We all have old tech lying around -- phones, laptops and chargers sitting in a drawer doing nothing. The thing is, a lot of that stuff still has value, and there are places that’ll actually pay you for it. Throwing old tech in the trash always feels a little wrong, like you’re tossing out something that still has value. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to turn those old electronics into cash instead of clutter.
Where many of the other services on this list have you send hardware to them for evaluation and payout, Swappa is a direct-to-consumer service. You list the hardware you want to sell with photos and whatever price you want to start at and, once the listing is approved by staff, you'll be listed for any buyer looking to make a purchase. If you're buying, Swappa is sure to enforce timelines on shipping and payment so everyone is treated fairly. While this method requires a little more work on behalf of the seller, the result is frequently a much higher payout and the Swappa team protects both sides of the transaction from any shady behavior.
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Pros
- Very few limits on hardware you can sell
- Extremely helpful staff
- Protections for buyers and sellers
- Quick payout
Cons
- Frequently requires negotiating with the buyer
- PayPal-only
ecoATM is a convenient platform that lets you trade in old phones for cash through self-service kiosks located in grocery stores, malls and other public spots. You can check your device’s value online or lock in an offer through the app, then drop it off at a nearby kiosk for quick payment. Beyond the payout, ecoATM focuses on sustainability by refurbishing usable devices and responsibly recycling older electronics to reduce environmental waste.
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Pros
- Thousands of kiosks nationwide
- Eco-conscious option
Cons
- Might not get as much as other places
Amazon's trade-in program works a lot like its retail store. You do an easy search for an electronic item, enter any necessary details (storage, screen size and so on) and then select the device's condition. Amazon will then make an offer for your electronic gadget and, if you accept it, provide a free shipping label for the item. The number of items Amazon accepts spans a wide spectrum, including video doorbells, wireless routers and other home security devices.
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Pros
- Quick payout
- Decent seller protections
Cons
- Amazon-only payout
- Limited hardware accepted
Unlike the previous services for selling electronics online, ItsWorthMore will pay you through your choice of PayPal, Zelle, gift card or an old-fashioned paper check. The process for selling electronic goods entails answering some questions about the old cell phone, tablet, Apple Watch (or other Apple device) or computer you're selling. ItsWorthMore will then give you an offer and, if you accept it, provide you with a prepaid shipping label. During the checkout process, you can select how you want to receive your payment.
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Pros
- Multiple payment options
- Great hardware library
Cons
- 2-day shipping costs more
Getting a quote from Best Buy is as simple as picking a product category, manufacturer, model and condition. Once you've filled out the questionnaire, the tool will estimate the unwanted device and give you an instant quote. The offer amount, if you choose to accept it, will only be awarded as store credit in the form of a Best Buy gift card. The company lists a handful of stores that don't participate in the trade-in program.
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Pros
- In-store experience is super convenient
- Recycling options are available if the value is low
- Many kinds of hardware accepted
Cons
- Best Buy gift card only
Apple’s recent iPhone 17 and AirPods Pro 3 launches have kicked off the usual upgrade cycle, with plenty of people eyeing the new Pixel 10A and Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup too. But every upgrade comes with the same question -- what do you do with the old stuff? Whether it’s your previous iPhone, unused AirPods Pro 3, an older Pixel 10 device, a Samsung Galaxy S26 you’ve moved on from or even an old gaming consoles sitting under the TV, most of it ends up in a drawer, collecting dust.
One of the simplest ways to clear out old gadgets is to sell them. You don’t even need to be upgrading right away; extra cash in your pocket is always useful, and recycling responsibly is an added bonus.
A lot of people just let old gadgets pile up without realizing there are easy ways to turn them into cash. Whether it’s a phone you replaced, an old laptop or something you don’t really use anymore, there are tons of places online that’ll take them off your hands. And if you’re trying to save up for a new phone or a better laptop, selling or trading in used tech can help offset the cost.
If your old tech still works, you might be surprised by how much it’s still worth. Retailers and brands like Apple and Best Buy offer trade-in programs that can turn old devices into credit toward a newer device, including the iPhone 17E. A lot of carriers do the same thing, so upgrading your phone or replacing older gear can cost a lot less than you’d expect.
