IF you want to upgrade your phone, laptop or earbuds for less, refurbished tech is well worth a look.
You’re getting a professionally tested device, typically with a warranty and a clear cosmetic grade, at a lower price and with a smaller environmental footprint.
I break down what shopping refurbished really means, how grading works, and the checks that matter most, including warranty length, battery health and return policies.
I also spoke to Mark Monte-Columbo, Head of Refurb at eBay, to share expert tips on buying safely and the best places to shop in the UK.
What is refurbished tech?
Refurbished tech refers to items that were previously sold but returned to the manufacturer before being resold.
These products have rarely been used or at all because shoppers returned them within the returns period, which is usually around 30 days.
What are the differences between refurbished and pre-owned?
Refurbished goods aren’t to be confused with items marked ‘used’ or ‘second-hand’, which are typically sold online by the original buyers themselves.
Instead, refurbished items are sold on through official merchants and (if they’re any good) have been inspected, checked, and vetted for resale.
Is refurbished tech as good as new?
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all refurbished items are created equally.
When you shop online, it’s a good idea to check the product’s status before you buy.
‘We have four different refurbished condition grades at eBay,’ explains Mark. ‘These are Certified, Excellent, Very Good, and Good.’
Certified items are in what’s described as ‘pristine condition’ without any signs of use, while at the other end, Good items will show ‘moderate signs of use, such as small scratches or dents that do not affect functionality.’
With all four grades, items have been professionally inspected, cleaned, and refurbished, and they’re all covered by a minimum one-year guarantee.
What are the advantages of buying refurbished?
As Mark points out, prices will be most shoppers’ priority: ‘There are obvious cost-saving benefits.’
His passion for refurbished technology dates back to 2011, when he purchased a refurbished iPhone 4.
‘I didn’t want to get sucked into a long contract,’ he explains. ‘Also, I wanted something that felt replaceable. It wasn’t a problem if it broke.’
Mark makes a good point: with brand-new, high-end electronics, we often feel we need to keep them in pristine condition.
But items like mobile phones are devices we use repeatedly in day-to-day life – buying refurbished means we can relax more if they get into any scrapes.
During a time when the cost of living has escalated, and shoppers have less cash in their wallets, the appeal of cheaper tech continues to grow.
There are also, of course, a lot of environmental benefits to buying refurbished products – an item that might otherwise end up in a landfill will remain in circulation.
What are the disadvantages of buying refurbished?
Most of the drawbacks to buying refurbished tech are skin-deep.
As we said above, you’ll sometimes encounter some cosmetic damage to refurbished goods, but this should be clearly advertised on the seller’s website.
Also, sometimes you’ll receive an item in packaging that isn’t its original packaging, and it may come with new accessories.
How safe is buying refurbished?
Mark acknowledges there are still some reservations among consumers around buying refurbished goods: ‘It’s a fear of the unknown.’
Half of the resistance from consumers is psychological – we’d all rather buy something that hasn’t been in somebody else’s hands.
But this needs to be countered with a bit of common sense.
For example, in the case of the refurbished mattresses that eBay stocks, Mark has a good point to make: ‘It might sound odd. But you don’t think the same each time you stay in a hotel, do you?’
However, we would always advise you to buy refurbished products from a trusted online seller that advertises a set of rigorous condition requirements for its items, along with clearly stated returns and warranty policies.
Where to buy refurbished tech
You’ll find that many online retailers have sections dedicated to refurbished items, while plenty of stores exclusively stock refurbished products, too.
Here are just a few worth checking out:
As we said earlier in this guide, be cautious about buying from online retailers without clear policies on refurbished items.
What items can you buy refurbished?
There are tons of items you can buy refurbished, and plenty of places to find them.
Tech fans can find refurbished phones, laptops, gaming consoles, vacuum cleaners, and even beauty products.
For those searching for refurbished beauty tools, you’ll want to check out eBay.
And if you’re in the market for a discounted Dyson Airwrap, make sure to take a closer look at our deals page.
For those looking for the latest mobile phones, Currys, Amazon, OnBuy, and Back Market all stock refurbished devices.
You’ll also find refurbished laptops, gaming consoles, headphones, and more.
Today’s best refurbished tech deals
Refurbished mobile phones, laptops, and more
Refurbished beauty
- Refurbished Shark SpeedStyle Essential High-Velocity Hair Dryer with Concentrator, £60.43 with coupon code (was £119.99) – buy from eBay
- Refurbished Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX 5-in-1 High-Velocity Hair Dryer, £126.22 with coupon code (was £219.99) – buy from eBay
- Renewed Dyson Corrale Straightener (Black Nickel/Fuchsia), £199.99 (was £339.99) – buy from eBay
- Renewed Dyson Airstrait Hair Straighteners (Nickel/Copper), £179.99 (was £399.99) – buy from eBay
- Renewed Dyson Supersonic Nural (Strawberry Bronze/Blush Pink), £220.99 (was £339.99) – buy from eBay
Refurbished home
- Refurbished Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum 2.0, £106.91 with coupon code (was £179.99) – buy from eBay
- Refurbished Shark CarpetXpert Carpet Cleaner, £148.41 with coupon code (was £249.99) – buy from eBay
- Refurbished Shark Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum, £237.59 with coupon code (was £399.99) – buy from eBay
- Renewed Dyson V8 Absolute, £214.49 (was £329.99) – buy from eBay
- Renewed Dyson V10™ Extra Cordless Vacuum (Iron / Fuchsia), £209.99 (was £349.99) – buy from eBay
- Renewed Dyson V11 Absolute Vacuum, £277.87 with coupon code (was £449.99) – buy from eBay
Head to our tech deals page for all the latest price drops on phones, wearables, laptops, earbuds, and more.
