If they come from a trusted source or reliable buyer, refurbished Xbox Ones are solid devices that are almost indistinguishable from their brand new counterparts.
I’m a long-time gamer who’s used just about every single system on the market. Xbox Ones are no exception. My own experience with the devices, on top of using various refurbished devices, gave me the perspective I needed to write this guide.
The following sections cover refurbished Xbox Ones in great detail by looking at, not just the differences between renewed and out-of-the-box items, but the pros and cons of going refurbished as well.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Refurbished items, unlike used models, are put through a strict quality assurance process before being returned to market.
- There are several pros to buying a refurbished Xbox One, including a reduced price point, strong quality checks, and a long list of available games.
- You always have to do additional research when buying refurbished electronics, especially if you’re getting one from a smaller or third-party seller.
The Meaning of Refurbished
For almost everyone in the technology world, refurbished is a scary word. Many users try to steer clear of such devices because they assume that they’re used, damaged, or flawed in some way. However, that could not be further from the truth.
Refurbished game systems aren’t just returned to the store and put back on the shelf. They need to go through an extremely detailed quality assurance process that fixes any bugs, assesses potential damage, and even shores up cosmetic issues.
Most of the time refurbished items are either used in store, or are returned without being opened at all. Someone buys a device, takes it home, doesn’t like it for one reason or another, and turns it back in. Most of the models are in like-new condition.
In fact, refurbished items are almost always as reliable as their out-of-the-box counterparts. They have the same specs, accessories, and reliability. Most have the same or even better warranties as well. They just take a little longer to get back onto the market.
Buying a Refurbished Xbox One: The Pros
There are a few reasons customers decide to get refurbished Xbox Ones instead of choosing new models, but none are more important than price. No matter how you slice it, refurbished electronics are always cheaper than new ones. In fact, that’s their main draw.
Xbox Ones are still pricey, but getting a renewed one can cut a decent chunk off of that tag. Saving extra money is always relevant, but it’s especially useful for those getting gaming systems because it gives you more to spend on games or controllers.
Something else to keep in mind is that, unlike phones or computers, game systems take a long time to phase out. They also have plenty of fun and exciting titles, where something like an old computer won’t work as well as a new one.
When you get a refurbished Xbox One, you’re also getting all of the compatible games and accessories. That’s another big draw because it means you won’t have to worry about it being useless. A game that was fun five years ago is still fun. It can also be played again and again.
Buying a Refurbished Xbox One: The Cons
Getting a refurbished device comes with a lot of upsides, but there are a few downsides as well. One of the biggest is quality control. If you get your Xbox from a trusted source, there won’t be any issues. However, if you don’t things can always get a little dicey.
Purchasing a refurbished system from a third-party seller can be a great way to save even more money than you would off a normal big box store. Despite that, you always have to be careful when completing such transactions.
When looking for the absolute cheapest deal, it’s easy to get scammed. You can get some serious savings going that route, but it puts you a bit more at risk. If you aren’t someone who wants to do a lot of research, then renewed electronics probably aren’t for you.
Something else to keep in mind is that you never truly know a refurbished model’s history. Though most items are checked, there’s always a chance that they might not last as long as brand-new ones. Battery life may be inhibited as well.
That’s unlikely to be a big deal when using a game console, but it’s important to keep in mind nonetheless. You may also not get a warranty when purchasing something that’s been refurbished. Try to get ones that come with extra protection.
FAQs
Here, I answer some of the most common questions users ask about refurbished Xbox Ones.
Is It Safe to Buy a Refurbished Xbox One?
There’s always a risk when getting a refurbished item, game system, or otherwise. Despite that, as long as you’re careful and trust the seller you should have no problem getting a reliable model.
What Does a Refurbished Console Mean?
Refurbished consoles have been put through a tough quality assurance process that’s been tested to confirm it’s working properly. It’s also cleaned up and thoroughly inspected for both hardware and cosmetic quality.
Were Refurbished Models Damaged?
No. Most refurbished products were returned to the store without ever being opened or seriously used. Even if something was wrong with them, they are thoroughly cleaned, repaired, and tested before going back out for sale.
Final Words
Though many users may stay away from refurbished items on name alone, they are a great way to get good deals. That goes double for gaming systems. If you’re in the market for a fast, elegant console with thousands of great games, it’s hard to do better than a renewed Xbox One.
Have you ever owned a refurbished console (Xbox or otherwise)? How did it compare to any new ones? Let us know below!
