The best online secondhand shops

This article has been updated. It originally published on Dec. 11, 2024.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to buying (for someone else or yourself) and being sustainable. We all know that less stuff for us means more 💚 for the Earth, so when we’re thinking about physical goods, the best thing to do is shop secondhand. 

This advice spans categories, so it’s nearly impossible to quantify the planet-saving potential of opting for preowned wares, but we do have indicators. A 2024 analysis of t-shirts, dresses, pants, and sweaters found that buying preloved results in up to 42% fewer emissions then shopping new. For electronics, that gap is a canyon: The average drop in planet-warming emissions across phones, tablets, and computers is 89.6%, according to a lifecycle assessment commissioned by reseller Back Market.

But, while it’s true that buying what’s old means burning fewer resources and less stuff becoming waste, it’s also true that counting on the thrift to deliver exactly what’s on your list can feel like a treasure hunt. That can be a blast if you’re freewheeling your list a bit, but has major haystack vibes if you’re looking for something specific. 

What secondhand shopping generally lacks is one reliable online mecca that acts like a 1:1 replacement for an Amazon or Target or other big-box store, but there are marketplaces that specialize in specific types of goods. It’s not that you can’t hit up ebay for pretty much anything, but a site with a narrower focus is more likely to serve up higher-quality options and have more blanket guarantees around the goods changing hands. So, we rounded up the best sites for a range of popular categories, including outdoor gear, electronics, toys, clothes, and more. 

Before we dive in, a quick PSA on secondhand gifts: In our experience, gift shopping this way has to happen in a kind of sweet spot. You have to be close enough to a holiday or birthday to be inside the return window (if there is one), but also far enough out to not have to fall back on rush shipping, which can up the emissions associated with scoring a secondhand gem.  For the end-of-year holidays, that tends to fall in the first or second week of December, but mileage varies depending on the shop.

For electronics: Back Market

E-waste is the fastest-growing stream of trash in the world, but many castoff laptops, iPads, headphones, and more are just in need of a little TLC. All items Back Market sells are professionally refurbished, returnable within 30 days, and come with a one-year warranty. The inventory has all the top brands—including perennial wish list favorites like high-end blow-dryers. 

Also great: Manufacturers’ refurbished. If you’re a little nervous about a secondhand market, you can buy preowned devices directly from brands, including Apple and Microsoft. In Apple’s case, items might still be covered by an existing Apple Care plan or other warranty. 

For outdoor gear: Geartrade

This consignment shop can outfit almost any outdoorsy or athletic hobby—from hiking and flyfishing to biking and skateboarding. Outdoor lovers send their used kit to Geartrade’s warehouses, where its team inspects wares to ensure no one shells out for skis or skates that have seen better days. If you do end up disappointed, the site has a 14-day “no-questions-asked” return policy. 

Also great: REI. One of the biggest names in outdoor gear also runs a pretty robust resale program. You can also trade in old items and receive a gift certificate—perfect for cleaning out what you don’t need and finding affordable treats for outdoorsy loved ones.

For clothes & accessories: ThredUp

ThredUp organizes, assesses, and photographs items without the complications of peer-to-peer thrifting apps like Poshmark and Depop. Most of its listings include several images and honest ratings of an item’s quality in plain terms like “some wear” or “flawed gem.” If something doesn’t work out, you can send back purchases within 14 days for a refund or in exchange for another item.

Also great: The RealReal. This luxury consignment shop is best for splurgier brands like Cartier and Chanel. Its team carefully vets every item and rates them on a scale from “as is” to “pristine.” If you purchase a gift here and want to return or exchange it, you can do so in 14 days.  

For art & decor: AptDeco

AptDeco acts like a matchmaker for buyers and sellers of used decor and furnishings. Sellers list their preloved gems, and the site’s team makes sure photos and details are all in tiptop shape. Once an item’s purchased, they handle the transaction and can even hire professional couriers to schlep stuff from door to door. After delivery, buyers have 48 hours to report problems—but if you decide against a certain painting or chair later, you can relist it for free within 30 days. 

Also great: OfferUp. This peer-to-peer site can be overwhelming at times, but it is a treasure trove for home decor. That said, it comes with the pitfalls of an eBay-like marketplace; for example, not all sellers offer returns. 

For toys & games: Toycycle

Like ThredUp does for clothes, Toycycle is a centralized clearinghouse for preloved playthings. The site’s inspectors check toys twice: once when an item arrives at the warehouse and once before it goes out the door. The shop also cleans everything it sells. For extra peace of mind, the site stays up to date on safety, so you won’t accidentally buy something that’s been recalled. They also have a 30-day return policy. 

