What "refurbished" means, and why the seller matters

A refurbished product has been returned, inspected, repaired if needed, tested and resold. The protection you get comes from each seller's own program: how the item is tested, which parts are replaced, how long the warranty lasts, and how long you have to return it.

The three things to compare across programs are the warranty length, the return window and the battery standard. The sections below cover what each program states.

Apple Certified Refurbished

Apple says each Certified Refurbished product goes through a refurbishment process that includes full functional testing and genuine Apple replacement parts as needed. Refurbished iOS devices, such as iPhone, get a new battery and a new outer shell. Every device ships in a new white box with all accessories, cables and operating systems, and comes with Apple's standard one-year limited warranty. AppleCare can be added, and shipping and returns are free.

Apple's online store sales policy gives a return window of 14 days from the date you receive the product. NBC Select's June 2025 guide to buying refurbished tech also lists a one-year warranty and a 14-day return policy for Apple Certified Refurbished.

  • Warranty: one year (standard Apple limited warranty).
  • Returns: 14 days from delivery.
  • Battery: new battery and outer shell on refurbished iOS devices.
  • Best for: buyers who want the closest experience to new.

Amazon Renewed and Renewed Premium

Amazon Renewed products are not refurbished by Amazon itself. As reported by MacRumors in March 2021, Amazon describes Renewed devices as inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified third-party suppliers. For Renewed phones, Amazon said battery capacity must exceed 80% of a new device, and Renewed items should show no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at arm's length. Renewed came with a 90-day return policy, while Renewed Premium devices are certified to work and look like new and carry a one-year customer satisfaction guarantee.

NBC Select's June 2025 guide reports the same split: a one-year return policy for Premium-condition items, 90 days for other conditions (Excellent, Good, Acceptable), and no manufacturer warranty. Because each Renewed listing comes from a specific supplier, the exact terms can vary. Terms can change, so check the guarantee and battery details on the product page before buying.

  • Renewed: 90-day guarantee; phone batteries above 80% of new capacity.
  • Renewed Premium: one-year guarantee; condition described as like new.
  • Refurbished by: third-party suppliers, not Amazon.
  • Manufacturer warranty: not included, per NBC Select.

Best Buy refurbished (Geek Squad Certified)

NBC Select's June 2025 guide says Best Buy's Geek Squad Certified refurbished products are refurbished by Best Buy staff and come with a 90-day warranty, and it notes that restocking fees are possible.

Best Buy's current return policy says most products, including new, clearance, open-box, refurbished and pre-owned items, can be returned within 15 days of receipt. My Best Buy Plus and Total members get 60 days on most products (Marketplace items excluded). Activatable devices such as phones, cellular tablets and cellular wearables have a 14-day window. Restocking fees apply to some categories, including $45 on activatable devices and 15% on items like drones, cameras and projectors, but there is no fee if the product is unopened, and no fee in some states.

The sources reviewed for this guide do not state a battery standard for Best Buy refurbished items, so check the listing or ask before buying a device where battery health matters.

  • Warranty: 90 days (Geek Squad Certified, per NBC Select).
  • Returns: 15 days for most items; 14 days for activatable devices; longer for paid members.
  • Battery: no stated standard in the sources reviewed.

Manufacturer refurbished from other brands

Apple's program is an example of manufacturer refurbishment: the company that made the device repairs and certifies it. Other brands sell refurbished stock through their own stores or through retailers, and the terms differ. Before buying, look for the same three things: a written warranty you can read before purchase, the return window, and whether the battery was replaced or tested to a stated minimum.

When buying refurbished is safe, and when to buy new

Refurbished is a strong option when the program includes a warranty of a year or more, a return window long enough to test the device properly, and a clear battery standard. Apple Certified Refurbished and Amazon Renewed Premium both describe one-year coverage; standard Amazon Renewed and Best Buy refurbished describe 90 days.

New can be the better choice when the price difference is small, when you need the longest possible software support from day one, or when a device's battery is hard to replace and the listing does not say how healthy it is.

  • Read the warranty and return terms on the listing itself, not just the program name.
  • Test the battery, screen, buttons, ports, cameras and charging within the return window.
  • Check the model year: an older model may get fewer years of updates.
  • Keep the receipt and packaging until the return window closes.
  • An extended protection plan costs extra; compare it with the warranty already included.