5 Useful Electronics You Should Buy Refurbished

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With electronics seemingly only increasing in price by the day, refurbished devices can be a smart move. Unlike buying a product from places like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, a refurbished product has undergone a restoration process that allows it to be repaired, inspected, and tested by technicians, with these products often being restored to the manufacturer's specs. Obviously, there are still questions that need to be asked before buying refurbished tech, but there are plenty of useful electronics where buying refurbished can have several advantages.

If you want to access some big name brands, refurbished smartphones or laptops can net you access to some powerful hardware without the powerful prices. While cleanliness can be a factor, refurbished headphones can also get you access to better tech or more trusted brand names, and going this direction for video game consoles can be a good way to score some retro finds. Lastly, refurbished digital cameras can be good for blossoming photographers, and they can also help you save for any additional items you may need.

There are a number of ways to be frugal when buying electronics. However, going with a respected retailer can be important for making sure you actually receive a quality product, so we have a few ideas of where to start looking. Naturally, be sure to do some additional research before taking the plunge. When searching for a trusted seller, be on the lookout for clear return policies, proof the business tested the product, and reviews from verified customers.

Don't get us wrong, there's always a special feeling when peeling back the cellophane on a freshly-purchased smartphone, but there's also more than one benefit to going the refurbished route. Picking up a new budget and midrange Android phone that can last five years isn't too difficult, but if you're eyeballing something like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or even the iPhone 18 Pro, purchasing a previous generation can be one way to prevent spending $1,000 or more on a cellular device.

Let's look at the iPhone as an example. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro have 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR displays, 48MP Fusion main cameras, and USB-C support. Naturally, the iPhone 18 Pro is going to come with a slew of hardware improvements, such as an A20 Pro chip over an A18 Pro, but the iPhone 16 Pro still has plenty of hardware, and folks can even expect support from Apple until around 2031. You'll be missing out on some things, such as variable camera aperture and an additional GPU core, but the savings may ultimately be worth it.

Essentially, going back a generation or two can be a more affordable way to access solid hardware. However, with refurbished phones, making sure you find a reputable seller can be paramount to a good experience. Apple has its own Certified Refurbished Store that offers plenty of iPhone models, as do retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. Be sure you're looking for sellers that certify and test their devices, but also inspect the phone's hardware, software, and IMEI number, if possible.

Much like smartphones, dialing things back a generation or two with a laptop can get you access to some viable hardware while worrying less about sticker shock. Laptops are also similar to smartphones in that looking at prior generations of a higher-end model may be more advantageous hardware-wise than simply picking up a brand-new budget option (even if we can naturally recommend plenty of budget laptops good for work and entertainment). Apple products are again a great example for this point.

Apple's MacBook Neo, which is essentially the company's budget laptop option, is one example. With a 6-core A18 Pro CPU, 8GB of memory, and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, it's got some solid entry-level specs. However, a M2 MacBook Air has an 8-core CPU, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and options for 8, 16, or 24GB of memory. You also get a MagSafe 3 charging port in addition to USB 4 ports (Neo pairs one USB 3 port with a slower USB 2). If you're diligent in shopping, a refurbished M2 MacBook Air can be about the same price as a Neo.

There are some downsides to refurbished laptops, of course. You'll have to ensure a refurbished device will still receive software updates, and try to look for something that offers a strong warranty or at least a return policy. If possible, ensure the device can be upgraded on the hardware side (something MacBooks don't allow, since their memory and storage are built in), as this can do wonders for device longevity. Apple's Certified Refurbished Store can be a great place to start, but Newegg can also be a great place to do some research.

A great set of headphones can really complement an audio experience, but a quality pair can also do a good job of hurting your bank account. A person's experiences and perceptions play a huge role in sound quality, but hardware matters. So while it is possible to find a pair of quality headphones at a decent price, refurbished devices can potentially save you some money or get you a higher-end device for cheaper.

Considering headphones are usually on a person's head or in a person's ear, hygiene plays a major role in determining what set to buy. Ensuring a reputable seller implements a cleaning process for its devices can certainly alleviate worries. Ideally, the seller is also replacing any damaged ear pads the headphones may have. Another important aspect is ensuring the headphone comes with all of its accessories — especially any necessary cables or ear tips. Along with checking for any hardware defects, wireless sets should also have their battery and charging capabilities inspected to guarantee a better experience.

Like any refurbished product, shopping around does wonders. If you're looking for a specific model, see if the company has its own refurbished store. For example, Bose has a certified store that has offered up to 50% off certain products during sales. Naturally, some retailers, such as Best Buy, can also offer significant discounts on refurbished headphones from a variety of brands. It may take some additional time, but refurbished headphones can be more rewarding than looking at where cheap headphone brands rank.

Deciding on a refurbished video game console can be a fickle thing. After all, we know plenty of drawbacks to purchasing a refurbished console, but some savvy shopping can have the benefits outweigh the negatives. For retro enthusiasts, one of the best arguments for going refurbished is that it's an easy way to get access to consoles that are long out of production. There can be obvious financial incentives for buying refurbished, of course, but there are aspects where looking at the details is vital.

Accessories can be a major determining factor with refurbished items, as you'll want to make sure that the console includes its necessary cables and controllers. For older consoles, you may want to make sure it has a memory card. Along with seeing if the console actually functions as it should, you'll want to make sure that any cartridge slots, disc drives, and controller ports are clean and functioning as they should. Any seller should also give you a good return policy or some warranty coverage.

If you're looking for modern options, Best Buy can be a solid place to start, though somewhere like GameStop has offerings for those wanting something a little more retro. Local shops can also offer video game consoles, but remember to inspect any device before purchasing it. In an ideal situation, you would get to test the console as much as you would like before walking out of the store with it. Some companies also offer their own certified refurbished stores, such as the case with Sony.

For those with an interest in photography, going refurbished can be a great way to get a quality camera for cheap or even find something with better specs that may typically be out of your budget when purchased new. Like many of the other items on this list, snagging a refurbished camera may also give you more purchasing power for additional accessories you may want. Of course, in some situations you will need to consider how long an old digital camera will last.

With photographers just getting their start, refurbished products can be a solid way to get access to some higher-tiered gear at a more affordable price, but it's also a way to potentially get your hands on better-reviewed equipment, as well. Like other items on this list, checking the hardware can be critical when buying a refurbished digital camera. Something to consider with a digital camera is the shutter count, which helps give an idea of how often the camera was used. Higher-end cameras typically have higher shutter actuations.

Additionally, be sure to check things like the dials, buttons, battery, connectors, and even the hot shoe (the part that typically holds a flash). You'll also want to check the camera sensor for dust and debris. In terms of where to look, manufacturers like Canon have their own refurbished stores, but you can also check places like The Camera Exchange or do additional research. It may take some sleuthing, but refurbished can certainly be the way to go.