Is It Worth It to Sell Electronics Online?

Selling your electronics online is worth it for fast cash, easy trade-in options, and when you don't want to sell to individual buyers. This option is great for older, broken, or unused electronics, while highly desired devices are more likely to have better values if you list them as a private seller.

What Are the Easiest Electronics to Sell?

Cell phones, gaming consoles, televisions computers, e-readers, and gaming devices are typically the easiest electronics to sell. However, older devices with out-of-date technology can be harder to sell than new high-end devices. In these cases, selling them or trading them in to a specialty website can offer an easy way to make money on them.

How Much Should You Sell Used Electronics For?

The value of your specific electronics will vary based on their age and condition, but in general, most electronics can sell for about 25 to 40 percent of their original value. Almost-new and lightly used devices can sell for 50 percent of their original value or more.

What Electronics Can I Sell?

All types of electronics can be sold, and even if they're older, they can still be sold at lower prices and recycled. Items like cell phones, computers, televisions, tablets, gaming consoles, cameras, smartwatches, drones, smart home devices, media players, and even robot vacuums are popular types of electronics to sell.

7 Best Sites to Sell or Trade Used Electronics of 2023

Pile of used cellphones — Lifewire / Design by Amelia Manley

If you have a few old devices at home that you don't need anymore, the best sites to sell or trade used electronics can help. While it's easy to throw out unused, broken, or old devices, this causes negative environmental impacts. So besides options like donating or recycling, selling your devices allows you to make a few bucks. These sites may purchase them for parts or to resell to other customers.

Look through these trade-in websites before tossing out your old phone, laptop, tablet, video game, MP3 player, and more. You'll simply value the items online, print a free shipping label, package them, and send them off. The company of your choice will verify the items before approving your payment in just a few days. We've rounded up the top options to help you get started.

Best Overall: Decluttr

Payment Methods: PayPal, direct deposit, or donate to charity
Types of Devices: Apple computers and accessories, Apple TVs, cell phones, game consoles and accessories, headphones, iPods, Kindle E-readers, tablets, DVDs/CDs, and wearables
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

Decluttr makes it easy to sell a large variety of used devices with free shipping, guaranteed prices for online quotes, and multiple payment options.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Good shipping policies
Simple site navigation
Mobile app integration

Cons

Relatively small market share

Overview

Decluttr lets you sell (and buy) all sorts of new and old electronics. You’ll get paid the day after they receive your stuff, all shipments are insured for free, and you’re guaranteed the first price you’re quoted (or they’ll send your item back to you for free).

The website is easy to use. Just search for the device you want to sell and select its condition—usually between Good, Poor, or Faulty—to rate the product before you add it to your basket. You can even scan items into your account with the mobile app.

You can include up to 500 items in one basket, and you’ll always see the value of each of them before you add them to your cart. If you add more than one thing, you’ll see the total amount that Decluttr will pay you for everything you want to sell.

When you’re ready to confirm the order, you’ll be able to print off a free shipping label to attach to the box (which you need to provide yourself) and send it off without fees.

Where to Sell Used Video Games

BuyBackWorld

Dreven Holdings Group Inc.

Payment Methods: PayPal, Venmo, or check
Types of Devices: Phones, laptops, tablets, Apple computers and accessories, gaming consoles, cameras and lenses, smartwatches, GPS, calculators, PDAs, wireless hotspots, headphones, wearables, media players, home automation devices, drones, and more
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

From popular items like phones to less-used items like calculators or headphones, BuyBackWorld allows users to sell electronics with an easy rating system and payment options.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Lots of item types
Simple item-rating system
Bulk sales available

Cons

Focus is on sales, not trade
Unclear what criteria determine an offer price for custom quotes

Overview

Your next best option is to use BuyBackWorld, which will buy back over 30,000 products. In fact, if you can't find what you want to sell on their website, you can get a custom quote. Over $40 million has been paid out to hundreds of thousands of users.

