Many Canadians upgrade their tech regularly. According to a study by the University of Waterloo in 2023, e-waste tripled in the last 20 years in Canada. And with rapid advancements in technology, it’s safe to say the number is climbing. That’s why sustainable choices matter more than ever. Refurbished tech offers a smart way to get the devices you need while extending a product’s lifespan and making quality technology more accessible without the full price tag.
At Best Buy, refurbished products are a key part of our Future Forward program—our long-term commitment to reducing carbon emissions and waste. When you shop refurbished, you’re buying a product that has been tested, inspected, and backed by warranty coverage. And you’re participating in a circular approach to electronics—a small but meaningful way to help reduce e-waste and keep valuable materials in use longer.
Learn more about our wide range of refurbished products and what you can expect when you buy at Best Buy.
What is refurbished tech and is it reliable?
People often assume that refurbished is just a fancy word for “used,” when in reality the two are very different. Used or second-hand devices are often sold “as-is,” with unknown wear-and-tear and no formal testing. Refurbished devices, on the other hand, are restored and certified by professionals to ensure full functionality, so they can be resold, typically at a lower price than the brand new model. Many of them are products that have been either returned or previously owned. And they come with clear condition ratings and include warranty coverage.
When shopping for refurbished products at Best Buy, be sure to check the product page for the seller and details about the item’s condition, warranty coverage, included accessories, and return policy. Taking a moment to review these details can help you understand exactly what is included and choose the refurbished product that’s right for you.
Is refurbished tech worth buying?
Extending the life of the device
Digital devices have complicated lifecycles—from mining precious metals to manufacturing components and shipping them around the world. Each stage consumes energy, uses natural resources, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. When you choose a refurbished product, you’re extending the life of a device that has already gone through that resource-heavy cycle instead of sending it to a landfill.
Buying refurbished tech is a meaningful way to keep valuable materials circulating longer. While refurbished products don’t eliminate environmental impacts entirely, they help reduce the demand for brand-new manufacturing and delay disposal. It’s a practical, accessible step toward more responsible tech consumption.
Cost savings
One of the biggest reasons many Canadians choose refurbished tech is simple: value. Refurbished devices tend to cost noticeably less than buying new while still delivering the features and performance you’re after. That includes premium models like refurbished iPhone devices, laptops, tablets, and home gadgets that would normally come with a higher price tag. You’re essentially getting the performance of a fully functional device at a fraction of the cost.
Vast shopping options
Shopping refurbished at Best Buy gives you access to a wide range of choices. Whether you’re browsing Apple refurbished devices, Samsung phones, Dyson vacuums, Sony audio gear, or Dell laptops, there’s always something new to discover.
Refurbished products often include devices and configurations you won’t find in-store anymore. It’s a great way to explore older flagship models alongside recent releases, giving you more flexibility and ways to find exactly what fits your lifestyle.
What to expect from refurbished products
From cell phones to computers, TVs and kitchen appliances, every refurbished product at Best Buy goes through a detailed refurbishment process. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Inspected by a professional refurbisher
Before a device can be listed as refurbished, it’s fully inspected by an expert. This includes checking internal hardware, evaluating cosmetic condition, reviewing components, and making sure the device meets the functionality standards defined for the category.
2. Tested for 100% functionality
Performance matters, so every refurbished device undergoes testing to confirm it works as expected. For a refurbished laptop, for example, this includes running diagnostics, checking display performance, testing speakers and microphones, verifying connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular), and ensuring cameras, ports, and sensors function properly.
3. Battery performance of 80% or better
For devices with batteries—like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and some wearables—the battery is evaluated to ensure it performs at 80% of its original capacity or better. This aligns with industry standards for refurbished tech and ensures you get reliable everyday performance.
4. Compatible charging accessories
Every refurbished device comes with a compatible charging cable or power adapter so you can start using it right away. In some cases, accessories may be third-party rather than OEM, but they’re fully compatible and tested.
What are the different conditions of refurbished products?
We use clear condition ratings to help you choose the balance of price and cosmetic condition that works for you.
