished as good as new?
Manufacturer-refurbished devices can be very close to new, with new parts and a full warranty. Third-party refurbished quality varies, so the warranty and seller reputation matter.
Is refurbished better than used?
Usually, because refurbished devices are tested and come with a warranty and returns. A used device from an individual is often cheaper but carries more risk.
What warranty should a refurbished device have?
Look for at least 90 days and ideally a year, and check who handles repairs. Manufacturer programs typically offer the strongest cover.
Sources
Every article is edited by a human and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
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