Like some other electronics trade-in sites, follow the on-screen instructions to answer questions about the item and then print the shipping label. You don't need to provide much information about each product other than the condition, which for most is either Poor, Average, Excellent, or New.

If you can't print the shipping label, they also let you request a free shipping kit, which includes a bubble wrap pack and prepaid shipping label. However, that might take a week to arrive, whereas printing the label lets you ship it out that same day.

Another feature that makes this a unique place to sell electronics is that for qualifying items, you can use the "BuyBackWorld Quick Pay" option to get paid the very next day after they receive your order. You have to take a price cut to do this, but if you want the money sooner, this might be a better option for you.

Gazelle

Payment Methods: Amazon gift card, PayPal, check, or in-store kiosks for instant cash
Types of Devices: Phones, tablets, Apple computers, and iPods
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

Along with its online trade-in and device selling programs, Gazelle also offers in-store kiosks allowing users to sell their devices for instant cash.

Pros & Cons

Pros

In-person kiosks to get cash fast
Easy option to re-quote if your item isn't as described
Good market visibility

Cons

Prices aren't always as competitive
Limited categories of items they'll accept

Overview

Like other cash-for-electronics websites in this list, Gazelle gives you an offer for the item you want to sell so that you can ship it to them and get paid. However, this company also offers in-store kiosks to trade in your device on the same day for instant cash.

When selling something like a phone or tablet, you need to describe how well it works. You might be asked if the device powers on or if there are scratches or cracks anywhere.

After running through the "Get Offer" section to pick the product and describe its condition, select one of the payment options and then provide your address so they can make you a personalized free shipping label.

We like that if Gazelle rejects your item once they receive it (if they decide that it's in worse condition than what you described), they’ll give you a revised offer with five days to accept it. If you reject the new price, they’ll send your item back to you for free.

Offers are good for 30 days, and payments are usually processed a week after they get your item.

If you own a business that needs to sell used electronics and you have more than 10 items to trade in at once, you can send those old phones, computers, and other devices to Gazelle in bulk.

Amazon

Payment Methods: Amazon gift card
Types of Devices: Kindle E-readers, phones, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, streaming media players, books, video games, gaming consoles, wireless routers, and more
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

Amazon's device trade-in program doesn't offer cash, but it does typically give higher values for devices that can be used through Amazon gift cards.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Great for users that already have Amazon accounts
Instant Payment system is good if your transaction qualifies

Cons

Limited to Amazon credit only
Amazon's pricing logic model isn't always obvious

Overview

Amazon is one of the most popular places to buy and sell things online between other Amazon customers. The company also has a trade-in program that lets you sell electronics directly for gift cards in return. All you have to do is print the shipping label and send the item to Amazon; or, depending on the device, you can trade it in at select participating locations.

You can easily spot products that can be traded in for money by looking for the trade-in button on any product page. You can also follow the link below to search for products that are part of Amazon's trade-in program.

After you answer a few questions about the condition of the product, enter your address, and print the shipping label that goes on the box. Amazon doesn't provide a shipping box for you.

There’s also an option during checkout to choose what Amazon should do if the item you send is of a lower value than what you’re quoted online. You can have them ship it back to you for free, or you can choose to automatically accept the lower price.

Some Amazon products are eligible for what’s called “Instant Payment,” which means that if you trade in one of those items, you’ll get paid immediately once your order has been confirmed. Others only pay out after Amazon receives and confirms the order.

Best Buy

Payment Methods: Best Buy gift card
Types of Devices: Phones, laptops, desktops, Apple TVs, tablets, iPods, MP3 players, Microsoft Surface, TV remotes, gaming hardware, video games, smartwatches, headphones, cameras, and more
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

Best Buy's trade-in program (which only offers store credit) is great for users who want to trade in their device and purchase another item on the same day, but it also features a mail-in program like other companies.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy to use
Work with bricks-and-mortar locations

Cons

Payment in store credit
Pricing logic isn't always obvious

Overview

Best Buy also has its own trade-in program for electronics. In fact, they support more products than the majority of the websites on this list (and the website is very user-friendly).

