Technologies

We Found the 7 Best Places to Sell Your Used and Unwanted Electronics in 2025

Your old tech devices don’t have to go in the trash after an upgrade. We’ve found the top marketplaces that will pay you for your used electronics.

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Written by Adam Oram

Written by Russell Holly

Article updated on September 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM PDT

Adam Oram Senior Editor

Adam Oram is a Senior Editor at CNET. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as a Senior Writer at iMore, Deals Editor at Thrifter, and as an Apple Genius. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food.

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Russell Holly

Russell Holly is a Managing Editor on the Commerce team at CNET. He works with all of CNET to assemble top recommendations as well as helping everyone find the best way to buy anything at the best price. When not writing for CNET you can find him riding a bike, running around in Jedi robes, or contributing to WOSU public radio’s Tech Tuesday segment.

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What to consider

Know the value

Before you decide to sell, you can check any trade-in service to get an idea of the value of your electronics.

Check multiple services

There’s no such thing as one price. Check around at multiple trade-in stores to see if the value changes.

Beware of scams

Only sell your electronics at places with buyer and seller protections so you can keep your cash.

Be honest

If you aren’t totally honest about the condition of your device, you won’t get the kind of money you thought you were going to get.

Compare

Back to selection

Technology is constantly evolving, and companies are always pushing new and more innovative gadgets. If you want to keep up with the latest wave of tech, you’ll need to upgrade often, from iPhones to wireless earbuds. And that’s definitely true right now following Apple’s recent iPhone 17 and AirPods Pro 3 releases. But what happens to our old devices when we upgrade to something new and shiny? Usually, they just end up cluttering our drawers. From previous-gen phones to old headphones and aging gaming consoles, we all have stuff we no longer use, taking up space we don’t have.

The good news is that retired devices aren’t entirely useless. Several online marketplaces exist where you can sell them for a few extra bucks. If you’ve recently upgraded to a new phone, replaced your laptop or want to save up for a new one, selling your unwanted devices can be a great way to declutter and make some money. And if a gadget still works, you can also consider trading it for a discount on a new one.

Selling your old gadgets is a smart move. Even if you don’t plan to buy something new right away, having a little extra money never hurts, and recycling responsibly is a bonus.

From Apple gear and smartwatches to gaming consoles and fitness trackers, I’ve rounded up the best places for you to sell used electronics. These services offer competitive rates and various ways to cash in, whether you’re looking for trade-ins or straight-up payments. Our team at CNET has personally used many of these platforms, giving us a solid foundation to help you choose the right one.

What is the best place to sell used electronics?

Regarding value, ease of use and knowing you’re protected against scams, Swappa is one of the best options out there. There are some great options available if all you want to do is put your phone or tablet in a box and get paid a few days later but if your goal is to make the most money and do so quickly, you’ll find this is the ideal option.

Swappa allows you to list your own tech at whatever price you think is fair, and the company helps you make that decision by giving you a look at what other versions of your products are selling for. When you sell on Swappa, you sell directly to another person. If someone is interested in making a purchase but would like additional photos or details, they can request them directly from you.

When it’s time to make a purchase, Swappa ensures you are paid quickly and the buyer is assured that you’ll ship the product promptly. Everyone wins and the Swappa staff are involved in the whole process to avoid scams.

Best places to sell used electronics for 2025

Best overall way to sell used electronics

Swappa

Pros

Very few limits on hardware you can sell
Extremely helpful staff
Protections for buyers and sellers
Quick payout

Cons

Frequently requires negotiating with the buyer
PayPal-only

Where many of the other services on this list have you send hardware to them for evaluation and payout, Swappa is a direct-to-consumer service. You list the hardware you want to sell with photos and whatever price you want to start at and, once the listing is approved by staff, you’ll be listed for any buyer looking to make a purchase. If you’re buying, Swappa is sure to enforce timelines on shipping and payment so everyone is treated fairly. While this method requires a little more work on behalf of the seller, the result is frequently a much higher payout and the Swappa team protects both sides of the transaction from any shady behavior.

Get it now

Best quick way to sell used electronics

Amazon Trade-In

Pros

Quick payout
Decent seller protections

Cons

Amazon-only payout
Limited hardware accepted

Amazon’s trade-in program works a lot like its retail store. You do an easy search for an electronic item, enter any necessary details (storage, screen size and so on) and then select the device’s condition. Amazon will then make an offer for your electronic gadget and, if you accept it, provide a free shipping label for the item. The number of items Amazon accepts spans a wide spectrum, including video doorbells, wireless routers and other home security devices.

Once you ship the item, Amazon will inspect it to ensure the item matches your original description. If it all checks out, your Amazon account will be credited with an Amazon eGift card for the offer amount. If the item is in better condition than you described, Amazon’s customer service promises to pay you more. If you’d rather trade in a device in person, Amazon has a list of locations where you can take Amazon devices and select phones. Amazon states that even nonworking devices can be accepted. The drawback? Your money is sent exclusively to your Amazon account.

Get it now

Best versatile way to sell used electronics

ItsWorthMore

Pros

Multiple payment options
Great hardware library

Cons

2-day shipping costs more

Unlike the previous services for selling electronics online, ItsWorthMore will pay you through your choice of PayPal, Zelle, gift card or an old-fashioned paper check. The process for selling electronic goods entails answering some questions about the old cell phone, tablet, Apple Watch (or other Apple device) or computer you’re selling. ItsWorthMore will then give you an offer and, if you accept it, provide you with a prepaid shipping label. During the checkout process, you can select how you want to receive your payment.

