If you‘re like me, you love finding a great bargain when shopping online. And in the world of online deals, Amazon Renewed products stand out as one of the best values around.
But you may be wondering—what does "Renewed" actually mean on Amazon? Is it the same as refurbished? And is it safe to buy these discounted products?
As a deal-seeker myself, I’ve purchased several Renewed items through Amazon over the years. And I want to share everything I’ve learned about how Amazon’s Renewed program works.
In this detailed guide, you’ll discover:
- Exactly what Renewed means and what products are available
- How Renewed compares to refurbished and used items
- The pros and cons of buying Amazon Renewed
- Whether Renewed products are safe to purchase
- How to find the best Renewed deals on Amazon
Let’s dive in!
What Does “Renewed” Mean on Amazon?
When you’re browsing on Amazon and see an item labeled “Renewed”, what does it mean?
Renewed products are pre-owned, used, or opened items that have gone through Amazon’s refurbishment and quality inspection process.
So Renewed is Amazon’s way of saying the item has been refurbished to like-new condition and meets their quality standards.
Some key facts about Amazon Renewed:
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Applies to electronics: Phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, speakers, headphones, smart home devices
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Refurbished by Amazon: Items are reconditioned and tested by Amazon technicians
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Discounted pricing: Up to 50% off compared to brand new equivalents
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90-day Renewed Guarantee: Easy returns if you‘re unsatisfied with your purchase
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May not have original packaging: Often comes in a plain Amazon box instead
The bottom line—Renewed products on Amazon are pre-owned/used items that have been refurbished to work and look like new. And Amazon guarantees their quality.
Next, let‘s look at how Renewed compares to other used product categories…
Renewed vs Refurbished vs Used on Amazon
I’m sure you’ve noticed Amazon uses several terms like Renewed, Refurbished, Used, and Open Box. What’s the difference between all these pre-owned product categories?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Renewed | Refurbished by Amazon technicians to like-new condition |
| Refurbished | Refurbished by the original manufacturer or 3rd party seller |
| Used | Simply used/pre-owned with no refurbishment |
| Open Box | Opened but still in new condition, with accessories |
The key difference is that Renewed products go through Amazon‘s own rigorous refurbishment process. While anything Refurbished or Used just means it‘s pre-owned.
Among all the pre-owned options, Renewed provides the most assurance of quality thanks to Amazon’s inspection and renewal warranty.
Here’s a more detailed comparison of Renewed vs New:
| Renewed | New | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 20-50% less than new | Full retail price |
| Condition | Used, refurbished to like-new | Brand new, never opened |
| Testing | Inspected & tested by Amazon | None needed |
| Warranty | 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee | 1-year limited OEM warranty |
| Packaging | Plain brown Amazon box | Original manufacturer packaging |
| Availability | Fluctuates, limited quantities | Always available |
As you can see, the trade-off for the discounted pricing is that Renewed products are pre-owned and may not come in the original packaging.
But Amazon renews them to near-perfect condition—and you still get a 90-day warranty.
For me, saving 20% to 50% is worth getting a refurbished product vs paying full retail price for brand new. But now let‘s look at…
Are Amazon Renewed Products Safe to Buy?
When considering discounted refurbished products, it‘s natural to be concerned about safety and reliability.
The good news is yes—it‘s perfectly safe to buy Amazon Renewed products. Here‘s why:
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Rigorous inspection – Amazon technicians ensure every Renewed product looks and functions like new before it‘s resold. Defective items don‘t pass.
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90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee – Gives you three months to evaluate a product. If any issues, you can easily return it.
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Reputable marketplace – Buying refurbished directly from Amazon is safer than random third-party resellers.
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Discounted pricing – Renewed prices can be 50% lower because the items are used. But still complete all testing.
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Electronics refurbishing expertise – For electronics especially, Amazon technicians properly refurbish and re-validate the products.
According to Consumer Reports surveys, 25-40% of people have purchased refurbished electronics and almost 90% were highly satisfied with their renewed purchase.
While no refurbishment process is 100% perfect, Amazon Renewed gives you the highest likelihood of receiving a pre-owned product that works like new at a discounted price.
What to Look for When Buying Amazon Renewed
Amazon offers a wide selection of products through their Renewed program. But not all Renewed deals are created equal.
Here are a few tips to get the best value on Amazon Renewed purchases:
Stick with popular models – Renewed availability fluctuates, so sticking with best-selling laptops, phones, etc. improves odds of scoring a discount.
Verify Renewed supplier – Some items are renewed directly by Amazon, others by third-party sellers. Amazon-renewed products come with the strongest guarantees.
Compare prices – Always double check that the Renewed price offers adequate savings over buying new. Some deals aren‘t worth it.
Read condition details – Listings indicate if there are signs of wear and mention any missing accessories to set expectations.
Check for Certified Renewed – This tag means the product passed Amazon’s strictest quality checks for flawless appearance and performance.
Browse frequently – The fastest-selling Renewed deals get purchased quickly. Check back often for new inventory.
Follow these tips and you can confidently score amazing deals on Renewed products across Amazon‘s marketplace.
Should You Buy Amazon Renewed Products?
Given all the facts, should savvy shoppers consider buying Amazon Renewed products to save money?
For most people, the answer is yes – Amazon Renewed is a smart purchase option, if you set expectations properly.
Here‘s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:
Pros
- Save 20% to 50% off buying new
- Amazon technician tested
- 90-day returns if any issues
- High-quality refurbishment
- Warranty often matches new
Potential Cons
- Limited availability
- May have cosmetic wear
- No original packaging
- Small risk of issues
- Can‘t see product first
The huge discounts make it worthwhile, as long as you‘re comfortable buying a product you can‘t examine in-person before purchasing.
Personally, I always check Renewed listings when shopping on Amazon. I‘ve saved hundreds of dollars on laptops, phones, headphones, and other gadgets through the program.
Just make sure to stick with reputable top brands, read condition details, and buy from Amazon Renewed when possible for the strongest guarantees.
Following some common sense guidelines, you can score amazing deals on Amazon Renewed electronics and devices of all kinds!
Bottom Line
Here’s a quick summary of what “Renewed” means on Amazon:
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Renewed = Refurbished. Pre-owned/used items reconditioned by Amazon.
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Products tested extensively and discounted up to 50% off retail price.
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90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee for easy returns.
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Primarily electronics like phones, laptops, headphones, etc.
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Buy from Amazon Renewed listings for strongest quality assurance.
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Inspect each listing for item condition and warranty terms.
Amazon Renewed gives you affordable access to heavily discounted refurbished products backed by Amazon’s guarantees.
So next time you’re shopping on Amazon, don’t forget to check the Renewed listings. With the right expectations, you can find amazing deals on quality pre-owned electronics and devices!
