laptophuntRefurbished laptops are sold with labels such as "Grade A" or "Excellent", but there is no single UK standard behind them. This guide explains the conditions you will see on Laptop Deal Hunt, where they come from, and what a grade does and does not tell you.
The conditions shown on this site
Every laptop on this site carries one of the condition labels below. For eBay listings they come from the listing itself: eBay's own condition field or the grade the seller writes in the title. Retailer offers show New or the condition stated on the retailer's page.
| Label | What it means here |
|---|---|
| New | The listing is explicitly recorded as new. We say "New", not "Brand New". |
| Open box | Unused stock whose box has been opened or damaged. On eBay this is usually listed as "Opened – never used". We keep it separate from new. |
| Grade A | The seller's top refurbished grade. eBay's "Excellent – Refurbished" and "Certified – Refurbished" are shown as Grade A. |
| Grade B | eBay's "Very Good – Refurbished", or the seller's own Grade B. |
| Grade C | eBay's "Good – Refurbished", or the seller's own Grade C. A listing that only says "Refurbished" or "Seller refurbished" is also shown as Grade C, so we never show a higher grade than the listing supports. |
| Used | Pre-owned, with no refurbishment claimed. |
Grades belong to the seller
Grade A at one refurbisher is not necessarily the same as Grade A at another. Each seller writes its own definitions, usually in the listing description or on its eBay shop pages. Some add extra steps such as "A+" or "Pristine", and some grade the screen and the case separately.
So treat a grade as the seller's own summary, not a common standard. Before buying, find the seller's definition of the grade and look closely at the photos. If the photos are stock images rather than the actual machine, the written definition matters even more.
eBay's refurbished conditions
eBay UK has its own set of refurbished condition names for computers. Four of them belong to eBay's Refurbished programme, which only pre-qualified business sellers can use:
- Certified – Refurbished: like-new, refurbished by the manufacturer.
- Excellent – Refurbished: like-new condition.
- Very Good – Refurbished: minimal signs of wear, fully functional.
- Good – Refurbished: moderate signs of wear, fully functional.
eBay requires listings in these four conditions to come with at least a one-year guarantee from the seller and at least 30-day returns. There is also a separate Seller refurbished condition, meaning the item has been restored to working order by the seller or a third party. It sits outside the programme, so warranty and returns depend on the individual seller.
You can read eBay's full definitions on its item conditions by category help page.
What a grade usually tells you
In practice, grades are mostly about looks. Reputable refurbishers generally sell every grade as fully working, and the grade describes how much cosmetic wear you should expect. As a rough guide:
- Grade A: little or no visible wear.
- Grade B: light scratches or scuffs you can see on close inspection.
- Grade C: obvious marks, and sometimes small dents or worn keys.
A lower grade does not mean slower performance. A Grade C laptop with the same processor, memory and storage as a Grade A one will perform the same. If you don't mind a few marks, a lower grade can be a sensible way to save money, as long as the damage is only cosmetic.
What a grade usually does not cover
Several things that matter a lot are rarely part of the grade:
- Battery health. A Grade A laptop can still have a worn battery. Some sellers state a minimum battery capacity; if the listing doesn't, ask before buying.
- The charger. It may be original or a generic replacement. Check it is included and has the right wattage.
- Keyboard layout. Ex-business stock is sometimes imported, so check for a UK layout if that matters to you.
- Screen marks. Some sellers grade the screen separately from the case.
- Software. Which version of Windows is installed and whether it is activated.
- Warranty and returns. These vary by seller and are separate from your legal rights.
Our refurbished laptop checklist covers how to check each of these, before you buy and when the laptop arrives.
Open box and used
Open box laptops have not been used, but the packaging has been opened or damaged, or may be missing. Check what warranty the seller offers, as it may differ from buying new.
Used means the seller has not claimed any refurbishment. Condition notes, photos and the returns policy matter most here, because there is no grade to go on.
Next: refurbished vs new: when is it worth it?, or browse the refurbished laptops currently listed.