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Best Places to Sell Your Used Electronics for 2024 [CNET]
Our Experts
Adam Oram is a Senior Editor at CNET. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as a Senior Writer at iMore, Deals Editor at Thrifter, and as an Apple Genius. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food.
Russell Holly is a Managing Editor on the Commerce team at CNET. He works with all of CNET to assemble top recommendations as well as helping everyone find the best way to buy anything at the best price. When not writing for CNET you can find him riding a bike, running around in Jedi robes, or contributing to WOSU public radio’s Tech Tuesday segment.
Expertise 7 years experience as a smartphone reviewer and analyst, 5 years experience as a competitive cyclist Credentials
- Author of Taking your Android Tablets to the Max
Pre-owned electronics can be tough to deal with. Although we buy electronics for use or as an investment, there’s no way to avoid getting at least a bit attached to your tech. The issue is these electronics can accumulate over the years, causing clutter and deterioration in quality as they sit in a corner. Whether you’re a hoarder or just someone who doesn’t know how to dispose of vintage gadgets, there are great online marketplaces out there that pay cash for used gadgets. They offer competitive prices, too, for all kinds of old electronic devices including old Apple products, fitness trackers, gaming consoles and other gadgets. We’ve put together this list of the best places to sell electronics to help you pick the best service.
CNET is full of tech-obsessed folks who buy new gadgets all the time. Many of us trade or sell our used personal gear to keep that habit going, which has given us the unique experience needed to put this list together. Here are the best places to sell used electronics at a competitive price that gets you a solid market value, from trade-in programs to online marketplaces.
What is the best place to sell used electronics?
When it comes to value, ease of use and knowing you’re protected against scams we have found one of the best options out there is Swappa. There are some great options available if all you want to do is put your phone or tablet in a box and get paid a few days later, but if your goal is to make the most money and do so quickly you’ll find this is the ideal option. Swappa allows you to list your own tech at whatever price you think is fair, and the company helps you make that decision by giving you a look at what other versions of your products are currently selling for.
When you sell on Swappa, you’re selling directly to another person. If someone is interested in making a purchase but would like additional photos or details, they can request them from you directly. When it’s time to make that purchase, Swappa ensures you are paid quickly and the buyer is assured you’ll be shipping the product quickly. Everyone wins, and the Swappa staff are involved in the whole process to avoid scams.
Best places to sell used electronics for 2024
Once you ship the item, Amazon will inspect it to ensure the item matches your original description. If it all checks out, your Amazon account will be credited with an Amazon eGift card for the offer amount. If the item is in better condition than you described, Amazon’s customer service promises to pay you more. If you’d rather trade in a device in person, Amazon has a list of locations where you can take Amazon devices and select phones. Amazon states that even nonworking devices can be accepted. The drawback? Your money is sent exclusively to your Amazon account.
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Amazon’s trade-in program works a lot like its retail store. You do an easy search for an electronic item, enter any necessary details (storage, screen size and so on) and then select the device’s condition. Amazon will then make an offer for your electronic gadget and, if you accept it, provide a free shipping label for the item. The number of items Amazon accepts spans a wide spectrum, including video doorbells, wireless routers and other home security devices.
Once you ship the item, Amazon will inspect it to ensure the item matches your original description. If it all checks out, your Amazon account will be credited with an Amazon eGift card for the offer amount. If the item is in better condition than you described, Amazon’s customer service promises to pay you more. If you’d rather trade in a device in person, Amazon has a list of locations where you can take Amazon devices and select phones. Amazon states that even nonworking devices can be accepted. The drawback? Your money is sent exclusively to your Amazon account.
Best Buy’s payment turnaround time is slower than other services, but the company accepts a wider variety of gadgets, matching nearly every type of electronic device it sells. This includes various laptop options, smartphone options, wearables, digital camera options and video game consoles. You can trade in your gaming system, video games and an iPhone or iPad at the same time, for example.
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Getting a quote from Best Buy is as simple as picking a product category, manufacturer, model and condition. Once you’ve filled out the questionnaire, the tool will estimate the unwanted device and give you an instant quote. The offer amount, if you choose to accept it, will only be awarded as store credit in the form of a Best Buy gift card. The company lists just a handful of stores that don’t participate in the trade-in program.
Best Buy’s payment turnaround time is slower than other services, but the company accepts a wider variety of gadgets, matching nearly every type of electronic device it sells. This includes various laptop options, smartphone options, wearables, digital camera options and video game consoles. You can trade in your gaming system, video games and an iPhone or iPad at the same time, for example.
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BuyBackWorld will buy a wide range of products including phones, tablets, iPods, cameras, game consoles, computers, headphones, drones and more. You can even get a custom quote for products that aren’t listed on the site. After getting a quote and selecting how you want to be paid, send your item(s) to BuyBackWorld. Once they receive your shipment, they’ll inspect your items and you’ll get paid. If the quote is adjusted after inspection, you’ll have the option to accept the new offer or have your device returned to you.
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Apple’s trade-in program will take devices from a wide range of companies, not just its own. Currently, Apple will accept your laptop, smartphones, tablets, watches and “other” devices and old equipment. If the company doesn’t have a trade-in offer for your device, like iPods or AirPods, Apple will recycle it free of charge. Apple states it will take two to three weeks to complete the online trade-in process.
If you want to place your order for a new device right now, the company will credit your payment method with the trade-in value once it’s processed. Alternatively, if Apple Stores are open in your area, you can visit the store and get an instant store credit for your trade-in. It’s especially helpful with the launch of the iPhone 14. Using Apple’s trade-in service makes sense if you’re already planning on buying a new iPhone or Mac. It’s not a worthwhile option for someone who wants to buy the latest Samsung Galaxy phone, for example.
Know the value: Nearly every service will tell you the value of your tech before you actually list it, by asking a series of questions about the current state of your phone. Using any of those services will let you know what you can expect to make before you make any decisions.
Check multiple services: Every service offers a different price for just about everything, and while most of the time those differences are only a couple of dollars in either direction you will occasionally find significantly better offers depending on the time of year. For example, if you’re selling a phone its value is typically at its highest just before a new phone is released.
Beware of scams: If you’re using a service that lets you talk directly to a person who might be buying, it’s important to keep that conversation on the service you’re using. Don’t start separate conversations, especially if that person is promising to pay you more or help you avoid seller’s fees.
Be honest: If your tech has some scratches or damage, be sure to claim this damage. Failure to do so will end in not getting the amount you were promised, and in some cases can result in your getting banned from selling other tech in the future.
Are used electronics worth anything?
Broadly speaking, if you’ve got something less than five years old and it’s in good condition there’s a good chance you could sell it. When it comes to smartphones and tablets, anything made by Apple tends to sell for more even when it’s slightly older.
What do I do if I can’t sell my used electronics?
If you’ve looked up the value of your tech and it’s not much, but you still want to get it out of the house, you can still recycle that tech responsibly instead of throwing it away. We recommend using the Best Buy recycling service, which can be used either in the store or online.
What if my used electronics have swollen or damaged batteries?
If you’re trying to get rid of something with a swollen or puffy battery, please do not throw it away or attempt to ship it to a sales facility. Swollen batteries represent a significant fire risk, and should be disposed of quickly and correctly. The best way to do this is to look up e-waste facilities in your area and safely deliver either just the battery or the whole device to that facility.
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