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Why More Brands Are Giving Products a Second Life 

Refurbished products are becoming easier to find across almost every category, from smartphones and laptops to kitchen appliances and health devices. This $68 billion global industry is growing nearly four times faster than traditional retail. 

A big part of this shift comes down to a simple goal: keeping perfectly good items out of landfills.  

Millions of online returns and open-box items end up back at warehouses every year in like-new condition—think of a tablet someone barely used, or a sweater returned just because it was the wrong color. Instead of letting usable electronics and clothing pile up in landfills—creating over 53 million metric tons of global e-waste each year—brands now inspect, test, and repackage them for someone else to use. 

For shoppers, this creates an incredible deal. You can get fully tested, like-new products at a fraction of the cost of buying new. The catch? Not all refurbishment programs are created equal.  

While 76% of consumers say they like the idea of buying refurbished, less than half actually do—mostly because they worry about varying testing standards and quality. Because third-party sellers handle the majority of refurbished sales, a product’s condition and warranty can vary quite a bit depending on where you buy. 

That makes one question especially important before you hit “add to cart”… 

What Does “Certified Refurbished” Actually Mean? 

“Certified refurbished” generally means a previously sold, returned, or open-box product has gone through a defined inspection and refurbishment process before being resold. Depending on the brand, that process may include functional testing, cleaning, repairs, replacement parts, cosmetic inspection, and repackaging. 

The important word is “certified.” It typically indicates that the product has been evaluated against standards established by the manufacturer or refurbishment program. That provides more assurance than simply buying something labeled “used,” which may be sold in its current condition without professional testing. 

There isn’t one universal standard for certified refurbished products, though. One brand may replace worn components and provide a new warranty, while another may primarily inspect, clean, and test the product. Before buying, check who performed the refurbishment, what was inspected or replaced, the condition you should expect, and what warranty or return policy comes with it. 

Certified Refurbished, Refurbished, Used, vs Open Box 

Shopping secondhand products can be confusing. Certified refurbished, refurbished, used, and open box may all describe products that aren’t being sold as brand-new, but what happened to the product before it reached you is different. 

Term	What It Generally Means
Certified Refurbished	The product has gone through a defined inspection, testing, and refurbishment process backed by a manufacturer or established program. It often includes a warranty.
Refurbished	The product has been inspected, repaired, cleaned, or restored before resale, but the process and who performed it can vary considerably.
Used	The product was previously owned and is generally resold in its existing condition, without a formal refurbishment process.
Open Box	The packaging has been opened, often because of a return or display use. The product may have seen little or no use and typically hasn’t gone through a refurbishment process.

If you’re deciding between these options, pay attention to who inspected the product, what testing or repairs were performed, and what warranty and return protections you receive.  

Are There Different Grades for Refurbished Products? 

Refurbished products are often classified using terms such as Excellent, Good, and Acceptable, or letter grades such as A, B, and C. But there isn’t a single, universal grading system that every brand or retailer follows. 

Common Grade	What You Can Generally Expect
Excellent / Grade A	Little to no visible wear and an appearance close to new
Good / Grade B	Light scratches, scuffs, or other minor signs of previous use
Acceptable / Grade C	More noticeable cosmetic wear while remaining functional
Manufacturer Certified	Inspected and tested according to the manufacturer’s own refurbishment standards; cosmetic condition and replacement parts vary by program

These grades typically tell you more about cosmetic conditions than performance. A lower grade may have more visible wear while still being fully functional. 

And because these aren’t standardized industry definitions, a Grade A product from one seller may not meet the same criteria as a Grade A product from another. Manufacturer-certified programs can also skip grades altogether and require every refurbished product to meet a defined set of standards before resale. 

Younger Generations Are Pushing for Refurbished Products 

While smart savings appeal to shoppers of all ages, younger generations are leading the momentum toward refurbished and pre-owned products. Recent Euromonitor data shows that over 40% of Gen Z and Millennial consumers buy refurbished or secondhand goods every few months, compared to around 26% of Gen X and Baby Boomers. 

Younger shoppers are driven by a simple combo: saving money and doing right by the planet. Why pay full price for a brand-new gadget when a certified refurbished version works just as well for a lot less? At the same time, younger generations tend to view circular shopping—choosing refurbished electronics, appliances, and home goods over brand-new alternatives—as an actionable step toward reducing waste and carbon impact. 

