What to Know
- You can buy a refurbished Apple Watch directly from Apple or an official Apple reseller such as Amazon.
- Used Apple Watches can also be purchased on online marketplaces and third-party sellers.
- Buying a used or refurbished Apple Watch can save you hundreds of dollars.
You should consider buying a used or refurbished Apple Watch for many reasons. Not only can it save you hundreds of dollars on a perfectly functional Apple Watch, but it is also more environmentally friendly. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for used or refurbished Apple Watches.
Jump To:
- Refurbished Apple Watch vs Used Apple Watch: What Is the Difference?
- Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Refurbished Apple Watch
- FAQ
Refurbished Apple Watch vs Used Apple Watch: What Is the Difference?
There is a significant difference between second-hand Apple Watches labeled used vs refurbished. Refurbished Apple Watches are sold by Apple and official Apple resellers such as Amazon. These have been used but have also been repaired to function as new by Apple. When you buy from an official Apple reseller, you can usually return it within a certain time frame, and there may even be a warranty.
Used Apple Watches can be sold by anyone on online marketplaces such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Since third parties sell them, there is no guarantee that the watch is in good shape or even real. Buying used Apple Watches can be even cheaper than buying an official refurbished watch, but it is more likely to have undisclosed issues.
I have personally bought and sold multiple Apple Watches on the Facebook Marketplace and eBay. It is always important to read all the information and check on the buyer's reputation. Most of my used Apple Watch buys and sales included an in-person meeting where the buyer could make sure the watch works as it should and that it is in the expected condition. When buying a used Apple Watch without seeing it, the risk is definitely higher, so I recommend going through a marketplace that offers buyer protection, such as eBay. For more Apple Watch tips, check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.
Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Refurbished Apple Watch
When shopping for a refurbished Apple Watch, the main thing to consider is when the new Apple Watch is coming out. Apple comes out with a new Apple Watch model every year in the fall. So, if you are shopping for an Apple Watch around that time, you need to keep this in mind. The same model watch will likely drop in value once there's an even newer Apple Watch available. At the same time, a newer model might now cost as much as the older model you were considering buying.
Next, it is important to compare the features of the available models to make sure you are getting the one that suits your needs best. It is easy to get distracted by the shiny new model and overlook a very minor difference in features that could save you a lot of money. Check out our Apple Watch Series comparison article to learn more about what watch will suit you best.
Image courtesy of Apple.com
Finally, compare the prices, shipping times, return policies, and warranties between various official Apple resellers. It makes sense to go with Apple and use their support team if you have any questions after your purchase, but sometimes Amazon's official Apple store may deliver faster or have a longer return window. From my experience, refurbished Apple Watches are just as good of a purchase as a brand-new watch, and they come with comprehensive, limited AppleCare. You can upgrade it to AppleCare Plus for even better protection.
So, is it worth buying a used or refurbished Apple Watch? Yes! As long as you do your research and don't make any risky purchases from an unreliable seller. Refurbished is definitely the safer choice to make, but if you know how to properly vet used Apple Watch sellers, you can purchase a great device at a fraction of the cost.
FAQ
- Where can I sell my Apple Watch? You can sell your used Apple Watch on third-party sites such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You can also trade in your Apple Watch directly to Apple for a discount on a new Apple Watch.
- Is Apple refurbished just as good? Pretty much, because every part of the watch was examined, and anything that needed replacement was fixed by Apple and covered by their warranty.
