Buying a refurbished iPad is a great way to save money on Apple’s premium line of tablets. By purchasing a refurbished or used iPad, you can save hundreds of dollars while getting a device that works just as well as a factory-new one (and with a warranty). Many retailers sell refurbished and used iPads, making the purchasing decision a bit more complicated. In this article, we will show you the five best places to buy a refurbished iPad, comparing their testing processes, warranty, shipping, and pricing so that you can make the best possible decision.
The best places to buy a refurbished iPad at a glance
Retailer | Testing process | Warranty | Shipping | Other key features |
---|---|---|---|---|
Back Market | Algorithm selects best offers from screened sellers, sellers regularly monitored. | 12-month warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee | Free standard shipping | Large selection, competitive prices |
Gazelle | 55-point inspection by technicians | 1-month minimum, extendable to 1 year for extra cost | Free shipping to lower 48 states, 1-month return policy | Large inventory, financing options, limited-time deals |
Amazon | Rigorous testing and cleaning by Amazon-qualified suppliers, cosmetic condition grading | 90-day minimum, 1-year for premium condition | Prime shipping available | Wide selection, familiar shopping experience |
Apple Store | Tested, repaired, and cleaned by Apple engineers, genuine Apple replacement parts, new battery and outer shell | 1-year limited warranty, AppleCare extension available | Free delivery | Highest quality standards, latest models, may be more expensive |
RefurbMe | Aggregates offers from trusted retailers with certified testing programs | Tested, repaired, and cleaned by Apple engineers, genuine Apple replacement parts, new battery, and outer shell | Free shipping from all listed merchants | Price comparison tool, stock alerts, price drop monitoring |
1. Back Market
Back Market lists refurbished products from several independent refurbishers with a large selection of iPads from which you can choose.
Testing process
Back Market does not refurbish products themselves. However, their algorithm carefully selects the best offers in terms of quality and price with each re-seller score in mind.
All sellers go through a screening process before being brought onto their site. Back Market also requires them to back up their facts before selling their items. Once eligible to join, they are regularly monitored and verified to ensure that only la crème de la crème remains.
👉 Learn more: Is Back Market Legit? A Complete Review and Guide
Warranty & shipping
The devices sold through Back Market come with a 12-month warranty. There are no nasty surprises in store; if you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can also opt for the 30-day money-back guarantee.
All products come with free standard shipping.
Products & pricing
2. Gazelle
Gazelle has a large inventory of iPads and iPhones and offers limited-time deals. They also offer financing options for purchasing a refurbished iPad.
Testing process
Technicians from Gazelle offer a 55-point inspection to thoroughly examine the iPad’s screen, buttons, and charging port.
Warranty & shipping
Gazelle offers minimum warranty coverage of one month but is easily extendable to one year for an extra cost. They also provide free shipping to the lower 48 states and have a return policy of one month.
Products & pricing
3. Amazon
We know Amazon as the one-stop shop for buying almost anything we need. However, Amazon also offers refurbished products through the Amazon Renewed program. Given the comfort, reputation, and familiarity of use, many users can choose Amazon to buy any refurbished Apple product, including iPads.
Testing process
Refurbished iPads sold by Amazon Renewed have been rigorously tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers to work and look like new, with high standards and guaranteeing top quality. Cosmetic conditions are divided into premium, excellent, good, and acceptable. In addition, the iPad will come with completely functional accessories, although they may not be original.
Warranty & shipping
The Amazon Renewed Guarantee covers all refurbished iPads for 90 days, although those with a premium cosmetic condition are covered for one year. Many are eligible for Prime shipping.
👉 Learn more: Is Amazon Renewed Reliable? A Complete Buying Guide
Products & pricing
4. Apple Store
Apple sells manufacturer-certified refurbished devices with the highest quality standards, but they are not precisely cheap iPads. These tablets are sold through the Apple Certified Refurbished program and have the best quality you can expect from a refurbished product. They usually sell recent models, hence their price. In any case, it’s one of the safest ways to buy an Apple device.
Testing process
Apple’s refurbished iPads go through the Apple Certified Refurbished program, where Apple engineers test, repair, and clean the product before selling it.
The iPad will have genuine Apple replacement parts if needed, and the company gives every refurbished iPad a new battery and outer shell. You will also get the same official accessories and charging cables that come with a brand-new iPad.
Warranty & shipping
Warranty is an excellent reason to buy refurbished iPads through Apple. Apple offers a free, one-year limited warranty on its refurbished devices.
Apple also has a warranty extension program, which allows you to purchase more AppleCare coverage for your refurbished iPad. However, this costs money, so you may want to keep to the free one-year warranty if you’re on a tight budget.
All refurbished iPads sold by the Apple Store are delivered for free.
Products & pricing
5. RefurbMe
RefurbMe is more than a merchant: it’s a comparator of refurbished Apple goods with the best prices and deals, including refurbished iPads.
On this platform, you will be able to find a quality iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, or standard iPads without having to spend hours searching online.
The comparison process is more accessible and transparent than having to browse every store one by one. You will have access to all the information merchants provide regarding their standards for wear and tear, warranties, return policies, battery condition, accessories included with the device, and much more.
We have made this even simpler by adding RefurbMe profiles for our merchants and retailers so that you know exactly what Fair, Good, and Excellent mean regarding refurbished grades or cosmetic conditions.
In addition, there is a merchant comparison on the site to easily compare every key point you need to know, such as the current lowest price for a refurbished iPad, warranty, included accessories, and return policy.
Testing process
We don’t refurbish the products ourselves since we are a comparator. However, the platform only shows offers from trusted retailers who test their products with a thorough process and have excellent track records.
The retailers you can see are companies with certified testing programs, trained testing teams, and good reviews from their customers.
👉 Compare testing processes of all merchants at once
Finding the best price
Whether you have money spilling out of your pockets or are on a shoestring budget, feel free to use RefurbMe to find a refurbished iPad you can afford.
Use the price section on the menu on the left to choose a minimum and maximum price for your refurbished iPad.
You can also use the drop-down menu at the top to sort the iPads by the lowest price or the highest discount.
Warranty & shipping
All the refurbished iPads on the site come with a minimum 30-day warranty, although most merchants offer a 1-year minimum warranty. Some offer the chance to pay and extend that warranty as well, which is the case with the Apple Store.
If the iPad doesn’t have a warranty, it won’t appear on the platform.
👉 Compare warranties of all refurbishers
Regarding shipping, all merchants listed provide free shipping on iPads.
Products & pricing
Inconsistent inventories are one of the biggest reasons customers turn to the original merchants and spend thousands on their devices.
When you want a product, all you have to do is outline your desired requirements for the device. Then, you will be automatically emailed when the item is available for purchase.
You can monitor price drops and set up stock alerts to know when a device is back in stock or if a new model is refurbished for the first time.
Conclusion
Getting the best price on iPads is simple once you have all the offers in one place. Our goal at RefurbMe is to save you time searching and comparing the best offers from reputable sellers that include a warranty, including the Apple Store.
If you don’t know where to start, have a look at the 7 best refurbished iPads you can buy.
If you wonder which screen size would be the best for you, check our article about the iPad dimensions.
We invite you to review the best deals on refurbished Apple products below. The process is simple: once you have chosen your iPad, we will redirect you to the merchant’s site, where you can complete your order.
If you are not based in the US, learn how to import a refurbished Apple device hassle-free and from any country. And don’t forget to check our guide on how to set up and use an iPad.
Happy shopping! 🛍️