How and where to buy refurbished tech online

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . There’s no denying the allure of shiny new tech (I mean, have you seen the smartphone images Engadget’s Sam Rutherford takes?). But the latest model isn’t always necessary for every purchase you make. Buying refurbished is obviously easier on your wallet — sometimes saving you hundreds of dollars over buying new. It’s also far easier on the environment, since the majority of a device’s environmental impact happens in the manufacturing process. Plus, buying refurbished is more efficient than recycling electronics and keeps a device out of the e-waste stream for a little longer. There’s no regulation for what constitutes “refurbished” tech, but it’s often a level or two above “used” items you’d buy off a guy on the street. Refurbished usually means the device has undergone s ... Read full article.