Also great: GoodBuy Gear. This shop handles all manner of kiddie gear, including things like car seats, but it does have a good selection of toys for the younger set. There’s a return and cancellation policy available for several scenarios, including receiving damaged or incorrect items. 

For books & media: ThriftBooks

This mega secondhand shop—which they claim is the world’s biggest used bookseller—is a perfect source for all things media. It sources a lot of its books from charities like thrift shops and libraries, and its staff hand-grades their quality. Buyers enjoy a 30-day return policy if they receive a wrong or damaged item. The site’s easy to navigate, and the robust entertainment section not only includes DVDs and vinyls but video games, too. 

Also great: Better World Books. Though it’s not exclusively a secondhand shop, Better World Books does maintain a robust collection of preloved tomes. The company funds literacy initiatives across the globe, accepts donations via dropboxes in the U.S. and U.K., and also recycles any books that don’t find a new home. 

For jewelry: Ruby Lane

When it comes to finding a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry online, Etsy has more inventory and shops curating collections than anywhere else. It can be overwhelming, and, as a buyer, it’s hard to know which sellers you can trust. The Ruby Lane marketplace offers a similar, but more buttoned-up experience. Art, antiques, and jewelry professionals prescreen individual sellers, and the site runs a “secret shopper” program that makes random purchases to assess customer service and quality. The rub? Its return window is pretty tight: just three days from receipt. 

Also great: Doyle & Doyle. This site, founded by a pair of sisters, has a huge inventory of antique, estate, and vintage jewels starting as low as $25. Standard shipping is free for orders of $50 or more, and returns are allowed within seven days of delivery.

For tools: CPO Outlets

If the DIYer in your life has enough projects that actually owning tools—as opposed to renting them from a tool library—is justifiable, CPO is the place to go for certified refurbished power tools. They’ve got all the big brands (DeWALT, Bosch, Makita, Craftsman, and more), and has a 120-day money-back guarantee on all its refurb wares. They also have a selection of lawn and garden equipment. Just promise us you won’t be getting anyone a leaf blower.  

Also great: Direct Tools Factory Outlet. The selection of refurbished tools here is a little more limited (the last time we looked they only had listings for Ryobi and Rigid), but you’ll likely still find what you’re looking for. They’ve got a 30-day return policy, but will hit you with a 20% restocking fee.

For housewares: Etsy

This mammoth peer-to-peer marketplace can be a crap-shoot when it comes to customer service and returns, because sellers set their own policies and the site’s umbrella buyer protection only applies in certain scenarios. But! If you’re a lover of vintage glassware, obsessed with Pyrex, or just want to find a matching set of mugs, there’s no better spot to scour. A lot of sellers cross-post on ebay, but we find searching and filtering on Etsy way easier—especially the one-button toggle to show only vintage wares. 

Also great: Kitchen Switchen. It’s Poshmark or Depop, but for the kitchen. Sellers list everything from preowned glassware to sturdy dutch ovens, and buyers browse the digital racks. Buyers have 4 days from receipt of an item to request a return. 

For small kitchen appliances: Manufacturer’s refurbished

Peer-to-peer marketplaces like Kitchen Switchen do have plenty of appliances, but for things you have to plug in—like stand mixers, blenders, and air fryers—we prefer going right to the source. Most major brands at this point run their own refurbished stores and back the goods with warranties. For instance, check out Vitamix, KitchenAid, and Breville, 

Also great: Back Market & reebelo. Both of these sites sell from their own trusted network of refurbishers and sellers, so they stand by the performance of everything they list. Goods from either site have a 30-day return window and a one-year warranty.

For musical instruments: Reverb

This site is the go-to for any noisemaker you might be looking for: electric, acoustic, and bass guitars, synths, drums, DJ equipment, orchestra instruments, and more. It’s a person-to-person marketplace, which means sellers set their own return policies—which can range from “nope!” to a few weeks. But there is blanket buyer protection for damaged, lost, or improperly described items within seven days of delivery. You can also browse the Reverb Outlet, which sells overstock and open-box items from authorized dealers; some stuff there has a 30-day return window.

Also great: Sweetwater Gear Exchange. The thrifty peer-to-peer arm of the audio/video mecca, Gear Exchange has a standard seven-day buyer protection for damaged, lost, or incorrect items. Sellers set their own return terms: anywhere from seven to 30 days. To avoid junkification, the site reviews every seller’s first listing before it goes live to make sure they’re legit.