Grading labels can sound vague when you've never bought refurbished before. What is each one actually promising? This is our refurbished Apple grading guide in plain English: what each grade means, what every device gets whatever its grade, and how to choose.
Short answer: the grade tells you how a device looks, and it sets a minimum battery health. It doesn't change whether the device works. Every grade is fully functional, tested and covered by a 12-month warranty. You can also read the summary on our grading page.
What every grade has in common
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Fully working. Every device is 100% functional, at every grade.
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Tested and wiped. Each device is checked with Blancco diagnostics, a platform of 86+ automated tests chosen to suit the device, and its data is securely erased. Our Blancco page shows what gets tested.
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12-month warranty on every device. See the warranty.
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30-day returns. Conditions apply, so it's worth reading our returns policy.
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A minimum battery health: 80% or better on every grade, and 90% or better on Premium.
So the grade covers two things: how the device looks, and the battery floor. Everything else is the same.
The four grades at a glance
|
Grade |
How it looks |
Battery health |
Works fully |
Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Premium |
Like new. No scratches or dents visible from 12 inches away. |
90%+ |
Yes |
12 months |
|
Excellent |
Very minimal wear. Faint scratches or scuffs, if any, that are barely noticeable. |
80%+ |
Yes |
12 months |
|
Good |
Light scratches or scuffs, visible on close inspection. |
80%+ |
Yes |
12 months |
|
Fair |
Visible wear: noticeable scratches or dents on the body, screen and keyboard. |
80%+ |
Yes |
12 months |
Premium: like new
Premium is our top grade and the closest you'll get to an unboxed device in the refurbished market. There are no scratches or dents you can see from 12 inches away, and the device looks pristine. Battery health is guaranteed at 90% or above.
Choose Premium if you're buying a gift, you want it to feel new, or you care about resale value later.
Excellent: nearly new for less
An Excellent device is in very good, near-Premium condition. You may find a faint scratch or scuff, if anything at all, and it's the kind you wouldn't notice unless you were hunting for it. Micro-scratches shouldn't be visible at arm's length. Battery health is guaranteed at 80% or above.
Choose Excellent if you want something that looks close to new but don't need to pay the Premium price.
Good: light, visible wear
A Good device shows visible but light signs of use, such as small scratches or scuffs you'll see on close inspection. Nothing about it affects how the device works. Battery health is still guaranteed at 80% or above.
Choose Good if you'll put it in a case or sleeve anyway and would rather keep the money. It's the balance point between looks and price.
Fair: the biggest saving
Fair is what we call "acceptable" condition, and we want to be clear about it. Expect noticeable scratches or dents on the body, the screen and the keyboard. Hinges or feet may be missing, and keys can be worn enough that the letters are hard to read. It is still fully functional, with battery health guaranteed at 80% or above.
Choose Fair if budget matters most and you don't mind a device that clearly looks used.
Battery health, explained
Battery health shows how much charge a battery can hold compared with when it was new. A guaranteed 80% means the battery still holds most of its original capacity. Premium raises that floor to 90%, which is the one difference beyond looks between the grades.
Which grade should you buy?
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Gift, or you want it to feel new: Premium.
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Nearly new, without the top price: Excellent.
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You'll use a case anyway: Good.
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Budget comes first and function matters more than looks: Fair.
Not sure? Contact us and we'll help you pick a grade for your budget.
What about the Outlet?
Our sticker-marked Outlet is a separate way to save. These devices have sticker marks, and the discolouration they leave behind is the reason for the lower price. They get the same 12-month warranty and testing.
Refurbished, renewed or used?
People use these words loosely, and they don't mean the same thing.
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Refurbished means a device has been tested, any faults repaired, cosmetically graded and sold with a warranty. That's what we do.
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Renewed is the name Amazon gives its own certification programme for refurbished devices from sellers who meet its standards.
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Used usually means a device sold as it is, with no standard testing or grading, and often no warranty, such as a private listing on eBay.
A used listing at a similar price to a tested, graded and guaranteed device is rarely the better deal once you count the missing testing, warranty and returns.
See current graded stock
Every device on our site is graded, so you can compare grades on the listings. Start with a category:
Refurbished grades: FAQs
1. Does the grade affect how well a device works?
No. Every device is 100% functional at every grade. The grade covers cosmetic condition and sets a minimum battery health.
2. What is the difference between Excellent and Good?
Excellent has only faint, barely noticeable marks, if any. Good has light scratches or scuffs you can see on close inspection. Battery health is guaranteed at 80% or above on both.
3. Is Fair grade worth buying?
If you want the biggest saving and don't mind visible wear, yes. It is fully functional, but expect noticeable scratches or dents, and possibly worn keys or missing feet or hinges.
4. Is battery health guaranteed?
Yes. It is 80% or above on every grade, and 90% or above on Premium.
5. Are refurbished devices covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every device comes with a 12-month warranty, whatever the grade.
6. Can I return a device if I don't like how it looks?
You can cancel within the return period. The device must be unused and returned in the condition it was sold, with all accessories and packaging, after you've requested a returns number. Check our returns policy for the full terms and who pays the postage.