Refurbished Playstations, like any other popular renewed product, are great as long as you understand their limitations and get them from a trusted source.
I have been a big PlayStation fan who has had every version of the system since the original came out. My personal time spent with the devices, as well as my years of using different refurbished items, enabled me to break down the following guide.
Each of the below sections takes a close look at refurbished PS4s and PS5s by looking at the different pros and cons that come with getting a renewed device.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Unlike used items, refurbished products are returned devices that companies run through a strict quality assurance phase to make sure they are as good as new before putting them back up for sale.
- Buying a renewed PlayStation is a great way to save some money on a premium device and make an environmentally-friendly choice at the same time.
- It’s important to always do your research and know exactly who you’re buying from before you get a refurbished PlayStation.
The Meaning of Refurbished
Most of the time, electronic users stay away from refurbished items simply due to the fact that they were previously purchased. However, that’s a large assumption that leads to the wrong conclusions. Refurbished items are often bought and then returned without any issues.
The term refers to any electronic device that’s brought back to the store for one reason or another and then checked for quality before being put back on the market. If any defects or bugs are found, they are promptly fixed. All of the items are updated as well.
In that way, it’s hard to tell the difference between a refurbished and brand new item. That goes double for PS4s and PS5s because they don’t phase out quite in the same way as other electronics. They will always be up to date and give you access to a wide variety of games.
It’s easy to see refurbished items as used or faulty, but neither is true. In fact, most of the time refurbished items were display models or opened but never even plugged in.
Buying a Refurbished Playstation: The Pros
Everyone has their own reasons for purchasing a refurbished item, but price is almost always the leading factor. Playstations, especially PS5s, come at a hefty cost. A refurbished model cuts into that and makes getting the system much more reasonable.
In fact, some refurbished Playstations can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than their out-of-the-box counterparts. Looking at that, it’s easy to see why people turned to refurbished devices. It takes a premium purchase and makes it much more manageable.
Not only that, but refurbished Playstations offer a lot more value than their other renewed electronics. That’s because, where laptops and iPhones become slower or more outdated over time, gaming systems keep on going for years before being replaced.
There are still plenty of amazing games for the PS4, and getting one at a cheaper price is a great way to experience them. In addition, the PS5 is brand new. If you get one, refurbished or otherwise, you know it will stay as the most cutting edge technology for five plus years.
There’s also an extra level of protection that comes with most refurbished items. As stores generally want to build confidence in their renewed stock, they will often put in warranties to ensure you won’t be worried about the item failing prematurely.
Renewed devices are even good for the Earth. As the refurbishing process encourages recycling over throwing something away, it’s an environmentally-friendly choice.
Buying a Refurbished Playstation: The Cons
As great as refurbished PS4s and PS5s can be, there are a few drawbacks that come with getting them too. The biggest is that you have to do your own quality control. While most big box stores come with quality assurance, that’s not true of all sellers.
It’s always important to check who you’re buying from, as well as exactly what model you’re buying. While big box stores have more reliability, they typically don’t offer as many huge deals. Smaller sellers go lower in price, but they open you up to scams.
Another con to be aware of when getting a refurbished Playstation is the lifespan is unknown. Refurbished items tend to be as good as new, but they may not stick around as long as new ones either. It all depends on where you get your model.
There are a few unknowns that come with getting a refurbished PlayStation. Whether that mystery is worth it compared to the pros is completely up to you.
FAQs
This section covers some of the biggest questions users ask about refurbished PlayStation systems.
Where’s the Best Place to Buy a Refurbished Playstation?
Always get your refurbished item from a big box or a well-known store. Though some smaller options or third-party sellers can still deliver a great product, they don’t have the same checks as larger entities.
Does a Refurbished Playstation Come With a Warranty?
It depends. Though most larger stores (including Sony themselves) offer great warranty options for refurbished items, that’s not necessarily true for all sellers. Always do your research when looking for that protection and don’t be afraid to shop around.
Is Refurbished Better Than Used?
Typically, it’s more worthwhile to get something that’s refurbished because, where used items were owned and played with a lot, the same isn’t necessarily true of refurbished. Most of the time, they were owned only for a short time. Some weren’t even opened.
Final Words
When it comes to refurbished electronics, Playstations are one of the best items to get. That’s because they take a long time to go out of date, are reliable, and easy to come by. If you want a gaming system that won’t break the bank, it’s hard to do better.
Have you ever owned a refurbished Playstation? If so, did you notice any differences from a new or right-out-of-the-box option? Let us know below in the comments!
