Should you buy a refurbished TV this Black Friday — 2 reasons for, and 3 against

Black Friday deals are finally upon us, bringing serious savings on some of the best TVs. While some of our favorite sets are being knocked down to their lowest prices right now, you might also be considering buying a refurbished TV to save even more on this year’s best OLED TVs and QLEDs.

We often avoid recommending refurbished TVs in our deals coverage, as buying a brand-new TV is the best way to ensure you get quality performance. However, several retailers offer reliable testing and warranty options, making refurbished TV buying during Black Friday a tempting option for those looking for the best deal around.

Refurbished TVs: The Good

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The sticker price is often marked down significantly; I’m talking several hundred dollars, depending on the condition.

There’s one key reason for buying a refurbished TV: price. The sticker price is often marked down significantly; I’m talking several hundred dollars, depending on the condition. I did a quick search on Best Buy to find a solid refurb TV, looking particularly for an OLED from last year, and stumbled across this 77-inch LG C4 OLED for just $1,426. That’s a remarkable discount for such a big-screen, premium OLED.

LG’s C-series is typically one of the best values in the market, and checking last year’s model means you’ll get better savings. Some stores might even have the new LG C5 OLED refurbished, though it will be much more expensive, depending on the size.

The other thing to look out for is the quality of the refurbished product. This C4 OLED is listed in “excellent” condition, but Best Buy also offers it in “fair” and “good” conditions. While it largely comes down to your budget, I honestly wouldn’t recommend buying a “fair” refurbished TV, as it’s the lowest option, and might be riddled with unwanted issues.

Refurbished TVs in either “good” or “excellent” condition are the sweet spot, offering adequate discounts with quality renewal programs.

I would also stick to the main retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, or Walmart if you decide to purchase a refurbished TV. These will not only have the most trustworthy testing for refurbished electronics, but will often include special warranty offers associated with the product.

The above listing, for instance, is treated as a conventional product purchase, so if the TV has any potential issues, you can safely return it to Best Buy or even exchange it for a different one. Best Buy and Amazon offer you up to 90 days to return a refurbished product for a refund or replacement, though this will depend on the listing, so make sure to read the fine print.

Despite these benefits of buying a refurbished TV, there are a few caveats to consider before making the ultimate decision.

Refurbished TVs: The Bad

While several retailers might offer warranties on refurbished TVs, like the 90-day return policies of Best Buy and Amazon, these policies pale in comparison to the manufacturer’s warranties. Often these manufacturer’s warranties would be voided if you were to buy a refurbished TV, or slimmed down to the time of purchase.

On average, most well-known TV makers, including LG, Samsung, and TCL, offer one-year warranties. Depending on the model, Sony can often offer up to one-and-a-half years, which would be voided or cut significantly if you were to purchase a refurbished TV.

You also run the risk of unforeseen damage or other concerning factors that might arise once those 90 days are up.

So, let’s say you pulled the trigger and bought that LG C4 OLED listed above. While Best Buy’s refund policy still covers it for 90 days, LG’s one-year warranty is basically kaput at this point. You also run the risk of unforeseen damage or other concerning factors that might arise once those 90 days are up.

A potential risk to consider is OLED burn-in. While it has drastically improved over the years, buying a refurbished OLED, particularly an older model, might be liable for issues down the road if the prior owner(s) didn’t take proper care of the screen. Again, OLED burn-in fears are largely overblown, but it is important to consider these risks when looking to save a few extra dollars come Black Friday.

Of course, buying a refurbished TV also leaves you open to missing items, like a remote, power cord, or even a piece of the stand. This will come down to whether or not the retailer takes proper care of the refurbishing process. There are also re-boxing concerns; if the TV isn’t properly placed back in the box, it could lead to potential damage on the way home.

Refurbished TVs: Outlook

While I don’t think there’s any inherent problem with buying a refurbished TV, you should know what you’re signing up for. You not only need to be especially careful where you buy a refurbished TV, but also what condition it’s in.

A refurbished TV comes with potential wear and tear, whether identified on the product listing or not. Plus, you’ll be faced with a drastically limited warranty. That’s why buying a refurbished TV made within the last year is the recommended approach, since you still have the manufacturer’s warranty in addition to the retailer’s return policy if anything is amiss.

Hone in on well-reviewed TVs, too. It’s a good way of sussing out potential duds, as the better a TV is rated, the better its build quality will be, which will equate to a longer lifespan. I recommend focusing on mid-range OLED models, like the Samsung S90D OLED TV, or flagship LCD sets, like the Hisense U8N Mini-LED TV, if you want the best bang for your buck out of last year’s sets.

Want to save big without going the refurbished route? Keep an eye on our Black Friday TV deals as we head into the holiday season to get quality savings on some of our favorite TVs.