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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Abha Shah

Best trustworthy sites to buy refurbished tech online in the UK

Slowly but surely, the way we shop as a society has shifted.

A heightened awareness of unnecessary waste combined with a cost-of-living crisis has created the perfect storm of shoppers looking for cheaper purchases that won’t further burden the environment.

Refurbished is the way to go, offering gadgets and appliances that have been restored to practically brand new by qualified experts at a snip of factory fresh prices. From mobile phones, laptops and speakers to TVs and kitchen essentials, there are ways to kit yourself out with nearly new tech without burning a serious hole in your wallet.

For added peace of mind, look for refurbished products that come with guarantees, warranties or policies in case of breakdown. Even if you’re paying less than RRP, that doesn’t mean it has to come at the cost of quality.

More and more vendors are offering refurbished tech, either specialising in it or offering options alongside their brand new electricals.

If you’re keen to know more, we’ve put together a list of the best places to shop refurbished tech from below. Some will even offer to buy back your broken gadgets with money off vouchers to spend on fresh purchases.

Scroll on to see our little black book of the best places to buy refurbished tech.

Amazon

The internet giant is more than a place to pick up loo roll and lightbulbs. You can find refurbished tech at a minimum of 10 per cent off Amazon Renewed. Devices include everything from wireless headphones and PlayStation controllers to handsets and laptops. Leading brands include Apple, Samsung, Garmin and Dell.

Every piece is professionally inspected, tested and cleaned once it's been expertly refurbished by professionals, or by Amazon itself.

Amazon is so confident in its renewed offering that it offers a year-long guarantee and round-the-clock support if anything should go wrong.

Buy now, Amazon

Vodafone

Take the pain out of replacing an old phone by heading to one of the UK’s best-known networks. Vodafone offers refurbished handsets on its website featuring some of the biggest brands around: mainly Apple and Samsung. Choose between two refurbished types: pristine or great.

For added peace of mind, Vodafone also offers a two-year warranty with every Pay monthly refurbished phone, so if anything should go wrong - you're covered. Shoppers can also save and earn bonuses by taking advantage of the company's Trade-In Guarantee.

Buy now, Vodafone

Back Market

This B-Corp company is a superb port of call for everything from refurbished laptops and PlayStations to coveted handsets like the iPhone 12. All devices have been checked and refurbished by approved experts who know what they're doing. For total transparency, there's also a tech condition grading system so you can know your devices 'past life' before it was reborn.

Buy now, Back Market

Box

Why pay full whack when you can head to Box, the online technology store and save as much as 50 per cent on open box and refurbished tech? Once you see the options available, it's a no-brainer.

The website offers a huge array of tech goods, from the personal kind - think phones and accessories, scooters and gaming kit - to big ticket items like laptops, computer montiors and even home security systems.

If you're looking to replace kitchen tech that's on its last legs, head to the Refurbished Appliances section to find everything from stove chimney cookers and coffee machines to full-sized fridges.

Box has been in the refurbished game for more than 26 years, so know a thing or two about giving old tech a new lease of life. And the reviews prove that customers can't get enough.

Buy now, Box

Music Magpie

With regular sales and clearances plus the option to rent refurbished goods, sending prices tumbling even further, Music Magpie should be on your radar if you're a tech geek.

As well as headphones and speakers, you can also shop the likes of iPads, MacBooks, smartwatches and games consoles on the site. Every item goes through a 70 point check to ensure it's up to scratch before going on the digital shopfront.

What's more, you'll get free delivery on all orders, plus a 12 month warranty. There's a 14-day refund policy and you can even pay in instalments via PayPal if your order exceeds £99. You’ll wonder why you haven’t shopped there sooner.

Buy now, Music Magpie

Currys

One of the biggest tech players on the high street, Currys also sells refurbished tech as well as factory-fresh items on its website. Currys offers laptops or mobiles at three grades of refurbishment: fair, very good and excellent, with prices to reflect.

Prices are competitive but always lower than RRP, so if you've had your eye on a flashy new phone that's out of reach, this is one route to getting it in your pocket. Shopping refurbished is also a far more sustainable and mindful way of getting what you need without adding a further burden to the environment.

With plenty of knowledgable and skilled experts at Currys, you can rest assured that your new purchase has been rebuilt to exacting specifications. What's more, every piece of refurbished tech comes with a guarantee. Honestly, what's not to love?

Buy now, Currys

Ultimo Electronics

Ultimo has been restoring tech back to best since 2014, making it one of the names to count on when shopping this way. The company believes that buying pre-owned tech should be as enjoyable as buying brand new - we'd argue it's even better given the lower costs. A team of in-house technicians work to ensure everything on sale is up to scratch.

And what of the offering? The menu is a line-up of some of the most-wanted tech around, from iPhones, iPads and Apple watches to Samsung devices, laptops, gaming tech and other accessories.

Buy now, Ultimo Electronics

eBay

You can save as much as 50 per cent on refurbished tech at eBay and many come with free delivery right to your door.

Sellers must meet the marketplace's high standards and are monitored to ensure customers are getting a product they can trust. The price fluctuates depending on condition: they could be a pre-loved piece, a trade-in, had defects repaired or simply an older model in factory-fresh condition. Everything is backed by eBay's Money Back Guarantee for peace of mind.

So what's on offer? Expect revived treasures from the likes of Apple, Dyson, Lenovo, Ninja, Shark and Samsung to name just a few of the big brands.

Buy now, eBay

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