Savings Guide
Open Box vs. Refurbished vs. Used: What You're Actually Buying
The labels sound similar but mean different things for condition, warranty and returns. A plain-English guide before you buy discounted electronics.
Discounted electronics come with a handful of labels that sound interchangeable but aren't. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right trade-off between price and peace of mind.
Open box
An open-box item was sold and returned, or used as a display model. It's typically like-new and often still has the full manufacturer warranty. Retailers usually grade open-box items by condition and accessories. Best Buy and Wayfair both run large open-box sections.
Check: the condition grade, whether all accessories are included, and the return window, which can be shorter than for new items.
Refurbished
A refurbished product has been inspected, repaired if needed, tested and repackaged. The key question is who refurbished it:
- Manufacturer refurbished (also called certified refurbished) is done by the brand itself, for example Apple Certified Refurbished or Dell Refurbished. These usually carry a warranty from the manufacturer.
- Seller refurbished is done by a third party. Quality and warranty vary much more, so read the listing carefully.
Used
Used items are sold as-is or with a condition grade, with little or no refurbishment. Specialist retailers like B&H Photo grade used cameras and lenses, which makes buying used much less of a gamble.
Quick comparison
| Open box | Manufacturer refurbished | Used | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical condition | Like new | Tested, like new | Varies by grade |
| Warranty | Often full | Usually included | Limited or none |
| Discount | Small to moderate | Moderate | Largest |
Trade-in: the other half of the equation
If you're upgrading, trade-in programs from Apple and Samsung can lower the effective price of a new device. Compare the trade-in credit with what you'd get selling the device yourself.
See current offers on our Open Box, Refurbished & Trade-In page.