The case for buying used electronics is strong: the price difference between new and used is often 40–70%, and for most use cases, the technology in a two-year-old device hasn't meaningfully degraded. But used electronics require a different evaluation process than new. Here's what to check in each major category.
Smartphones
Verify the IMEI number against blacklist databases (CTIA's Stolen Phone Checker or Swappa's lookup tool) to confirm the device hasn't been reported stolen. Then check: battery health (Settings > Battery > Battery Health on iOS), dead pixels, Face ID or fingerprint function, and all buttons and ports. On iPhones, check "About" under Settings to confirm no unauthorized screen or battery replacements flagged by iOS.
What to avoid: Any phone with Activation Lock enabled. If the previous owner's Apple or Google account is still tied to the device, it cannot be activated.
Laptops
Battery degradation is the primary concern. On MacBooks, check cycle count in System Report > Power. On Windows, run powercfg /batteryreport from Command Prompt. Also verify: all USB/Thunderbolt ports, keyboard (no dead keys), trackpad accuracy, WiFi and Bluetooth, and screen backlight uniformity in a dark room.
What to avoid: Laptops with undisclosed BIOS passwords or visible liquid damage around ports and keyboard.
TVs and Monitors
Display a solid white screen (dead pixels) and solid black screen (backlight bleed) to check for the main failure modes. OLED screens specifically can develop burn-in from extended static image display — look carefully for ghost images on used OLEDs.
Tablets
Check battery health and whether the device still receives OS updates. Older iPads lose iPadOS update support on a predictable schedule, which creates security and compatibility risks.
Wireless Audio
Verify both channels play correctly, the charging case works properly, and all controls respond. For over-ear headphones, inspect the ear pad condition — these deteriorate and represent a real replacement cost.
The Essential Price Check
Before buying any used electronics item, search completed sales on eBay for the exact model in similar condition. This takes two minutes and tells you actual market value — the only reliable benchmark for whether a used price is genuinely good.
Browse our current pre-owned electronics selection — all items inspected and accurately described before listing.