The good news is, CR experts say many everyday products can be safely purchased secondhand. Shanika Whitehurst, CR’s associate director of product sustainability, says there are a few exceptions. “I’d probably stay away from smaller appliances like rice cookers, humidifiers, and more health-related products. Stuff you’re going to be cooking on—make sure you can clean every single part of it.”
Ashita Kapoor, associate director of product safety at CR, added a few other things to that skip-at-the-thrift list. Baby products like car and booster seats, cribs, bassinets, and baby formula shouldn’t be purchased secondhand. Other things on her list: bicycle and sports helmets, breast pumps, stuffed animals with electronic components, and electronics with lithium batteries that might be degraded.
Kapoor also shared some basic things to check on any used product you’re considering buying.
• Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for any recalls on the item. At CR.org, you can also find information about products our experts, including Kapoor, have flagged as unsafe, before they’ve been recalled by the CPSC.
• Ensure all original parts, hardware, and safety components are present by reviewing a physical copy of the instruction manual. If a physical copy is unavailable, look for the PDF version online.
• Look for cracks, loose components, or signs of repair.
• Ask about previous use, storage conditions, and any incidents.
• Look for evidence of safety certifications, like from JPMA or ASTM, if applicable.
Here’s everything else we recommend buying at the thrift store. Worth noting: Shopping from online secondhand sellers, like those on Facebook Marketplace or eBay, is trickier than shopping for used products in person or on warranty-backed sites like Backmarket. Scams are prevalent on these sites, and checking that a product has all of its parts and is in good working condition may not be possible.
