Back Market’s strongest documented strength is affordable, accurately graded refurbished tech backed by solid buyer protections. It holds a 4.5 TrustScore from 20,163 US Trustpilot reviews, with 83% five-star. One buyer said “Exactly what I selected during purchase is exactly what I got in the box,” a family who bought Fair-condition devices said they arrived “in the Fair state and they came as such,” and another buyer said “I love refurbished tech and will probably never buy new again!” Back Market is a marketplace for refurbished electronics, with US headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, according to RefurbMe. What sets it apart is that it vets and certifies professional refurbishers and grades devices by cosmetic condition, while promising full functionality regardless of grade.
Back Market sells refurbished smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones, smartwatches and more. Devices come in Fair, Good, Excellent and Premium grades, which differ in cosmetic appearance and price, according to Back Market. Back Market says every device goes through up to a 100-point quality inspection, is factory reset and data-wiped, and comes with free 30-day returns and at least a 1-year warranty. RefurbMe reports battery capacity of at least 80%, or 90% on Premium, and free shipping on all products. Back Market also runs a trade-in program.
The honest caveat: some refurbished devices develop faults, and warranty decisions can be disputed. One buyer said “After 10 days, I lost cell signal,” and another said “Within approximately 4 weeks, the screen developed two severe cracks” before Back Market denied warranty coverage as physical damage.
✅ 4.5 TrustScore from 20,163 US Trustpilot reviews, with 83% five-star
✅ Big savings compared with buying new
✅ Vetted, certified refurbishers, per Back Market
✅ Up to 100-point quality inspection, per Back Market
✅ 1-year warranty on every device, per Back Market
✅ Free 30-day returns, per Back Market
✅ Battery at least 80% (90% on Premium), per RefurbMe
✅ Accurate grading: “Exactly what I selected during purchase is exactly what I got in the box.”
✅ Fast replacements: “They rushed out a new product to me so fast.”
✅ Free shipping on all products, per RefurbMe
✅ Trade-in program
✅ More sustainable than buying new
❌ Some devices develop faults after purchase
❌ Warranty claims for physical damage are denied
❌ Fair-grade devices show notable wear
❌ Battery health may decline quickly on some units
❌ Some packages left unsecured at doors
❌ Order cancellations reported
❌ Quality varies by individual refurbisher
We analyzed Back Market’s US Trustpilot profile (20,163 reviews, a 4.5 TrustScore, 83% five-star and 7% one-star, with replies to 98% of negative reviews within a week and no recent review invitations), plus RefurbMe comparisons and Back Market’s own product and grade information. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Back Market that affects this verdict. Buying tip: test every function (calls, signal, cameras, ports, battery) during your 30-day return window, back up and wipe any trade-in device, and use a case and screen protector from day one.
Back Market is a marketplace, not a refurbisher itself. It works with professional refurbishers that it vets and certifies, then sells their devices with Back Market’s warranty and return protections. Payment is processed through Back Market. Buyers choose a cosmetic grade, and Back Market says functionality is the same across grades. One buyer said Back Market requires refurbishers to be honest about condition, and his Fair-grade devices matched their description.
Most buyers say devices arrive in great shape and work like new. Repeat customers describe buying multiple phones, laptops, iPads and headphones that have lasted years. Problems do occur. Buyers report a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro losing cell signal after 10 days, a phone with a blurry front camera and loose charging port, battery capacity dropping a few percent in two weeks, and occasional audio glitches. Because quality varies by refurbisher, check each seller’s rating and choose Excellent or Premium if condition matters most.
Every Back Market device comes with free 30-day returns and at least a 1-year warranty covering hardware and software defects. Accidental and physical damage aren’t covered. One buyer whose screen cracked within weeks said Back Market denied coverage based on photos and offered $50 toward repairs or a discount instead. Another said the warranty process sent him to a different website. Back Market replies to nearly every negative review and directs customers to open claims through their account.
Delivery is usually fast and well packaged. One buyer suggested more secure delivery after his package was left near his door on a rainy day. Customer service gets mostly positive reviews, with buyers praising real people who resolve issues quickly and rush replacements. A few report cancelled orders and missing promotional codes. Trade-ins generally go smoothly, with one buyer receiving her trade-in value within six days.
Refurbished iPhones in Fair to Premium grades. They’re best for saving hundreds compared with new. Choose Premium for 90%+ battery health, and test signal and cameras right away.
Refurbished Galaxy phones from certified refurbishers. Use a case and screen protector, since physical damage isn’t covered.
Refurbished MacBooks that buyers say arrive as advertised. They’re best for students and professionals on a budget.
Trade in your old device for credit. Back up and wipe your data first.
“My package was found maybe 3 feet away from the door” — T King, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 4 stars, Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro)
“The battery capacity that has gone down from 99% to 96% in 2 weeks” — Sandra, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 4 stars, Refurbished phone)
“The front camera is blurry” — customer, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, Tier 3 phone)
“They cancelled my laptop after saying it was ready to ship” — Will, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 2 stars, Laptop)
“They rushed out a new product to me so fast.” — Blake Dalton, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, Headphones, iPads and iPhones)
Back Market is worth it for anyone who wants quality tech for less, with stronger protections than private sellers. Choose a higher grade if appearance and battery health matter, check the seller’s rating, test everything within 30 days, and protect your device from physical damage. If you need guaranteed perfection, consider buying new.
Feature | Back Market (US) | Swappa | Reebelo | Gazelle | eBay Refurbished |
Model | Vetted refurbisher marketplace | Peer marketplace | Refurbished marketplace | Refurbisher | Marketplace |
Warranty | 1 year | Check site | Up to 12 months (RefurbMe) | Check site | 1–2 years (Certified: 2 years, RefurbMe) |
Returns | Free 30 days | Check site | 30 days (RefurbMe) | Check site | At least 30 days (RefurbMe) |
Trustpilot score | 4.5 (20,163 reviews) | 4.8 (about 39,000 reviews) | 4.7 (about 99,000 reviews) | 3.7 (about 14,000 reviews) | Not checked |
Yes. Back Market has a 4.5 TrustScore from more than 20,000 US Trustpilot reviews.
At least a 1-year warranty on every device, plus free 30-day returns.
Back Market says grades differ only in cosmetic appearance and price, not functionality.
No. Accidental and physical damage aren’t covered.
RefurbMe reports at least 80%, or 90% on Premium devices.
Back Market is one of the best ways to buy refurbished tech. Vetted refurbishers, transparent grading, free 30-day returns, a 1-year warranty and big savings explain its 4.5 TrustScore and many repeat buyers.
The trade-offs are occasional faults, disputed warranty decisions on physical damage, and quality that varies by refurbisher. Test everything quickly and protect your device. For budget-conscious buyers, Back Market is a strong recommendation.
Category | Score |
Price & Value | 9.3/10 |
Selection | 9.0/10 |
Warranty & Returns | 8.8/10 |
Condition Accuracy | 8.3/10 |
Delivery | 8.0/10 |
Customer Service | 7.8/10 |
Device Reliability | 7.8/10 |
Warranty Claims Handling | 6.8/10 |
Overall | 8.2/10 |