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Best refurbished MacBook deals for top-spec Apple laptops at lower prices
Refurbished models offer great value, and we’ve curated the best options available right now
Apple’s lineup of excellent MacBook computers are some of the best laptops for productivity and portability. However, they don't come cheap.
The good news is that older MacBook models are so reliable, they're still just as worth it on the refurbished market.
It’s possible to find top-spec Apple MacBooks with superb performance, bright displays, long battery life and capable software. And you can do this all without spending loads of extra cash. High-quality MacBooks from 2020 onwards deliver remarkable efficiency from Apple’s own M-series processors, too.
Best refurbished MacBook deals
Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch (2022) M2 (Refurbished)
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Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch (2020) M1 (Refurbished)
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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) M2 (Refurbished)
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) M2 Pro (Refurbished)
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Whether you need one for work or for more creative pursuits, a refurbished MacBook will satisfy all your computing needs. All the models on our list feature sleek and slim designs, a feature-rich operating system, loads of app support and great screens, keyboards, trackpads and connectivity options.
The 2020 MacBook Air with an M1 chip is the laptop we use every day and it’s now possible to buy it at far lower prices than when it originally launched. It’s still supported for all the latest software updates, it’s super speedy, great for multi-tasking and efficiency, and has loads of battery life.
Prefer a newer Mac? You can now find the fantastic 2022 MacBook Air with Apple’s M2 chip for much less than its original price. This model shares loads of similarities with the current model, including the sleek revamped design, improved webcam, battery life, weight and dimensions.
Need a more high-end MacBook Pro? We recommend taking a close look at whether this late-2020 model, which was the first to feature Apple’s excellent M1 chip, suits your requirements. It’s fast, portable and powerful.
This was the first model to introduce a larger display to the MacBook Air lineup. Pick this, and you're getting a 15-inch Liquid Retina screen, the efficient M2 chip, and MagSafe charging. It's ideal if you'd like more space on the screen without the heft of a Pro model.
A refurbished Mac can be a great way to get a far more powerful computer than you'd budgeted for. This one's a powerhouse for professionals. It has the M2 Pro chip – which makes it even faster for dealing with images, videos and code – plus a stunning display, and a great variety of ports (including HDMI and SD card slot). This is a great choice for intensive tasks like video editing and software development.
This 2024 update to the MacBook Air brought the M3 chip to the Air series. While the M4 chip has come to the Air since this launch, this is still an up-to-date option with improved performance and efficiency. It's a great lightweight choice for everyday users who want a balance between power and portability. Read our full MacBook Air M3 review here.
For those requiring top-tier performance and raw power, this supercharged 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip delivers exceptional processing speed, graphics capabilities, and battery life. It's still pricey, but it's perfectly suited for high-end creative work, 3D rendering, machine learning and complex computations.
Where to buy refurbished MacBooks
What to look out for when buying a refurbished MacBook
Buying a refurbished MacBook isn’t the same as buying one of the best laptops brand-new, but it's not as different as you’d think, as these devices will be restored to functional condition if they were owned for some time, or they may be “like new” if they were returned after a few days.
There are multiple things to keep in mind when shopping refurbished though, and the condition of your new laptop is the first consideration on our list.
Condition
It’s essential to fully understand the grading system in use by a refurbished retailer.
It will have levels like “Like New”, “Very Good” and “Good”, which are designed to help you get a sense of the physical condition of the computer before you buy it. These levels may also apply to the functional condition, with lower levels potentially indicating reduced battery life.
Battery health
As battery health always worsens over time, you’ll find it helpful if you can get some idea of the battery health percentage if the seller or retailer offers it. As mentioned, there’s a chance that this may be linked to the condition of the product.
Refurbished laptops at the top quality level should have had a battery replacement before going on sale – all MacBooks on sale from Apple directly will have had a new battery fitted.
Original accessories
It’s worth verifying whether the MacBook will come with original accessories, such as its Apple-made charger and cable (rather than a third-party alternative). You may not think this makes an enormous difference but it’ll be frustrating if the charger is too slow or doesn’t work consistently.
Third-party accessories are quite common from many refurbished sellers, but we think it’s always much better if you can get the correct ones, especially for something like a MagSafe magnetic charger, for instance, that should come with newer MacBooks.
Warranty
Retailers and refurbished marketplaces tend to give you a one-year warranty, but we’d recommend checking how much this covers. It should protect you if there are defects or functionality issues, but coverage might be limited and there won’t be any protection from damage without additional insurance.
As is the case when buying a refurbished iPad or iPhone, you’ll have the best experience by going with Apple itself. Its refurbished products will come with new batteries and often have new outer shells if necessary. They’re fully tested by Apple before going on sale, have a comprehensive warranty and also have the option of AppleCare for more coverage.
Return policy
We think it’s important to check the return policy before you buy. This way, you can ensure that you’ll have the ability to return the laptop if you run into any issues or change your mind. We’ve checked, and you’ll often find that you get at least 30 days to start your return.
But you must still be clear on what qualifies for a return, how you go about contacting the seller through the marketplace, whether you have to pay for the postage, and whether you get a full refund.
Read more: Best cheap laptops under £500 | Best laptops for kids | What is a refurbished phone? | Refurbished MacBook deals | Refurbished smartphone deals | Refurbished iPad deals | Refurbished Apple Watch deals
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
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