Apple Watches have had eight generations. They come in a variety of screen sizes, connectivity options, straps and materials. Prices range from a few hundred to literally thousands. Are you a fan of the original $10k Apple Watch Edition model?
While not all are available to buy directly from Apple–right now the company sells only the UltraThe Series 8The, and 2nd-gen SE released in 2022–it’s easy to buy other models from third-party retailers or, if you’d like to save some money, consider a refurbished model. And refurbished is an option you really shouldn’t ignore.
While you might scoff at the prospect of buying what is technically a second-hand watch, Apple’s refurbishing process is undoubtedly rigorous. In fact, apart from the packaging, we don’t think you’d be able to tell the difference between an Apple Watch that the company is selling refurbished and one that’s brand new. Although other retailers may have their own refurbishment procedures, which can vary in quality and reliability, a refurbished Apple Watch is a tempting option when you consider the savings.
We will be breaking down all the details you need about purchasing a refurbished Apple Watch in the Apple Refurbished store or elsewhere to save money.
Where can I buy a used Apple Watch?
These are the top resellers for refurbished Apple products including the Apple Watch.
- Apple Refurb StoreApple offers a variety of refurbished Apple Watches. The refurbs are of the highest quality, in Apple fashion.
- Decluttr: This is MusicMagpie’s brand in the US. The same trade-in services are available, as well as a 12-month warranty and a 14-day guarantee for your money back.
- WalmartYou can also buy refurbished Apple Watches at Walmart. Keep in mind, it’s not directly from the retailer but from other sellers. The beauty is that if you run into trouble you can return the device at any Walmart location, and we’ve seen some very competitive prices from this retailer.
- Amazon Renewed Store: You can find great deals here. But make sure you check out the condition. These details may sometimes not be obvious on the product page.
These refurbished sellers might be of interest to UK residents:
- Apple Refurb Store: Apple Refurb products are regarded as near-new by past buyers, even though they come in plain white packaging.
- MusicMagpieMusicMagpie is a well-respected refurbished seller. You often find sales that further reduce the prices. You can also trade in old tech, gadgets, or media for more cash.
- The iOutletiOutlet: Another reseller that offers great deals on refurbished Apple Watch models, including many generations, is the iOutlet Trade in other gadgets, such as iPhones, iPads or gaming consoles for cashback.
- Amazon Renewed StoreThis is another solid option for Apple Watch deals. Purchases are not only backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy, but the “Renewed Guarantee” as well, which lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product.
- Envirofone: Known for its smartphone offers, this site also currently offers four generations of older Apple Watches, from the Series 2 (which we wouldn’t recommend, as it dates back all the way to 2016) through to the Series 5 (which can still do a job). We’ve not seen anything more recent, however, and stock may be low.
We’d also recommend checking out the following retailers:
Best refurbished Apple Watch deals right now
Here’s our pick of the best-value deals on refurbished Apple Watches available right now. But if you’re looking for a slightly different model it’s worth shopping around on the sites listed above.
Best Refurbished Apple Watch Deals (US)
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS, refurbished)
1
From: Walmart
Was: $349
Now:
$262.97
($86 off)
An excellent deal on 2021’s flagship Apple Watch. Walmart claims that the device has been professionally tested, inspected and cleaned.
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS, refurbished ‘Pristine’)
2
Decluttr
Was: $349
Now:
$287.99
($61.01 off)
Decluttr describes this as a pristine product which “has been fully tested and is in excellent working order.” It’s a good price, too.
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS, refurbished)
3
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: $349
Now:
$299
($50 off)
Apple is the most reliable source of refurb units. However, its prices might not be the best.
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm GPS + Cellular, Refurbished)
4
From: Walmart
Was: $479
Now:
$189.99
($289 off)
Walmart has a fantastic deal on this smartwatch that is only two years old.
Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm), GPS + cellular, Refurbished ‘Good’
5
Decluttr
Was: $449
Now:
$197.99
($251 off)
Decluttr warns that the product, rated ‘Good,’ will show “moderate signs of wear and tear,” but assures customers it has been fully tested and is in excellent working order.
Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm GPS + Cellular, Refurbished)
6
From: Walmart
Was: $479
Now:
$159.92
($319 off)
Do you want a three-year-old Apple Watch or are you happy to compromise? If so, this is a great price on 2019’s finest. Walmart warns, however, that there may be “minor cosmetic defects, blemishes, dents, scratches.”
UK customers can also get a discount on a refurbished Apple Watch. Here are our favourite deals right now.
Best Refurbished Apple Watch Deals (UK)
Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm GPS + Cellular, Refurbished ‘Good’).
1
MusicMagpie
Was: £419
Now:
£324.99
(£94 off)
A handy saving on the larger, cellular-equipped version of 2021’s Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS, refurbished)
2
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: £369
Now:
£309
(£60 off)
Apple no longer sells new units of the Series 7 from 2021, but it’s got refurb models at £60 off the launch price.
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS, refurbished ‘Grade A’)
3
From: iOutlet
Was: £369
Now:
£299.99
(£69 off)
This is a good price, but be warned that the charging brick is not included (or rather, will cost extra if you want it) and it comes with a generic rather than “genuine” strap. This is a solid choice for those who’ve got spare accessories from a previous watch.
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm), GPS + cellular refurbished Good’
4
MusicMagpie
Was: £509
Now:
£210.99
(£298 off)
This is an excellent offer on the 44mm Watch 6 (Cellular) in ‘Good’ condition, with £298 off compared to its original RRP. Just bear in mind that it’s now two years old.
Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm GPS + Cellular, Refurbished)
5
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: £479
Now:
£369
(£110 off)
The Apple Watch Series 6 is now two generations old (the Series 8 launched in September 2022) but remains a capable option, and you can pick up a refurbished unit via Apple’s Refurb Store. Get £110 off the launch price of the 40mm variant complete with cellular connectivity.
Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm – GPS + cellular, renewed “Acceptable”)
6
From: Amazon Renewed Store
Was: £479
Now:
£232.04
(£247 off)
This is an appealingly low price, but can you cope with ‘Acceptable’ condition? Amazon warns there may be visible scratches.
Apple Watch Series 5 (40mm) – Refurbished
7
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: £429
Now:
£319
(£110 off)
If you want the smaller 40mm version of the Apple Watch Series 5 from 2019 complete with cellular connectivity, Apple’s Refurb Store offers an appealingly low price. It’s refurbished, admittedly, but to Apple’s high standards.
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS, refurbished)
8
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: £239
Now:
£199
(£40 off)
Apple’s Refurb Store has £40 off the 40mm model of the Watch SE from 2020. Please note that the Watch SE 40mm model is not available in Apple’s Refurb Store. SE new2022 was the year that it came out.
What’s the difference between a new Apple Watch and a refurbished one?
Technically speaking, Refurbished Apple products (by which we mean specifically products refurbished by Apple itself) are pre-owned, but with such a meticulous refurbishing process undertaken by the company, it’s unlikely you’ll even notice.
It’s not to say that the product has been used for years on end: it could have been used by a journalist relatively briefly for review purposes, or it could have been returned by a customer who quickly decided on a different make or model. Even if it was returned for being faulty after a period of use, Apple rectifies any issues before selling the unit on, providing a product that’s essentially ‘as new.’
When you buy a refurbished Apple Watch directly from Apple, you’ll also get the same one-year warranty that you’d get when buying a brand-new Apple Watch, along with all the manuals and accessories that come with the smartwatch.
The only difference between refurbished and new Apple products is their packaging. They come in a plain, white box without any branding or imagery. It is possible that this is to stop untrustworthy customers purchasing refurbished products to try to resell them as brand new. However, only Apple knows the true reasons. Perhaps it’s just cheaper…
Apple will replace the battery and case on every refurbished device as a standard. But it goes beyond that. Apple promises that all refurbished Apple Watches will work as expected. Each unit is tested thoroughly to ensure this. Any parts that were defective when the Apple Watch was originally returned will have been replaced, and the Watch will have been thoroughly cleaned and inspected to make sure it holds up to Apple’s high standards. These don’t just apply to brand-new products!
