As Black Friday approaches with its barrage of tempting tech deals, consumers are increasingly turning to refurbished electronics as a smarter alternative that benefits both their wallets and the planet. According to industry experts, buying refurbished can deliver significant savings while dramatically reducing environmental impact.
Why Refurbished Makes Financial and Environmental Sense
Refurbished technology offers direct savings of 30-40% compared to new devices while providing comparable performance and reliability. Peter Windischhofer, CEO of Refurbed, explains: "As a consumer, you save directly 30-40% versus new, and you also have this feeling of doing the right thing. Because you buy a product that already exists, you don't have to produce a new one."
The environmental benefits are substantial. Research from Back Market reveals that choosing a refurbished smartphone instead of new prevents 178g of e-waste and saves 77,000 litres of water. Additionally, it avoids 77kg of carbon emissions and prevents 244kg of raw materials from being mined.
James Rigg, CEO of Trojan Electronics, confirms this advantage: "Very often, it's the better choice: reliable performance, lower prices and a fraction of the environmental cost."
Essential Tips for Smart Refurbished Shopping
Understanding what 'refurbished' actually means is crucial. Unlike pre-owned or secondhand items, properly refurbished electronics undergo thorough testing, repairs, and quality checks. Katy Medlock, Back Market's UK general manager, emphasises the distinction: "Secondhand could be peer to peer: you're not buying it with a warranty, it hasn't been through a quality check."
Experts recommend these five key considerations when buying refurbished technology:
Read the description carefully: Check the promised condition and pay special attention to battery health specifications.
Verify warranty and returns policies: Ensure you're protected should anything go wrong with your purchase.
Research seller reputation: Look at customer reviews and feedback, and consider certified refurbishers like those in eBay's refurbished programme.
Choose devices wisely: Avoid older models that may soon stop receiving security updates, creating a false economy.
Don't prioritise price over quality: A slightly higher price from a reputable seller often means better customer service and a more thorough refurbishment process.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Scams
Peer-to-peer marketplaces present significant risks for electronics buyers. Windischhofer warns: "I've heard so many horror stories from peer-to-peer when it comes to electronics. For electronics, my advice would be to go through a professional where you get a warranty and an invoice."
Problematic repairs using cheap, third-party parts can severely impact device performance. Murdock of Alchemy notes: "Products get traded in at times with a $20 screen on an iPhone or Samsung device that really should have a wholesale cost of $150. They're almost illegible."
Technology journalist Thomas Deehan recommends established retailers: "The best advice I can give for buying refurbished is to go via established retailers such as Back Market, Giffgaff and Vodafone."
Making the Right Device Choices
While refurbished options exist across all electronics categories, some require more careful consideration than others. Windischhofer suggests: "I don't think there's any product that I would buy new. I would always buy the generation before that."
However, Deehan cautions against going too old: "It might be tempting to get an old MacBook Air from 2015, but it won't receive regular updates like M-series MacBooks will."
The refurbished market has expanded beyond phones and laptops. Eve Williams, general manager at eBay UK, observes: "Now, people are turning to all different types of electronics, everything from refurbished air fryers through to hair accessories from TVs, coffee machines, ice-cream makers and games consoles."
Responsibly Handling Your Old Technology
When upgrading to refurbished devices, properly disposing of old technology is equally important. Recycling should be a last resort, according to Medlock, who notes capacity limitations in the UK's recycling infrastructure.
Many refurbishers offer trade-in programmes that keep devices in circulation. Alternatively, selling through certified platforms or donating to organisations like Screen Share, which repurposes computers for refugees, provides better environmental outcomes.
Deehan advises sellers: "Prior to being listed or sold, your tech should be given a good clean to make it look the best that it can. Some retailers will dock the value of your device based on its cosmetic appearance."
As Rigg summarises: "Buy from someone reputable, look for transparency, and prioritise warranty and repairability over a too-good-to-be-true discount, and you can come out of Black Friday with great devices and a lighter footprint."
