Buying refurbished tablets

What should you look out for when buying a refurbished tablet?

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

Condition: look beyond the label

Condition grades are not legally defined, so each supplier is free to use their own terminology. The most common classification has three grades, with the difference lying in visible signs of wear rather than in how the device functions.

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

If you come across other classifications, read the description provided by that shop itself, as two online shops may mean different things by the same term. Check straight away what’s included in the package, as the original charger and cable are often missing from resold items.

The battery is the real wear-and-tear part

In a tablet that has been used daily for years, the battery is the component that has deteriorated the most. Ask the seller for the remaining capacity in advance and have it noted on the invoice; on most tablets, you cannot check this value yourself, as you can on a mobile phone. If the capacity is lower than stated, return the device within your cooling-off period rather than accepting it.

Has the tablet been unlinked from the previous owner?

A tablet that is still linked to the previous owner’s account will be unusable for you: you won’t be able to get past the activation process, and you cannot resolve this yourself. A reliable seller will sort this out before dispatch. Check this when unpacking by setting up the tablet with your own account, and report it to the seller immediately if this 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. It is precisely this point that is most often overlooked. For tablets launched as new on the EU market since 20 June 2025, European regulations require a minimum of five years’ security updates, but a refurbished device dating from before those regulations came into force is not covered by this. Look up the manufacturer’s support page for the model you’re considering; it will state until when 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 obvious from the model name, so check the description. If you need internet access whilst on the move, look specifically for a version that supports mobile internet, for example the iPads with a SIM card. Alternatively, you can use your phone’s hotspot.

Your rights when buying a refurbished tablet

The statutory guarantee still applies. A product must perform as you would reasonably expect, and in the case of refurbished goods, the fact that it is a second-hand device must be taken into account: the price, the condition and the information provided by the seller together determine what is reasonable. If something goes wrong within a year of delivery, it is presumed that the fault was already present at the time of delivery, and the seller must 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 tablet, even for a second-hand or discounted device. Use this period to assess the device as you would in a shop: the battery, speakers, all the buttons, the cameras and the screen against a plain white background. If you go beyond simply assessing the device, the seller may charge you for any reduction in value. In addition, many refurbishers offer their own commercial warranty on top of the statutory one; compare the terms and conditions, as there are more differences there than in the devices themselves.

Is a refurbished tablet worth it in your case?

That depends on the type of tablet you’re looking for. With former top-of-the-range models, the difference compared to new is greatest, and you get hardware that was previously out of reach when new. With the simplest entry-level tablets, that difference is smaller, whilst you do forgo a brand-new condition and 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.