Headphones used and refurbished

Two things wear out fastest in headphones: the battery and whatever touches your ear. The cell in an earbud holds a little less with every charge cycle, and in AirPods Pro it's glued and soldered in, so replacing it isn't an option. Over-ear headphones are simpler. Their pads wear too, but Bose, for example, sells them as a separate part.

At SWOPiFY you'll find used and refurbished headphones – from Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds earbuds, through over-ear models from Bose and Bowers & Wilkins, to SteelSeries and Razer gaming headsets. SWOPiFY partners check every unit before it's sold, and the list of available models changes often.

Which headphones can you find at SWOPiFY?

True wireless (TWS) earbuds come in two types. In-ear models such as AirPods Pro, Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds have silicone tips that seal the ear canal. Open-fit models such as AirPods 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 rest in the outer ear without tips – they're more comfortable but block less noise. Wired Apple EarPods with a Lightning plug need neither charging nor pairing.

Larger headphones are either on-ear, with cushions resting on the ear, or over-ear, enclosing the whole ear. The Bose QuietComfort 45, Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2, Razer Kraken V4 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro are over-ear designs, even though their specs list them as "on-ear". The first two have ANC and a battery rated at 24 and 30 hours respectively. The Razer and SteelSeries also connect via a 2.4 GHz receiver, which has lower latency than Bluetooth.

Why consider refurbished headphones?

Refurbished headphones cost less than new units of the same models. With ANC models and good microphones, that difference often lets you go for a pair that would be out of your budget new.

Lifespan counts too. Over-ear headphones with fresh pads will keep playing for a long time, and working earbuds sound just the same with their new owner. Every pair that goes back into use is one less piece of e-waste.

What should you check before buying?

Think about your phone first. AirPods switch automatically between an iPhone, iPad and Mac signed in to the same Apple Account, but with Android they work like ordinary Bluetooth headphones, without Siri. Galaxy Buds 4 get the most out of a Samsung phone: UHQ mode with 24-bit audio requires a Galaxy S23 or newer, among other things. A codec only works when both sides support it – the iPhone uses AAC and has no aptX, so you'll only get aptX Adaptive on the Px7 S2 with a compatible Android phone.

Check the connector as well: first-generation AirPods Pro and EarPods use Lightning, while iPhones from the 15 series onwards use USB-C. AirPods must be removed from the previous owner's Apple Account, otherwise you won't be able to add them to the Find My app. Whether a case, cable or receiver is included is listed in the Specification tab.

You can filter headphones at SWOPiFY by:

• manufacturer – Apple, Samsung, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, SteelSeries, Razer, Oppo;
• headphone type – in-ear or on-ear;
• active noise cancellation (ANC);
• battery life;
• connector type – USB-C or Lightning;
• Bluetooth version and colour.

It's best to replace in-ear tips with new ones after buying. Just remember that AirPods Pro tip sizes don't fit across generations. For travel, over-ear headphones with ANC work well, and for a console, a headset with a 2.4 GHz receiver.

How does the technical check work?

Before headphones go on sale as refurbished, they go through a technical check, including:

• the battery in the earbuds and case – physical condition and health;
• pairing and Bluetooth connection stability;
• sound in both channels, with no crackling;
• microphones during a call;
• ANC and transparency mode, if the model has them;
• the charging port and the contacts in the case;
• buttons and touch controls.

Can you trust refurbished headphones?

Refurbished headphones at SWOPiFY are used, not new, and we never claim otherwise. They're refurbished by certified SWOPiFY partners, who diagnose them, repair them where needed, clean them and test them.

Your purchase comes with a warranty. Appearance is described by a condition grade: Premium, Excellent, Good or Fair. An earbud case picks up scratches in your pocket quickly anyway, so Good is enough. With over-ear headphones, which are visible on your head, Premium or Excellent means a well-kept headband and ear cups.

Old phone or smartwatch sitting unused in a drawer?

SWOPiFY doesn't buy back headphones, but you can sell a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch through the trade-in programme. You see the quote straight away in the tool on the website, and you send the device free of charge. You can put the money from the trade-in towards new headphones.

Browse the headphones at SWOPiFY and choose the type that suits where and how you listen most often.