If you’re in the market for a new tablet or laptop, grabbing a refurbished device saves you money and can reduce electronic waste. Yet, when buying second-hand, there are some extra things you want to consider. To help you on your tech journey, we spoke to tech repair experts about how to shop for new-to-you gear.
First things first: Get clear about what you’re looking for. According to Mohammad Shaikh, owner of The Tech Guys in Richardson, Texas not all second-hand tech is equal. “Refurbished’ does not mean the same as ‘used,’” Shaikh told HuffPost. “Refurbished devices are professionally restored to a functional and cosmetic standard, often with warranties, whereas used devices are sold as-is.”
Within the refurbished world, you’ll likely see sellers or retailers classify quality in levels, which can differ from seller to seller. Harding notes that your local computer repair shop likely sells refurbished tech and even suggests checking out electronics recyclers (which he says you can find on Google). Amazon has created its own categorization for its refurbished product program, Amazon Renewed.
On Amazon Renewed, refurbished products are rated from “acceptable” (a fully functional device with potential light cosmetic damage and at least 80% of the original battery life) all the way up to “premium,” a superior functioning device with no scratches or signs of cosmetic damage and at least 90% of the original battery life. (If you’re shopping off Amazon, Andy Harding of Massachusetts Salem Techsperts advises to look out for “business-class” devices, which are “the best in the industry.”)
Sam Schiff, a tech repair expert based in New York City said, “If you’re on the fence, try to consider what you’ll use the device for. Most users don’t need the latest and greatest machine for basic tasks. As long as the device is coming from a reputable supplier with a good return policy, buying refurbished is pretty low risk and can help save the planet and a bunch of money!”
Schiff also suggested researching the specific year and model you’re thinking of getting. Like cars, some years and models of certain tech have had recalls or major issues. A quick Reddit search can likely show you if other users have had issues. Harding also suggests looking at potential repairs the device may need, battery replacement prices, storage, system upgrade options and factoring in how long you plan to have this item.
After ensuring the device listing is “refurbished” the experts recommend looking at the return policy and warranties. “Spend time researching the seller, device and available reviews,” Shaikh said. “Make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable source to avoid scams or poorly refurbished products.” Seller and return policy info is easily available on Amazon Renewed — you’ll find it right under the “Add to Cart” and “Buy Now” buttons. Simply click on the seller name, where you can read reviews and learn more about the seller.
Amazon Renewed has a network of qualified sellers that inspect, test and clean products before listing them on the site’s marketplace. These tech products are protected by the site’s Renewed guarantee, which includes a minimum 90-day window in which you can return your purchase for any reason, and receive free troubleshooting support for any claims.
Here are some great Apple finds from Amazon Renewed plus promising reviews from shoppers who bought and enjoy the products.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Product rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for runners, gym rats, hikers and anyone who loves data, this adventure-ready watch is made for going off-trail and underwater. The “always on” display makes it fully functional as a daily watch, with a battery that can go up to 72 hours, tracking everything from heart rate to cycling speed to high tide. It works as a fully functional GPS, so you’ll never lose the trail.
Price comparison: A new model currently retails for around $800, putting the refurbished price of $490 at a discount of almost 40%.
Promising review: “Best Apple Watch I’ve owned. I have owned two other Apple watches and have loved them. However, this one is the biggest and best yet. I am impressed at how good it looks and how long the battery lasts. I can easily get 48 hours out of it with one charge. It is large and bright. I loved that this reconditioned watch was a few hundred dollars cheaper than a brand-new one. Mine looks like it is brand new.” — RKF
Product rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
A solid Apple watch option that’s thorough but straightforward, the 2nd-generation Apple Watch SE lets you text and take calls, listen to music and podcasts, use Siri or call for help if you’re in an emergency. It tracks your heart rate and can go underwater up to 50 meters deep. Plus, it can detect if you take a fall and prompt you to call for help!
Price comparison: Though the price changes between colors and sizes, the same 44-millimeter white option brand new retails for $219, meaning you’re saving about 33% going refurbished.
Promising review: “So happy with the quality of this watch, it was perfect condition and so much cheaper than buying a brand new one. Had my Apple Watch 3 for 8 years and just now losing battery power. Time for a newer one and this one is fantastic!!” — KT
Product rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
With a larger screen area than previous models, this series 7 Apple Watch is easier to read whether you’re on a run or just waking up. The crack-resistant screen makes it a good option to buy secondhand, and it’s still dust-resistant and “swimproof.” Track your heart rate, blood oxygen, daily fitness stats and play music, podcasts or audiobooks.
Price comparison: The Series 7 is discontinued, but this is still less than half the price of the Series 10, which starts at around $400 new.
Promising review: “It was time to upgrade the wife’s watch. But we didn’t want to break the bank. We try to stay a generation or two behind phones and watches to save money, but sometimes its hard to find a used device that doesn’t have problems. Buying this refurbished watch from Amazon was the perfect choice. Let Amazon figure out if it works or not, lol. I will happily go this route again in the future when its time to upgrade again!” — Christopher P.
Product rating: 4 out of 5 stars
For just over $200, this 2017 MacBook Air is a great option for students, kids or anyone who wants to try a Mac without dropping a ton of cash. It still has a headphone jack and USB plug-in, with dual built-in microphones and a FaceTime camera for video chatting or taking PhotoBooth pics.
Price comparison: The 2017 model is no longer in production, but a similarly-sized 2022 Air with comparable memory is currently about $900, putting the refurbished option at almost 75% off.
