The Best Places to Buy High-Quality Refurbished Electronics 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 for 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 specializing in it or offering options alongside their brand new electricals.
Why Choose Refurbished Tech Deals?
Refurbished Tech Deals has spent a long time researching the best marketplaces and websites to buy refurbished electronics from. Our team is made up of former employees from marketplaces and refurbished electronics sellers, so we know who the best people are to work with. We only show deals from sites or markets we know are trustworthy. When examining the top marketplaces and websites, we focus on the following:
- Competitive Pricing: Prices for the same item can vary by around 40% from site to site. We ensure you always get the best price.
- Price Fluctuation: We monitor daily price changes and fluctuations, helping you know the best time to buy.
- Supply Levels: We highlight marketplaces with consistent stock availability, ensuring you find what you need.
- Grading Accuracy: Some sites are more stringent with their grading. We verify that “Excellent” truly means excellent.
- Warranty: We prioritize sellers offering comprehensive warranties, giving you peace of mind.
- Focus Categories: Each site has its strengths. We identify which categories each marketplace excels in.
Marketplaces
BackMarket: Specializing in refurbished electronics, BackMarket has been pivotal in developing this market. Operating in 18 countries with 1.7k sellers, they offer everything from iPhones to kitchen appliances. Their stringent vetting process ensures only reputable sellers are allowed.
- Competitive Price Rating: 9/10
- Price Fluctuation: 9/10
- Supply Level: 8/10
- Grading Accuracy: 7/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Smartphones
Amazon: A pioneer in refurbished electronics, Amazon ensures every item is inspected, tested, and cleaned professionally. Amazon’s renewed offerings come with a year-long guarantee and 24/7 support.
- Competitive Price Rating: 9/10
- Price Fluctuation: 8/10
- Supply Level: 8/10
- Grading Accuracy: 7/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Smartphones
eBay: Offering up to 50% savings on refurbished tech, eBay ensures sellers meet high standards. Prices vary based on condition, with items backed by eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.
- Competitive Price Rating: 6/10
- Price Fluctuation: 3/10
- Supply Level: 6/10
- Grading Accuracy: 4/10
- Warranty: 9/10
- Focus Category: Dyson
Websites
Here are the top five websites for buying refurbished electronics. Unlike marketplaces, these sites are the sole sellers of their products, owning and shipping them directly. These sites also sell on marketplaces, but often at more competitive prices on their own platforms.
MusicMagpie: Known for regular sales and the option to rent refurbished goods, MusicMagpie offers a wide range of items including iPads, MacBooks, smartwatches, and game consoles. All products undergo a 70-point check and come with free delivery and a 12-month warranty.
- Competitive Price Rating: 7/10
- Price Fluctuation: 2/10
- Supply Level: 7/10
- Grading Accuracy: 10/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches
iOutLet: Specializing in high-quality refurbished devices, iOutLet ensures every device undergoes a 70+ point diagnostic check. They offer a 12-month warranty and free delivery.
- Competitive Price Rating: 8/10
- Price Fluctuation: 2/10
- Supply Level: 5/10
- Grading Accuracy: 10/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Smartphones and MacBooks
Loop Mobile: Operating in several international markets with a Trustpilot rating of 4.4, Loop Mobile conducts an intensive 75-point quality check on all devices.
- Competitive Price Rating: 6/10
- Price Fluctuation: 2/10
- Supply Level: 6/10
- Grading Accuracy: 10/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Apple smartphones and Dyson
PhonesDirect: Affiliated with webuyanyphone, PhonesDirect focuses on Apple and Samsung phones. All products come with a 12-month warranty.
- Competitive Price Rating: 8/10
- Price Fluctuation: 3/10
- Supply Level: 7/10
- Grading Accuracy: 10/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Apple and Samsung smartphones
StockMustGo: Known for partnerships with top retailers, StockMustGo offers deals on refurbished smartphones, laptops, and game consoles.
- Competitive Price Rating: 6/10
- Price Fluctuation: 2/10
- Supply Level: 5/10
- Grading Accuracy: 9/10
- Warranty: 10/10
- Focus Category: Smartphones and gaming
Summary
There are hundreds of sellers and marketplaces where you can buy refurbished electronics, with most offering similar warranties. The main differences lie in price and grading accuracy. Our top three recommendations are 1. BackMarket, 2. Amazon, and 3. MusicMagpie.
Using Refurbished Tech Deals saves you time by scanning all the marketplaces and websites to ensure you get the best price from the most reliable sellers. We show the top prices so you can see how they compare, guaranteeing peace of mind and the best deal available.