But while young shoppers around the world are driving this shift, no one is leading the charge quite like Europe. 

Is Europe Driving the Refurbished Product Trend? 

Europe has definitely played a big role in making refurbished products a normal part of everyday life. Europeans are simply more used to buying secondhand: research has found that 32% of Europeans check for secondhand or refurbished options first before looking at new products and almost 46% of Europeans have bought a refurbished electronic. 

A big reason for this mindset comes down to government rules. The European Union has passed laws—like mandatory “repairability scores” and a formal “Right to Repair”—that require companies to build products that are easy to take apart, fix, and keep running. Green habits play a big role, too. While saving money is the top reason people buy refurbished everywhere, 35% of European buyers explicitly pick refurbished items to lower their environmental impact, compared to 24% of global consumers. 

That said, America’s huge economy means the U.S. still sells way more refurbished products overall. In 2025 the U.S. market size of refurbished electronics was $32.7 billion compared to Europe’s $20.6 billion. So while the refurbishing trend may be stronger in Europe, more refurbished items are still sold in the U.S. due to the larger market size. 

According to a study led by Recommerce© and McKinsey, the European market for refurbished high-tech products could double in size between 2023 and 2029, rising from €15 billion to at least €30 billion. — Recommerce© Group 

What Does Certified Refurbished Mean for Air Purifiers? 

When you’re buying a refurbished air purifier, it helps to understand why it might have been returned in the first place. And sometimes, the reason is pretty simple. Someone might buy a purifier, run it once, and decide it’s too loud for their bedroom. Or they may realize they ordered the wrong size or prefer a different design. In cases like these, the purifier may have very little actual use but can no longer be sold as brand new. 

That’s where refurbishment comes in. Depending on the brand, the returned purifier may be inspected, tested to make sure the fan, sensors, controls, and other components are working properly, cleaned, and checked for damage. Any necessary parts may be replaced before the purifier is packaged and offered for sale again. 

Your Certified Refurbished Air Purifier Checklist 

Before adding a certified refurbished air purifier to your cart, run through this quick checklist: 

• Who refurbished it? Look for the original manufacturer or a clearly identified, reputable refurbisher.
• Was it fully tested? Check whether key components like the fan, sensors, and controls were inspected.
• Does it come with a new filter? Don’t assume a fresh filter is included. 
• What condition should you expect? Check whether scratches, scuffs, or other cosmetic wear are possible. 
• Is there a warranty? Look at both the length and what the warranty actually covers. 
• What’s the return policy? Make sure you have options if the purifier arrives with an issue. 
• Is everything included? Confirm that the power cord, filter, and necessary accessories come with it. 
• How much are you actually saving? Compare the refurbished price with the current price of the same model new. 

Checking these details can help you decide whether a refurbished purifier offers the combination of condition, coverage, and savings you’re looking for. 

Where Can You Find Certified Refurbished Air Purifiers? 

You can find certified refurbished air purifiers directly from some manufacturers, as well as from major retailers and online marketplaces. Just keep in mind that the selection can change pretty often. Since refurbished inventory depends on what gets returned and qualifies for resale, a model you see today might not be available next week. 

Where to Look	Refurbished Program	What You May Find
Alen	Certified Refurbished	BreatheSmart air purifiers inspected and certified by Alen, with a new filter, front panel, packaging, and backed by Alen’s Forever Guarantee.
Blueair	Restored	Refurbished Blueair purifiers sold directly by the manufacturer, with selection depending on current inventory.
Dyson	Refurbished	Dyson sells refurbished products directly, with air-treatment models appearing when available.
Winix	Certified Refurbished	Refurbished Winix air purifiers may be available directly through the brand, depending on inventory.
Amazon	Amazon Renewed	A broader marketplace where professionally inspected and tested refurbished products may include air purifiers from multiple brands.

Buying directly from the manufacturer can make things a little easier because you know exactly who refurbished the air purifier and can usually find clear details about how it was inspected and tested. If you’re shopping through a retailer or marketplace, you’ll probably have more brands and models to choose from but take an extra minute to read the listing.  

FAQs Certified Refurbished Air Purifiers