What Does Open Box Mean? Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart & More

Open box means a product's packaging was opened, usually because a customer bought it and sent it back, and the store is reselling it at a discount. Most open-box items were barely used or never used at all. The store checks the item, gives it a condition grade and lists it again, but doesn't repair it. Each retailer defines open box a little differently, and the return terms vary a lot: Amazon gives you 30 days, while Newegg sells open-box items as final sale.

Where open-box items come from

Most open-box stock is customer returns. Someone ordered the wrong size, changed their mind or found it cheaper somewhere else, and sent it back after opening the box. Stores also sell display units as open box.

Selling a returned item as new without saying so can be deceptive under FTC rules, so returns get their own label and a lower price.

Before relisting, the store inspects the item and grades how it looks and what's in the box. It usually isn't repaired, because nothing was wrong with it (Newegg is an exception and says its open-box items may get minor repairs). That's the main difference from refurbished, where items are tested and fixed where needed.

What open box means at each store

Store	What "open box" means there	Returns
Amazon (Amazon Resale, formerly Amazon Warehouse)	Listed as "Used" with a grade: Like New, Very Good, Good, Acceptable or As Is. Every item gets a quality check.	30 days
Best Buy	Graded Excellent – Certified, Excellent, Satisfactory or Fair. Only Excellent – Certified items have been through Geek Squad testing.	15 days (60 days for My Best Buy Plus and Total members)
Walmart	"Excellent condition with no signs of usage", in original or generic packaging that may be opened or worn, with original accessories included.	Varies by seller and listing
eBay	"Excellent, new condition with no wear." The packaging may be missing or unsealed, but original accessories are included.	Set by each seller
Newegg	Previously opened, unused or with very minimal use, and inspected for working condition (may have minor repairs). Accessories and retail packaging may or may not be included.	Final sale; replacement only if it arrives damaged or defective (contact within 15 days)

Amazon

Amazon sells returns through Amazon Resale, which was called Amazon Warehouse until August 2024. Listings say "Used" plus a grade. "Used – Like New" means the item is in perfect working condition with all its essential accessories, though the packaging may be damaged. The lower grades can be missing more: at "Good" and "Acceptable", an item may be missing valuable accessories and may not be usable until you buy them separately, so read the short condition note on each listing. Our guide to Used – Like New covers the top grade in detail.

Best Buy

Best Buy's two Excellent grades both look new and include all original parts and accessories. Excellent – Certified items have also passed Geek Squad's inspection, testing and cleaning. Satisfactory items show minor to moderate wear and may be missing nonessential parts like a cable or remote, and Fair items often lack vital accessories. Each grade is broken down in our Best Buy Outlet guide.

Walmart

Walmart uses "Open Box" for unused items in opened or worn packaging, with original accessories. It's separate from "Restored", which is Walmart's name for professionally refurbished products, and from "Pre-Owned", which is used. If you see "Open Box Restored" on a listing, the item has been refurbished.

eBay

eBay has the strictest definition: an open-box item should be in new condition with no wear and include its original accessories. Only the packaging differs from new. eBay sellers set their own return policies, so check the listing before you buy.

Newegg

Newegg's open box is the loosest definition and has the strictest return terms. Items may have had "very minimal use", may have had minor repairs, and may come without accessories or retail packaging, which Newegg won't send separately. Newegg lists open-box items as final sale, with no refund or replacement unless the item arrives damaged or defective and you contact customer service within 15 days of delivery.

Open box vs new, refurbished and used

A new item has never been opened or sold. An open-box item has been opened, is usually unused, and was inspected but not repaired. Refurbished goes further: the item is tested and repaired where needed, and often comes with a warranty. A used item was owned by someone else and is sold as-is. For a side-by-side table, see open box vs refurbished vs renewed.

What open box means for phones and laptops

An open-box phone or laptop is usually a customer return. Because open-box items aren't tested the way refurbished ones are, check a few things when it arrives:

On a phone, make sure it isn't tied to the previous owner's account and that it works with your carrier. Check the battery health in the settings.
On a laptop, check that the processor, RAM and storage match the listing, and that the charger is included.
Test the screen, ports, camera and speakers within the first week.

For laptops there's a fuller test list in our open-box laptop buying guide.

How much cheaper is open box?

Across Amazon Resale listings on OpenBoxFox today, the discount grows as the grade drops:

Amazon grade	Listings	Average discount
Used – Like New	331,482	23%
Used – Very Good	209,876	24%
Used – Good	12,102	29%
Used – Acceptable	48,338	34%

Like New and Very Good average almost the same discount right now, so for a small difference in price you get a better-looking item at Like New. The bigger savings start at Good and Acceptable, where you're more likely to get visible wear or missing parts. Our Open-Box Price Index tracks average discounts by category every month.

Is open box worth it?

Usually, if you can return it. Before you buy, check four things:

The return terms. Amazon's 30 days protects you; a Newegg final-sale listing doesn't.
What the grade allows at that store, especially which accessories can be missing.
The condition note or photos on the specific listing.
Whether you need a warranty. If you do, refurbished is often the safer choice.

Return policies across more stores are compared in is it safe to buy open box?

Frequently asked questions

Does open box mean used?

Not usually. Most open-box items were opened and returned without being used. Stores label them "used" or "open box" because they can't be sold as new once a customer has owned them. Newegg is an exception: its open-box items may have been lightly used.

Is open box the same as refurbished?

No. Open-box items are inspected and graded but not repaired. Refurbished items are tested and repaired where needed, and usually come with a warranty.

Can you return open-box items?

It depends on the store. Amazon Resale gives 30 days and Best Buy gives 15 days (60 for paid members). Newegg sells open box as final sale, with a replacement only if the item arrives damaged or defective.

Do open-box items come with a warranty?

Sometimes. Best Buy says its open-box items often carry the same manufacturer warranty as new ones, and Newegg says some may be covered by the manufacturer. Don't count on it: the return window is your most reliable protection.

What Does Open Box Mean? Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, eBay and Newegg