Buy Refurbished Smartwatches
A refurbished smartwatch is a used watch that has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired as needed before being resold. Since you’re buying from a retailer rather than a private seller, you’re covered by a legal warranty, and if you buy online, you also have a 14-day right to return. Below, you’ll find the current selection from our partner retailers, which we compare independently for you. Use the filters to narrow down your search by brand and model, or check out the new models in the overview of Apple smartwatches and Samsung smartwatches.
What should you look for when buying a refurbished smartwatch?
When buying a used smartwatch, it’s more vulnerable than a phone or tablet. The battery is small and gets charged daily, causing it to wear out relatively quickly, and the watch must be unlinked from the previous owner’s account. Check those two things before looking at anything else.
Is the activation lock turned off?
This is the most important point. A watch that’s still linked to the previous owner’s account is locked, and you can’t fix that yourself—only the previous owner can remove it from their account. With Apple, this is called the activation lock; with Wear OS, it’s the linked Google or Samsung account. A reputable refurbisher will take care of this before shipping. If necessary, ask for confirmation beforehand, and check it immediately upon receipt by pairing the watch with your own phone.
Is it compatible with your phone?
A smartwatch isn’t a standalone device but an extension of your phone, and not every combination works. Samsung and Google watches run on Wear OS and pair with Android; Apple sticks with the iPhone.
- Apple Watch: works exclusively with an iPhone; you can’t use it with an Android device
- Galaxy Watch: pairs with Android, though some features only work with a Samsung phone
- Garmin: works with both Android phones and iPhones, with an emphasis on sports and battery life
Also, look for models with mobile data. Such a watch only works independently if your carrier supports a separate subscription plan for a smartwatch. If it doesn’t, you’ll end up with a watch that can only go online via your phone.
The battery wears out faster than you think
A smartwatch contains a small battery that’s charged daily. After a few years, you’ll notice that while the watch easily lasted a full day when new, it now barely makes it through the day. On an Apple Watch, you can check the battery health yourself under Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Wear OS watches typically don’t display a percentage, so you’ll have to check with the manufacturer and test it yourself: wear the watch for 24 hours with your normal settings—that is, with notifications and heart rate monitoring turned on.
Condition: What Do the Grades Mean?
Condition grades aren’t legally defined. Many sellers use a scale similar to A, B, and C, with some adding an additional grade above that.
- A or like new: virtually no signs of use; the most expensive option among refurbished items
- B or lightly used: slight scratches on the case or band, barely noticeable during use
- C or visibly used: clear signs of use, technically sound
Always compare the description for each grade, not just the letter. With a watch you wear every day, those scratches are bound to happen, so a lower grade is often more justifiable here than with a device that sits in your bag. The difference that really matters is the battery.
Strap, case, and water resistance
A worn-out strap isn’t a reason to pass up an otherwise good watch, because a strap is easy to replace, even though Apple and Samsung use their own proprietary attachment system that the strap must fit into. More important is water resistance: the specified rating applies to the watch as it left the factory, and not necessarily after it has been opened for repair. If the watch has been opened, don’t just go swimming or showering with it.
Will it still receive updates?
Check the year of manufacture. Manufacturers support a smartwatch for a limited number of years, and once that support ends, no new features or security updates will be released. If you’re unsure about a specific model, check the manufacturer’s support page to see if that model is still supported. The watch will still work, but a model that’s just a bit newer and has slight signs of use will last longer than an older one in like-new condition.
Your rights when buying a refurbished smartwatch
The statutory warranty applies here as well: the watch must perform as you would reasonably expect, taking into account that it has been used. If something goes wrong within one year of delivery, it is presumed that the defect was already present at the time of delivery; the seller must then prove that this is not the case. If you buy online, you also have a 14-day cooling-off period, starting from the day you receive the watch. Many refurbishers offer their own warranty period in addition to the statutory warranty; be sure to factor that into your comparison, along with the rest of the terms and conditions.
Is a refurbished smartwatch worth it?
That depends on what kind of watch you’re looking for. If you want a higher-end model without paying the full retail price, a refurbished watch is a good option. If you’re mainly looking for a step counter and notifications on your wrist, a simple fitness tracker will often do the trick—brand-new and with a fully charged battery. Check out both overviews before you decide.
