The refurbed Refurbishment Process: How Devices Are Restored to High Standards

Refurbished products on refurbed come from professional refurbishers who mainly restore corporate devices: devices returned at the end of business leasing contracts, telecom carrier returns, customer returns of lightly used or unused devices, manufacturer overstock, and retailer demo units.

You'll also find devices from private trade-ins on refurbed, but only once they've been professionally refurbished to work like new again.

This sourcing model is what allows refurbed to apply consistent quality criteria and warranty terms across the entire product catalogue.

Before refurbishment begins, all previous user data is securely removed.

Professional refurbishers reset devices to factory settings and ensure personal data is permanently erased, following internationally recognised data-erasure standards such as NIST SP 800-88 and IEEE 2883, using software independently certified by third parties such as ADISA.

This step is essential both for data protection and for device performance.

Typical checks include:

• Secure data erasure

• Factory reset

• Software restoration

• Removal of previous user accounts

• Initial diagnostics

For many customers, understanding how refurbished smartphones work starts with knowing that old data is fully removed before resale.

Devices then go through extensive technical testing.

Professional refurbishers check the device's key functions. If individual components fall short of quality requirements, they are repaired or replaced.

Depending on the device, this can involve several refurbishment steps to restore full functionality.

Commonly tested or replaced components:

• Batteries

• Screens and displays

• Cameras

• Speakers and microphones

• Charging ports

• Buttons and sensors

• Internal hardware components

This professional testing process helps ensure customers receive fully functional refurbished products they can rely on every day.

Battery thresholds at refurbed: Premium devices must retain at least 90% of original capacity, while Excellent, Very Good and Good smartphones must retain at least 85% (80% for other devices). Batteries below these thresholds are replaced before sale. On selected models, customers can also choose a brand-new battery instead.

Refurbishment isn't just about making a device work, it's also about how it looks.

In this phase, devices are professionally cleaned and visible signs of wear are reduced wherever possible. Depending on the product's condition grade, refurbishers may polish surfaces, replace exterior parts, or fix cosmetic imperfections.

The goal is for devices to look and feel as close to new as possible, while extending the working life of existing products.

This is one of the key differences between refurbished and typical second-hand products.

Before a product is listed on refurbed, it goes through one final round of quality and functionality checks.

Only devices that meet professional refurbishment standards can be sold on our platform. This final check helps keep products consistent and gives customers extra confidence when buying refurbished tech online.

Final checks can include:

• Battery and charging function check

• Display and touchscreen tests

• Connectivity tests (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile network)

• Audio and microphone tests

• Camera function

• Software checks

• Cosmetic condition assessment

Once approved, the device is professionally packaged and made available on the refurbed marketplace.

Every device on refurbed is assigned one of four transparent condition grades. All four grades include the same minimum 12-month warranty, the same 30-day return policy and the same functional standard (works like new); the difference is purely cosmetic.

Full details, including battery thresholds by category, are available on the refurbed product conditions page.

The refurbishment process is what sets professionally refurbished devices apart from ordinary used electronics.

Without professional testing and repairs, second-hand devices can carry uncertainty around battery health, functionality, reliability, or hidden defects.

Professionally refurbished products help reduce that risk through:

• Structured quality checks

• Functionality testing

• Repairs and replacement parts

• Warranty protection

• Customer protection

For customers, that means more confidence in choosing refurbished tech over buying new.

Many people still confuse refurbished products with classic second-hand devices, but they are not the same.

• Second-hand: usually sold "as-is" — Professionally refurbished: professionally tested

• Second-hand: often no warranty — Professionally refurbished: minimum 12-month warranty

• Second-hand: unknown battery health — Professionally refurbished: battery and functionality checks

• Second-hand: no professional repairs — Professionally refurbished: components replaced where needed

• Second-hand: limited buyer protection — Professionally refurbished: 30-day return policy

• Second-hand: untested functionality — Professionally refurbished: quality-checked before sale

The refurbishment process is what creates that difference.

Buying refurbished online should feel simple, safe and transparent.

That's why refurbed combines professional refurbishment standards with customer protections built for trust.

Customers benefit from:

• Professionally refurbished products

• Minimum 12-month warranty

• 30-day free return policy

• Extensive quality checks

• Trusted refurbishment partners

• Customer support through multiple channels

• Thousands of available products across Europe

• 4.5 ("Excellent") TrustScore on Trustpilot from over 194,000 reviews

• B Corp certified company

• Member of EUREFAS, the European Refurbishment Association

The refurbishment process is the professional restoration of a pre-owned device: testing, repairs, cleaning, component replacement and quality checks, all completed before it is resold. It is what separates a refurbished device from an untested second-hand one.

Refurbished phones are previously used devices that get professionally tested, cleaned, repaired if necessary, and restored to full working condition before being sold again. Each one is then graded on its cosmetic condition and backed by a warranty.

Yes. Every professionally refurbished device sold on refurbed goes through extensive testing, including battery checks, screen testing, connectivity testing and software diagnostics, before it is approved for sale.

Yes. Structured quality checks and repairs by experienced refurbishers give refurbished products a reliable functional standard. Every eligible device also carries a minimum 12-month warranty, so you are covered if something does go wrong.

Second-hand products are usually sold as-is, without inspection or repairs. Refurbished products are professionally restored, tested and quality checked first, then sold with a warranty second-hand devices do not come with.

No. refurbed is a marketplace that connects you with independently vetted refurbishment partners across Europe. Every device is restored to working condition by one of these partners, and their performance is reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Yes. Every device sold on refurbed is fully data cleansed and reset to factory settings before sale, following recognised standards such as NIST SP 800-88 and IEEE 2883, using software independently certified by ADISA, and in compliance with GDPR.

Every refurbished product on refurbed comes with a minimum 12-month warranty and a 30-day return policy. These protections apply equally across all four condition grades: Premium, Excellent, Very Good and Good.

You can find more Frequently Asked Questions here.

Every product on refurbed is tested, graded and backed by a minimum 12-month warranty and a 30-day return policy. Browse thousands of professionally refurbished devices and find yours today.