Excellent condition
Devices marked Excellent look very close to new. You might see a few light signs of wear in non-visible areas, but you’ll have to look closely to spot them. These products include a one-year warranty.
Good condition
Devices in Good condition show small, light signs of wear that don’t affect how the device works. These products come with a minimum three-month warranty.
Fair condition
Fair condition devices show visible signs of wear anywhere on the body. If appearance doesn’t bother you—and you simply want the best price—these are a solid value. They also include a minimum three-month warranty.
Is refurbished better than new?
Choosing refurbished doesn’t replace the experience of buying new—but it doesn’t have to. For many of those upgrading multiple devices or looking for premium tech without the premium cost, refurbished products strike the right balance. You’re not guessing or compromising—you’re making an informed choice supported by clear quality controls.
If you’re a student deciding between refurbished vs. new laptop, for example, the best option isn’t always the newest or the most affordable. Find the one that has the specs and features you need to support your coursework.
Common myths about refurbished tech
Apart from the notion that refurbished tech is simply a used device resold “as-is,” there are several misconceptions worth debunking:
Myth 1: Refurbished tech do not work as well as new ones
Best Buy Canada’s refurbished products are tested for 100% functionality before being listed. The condition ratings describe the product’s cosmetic appearance, not whether its core functions should work. A Good or Fair product may show more visible wear than an Excellent one, but that wear should not prevent it from performing its intended functions.
Myth 2: Refurbished tech have no warranty
Refurbished products sold through Best Buy Canada include warranty information on their product pages. As mentioned in the section on the different conditions of refurbished products, coverage length and terms can vary by product condition. Check the listing before buying.
Myth 3: Refurbished tech always look damaged
Not necessarily. Excellent-condition products may have few or no noticeable signs of wear, while Good and Fair products can show progressively more cosmetic wear. The condition label helps you choose the balance of appearance and value that works for you.
Myth 4: Refurbished tech are always old technology
Some refurbished items are older models, while others are more recent products that were returned, traded in, or previously owned. Availability changes, which can make refurbished shopping a useful way to find both recent devices and discontinued configurations.
Myth 5: Buying refurbished means giving up customer protection
Review the warranty, return terms, condition rating, and included accessories before buying. These details appear on the product listing and help you understand exactly what is included with that item.
Find the right refurbished electronics for you
Get the perfect refurbished device that matches your needs. Explore our wide selection of refurbished products at Best Buy Canada.
FAQs
Check the condition rating, warranty, return terms, included accessories, cosmetic details, and customer reviews.
Refurbished products are tested, reconditioned, and verified to meet functionality standards. Open-box products are typically customer returns that are inspected and graded according to their condition. Because open-box products are often returned shortly after purchase and generally remain in good working order, they typically require less reconditioning than refurbished products.
Yes, warranty information is provided for refurbished products sold through Best Buy Canada. The length and terms can vary, so confirm the coverage shown on the individual product page.
Return policies depend on the seller. Marketplace items may follow the seller’s return policy rather than Best Buy’s standard policy. Check the product page for return information before purchasing.
This article was drafted using AI technology and then reviewed, fact-checked, and revised by a member of our editorial team.
Why do the good and fair conditioned have a minimum of only 3 months warranty, and the excellent condition items has 1 year? Seems kind of backwards and gives me lesser assurance that nothing will go wrong.
Hi Jason, thanks for your comment! The warranty lengths are based on the condition ratings. Excellent devices look and perform almost like new, so they come with a one-year warranty. Good and Fair devices are fully tested and functional but may show more signs of wear, so they include a minimum three-month warranty.
No matter the warranty length, every refurbished device is thoroughly tested to make sure it works as expected, so you can feel confident buying it.
So, since the good and fair refurbished devices are of lesser quality, and therefore more prone to dysnfunction sooner, they are made eligible for shorter warranty terms than excellent refurbished devices that will last longer until they function improperly.
It’s actually forwards Jason. Devices that are expected to last longer have longer warranties so the company doesn’t have to replace as many, while the devices that are of lower refurbished quality have shorter warranty terms because they are expected to fail sooner.