You also have the option to pay $15 for two-day shipping as well as a 24-hour processing time. Otherwise, standard shipping and a turnaround target time of 72 hours. Processing can take up to five business days. When your device is received, ItsWorthMore will verify if the indicated working condition is accurate, which means checking whether it’s in good condition, fair, broken and so on. If there’s a discrepancy, you’ll have a chance to ask for the device back or accept the revised offer.

Get it now

Best in-store way to sell used electronics

Best Buy Trade-In Program

Pros

In-store experience is super convenient
Recycling options are available if the value is low
Many kinds of hardware accepted

Cons

Best Buy gift card only

Getting a quote from Best Buy is as simple as picking a product category, manufacturer, model and condition. Once you’ve filled out the questionnaire, the tool will estimate the unwanted device and give you an instant quote. The offer amount, if you choose to accept it, will only be awarded as store credit in the form of a Best Buy gift card. The company lists a handful of stores that don’t participate in the trade-in program.

Best Buy’s payment turnaround time is slower than other services, but the company accepts a wider variety of gadgets, matching nearly every type of electronic device it sells. This includes various laptop options, smartphone options, wearables, digital camera options and video game consoles. You can trade in your gaming system, video games and an iPhone or iPad at the same time, for example.

Get it now

Best negotiable way to sell used electronics

BuyBackWorld

Pros

Fast turnaround after a quote is made
Custom quotes for unlisted hardware
Multiple payout options

Cons

Offer adjustment process after delivery can take a while

BuyBackWorld will buy a range of products, including phones, tablets, iPods, cameras, game consoles, computers, headphones, drones and more. You can even get a custom quote for products that aren’t listed on the site. After getting a quote and selecting how you want to be paid, send your items to BuyBackWorld. Once they receive your shipment, they’ll inspect your items and you’ll get paid. If the quote is adjusted after inspection, you can accept the new offer or have your device returned to you.

Get it now

Best trading-only way to sell used electronics

Apple Trade-In

Pros

In-store experience is convenient
In-store recycling is helpful

Cons

Apple gift card only
Limited non-Apple trade in opportunities

Apple’s trade-in program will take devices from a range of companies, not just its own. Currently, Apple will accept your laptop, smartphones, tablets, watches and «other» devices and old equipment. If the company doesn’t have a trade-in offer for your device, like iPods or AirPods, Apple will recycle it free of charge. Apple states it will take two to three weeks to complete the online trade-in process.

If you want to place your order for a new device right now, the company will credit your payment method with the trade-in value once it’s processed. Alternatively, if Apple Stores are open in your area, you can visit the store and get an instant store credit for your trade-in. It’s especially helpful with the launch of the iPhone 16. Using Apple’s trade-in service makes sense if you’re already planning on buying a new iPhone or Mac. It’s not a worthwhile option for someone who wants to buy the latest Samsung Galaxy, for instance.

Get it now

Best direct way to sell used electronics

BackMarket

Pros

Many hardware types accepted
Direct Deposit payments

Cons

Turnaround time is a little long

BackMarket makes it very easy to trade in your old gear for cash in your account, quickly. The company accepts phones, tablets, game consoles, and even headphones with payouts of up to $700 depending on the product and its condition. Getting started is quick and easy, all you have to do is answer a few questions and then you’ll see the offer. If you accept, you ship your device out (which is free), and then once it’s inspected they send you the money.

Get it now

Factors to consider when selling your used electronics

Know the value: Nearly every service will tell you the value of your tech before you actually list it, by asking a series of questions about the current state of your tech. Using any of those services will let you know what you can expect to make before you make any decisions.
Check multiple services: Every service offers a different price for just about everything, and while most of the time those differences are only a couple of dollars in either direction, you will occasionally find significantly better offers depending on the time of year. For example, if you’re selling a phone, its value is typically at its highest just before a new phone is released.
Beware of scams: If you’re using a service that lets you talk directly to a person who might be buying, it’s important to keep that conversation on the service you’re using. Don’t start separate conversations, especially if that person is promising to pay you more or help you avoid seller’s fees.
Be honest: If your tech has some scratches or damage, be sure to claim this damage. Failure to do so will end in not getting the amount you were promised, and in some cases, can result in your getting banned from selling other tech in the future.

Used electronics FAQs

Are used electronics worth anything?

Broadly speaking, if you have something less than five years old and it’s in good condition, there’s a good chance you could sell it. With smartphones and tablets, anything made by Apple tends to sell for more, even when it’s slightly older.

What do I do if I can’t sell my used electronics?

If you’ve looked up the value of your tech and it’s not much, but you still want to get it out of the house, you can still recycle that tech responsibly instead of throwing it away. We recommend using the Best Buy recycling service, which can be used in the store or online.

What if my used electronics have swollen or damaged batteries?

If you’re trying to get rid of something with a swollen or puffy battery, please do not throw it away or attempt to ship it to a sales facility. Swollen batteries represent a significant fire risk and should be disposed of quickly and correctly. The best way to do this is to look up e-waste facilities in your area and safely deliver either just the battery or the whole device to that facility.

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