To sell old electronics to Best Buy, visit the link above to browse or search for the item you want to sell, then answer any questions that pertain to that product for an accurate quote. Once you add the item to your basket, pick the mail-in trade-in option and then enter your shipping information to print the free shipping label.

What we like most about Best Buy’s trade-in service is that it’s really detailed but also has room for products that aren’t listed. For example, if you’re trading in an old laptop, there are over a dozen brands you can pick from, but you can also choose "Other Brand" if it’s not listed. You can also pick “Other” for the CPU and OS, and as long as the computer works, you’ll likely get something for it.

Like similar websites that buy used electronics, Best Buy lets you send multiple items in the same box with one shipping label.

You have to provide your own box to ship the item, but the label is 100 percent free. If you don’t have a box or want money for your electronics even faster, finish the trade-in estimate online and then take the items to a Best Buy store.

Canitcash

Payment Methods: PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Amazon, check, Chase, or Zelle
Types of Devices: Laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, speakers, game consoles, robot vacuums, iMacs, cameras, smart home devices, GPUs, CPUs, SSDs, RAM sticks, monitors, projectors, wearables, drones, 3D printers, media players, smart displays, and more
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

Canitcash offers the most payment options for devices, making it easy and accessible for all users to sell their items.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Several unique payment options
Easy-to-use interface
Diverse selections
Allows requests

Cons

Not well-known
Limited questions about your item can cause issues later

Overview

Canitcash is another place you can sell your broken, old, or unused electronics online, and the site is super easy to use. There are some unique payment options with this one, so chances are you'll have no problem getting paid back.

Like some of these other cash-for-electronics companies, this one provides you with an instant quote online before you send them the item. After identifying the brand and model of the device, you're asked just two questions about its condition and functionality.

If you're satisfied with the estimate, print off the free UPS or USPS shipping label, apply it to your package, and then drop it off at a UPS location or your local post office.

Target

Payment Methods: Target gift card
Types of Devices: Phones, tablets, game consoles, smart speakers, headphones, media players, video games, and smartwatches
Shipping: Free

Why We Chose It

Offering Target gift cards rather than cash, Target's device selling program is great for users who want to spend the money within the store.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Integration with Target's retail locations
Easy-to-use website

Cons

One payment option
Limited range of items
Must have an account before getting a quote

Overview

Target’s buy-back program isn’t much different than the others in this list, but it’s perfect if you want a Target gift card in exchange for your used electronics. Just print the shipping label and send the package directly to Target.

Another small difference in using Target to sell electronics is that they usually only ask a couple of questions. For example, if you’re trading in a video game, you’re asked if it’s working and if you have the original case. For others, like a game console, you might need to say how large the hard drive is and if you’re also selling the controllers.

An important note: The condition accessed by their inspection team is the final determination, so there's no room for negotiating, and your devices will not be shipped back.

When it’s time to print the shipping label, you can get one for UPS or FedEx, whichever you prefer. You're responsible for shipping supplies. You can also trade in items at the electronics department in a physical Target store.

Final Verdict

Decluttr is our best overall choice among sites to sell or trade used electronics, as this company offers several different payment options for a wide range of devices. Its online quotes are guaranteed to give you the original price you're quoted, or else the company can ship your items back for free (with free mailing insurance). Additionally, its user-friendly website features an easy device rating system to help users get an accurate price.

