Buy Refurbished Tablets

What should you look for when buying a refurbished tablet?

Five key points: the condition, the battery, whether the tablet has been unlinked from the previous owner, how long it will continue to receive updates, and whether you’re choosing the right model.

Condition: Look Beyond the Label

Condition classes aren’t legally defined, so each seller can use its own terminology. The most common classification has three classes, with the difference lying in visible signs of wear rather than in functionality.

• A or like new: barely distinguishable from a new unit; at most, slightly visible from a certain angle
• B or lightly used: slight scratches on the casing or screen, visible but not disruptive to use
• C or visibly used: clear signs of use, but technically in good working order

If you come across other terms, be sure to read the store’s own description, as two online stores may use the same term to mean different things. Check right away what’s included, as the original charger and cable are often missing from resold units.

The battery is the real wear-and-tear part

For a tablet that’s been used daily for years, the battery is the component that has degraded the most. Ask the seller for the remaining capacity in advance and have it noted on the invoice; on most tablets, you can’t check that value yourself, as you can on a phone. If the capacity is lower than stated, return the device within your cooling-off period instead of accepting it.

Has the tablet been unlinked from the previous owner?

A tablet that’s still linked to the previous owner’s account is unusable for you: you won’t be able to get past the activation process, and you can’t resolve this on your own. A reliable seller will take care of this before shipping. Check this when unboxing by setting up the tablet with your own account, and report it immediately to the seller if that doesn’t work.

How long will the tablet continue to receive updates?

How long a tablet will continue to receive updates depends on the model’s year of manufacture, not its condition. This is precisely the point that’s most often overlooked. For tablets introduced as new on the EU market since June 20, 2025, European regulations require at least five years of security updates, but a refurbished device manufactured before those regulations took effect is not covered by this requirement. For the model you’re considering, check the manufacturer’s support page; it will indicate how long it will receive updates. A slightly newer Class B device is usually a better buy than an older Class A device.

Wi-Fi or mobile internet

Many tablets come in two versions: one with Wi-Fi only and one that also supports a SIM card or eSIM. The latter is more expensive and isn’t always immediately apparent from the model name, so be sure to check the description. If you need internet access on the go, look specifically for a model that supports mobile internet, such as the iPads with a SIM card. Otherwise, you can also use your phone’s hotspot.

Your rights when purchasing a refurbished tablet

The statutory warranty applies as usual. A product must perform as you would reasonably expect it to, and with refurbished items, the fact that it’s a used device is a factor: the price, condition, and information provided by the seller together determine what is reasonable. If something goes wrong within one year of delivery, there is a presumption that the defect was already present at the time of delivery, and the seller must prove otherwise.

If you buy online, you also have a 14-day cooling-off period, starting from the day you receive the tablet—even for a used or discounted device. Use that period to evaluate the device just as you would in a store: check the battery, speakers, all buttons, the cameras, and the screen against a uniform white background. If you go beyond simply evaluating the device, the seller may charge you for depreciation. In addition, many refurbishers offer their own commercial warranty on top of the legal one; compare those terms, because there’s more variation there than in the devices themselves.

Is a refurbished tablet worth it in your case?

That depends on what type of tablet you’re looking for. With former top-of-the-line models, the difference compared to new is greatest, and you get hardware that was out of reach when new. With the simplest entry-level tablets, that difference is smaller, though you’re giving up the “like-new” condition and the full manufacturer’s warranty; in that case, compare first with the tablet deals and with the new models from Apple and Samsung or all Android tablets.