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.
A 2020 Apple MacBook Air
Product rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
This 2020 MacBook Air is a solid laptop option and a fraction of the cost of a new 2025 model. (Per Andy Harding of Massachusetts’ Salem Techsperts, these days even a six-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 and 128 GB storage in three colors, though you'll find the best deal in space gray.
Price comparison: A brand-new 2025 MacBook Air starts at $850 right now, so the sub-$400 price tag on the refurbished model feels like a pretty good deal.
Promising review: "My MacBook is fully operational and looks great!! The reason it was refurbished was someone dropped it on the corner and it dinged it a little, but it didn’t affect the screen or any of the internal bits. i just sanded the corner down with a nail file so it would lay flush again and boom, i’ve got a really nice computer for under half the price of a brand new one. no regrets, would try this again sometime :)" — Loki L.
A 9th-generation Apple iPad
Product rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Want to scroll on something bigger than your phone but don't need a whole laptop? This 9th 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 64 or 256 GB of storage in two colors.
Price comparison: When compared to a new 9th-generation iPad at around $329, the refurbished price is very competitive at over $100 less.
Promising review: "I had a very positive experience with this renewed iPad. It arrived in excellent condition — clean, fast, and working perfectly. The device looks almost brand new and the battery life is great. Amazing value for the price. I’m very happy with this purchase and would definitely buy renewed again!" — Lays Marquez
A 5th-generation Apple iPad Mini
Product rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
For a slightly smaller screen that's great for kids, reading books and much more, check out the 5th-generation iPad mini. It's equipped with a 7.9-inch display and A12 bionic chip — slower than newer models, sure, but still able to handle the everyday tasks you use an iPad for with ease. Choose from four colors (though space gray is the most affordable right now) and 64 or 256 GB of storage.
Price comparison: This model is no longer in production, but a current 7th-generation iPad Mini starts at $474 on Amazon, meaning shopping refurbished could score you savings of up to 60% off.
Promising review: "I was worried about purchasing a renewed ipad mini. It took me alot of time to decide on what I wanted and in my price range. I finally decided to buy it and it came in new condition no scratches no dents, no issues with the screen or buttons and the battery charges good and last. I have had it since xmas and I love it. It came packaged very well in the mail and i got it fast! Thank you for a wonderful product I will buy from them again." — Sam
An Apple Magic Keyboard 2 with a Magic Bluetooth Mouse 2
Product rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Connect both of these Apple devices automatically to your Mac and now you can scroll, type, click and navigate with ease. It's somewhat rare to see these two products bundled together like this, so you're getting even better bang for your buck.
Price comparison: Separately, the Magic Keyboard is $99 and the Magic Mouse is $69 (regularly $79), so at full price, that's a combined $178 — meaning shopping refurbished can save you nearly $50.
Promising review: "I was happily surprised by this bundle. Both the keyboard and mouse arrived in excellent condition — honestly no noticeable difference compared to buying brand new at double (or more) the price. Setup was quick, everything paired easily, and both feel smooth and responsive in daily use.
It’s rare to get this level of quality and value together. Plus, it’s great knowing I’m supporting a small business instead of a big retailer. Excellent experience overall — would absolutely purchase again." — Amazon Customer
Apple Watch Ultra 2 with GPS and cellular
Product rating: 4.2 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: The Ultra 2 is now discontinued, but you can still buy it new at Amazon for $719+, so you could save 43% by shopping refurbished. The new model, Ultra 3, is $768 right now.
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
Apple iPhone 12
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 $208. 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 16, which Apple lists with a starting retail price of $699. The refurbished 12 is less than a third of 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
Or an Apple iPhone 14
Product rating: 4 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 128, 256 or 512 GB storage.
Price comparison: As we mentioned in the previous slide, new models of the iPhone phone start at $699, so you're getting 57% 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
Apple Watch Series 7 with a sport band
Product rating: 4 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 about a third of the price of the Series 10, which starts at around $399 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.