As with new Apple products, you’ve got the option of extending the warranty from one to two years by taking out AppleCare+For your refurbished Watch. This provides two years’ worth of technical support, 24/7 access to Apple experts and hardware coverage for two accidents, although there’s an additional $69/£55 fee for repairs.
Should I purchase a refurbished Apple Watch
We think it’s certainly worth considering, as top-quality refurbished products can look as good as new and, packaging aside, your experience will be identical to that of a first-time buyer. This is because the battery has been replaced, which makes it more cost-effective than buying second-hand or used.
Batteries can be replaced for $79 Apple US, or £85 Apple UK(For most models; the Ultra is slightly more). That’s money you might as well put towards a good-quality refurbished model.
Which Apple Watch should you buy?
If you’re on the hunt for the latest Apple Watch Series 8 or Ultra models, you likely won’t find any at the Apple Refurbished Store just yet, so you’ll have to go elsewhere (see our suggestions below). You’ll easily be able to find a refurbished Series 7 or 6, however. And there are some terrific deals on the Apple Watch Series 5 from 2019… but we wouldn’t go any older than that.
While you might be able to get a great deal on Series 4 or 3, these models aren’t available. Relics in a nutshell when it comes to processing power and features, and the latter is no longer supported by Apple itself: you won’t be able to install new versions of watchOS. Next year, the Series 4 will likely suffer the same fate.
If you’re struggling to decide on which Apple Watch is best for your needs, we recommend taking a look at our Apple Watch buying guide.
Which Apple Watch models are available from Apple’s Refurbished Store?
With an ever-evolving stock, it should come as no surprise that products available in Apple’s Refurbished Store change quite frequently. You’ll want to check back regularly if the particular model of Apple Watch isn’t available when you first look.
Refurbished Apple Watches are available at the time this article was written Series 3, Series 5, Series 7And first-gen SE models in GPS and cellular configurations, and all are available in a variety of colour options–At least in the US. (Apple offers a slot for the Series 6 too, but it’s currently out of stock.)
For those in the UK, the Apple Watch is available Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7And first-gen SE.
As we say, keep checking if the configuration you want isn’t there right now. If you want to save some money on an Apple Watch, it’s also worth keeping an eye on our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals.
A deal that includes an Apple Watch may also be available. Read How to get an Apple Watch absolutely freeClick here for more information.
How to choose an Apple Watch that has been refurbished
If the Apple Refurbished Store doesn’t have the model you’re after, you might need to go to a third-party reseller. Before you pay your money, there are some things you should know.
Unlike the situation with Apple’s refurbished devices, which will be virtually indistinguishable from new, third-party refurbished sellers will often offer Apple Watches in a range of conditions. Some will use descriptive terms such as “pristine” and “good.” Others will go for Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C, which can be less straightforward to understand.
A grade on a report card is similar to a grade. Grade ARefurbished Apple Watches will be as close as possible to brand new. Any sign of wear will be so minimal, you probably won’t be able to tell. As you can see, Grade A refurbished items will always be more costly.
Grade BSome signs of wear may be visible, but they will not affect the quality of your product. Finally, Grade CThe refurbished Apple Watch will display obvious signs of wear such as scratches and scuffs.
However, these grades can only give an idea of what you should expect. There isn’t a standard that oversees these grades–which means a Grade A from one reseller may be closer to a Grade B elsewhere. This is why it’s also important to look at all the individual return/warranty policies of the reseller before you part with your money.
Trusted refurbished sellers offer a 1-year warranty on all purchases. This means that you can either get a refund or a free repair if you have any problems. Some retailers, such as Music Magpie 4Gadgets also offer 14-day money-back guarantees so you can return the device if you’re not totally happy.
