Their first smartphone: The best phones for kids

Refurbished devices are an excellent option for kids, teens, and college students as long as they’re high quality. Premium refurbished electronics function perfectly and also have at least 85% battery capacity, which is just what you need to support everyday use.

The bottom line? Premium refurbished tech is good for kids and good for your wallet.

Refurbished tech is for their future

You also don’t skimp on helping the planet. This is a bonus for kids (of all ages) since, as they say, there’s no Planet B. Refurbishing a smartphone emits on average 91.6% less carbon emissions than making a new one. It also uses significantly less water and raw materials than manufacturing a brand new smartphone. Learn more about how refurbished tech prevents environmental damage.

Picking the right refurbished smartphone for your kid

You'll find 3 types of device conditions on Back Market: Fair, Good, and Excellent. These refer to the cosmetic condition of the device — not the functionality. Every device listed on Back Market works like new.

Based on our customer reviews, most parents buy their kids smartphones that are listed in Fair or Good condition. These devices are less expensive than those in Excellent condition, so it’s less of a (financial) heartbreak when your kid drops, spills on, or otherwise wreaks havoc on that tech.

In order to make it easy for you to pick one out, we’ve created a shortlist of great phones for kids. Each of these phones have all the basics (text, 4G, Wi-Fi, and a decent camera) at a great price point.

Best overall for iOS families: Apple iPhone SE (2020)

What do customers say? 80% of customers who bought a refurbished iPhone SE (2020) on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above. Read reviews

Best budget phone for iOS families: Apple iPhone 8

What do customers say? 74% of customers who bought a refurbished iPhone 8 on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above.

Other recommended Apple phones for kids: iPhone 7, iPhone X, iPhone XR

Best overall for Android families: Samsung Galaxy A21s

What do customers say? 73% of customers who bought a refurbished iPhone SE (2020) on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above. Read reviews

Best mid-range option for Android families: Samsung Galaxy A52

What do customers say?  72% of customers who bought a refurbished Samsung Galaxy A52 on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above.

Other recommended Android phones for kids: Samsung A03

Don’t forget the training wheels

Found the ideal device for your kid’s first phone? Great. You might also want to stock up on key accessories like phone cases, headphones, or chargers. Refurbished ones are a solid option, especially if your child or teen is disaster-prone (aren’t they all?). 

Now it’s time to keep it safe with a robust insurance policy. Our offers start at $23 a year and protect the device from accidental breakage and liquid damage for 365 days — for when your toddler goes Picasso on the iPad or your teen jumps into a pool before checking their pockets.  To top it all off: the insurance policy also includes coverage for drops, spills, and cracked screens from normal use. Now that’s peace of mind.

How does Back Market ensure high quality refurbished devices?

Every item on Back Market works just like new. Our rigorous vetting process means that only the best can sell on our platform. That means that any listing you’re looking at has already beat the competition in terms of quality and price. A note about battery capacity: At 85% battery capacity, the overall charge cycle of the device is considered healthy, which is why we ask our sellers to test their phones’ batteries to make sure they have at least that much capacity. Some devices are even above 85%. And if you’d like to purchase a premium refurbished phone with a new battery, we got you covered.