Our Favorite Brands to Buy Used (and They’re All Online!)

Buying used and refurbished products can save you a ton of money, not to mention you’ll be helping to reduce the number of items that end up in landfills. But how do you know what types of products to buy and if you can trust that they will work as well as new ones sold? 

How to Decide Which Products to Buy Used 

Sain Rhodes, real estate expert at Clever Offers and former retail operations expert who has helped hundreds of clients with purchasing decisions for refurbished and used products, recommends choosing items that truly deliver value. “Furniture and home décor are absolute winners in the used market since their quality construction doesn’t degrade through previous ownership,” says Rhodes. Plus, you can expect to save 50 to 70 percent off retail prices. 

“Kitchen appliances like mixers, food processors, and coffee makers are exceptional used purchases because they’re engineered to last decades,” she adds. Finally, Rhodes considers tools and power equipment as among her strongest recommendations for used purchases, with quality tools often improving with age and rarely failing catastrophically if well-maintained. “I’ve built entire workshops from used tool acquisitions.” 

Pitfalls to Watch Out For 

To avoid a used purchase disaster, Rhodes suggests keeping the following tips in mind:

• Always ask for detailed condition documentation and photographs showing the product from multiple angles before committing to any purchase.
• Read seller reviews, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Sellers with very few reviews or suspicious review patterns need to be avoided.
• Avoid listings with vague descriptions, such as “gently used” or “some wear”; a good vendor should specify the exact condition.
• Be wary of any price that seems impossibly low, as the product could be defective or stolen.
• Use only payment methods with buyer protection like credit cards and PayPal. Never wire money to a vendor.
• Calculate the actual savings, including shipping costs, taxes, and potential return shipping, before making a purchase.
• Never buy mattresses, pillows, or bedding that have been used, as hygiene concerns are real and irreversible, even when cleaning claims seem promising.
• Avoid buying used paint, sealants, or chemical products, as shelf life and storage conditions are highly unknown.
• Avoid refurbished items from third-party sellers without manufacturer backing because quality control is a significant concern.
• Think twice if a vendor doesn’t take returns or has unreasonable return policies.

While there are more and more places to purchase used and refurbished products as affordability and sustainability are top-of-mind, there are still only a handful of home-related manufacturers that offer such programs. We highlight these brands below, including one of our favorite products that they are selling refurbished. 

KitchenAid’s refurbished program offers big savings on certified refurbished countertop appliances, while reducing waste through reuse and recycling. These are typically products that were returned after initial purchase; sometimes the product is unused, other times the product has been lightly used. All products are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and restored to look and perform like new. They are carefully repackaged with all required parts and accessories, along with product manuals and guides. Every refurbished product includes a 6-month or 1-year limited warranty. There is free shipping on all refurbished orders and you can return your product within 60 days.

This Refurbished 7-Speed Hand Mixer is available at a 50 percent discount. It is ideal for mixing heavy, dense ingredients with ease. It is dishwasher-safe, has a lockable swivel cord that keeps the cord out of your way while mixing, and accessories that can be easily released with the ejector button.

Dyson Renewed offers refurbished, recycled, and renewed vacuums and environmental care and haircare products that have been previously sold by Dyson and returned. Refurbishing a machine increases its lifetime, reducing the need for new parts and raw materials. All Dyson Renewed machines are meticulously inspected, fully serviced, and tested to ensure they meet the company’s quality standards. All surfaces and machine attachments are thoroughly deep cleaned and sanitized, and fitted with genuine replacement parts where needed. Any imperfections are purely cosmetic and can range from micro scratches and light scuffs to more visible marks, or discoloration to paint finishes and surfaces. Products are covered by a warranty for 6 months or 1 year. Keep in mind that Dyson Renewed sales are final, so no returns.

The Refurbished Dyson V8 Absolute vacuum cleaner is available at a savings of 45 percent off the original price. This vacuum is lightweight and versatile, with up to 40 minutes of run time and 2 power modes. It also contains a HEPA Filter to purify the air in your home. Special features include the latest hair de-tangling Motorbar™ clear head to remove ground-in dirt from carpets; a specialized Fluffy™ cleaner head to clear dust and debris from hard floors; a conical brush bar to remove hair from pet beds, car seats, and stairs quickly; a crevice tool engineered for precise cleaning around tricky edges and into hard-to-reach narrow spaces; and no-touch bin emptying. Finally, it’s ergonomically designed to clean high-up places with one smooth motion.

IKEA offers an As-Is online program for IKEA Family members, their free membership program. These second-hand products from their Buyback service or ex-showroom displays are sold at reduced prices with the goal to make customers’ lives easier and more sustainable. Although items may be slightly used, they have been thoroughly inspected to ensure functionality and safety. Once you reserve your product online, pick-up is available at the As-is pick up window in your local store. Unfortunately, all As-is products are excluded from the return policy.

This attractive TÅGARP floor uplighter/reading lamp is available at a 41 percent discount. It consists of two lamps with the same base that can be switched on and off separately; one spreads light upwards and the other is a directable reading lamp. This lamp gives off a diffused light, which is helpful for spreading a lot of light around a room. The lamp is made of steel and 20 percent recycled polypropylene plastic.

Vitamix sells reconditioned units that offer the quality and performance of a brand-new model for up to 30 percent less. Over the last 7 years, Vitamix has helped place more than 760,000 Reconditioned blenders in kitchens instead of landfills. In order to qualify for Reconditioned status, blenders have to be unused or lightly used and pass a 17-point inspection. A significant scratch, unusual motor sound, or a date stamp more than 5 years old will automatically disqualify a machine from the program. Each unit undergoes a rigorous testing and reconditioning process to meet the same high standards as new machines. All certified Reconditioned blenders come with the essential accessories needed for optimal performance, which typically includes a container, lid, and tamper. Vitamix offers a hassle-free return policy for all blenders. There is also a 3 to 5 year warranty.

This standard refurbished model includes C-Series machines, such as 5200, Creations® II, and Creations® GC. It has 10 variable speeds to create everything from the smoothest purées to the heartiest soups. The high/low control can be used to adjust the speed of the blades for processing tough, whole-food ingredients and fine-tuning texture. Instead of plastic components that wear quickly, Vitamix uses a metal drive system to connect the container to the motor base—allowing better blends and longer lifespan. A motor base, classic 64-ounce container, and classic tamper are included, and it comes with a 5-year full warranty.

Cort Furniture is a furniture rental company that people use to temporarily decorate their homes or offices. They sell gently used, previously leased pieces online and at their outlet stores at bargain prices. This “circle of life” of purchasing previously leased furniture from a CORT Furniture Outlet reduces waste, helps our environment, and gives customers access to high-quality stylish furnishings built to last at extremely affordable prices. All merchandise sold in their Furniture Outlets is CORT Certified™ and CORT Clean Certified™, so it has been cleaned, sanitized, and inspected by furniture experts. The wide range of products include microwaves; wall art; bedroom dressers, chest of drawers, nightstands; dining room tables and chairs; electronics; file cabinets; lamps; occasional tables, coffee tables, end tables; TV stands; office furniture; rugs; and upholstered furniture like sofas, love seats, and accent chairs. Availability depends on your location.

The Havana end table is a round mid-century glass and chrome accent table that pairs well with leather and wood furnishings. It’s available at a 73 percent discount. There is a matching oval Havana cocktail table that may also be available.

 

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