Back Market Review
The world's largest refurbished electronics marketplace — certified pre-owned iPhones, MacBooks, and tech at 30–70% off retail
Last reviewed: 2026-05-26 · By GBBR Editorial Team
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Rankings are never for sale.
Our Top Pick · Silver Tier
Back Market
Free plan available
The Bottom Line
Back Market is the world's largest marketplace for certified refurbished consumer electronics, earning a Silver tier rating for its 30–70% discounts on iPhones, MacBooks, Samsung Galaxy devices, and other premium electronics, its standardized 5-point quality grading system, and a 1-year warranty on all purchases. Founded in 2014 in Paris by Thibaud Hug de Larauze, Quentin Le Brouster, and Vianney Vaute. Best for anyone who wants a premium device — iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Galaxy — at 30–70% below retail price and doesn't need the latest model.
What is Back Market?
Back Market was founded in 2014 in Paris and has grown into the global leader for refurbished electronics — operating in 16+ countries with 6.5M+ customers and $1B+ in GMV annually. Back Market is a marketplace model: it connects buyers with vetted professional refurbishers (over 2,000 certified sellers) rather than refurbishing devices itself. Back Market's differentiation is its standardization and quality control: sellers must meet minimum testing standards, devices are graded on a standardized 5-point scale (Pristine, Excellent, Good, Fair, Acceptable), and all purchases include a 1-year warranty regardless of seller. Back Market raised $335M at a $5.7B valuation in 2021.
What does Back Market offer?
Certified refurbished iPhones (iPhone 12 through 15 series), Samsung Galaxy (S21–S24), MacBooks, iPads, AirPods, Apple Watch, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles. All devices: factory reset, professionally tested, graded on 5-point scale, 1-year warranty included, 30-day return window. Grading: Pristine (flawless), Excellent (light marks), Good (minor scratches), Fair, Acceptable. Price examples (2026 avg): iPhone 15 Pro ~$650 vs. $999 retail (35% savings); MacBook Pro M2 ~$1,100 vs. $1,999 retail (45% savings). Carbonless checkout (Back Market plants a tree per order). Back Market Blackbelt: verified professional refurbisher certification.
Free to shop
$0
/year
Is Back Market worth the price?
30–70% below retail on premium devices with a 1-year warranty — the best value proposition in consumer electronics for anyone not needing the latest model
Apple Certified Refurbished offers 1-year warranty at 15% off retail — reliable but premium priced. Back Market offers 30–70% off with comparable warranty protection. eBay used electronics have no standardized grading or warranty.
Exceptional valueHow we scored it
Overall score: 81/100
Strong catalog of refurbished iPhones, MacBooks, Samsung Galaxy, iPads, laptops, consoles — 16+ country inventory; limited on latest-gen models
30–70% below retail on premium devices — iPhone 15 Pro ~$650 vs. $999 retail, MacBook Pro M2 ~$1,100 vs. $1,999 retail
30-day return window on all purchases; 1-year warranty included on every device regardless of seller; standardized claims process
Shipping times depend on seller location (typically 3–7 days US domestic); professional packaging standard required of all sellers
Back Market mediates between buyers and sellers; 1-year warranty claims handled through Back Market; response times vary
No dedicated business account program — primarily consumer-focused; bulk B2B purchases possible but not formally supported
Why Back Market is Silver Tier
Back Market earns Silver because the value proposition is genuinely exceptional — 30–70% discounts on premium devices with a 1-year warranty address both the price and risk objections that make buyers hesitant about refurbished electronics. The standardized grading and seller vetting meaningfully reduce the quality lottery risk of buying used electronics. It falls short of Gold because the marketplace model means device condition varies more than buying new or Apple Certified Refurbished, customer service response times depend partly on individual seller responsiveness, and the selection of cutting-edge/just-released models is limited by refurbishment supply.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓30–70% discounts on premium devices (iPhone, MacBook, Galaxy) vs. retail price
- ✓1-year warranty included on every purchase — removes the primary refurbished risk
- ✓Standardized 5-point grading (Pristine, Excellent, Good, Fair, Acceptable) — no guesswork
- ✓30-day return window on all devices
- ✓2,000+ vetted professional refurbishers — not random sellers
- ✓Environmental benefit — extends device life, reduces e-waste
Cons
- ✗Condition varies more than new or Apple Certified Refurbished — read grade descriptions carefully
- ✗Latest-gen models have limited supply — best for 1–3 generation old devices
- ✗Customer service response depends partly on individual seller
- ✗No physical stores — can't inspect device before purchase
Ready to try Back Market? Free plan available — no credit card required.
Get Back Market →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Back Market worth it in 2026?
30–70% below retail on premium devices with a 1-year warranty — the best value proposition in consumer electronics for anyone not needing the latest model Overall verdict: Exceptional value.
What is Back Market best for?
Back Market is best for: Anyone who wants an iPhone, MacBook, or Galaxy and doesn't need the latest model, Budget-conscious buyers who want premium devices at non-premium prices, Environmentally-motivated buyers who prefer extending device lifespans.
Does Back Market have a free plan?
Yes — Back Market offers a free tier: Free to shop — no membership required.
Who should NOT use Back Market?
Back Market is not the right fit for: Buyers who must have the latest model on launch day; Business procurement teams needing standardized fleet specifications.
What are the best Back Market alternatives?
Top alternatives to Back Market include best-buy, newegg, bhphotovideo.
Back Market earns Silver because the value proposition is genuinely exceptional — 30–70% discounts on premium devices with a 1-year warranty address both the price and risk objections that make buyers hesitant about refurbished electronics. The standardized grading and seller vetting meaningfully reduce the quality lottery risk of buying used electronics. It falls short of Gold because the marketplace model means device condition varies more than buying new or Apple Certified Refurbished, customer service response times depend partly on individual seller responsiveness, and the selection of cutting-edge/just-released models is limited by refurbishment supply.
Get Back Market →Free tier available — no credit card required
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