Promising review: “This refurbished MacBook Air is a fantastic deal. I’m in between jobs and needed a reliable laptop for job applications. In the past, I’ve opted for Chromebooks as budget-friendly options, but this MacBook is a significant upgrade. It’s faster, better quality, and the added bonus of accessing iMessage is incredibly convenient. Apple’s older models often hold up really well, and with new versions constantly being released, the prices on these older ones drop, making them a great buy. I did experience an issue with a previous order that malfunctioned, but the return process was smooth and hassle-free. Although the condition was listed as “acceptable,” the laptop I received only has a small scratch, and the battery life is solid. To top it off, the shipping was impressively fast—arriving in Hawaii much quicker than I expected! Highly recommend this option for anyone looking for quality on a budget.” — V
Product rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you’re looking at for a slightly newer option that the aforementioned 2017 model, this 2020 MacBook Air is a solid option and still a fraction of the cost of a new one. (Per Andy Harding of Massachusetts’ Salem Techsperts, these days even a 6-year-old laptop can be “completely viable” for everyday tasks like surfing the web, watching movies or writing documents.) Weighing 3.74 pounds and equipped with a 13.3-inch screen, it’s easy to carry in a bag or around the house and is perfect for surfing the web or watching your favorite show. The sellers says this laptop comes with a “generic wall charger.” Find it with 8 or 16 GB RAM, 128, 256 or 512 GB storage in three colors.
Price comparison: A brand-new 2020 MacBook Air will run you about $650 right now, so the sub-$400 price tag on the refurbished model feels like a pretty good deal.
Promising review: “affordable, arrived on time, and runs as good as new. there’s a few cosmetic errors like some scratches on the outer cover, but that’s to be expected with a refurbished mac. the price is unbeatable.” — brooke
Product rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Celebrated for its up to 5+ hour long battery life, the 13-inch 2022 MacBook Air is a workhouse computer that’s great for students or those in the corporate world. Enjoy the speed and efficiency of the M2 chip, 8 GB RAM, and four-speaker sound system and under 3-pound weight. Find it with 256 or 512 GB storage in four colors.
Price comparison: The starting refurbished cost is about 20% off the current retail price for this popular MacBook.
Promising review: “I can’t believe how flawless this laptop is. I kind of expected to have some sort of issue or flaws (at least minor) and have run across nothing of the sort. The body of the computer is undamaged, and it performs beautifully. There’s plenty of storage, it’s fast and efficient, easy to use, and 100% worth the cost! I know it’s a lot of money to spend on a refurbished product, but this is the second time we have purchased a refurbished Mac in the last 10 years and have been thrilled with the purchase both times. I’m even trying to convince my mom to go this route when her current laptop finally dies. Overall we have been really happy with this laptop, and the 1 year warranty makes it even more worth it!” — Kathryn Racine
Product rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Personalized spatial audio and head tracking makes these third-generation Apple AirPods totally immersive. They’ll connect seamlessly to all your Apple products with a MagSafe charging case. Sweat and water-resistant, rock them to the gym or on a rainy day.
Price comparison: The third-gen AirPods are no longer in production, but a brand-new pair will run you $150-$170, so you stand to save up to $50 by shopping refurbished.
Promising review: “The sound quality is great. The part I was wondering the most was if they would be clean. They were really clean and appeared to be brand new. Definitely the best way to buy AirPods.” — Jonathan
Product rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Rounded corners and a full screen display make this iPhone 12 pleasing to the eye and easy to use. Made with an A14 bionic chip, a dual camera system with portrait mode and live photos, MagSafe charging, Face ID and much more, it’s a modern iPhone starting at $263. Water- and dust-resistant construction means you don’t have to be as precious with it. The brand says to check with your existing cell carrier to make sure it’s compatible. Find it in a bunch of colors with three levels of storage for a variety of phone carriers or unlocked.
Price comparison: The current entry-level iPhone at a comparable size is the 14, which Apple lists with a starting retail price of $599. The refurbished 12 is less than half the price.
Promising review: “When I was searching for a refurbished phone for my mother, a friend suggested I look on Amazon. I’m not gonna lie and say I wasn’t worried. We received the phone and it was in perfect condition. No scratches or chips. It looked brand new. It came with a screen protector on it. I charged it and transferred her old phone to it…it was so easy. The battery life is amazing. Like I said, it looks and operates like brand new.” — Kristi Hall
Product rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
The 2022 iPhone 14 is also available at a refurbished price that’s much lower than a brand-new option. The device offers a dual camera system, making every shot count. Its 6.1-inch screen takes up the whole front of the phone, which is splash-, water- and dust-resistant, by the way. An A15 Bionic chip makes it fast and powerful with a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, so you won’t get smudges. Find it in a bunch of colors, with a variety of phone carriers or “unlocked” with 128, 256 or 512 GB storage.
Price comparison: As we mentioned in the previous slide, new models of this phone start at $599, so you’re getting a 30% savings when you buy refurbished.
Promising review: “I wasn’t sure about a refurbished phone but I got it and it is very nice. It was super easy to set up (I am a non techie person) and works just great. I am so glad I took a chance.” — Sondra Boehm
Product rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Want to scroll on something bigger than your phone but don’t need a whole laptop? This 8th generation iPad measures 10.2 inches tall and runs on Wi-Fi, though you can opt for a version that runs with cellular data too. Find it with 32 or 128 GB of storage in three colors.
Price comparison: When compared to the current 10th-generation iPad at around $280, the under-$200 refurbished price is very competitive. You can compare the two models here.
Promising review: “This iPad is perfect! Due to the reasonable price – I anticipated less than perfect and have been delightfully surprised and please with this! It arrived in perfect condition and transferring from my old iPad was seamless! I should have reviewed it when I got it but I have used it daily now for a couple of months and never had a problem!” — Debs stuff