Compare the Best Sites to Sell or Trade Used Electronics

Company	Payment Methods	Types of Devices	Shipping
Decluttr	PayPal, direct deposit, or donate to charity	Apple computers and accessories, Apple TVs, cell phones, game consoles and accessories, headphones, iPods, Kindle E-readers, tablets, DVDs/CDs, and wearables	Free
BuyBackWorld	PayPal, Venmo, or check	Phones, laptops, tablets, Apple computers and accessories, gaming consoles, cameras and lenses, smartwatches, GPS, calculators, PDAs, wireless hotspots, headphones, wearables, media players, home automation devices, drones, and more	Free
Gazelle	Amazon gift card, PayPal, check, or in-store kiosks for instant cash	Phones, tablets, Apple computers, and iPods	Free
Amazon	Amazon gift card	Kindle E-readers, phones, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, streaming media players, books, video games, gaming consoles, wireless routers, and more	Free
Best Buy	Best Buy gift card	Phones, laptops, desktops, Apple TVs, tablets, iPods, MP3 players, Microsoft Surface, TV remotes, gaming hardware, video games, smartwatches, headphones, cameras, and more	Free
Canitcash	PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Amazon, check, Chase, or Zelle	Laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, speakers, game consoles, robot vacuums, iMacs, cameras, smart home devices, GPUs, CPUs, SSDs, RAM sticks, monitors, projectors, wearables, drones, 3D printers, media players, smart displays, and more	Free
Target	Target gift card	Phones, tablets, game consoles, smart speakers, headphones, media players, video games, and smartwatches	Free

What to Do Before Trading In

It might be tempting to just fly through the questions you’re asked on the trade-in website, print the shipping label, and send off your laptop, phone, or tablet to wait for your payment. There are two reasons why that isn’t a good idea.

First, the questions you’re asked on these websites are important in valuing the item you want to sell. Everything you send will be looked over before you get any money anyway, so if you give inaccurate information or completely false details, they might send the item back and force you to repeat the whole process over again. You’ll spend much more time doing that, rather than just answering truthfully and slowly the first time through.

Another reason to take your time is that there's a lot of personal data you need to look over and decide whether to delete or back up before the items leave your possession.

If you’re selling a laptop or desktop computer, and you’ve already saved everything you want to keep, you should seriously consider wiping the hard drive clean. This will remove every file on the drive and prevent the next owner from possibly retrieving your information.

There’s a chance some of these trade-in services will wipe your phone or hard drive for you, but some explicitly say you are fully responsible for erasing any data. Fortunately, it’s not a hard task, and you can easily reset your iOS device or reset your Android device if you’re trading in one of those.

Also remember that any headphones, skins, stickers, or other personal items that are on or in the device will probably not be returned to you should you include them in the box. Only have in the box the exact product(s) you’re selling.

FAQ

Is It Worth It to Sell Electronics Online?

Selling your electronics online is worth it for fast cash, easy trade-in options, and when you don't want to sell to individual buyers. This option is great for older, broken, or unused electronics, while highly desired devices are more likely to have better values if you list them as a private seller.
What Are the Easiest Electronics to Sell?

Cell phones, gaming consoles, televisions computers, e-readers, and gaming devices are typically the easiest electronics to sell. However, older devices with out-of-date technology can be harder to sell than new high-end devices. In these cases, selling them or trading them in to a specialty website can offer an easy way to make money on them.
How Much Should You Sell Used Electronics For?

The value of your specific electronics will vary based on their age and condition, but in general, most electronics can sell for about 25 to 40 percent of their original value. Almost-new and lightly used devices can sell for 50 percent of their original value or more.
What Electronics Can I Sell?

All types of electronics can be sold, and even if they're older, they can still be sold at lower prices and recycled. Items like cell phones, computers, televisions, tablets, gaming consoles, cameras, smartwatches, drones, smart home devices, media players, and even robot vacuums are popular types of electronics to sell.

Methodology

To find the best sites to sell or trade used electronics, we compared top options based on their payment options and average customer reviews. We also considered the amount and type of devices each site accepts, ranging from companies with fewer options (like only phones, tablets, or computers) to those that accept a large variety of electronics (including smaller items like headphones, TV remotes, and even wireless hotspots). All companies in this list offer free shipping for devices. We also aimed to include a few in-store options for users to get cash or credit for their electronics on the same day.

Where to Recycle Old Computers for Cash