The real reasons a used iPad isn’t always a bargain

Logging onto Facebook Marketplace is the digital equivalent of walking into Target without a shopping list. Your eyes might catch a bookshelf, a piece of art, or even a random garden gnome statue that tempts you to message the seller. However, platforms like Facebook Marketplace are a great place to find gently used tech at a bargain. More often than not, you’ll stumble across an iPad or two — some might even still be in the box.

Buying a used device can save you hundreds of dollars. But that advantage could come with drawbacks you aren’t prepared for, so here’s what you need to know before you turn over your hard-earned dollars for an iPad that’s already had another owner.

The pros of buying a used iPad

The good news first

Whether you’re buying a used iPad from a third party or even from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store, the first win is the money you’ll save. When I searched Facebook Marketplace for iPads, I was met with a variety of models, from like-new to generations Apple doesn’t sell anymore. I found a 4th-gen iPad Air for $315, and I even saw listings claiming an 11-inch iPad Pro (M4) for around $265, along with several other models at deep discounts compared to what they originally retailed for. If you buy an even older model, the prices will drop significantly.

The core iPad experience remains the same across most models — people mostly like to use Apple’s tablet for streaming, browsing, reading, email, note-taking, and FaceTime — so a slightly older model isn’t going to be lacking severely in any of those departments. If you take the older route, you might be able to afford an iPad Pro or Air instead of Apple’s entry-level tablet. Buying an older but higher-end model lets you jump tiers while spending the same amount, if not keeping some of that cash in your pocket.

There is value depreciation, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. There are always users out there who want their paws on the newest, shiniest device, and that makes getting your own hands on a newer (but still older) model much easier. Whenever there’s a new iPad drop, I’ve noticed the iPad listings on Facebook Marketplace tick up a bit.

Buying used sounds pretty good, right? Don’t message that third-party seller yet.

The cons of buying a used iPad

Conditions, conditions, conditions

When you buy an iPad from any individual third-party seller instead of Apple, your device might not be protected under warranty. If the original owner had it for less than a year, you might be safe, but then again, you can’t even truly rely on an active AppleCare+ program, since some plans may require a formal transfer (and some may not be transferable at all).

Usually, Apple and other certified refurbished sellers include a warranty for the device, but it’s highly unlikely to buy one with protection off a platform like Facebook Marketplace. You will have to operate under the assumption that you’re responsible for whatever happens to the device from there on out.

Speaking of things happening to the device, third-party sellers might be tricky. Luckily, many individual sellers are transparent about a scratch, crack, or scuff, but there’s always a chance that a used device could arrive in less than ideal condition. Flaws might even go unnoticed in listing images (like dead pixels, weak speakers, bad cameras/mics, or a finicky charging port) that you don’t see until the device is in your hands and the cash is in theirs.

More drawbacks of buying a used iPad might creep up on you after a couple of years of using the device, especially if you buy an older model that Apple itself doesn’t even sell anymore: battery longevity and system updates. iPad battery health is a big one, and an older one is still more likely to have a reduced maximum capacity or cycle count. Plus, battery tends to be a persistent problem with Apple devices in general. The older the iPad you buy, the more you have to assume the battery life won’t be in tip-top shape.

On the software front, older iPads also have a shorter software runway. Eventually, their hardware may not be able to support new software updates at all, which will put your device at a security risk. App functionality and support also tend to follow those updates to the graveyard.

Now, the most important drawback is avoidable: Activation Lock / iCloud risk. If you’re working with the right seller, they’ll remember to remove their Find My account from the iPad and reset it to factory settings so the new owner (you) will have a fresh start. If it isn’t removed, you just bought a very expensive brick.

How to buy a used iPad without getting burned

Who to trust

If you’ve decided to buy a used iPad, the best and safest place to buy is right from Apple Certified Refurbished. The available models will be the most expensive, but they are tested by Apple itself to meet its standards for resale and include a standard one-year limited warranty (which is the exact same length of coverage you get for a brand-new device).

The next best place to go is a major retailer like Best Buy, Costco, or another trustworthy company. You can also go to certified refurbished programs that allow returns — as long as you read the fine print, of course.

Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms are familiar and easy, but they’re your highest risk of getting scammed, bamboozled, or receiving a faulty device. It’s also where you’ll probably shave off the most money, though, so it’s a game of risk and reward. The trade-off is up to you.