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What Does Refurbished Mean? Definition and Labels Explained

6 min read

Refurbished means a product that was used or returned, then checked, repaired where needed, cleaned and sold again. A refurbished product is not new, but someone tested it before the resale. Who did that work, and what warranty you get, depends on the label and the seller.

This guide gives the plain definition first. Then it explains the labels you see in stores and what the official brand programs include.

Refurbished definition in short

  • Refurbished: a used or returned product that was inspected, repaired as needed and resold.
  • Not a quality grade: the word alone does not say who did the work or how well.
  • The seller sets the terms: testing, parts, warranty and returns differ from seller to seller.

The labels and how they differ

Manufacturer certified refurbished

The brand that made the product restores it, tests it and sells it again, usually in its own store. The brand also gives the warranty. Each brand defines its own process, so read the program page. Examples are Apple Certified Refurbished, Samsung Certified Re-Newed and Bose Certified Refurbished.

Seller or retailer refurbished

A store or a third-party refurbisher does the work, not the brand. The warranty, if any, comes from that seller. The quality depends on the seller, so check who the refurbisher is.

Amazon Renewed

Amazon Renewed is a section of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon says Renewed products are "professionally-inspected and tested by a third-party company". The Amazon Renewed Guarantee lets you return a product within 90 days of receipt for a replacement or a refund. For a full comparison, read Refurbished vs Renewed: What the Labels Mean.

Open box

Open box usually means the box was opened, but the product saw little or no use. A typical case is a return or a display unit. Open box does not always mean the product was tested or repaired. Read the store's condition note. For retailer open box grades and when open box fits, read Open Box vs Refurbished.

Used or pre-owned

Used or pre-owned means the product is sold as it is. Nobody has to test it or repair it before the sale. Some brands use "pre-owned" for a tested program, so read the program page when a brand uses the word.

Grades on marketplaces (A, B, C and similar)

Some marketplaces and resellers sort refurbished items into grades, such as A, B and C, or words like Excellent, Good and Fair. There is no shared standard. Each seller writes its own definitions. A grade usually describes the look of the device, so check the battery and the warranty on their own. For how one large marketplace grades devices, read Is Back Market Legit?

What official refurbished programs include

The details below come from each brand's own store page. Terms differ by brand, so check the page before you buy.

What does Apple Certified Refurbished mean?

Apple Certified Refurbished is Apple's own program, sold in the Apple Store. Apple says:

  • Every product goes through a refurbishment process that includes full functional testing.
  • Apple uses genuine Apple replacement parts as needed.
  • Refurbished iOS devices, such as iPhones, come with a new battery and a new outer shell.
  • Every device comes with all accessories, cables and operating systems, in a new box.
  • Every product has Apple's standard one-year limited warranty. You can add AppleCare for more coverage.
  • Orders ship with free shipping and returns.

See our Apple refurbished page.

Samsung Certified Re-Newed

Samsung says its Certified Re-Newed phones are refurbished by Samsung, in a Samsung facility. Each phone must pass 147 quality checkpoints and gets a certified new battery. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty, a charging cable, a user manual and an ejector pin, in a new box. See our Samsung refurbished page.

Dell Outlet

Dell Outlet is a store, not a single condition. Dell says outlet systems "are refurbished, previously ordered new, or scratch and dent". The page promotes a "Same as New" warranty on PCs and servers and offers a warranty upgrade at checkout. Read the condition and warranty lines on each product. See our Dell refurbished page.

Lenovo Outlet

The Lenovo Outlet also mixes conditions. Lenovo says the outlet sells "New & Lenovo Certified Refurbished devices". Check which of the two each listing is. See our Lenovo refurbished page.

Other brands with their own programs

  • Bose Certified Refurbished: Bose says every product is restored and tested by Bose, not a third-party refurbisher. It uses genuine Bose parts and includes a one-year limited warranty when bought directly from Bose. Bose offers a 30-day return policy. See our Bose refurbished page.
  • Sonos Certified Refurbished: Sonos says every refurbished speaker goes through thorough testing and is backed by the same warranty as brand new products. See our Sonos refurbished page.
  • Vitamix Certified Reconditioned: Vitamix says a blender must be unused or lightly used and pass a 17-point inspection. Vitamix lists a 3 to 5 year warranty and a 60-day return window. See our Vitamix refurbished page.

Our brand directory lists the official refurbished store of each brand.

How to check a refurbished listing

  1. Who refurbished it? The brand, a named partner or an unknown seller. Look for the name on the listing.
  2. What is the warranty, and who gives it? Check the length. A brand warranty and a store guarantee are not the same thing.
  3. How long is the return window? Check who pays for return shipping.
  4. What does it say about the battery? For phones and laptops, look for a new battery or a stated battery condition.
  5. What does it say about the condition? Read the grade or condition note, and what it means for that seller.
  6. What is in the box? Check for the charger, the cables and the packaging.

If a listing does not answer these questions, ask the seller or compare it with the brand's own refurbished store.

Bottom line

Refurbished means a used or returned product that was checked and resold. The label alone does not tell you who checked it or what warranty you get. The program and the seller tell you that. For the brand's own testing and warranty, buy from the brand's official program, such as Apple, Samsung, Dell or Lenovo.

Sources

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OfficiallyRefurbished.com

Your trusted guide to certified refurbished products

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