Not every old device is worth hanging onto, especially when phones, smartwatches, gaming consoles and fitness trackers can still have decent resale value years later. Some companies make the process surprisingly easy too, with prepaid shipping labels, instant quotes and same-day trade-in credit in some cases. These are the services we’d actually consider using to turn used tech into cash without much hassle. Our team at CNET has personally used many of these platforms, giving us a solid foundation to help you choose the right one.
What is the best place to sell used electronics?
Regarding value, ease of use and knowing you're protected against scams, Swappa is one of the best options out there. It's not your only option, though, and there are some other great places available if all you want to do is put your phone or tablet in a box and get paid a few days later. But if you're looking to get the highest payout and do so quickly, you'll find Swappa is the best option.
Swappa allows you to list your tech at whatever price you think is fair, almost like eBay. But at Swappa, the company helps you out by giving you a look at what other versions of your products are selling for. When you sell on Swappa, you sell directly to another person. If someone is interested in making a purchase but would like additional photos or details, they can request them directly from you.
When it's time to make a purchase, Swappa ensures you're paid quickly, and the buyer is assured that you'll ship the product promptly. Everyone wins, and Swappa staff are involved in the whole process to prevent scams.
Best places to sell used electronics in 2026
Pros
- Very few limits on hardware you can sell
- Extremely helpful staff
- Protections for buyers and sellers
- Quick payout
Cons
- Frequently requires negotiating with the buyer
- PayPal-only
Where many of the other services on this list have you send hardware to them for evaluation and payout, Swappa is a direct-to-consumer service. You list the hardware you want to sell with photos and whatever price you want to start at and, once the listing is approved by staff, you'll be listed for any buyer looking to make a purchase. If you're buying, Swappa is sure to enforce timelines on shipping and payment so everyone is treated fairly. While this method requires a little more work on behalf of the seller, the result is frequently a much higher payout and the Swappa team protects both sides of the transaction from any shady behavior.
Pros
- Thousands of kiosks nationwide
- Eco-conscious option
Cons
- Might not get as much as other places
ecoATM is a convenient platform that lets you trade in old phones for cash through self-service kiosks located in grocery stores, malls and other public spots. You can check your device’s value online or lock in an offer through the app, then drop it off at a nearby kiosk for quick payment. Beyond the payout, ecoATM focuses on sustainability by refurbishing usable devices and responsibly recycling older electronics to reduce environmental waste.
Pros
- Quick payout
- Decent seller protections
Cons
- Amazon-only payout
- Limited hardware accepted
Amazon's trade-in program works a lot like its retail store. You do an easy search for an electronic item, enter any necessary details (storage, screen size and so on) and then select the device's condition. Amazon will then make an offer for your electronic gadget and, if you accept it, provide a free shipping label for the item. The number of items Amazon accepts spans a wide spectrum, including video doorbells, wireless routers and other home security devices.
Once you ship the item, Amazon will inspect it to ensure the item matches your original description. If it all checks out, your Amazon account will be credited with an Amazon eGift card for the offer amount. If the item is in better condition than you described, Amazon's customer service promises to pay you more. If you'd rather trade in a device in person, Amazon has a list of locations where you can take Amazon devices and select phones. Amazon states that even nonworking devices can be accepted. The drawback? Your money is sent exclusively to your Amazon account.
Pros
- Multiple payment options
- Great hardware library
Cons
- 2-day shipping costs more
Unlike the previous services for selling electronics online, ItsWorthMore will pay you through your choice of PayPal, Zelle, gift card or an old-fashioned paper check. The process for selling electronic goods entails answering some questions about the old cell phone, tablet, Apple Watch (or other Apple device) or computer you're selling. ItsWorthMore will then give you an offer and, if you accept it, provide you with a prepaid shipping label. During the checkout process, you can select how you want to receive your payment.
You also have the option to pay $15 for two-day shipping as well as a 24-hour processing time. Otherwise, standard shipping and a turnaround target time of 72 hours. Processing can take up to five business days. When your device is received, ItsWorthMore will verify if the indicated working condition is accurate, which means checking whether it's in good condition, fair, broken and so on. If there's a discrepancy, you'll have a chance to ask for the device back or accept the revised offer.
Pros
- In-store experience is super convenient
- Recycling options are available if the value is low
- Many kinds of hardware accepted
Cons
- Best Buy gift card only
Getting a quote from Best Buy is as simple as picking a product category, manufacturer, model and condition. Once you've filled out the questionnaire, the tool will estimate the unwanted device and give you an instant quote. The offer amount, if you choose to accept it, will only be awarded as store credit in the form of a Best Buy gift card. The company lists a handful of stores that don't participate in the trade-in program.
Best Buy's payment turnaround time is slower than other services, but the company accepts a wider variety of gadgets, matching nearly every type of electronic device it sells. This includes various laptop options, smartphone options, wearables, digital camera options and video game consoles. You can trade in your gaming system, video games and an iPhone or iPad at the same time, for example.
Pros
- Fast turnaround after a quote is made
- Custom quotes for unlisted hardware
- Multiple payout options
Cons
- Offer adjustment process after delivery can take a while
BuyBackWorld will buy a range of products, including phones, tablets, iPods, cameras, game consoles, computers, headphones, drones and more. You can even get a custom quote for products that aren't listed on the site. After getting a quote and selecting how you want to be paid, send your items to BuyBackWorld. Once they receive your shipment, they'll inspect your items and you'll get paid. If the quote is adjusted after inspection, you can accept the new offer or have your device returned to you.
Pros
- In-store experience is convenient
- In-store recycling is helpful
Cons
- Apple gift card only
- Limited non-Apple trade in opportunities
Apple's trade-in program will take devices from a range of companies, not just its own. Currently, Apple will accept your laptop, smartphones, tablets, watches and "other" devices and old equipment. If the company doesn't have a trade-in offer for your device, like iPods or AirPods, Apple will recycle it free of charge. Apple states it will take two to three weeks to complete the online trade-in process.
If you want to place your order for a new device right now, the company will credit your payment method with the trade-in value once it's processed. Alternatively, if Apple Stores are open in your area, you can visit the store and get an instant store credit for your trade-in. It's especially helpful with the launch of the iPhone 16. Using Apple's trade-in service makes sense if you're already planning on buying a new iPhone or Mac. It's not a worthwhile option for someone who wants to buy the latest Samsung Galaxy, for instance.
Pros
- Many hardware types accepted
- Direct Deposit payments
Cons
- Turnaround time is a little long
BackMarket makes it very easy to trade in your old gear for cash in your account, quickly. The company accepts phones, tablets, game consoles, and even headphones with payouts of up to $700 depending on the product and its condition. Getting started is quick and easy, all you have to do is answer a few questions and then you'll see the offer. If you accept, you ship your device out (which is free), and then once it's inspected they send you the money.
- Know the value: Nearly every service will tell you the value of your tech before you actually list it, by asking a series of questions about the current state of your tech. Using any of those services will let you know what you can expect to make before you make any decisions.
- Check multiple services: Every service offers a different price for just about everything, and while most of the time those differences are only a couple of dollars in either direction, you will occasionally find significantly better offers depending on the time of year. For example, if you're selling a phone, its value is typically at its highest just before a new phone is released.
- Beware of scams: If you're using a service that lets you talk directly to a person who might be buying, it's important to keep that conversation on the service you're using. Don't start separate conversations, especially if that person is promising to pay you more or help you avoid seller's fees.
- Be honest: If your tech has some scratches or damage, be sure to claim this damage. Failure to do so will end in not getting the amount you were promised, and in some cases, can result in your getting banned from selling other tech in the future.
- Do a factory reset: Before sending in any device, make sure you've backed up anything you may want to keep, then do a factory reset to clear the data.
Broadly speaking, if you have something less than five years old and it's in good condition, there's a good chance you could sell it. With smartphones and tablets, anything made by Apple tends to sell for more, even when it's slightly older.
If you've looked up the value of your tech and it's not much, but you still want to get it out of the house, you can still recycle that tech responsibly instead of throwing it away. We recommend using the Best Buy recycling service, which can be used in the store or online.
If you're trying to get rid of something with a swollen or puffy battery, please do not throw it away or attempt to ship it to a sales facility. Swollen batteries represent a significant fire risk and should be disposed of quickly and correctly. The best way to do this is to look up e-waste facilities in your area and safely deliver either just the battery or the whole device to that facility.