The fastest way to sell a tablet depends on how much you want and how quickly you need the money
You have four main routes: trade it in at a retailer, sell it to a buyback service online, list it yourself on a marketplace, or donate it for a tax write-off. Trade-in gives you the least money but takes minutes. Online buyback services take a week or two and pay more than trade-in but less than private sale. Selling it yourself on Facebook Marketplace or eBay takes longer but usually nets the most cash. The choice comes down to whether you value speed, simplicity, or maximum payout.
Key Takeaways
- Retailers like Best Buy and Apple offer same-day trade-in but pay 30 to 50 percent less than online buyback services.
- Online buyback sites like Decluttr, Gazelle, and Swappa send you a prepaid shipping label and pay within days of receiving your tablet, with no haggling.
- Facebook Marketplace and eBay let you set your own price and usually bring in 20 to 40 percent more than buyback services, but require photos, descriptions, and communication with buyers.
- The condition of your tablet — screen damage, battery health, and whether the original charger is included — affects the price at every outlet by 20 to 60 percent.
- Wiping your tablet completely before shipping is essential; most buyback services will not accept a device with personal data still on it.
Trade-in at retailers: fastest but lowest payout
Best Buy, Apple, and Verizon all run trade-in programs where you walk in, hand over your tablet, and get a quote on the spot. Best Buy accepts most tablets and pays in store credit or a gift card. Apple's trade-in program works in-store or online and credits your Apple account. Verizon takes tablets if you have an account with them, though the payout is usually the lowest of the three.
The trade-off is steep: you will typically receive 30 to 50 percent of what the tablet would fetch on a private sale. A tablet worth $300 on Facebook Marketplace might bring $100 to $150 at Best Buy. The advantage is that it takes no time — no shipping, no waiting, no photos to take. If you need cash or store credit when ready and do not want to deal with shipping or fielding messages from buyers, trade-in is the right choice.
Before you go, check the retailer's website for their current quote. Best Buy and Apple both let you enter your tablet's model and condition online and see an estimate. Bring the charger and any cables you have; missing accessories lower the quote.
Online buyback services: balanced speed and price
Sites like Decluttr, Gazelle, Swappa, and Backmarket act as middlemen between you and resellers. You answer questions about your tablet's condition, get an when ready quote, ship it to them free, and they pay you once it arrives and passes inspection. The whole process takes one to two weeks.
Payouts are typically 40 to 70 percent of what you would get selling it yourself, but without the work. You do not photograph it, write a description, or answer buyer questions. The quote is binding — if the tablet arrives in the condition you described, they pay what they promised. If it is worse, they may lower the offer, so be honest about scratches, dents, and screen condition.
Decluttr and Gazelle are the largest and accept the widest range of tablets, including older models. Swappa is stricter about condition but tends to pay slightly more. Backmarket connects you to independent resellers and requires more back-and-forth. Compare quotes across at least two sites before shipping; the same tablet can vary by $30 to $80 depending on the service.
Private sale on Facebook Marketplace and eBay: highest price, most effort
Selling it yourself means you keep the most money, but you do the work of a seller. You photograph the tablet from multiple angles, write an honest description of its condition, set a price, and respond to messages from people asking if it still works, if you will ship to their state, and whether you take PayPal.
Facebook Marketplace is simpler and faster than eBay for tablets. You list it free, buyers message you directly, and you arrange payment and pickup or shipping. Most sales happen within a few days if you price it fairly. eBay charges a 12.9 percent final value fee plus a $0.30 listing fee, but reaches more buyers nationally and internationally. eBay also offers buyer protection, which means a buyer can claim the tablet arrived broken and you may have to refund them — a real risk if you ship to a stranger.
Price your tablet by checking what similar models in similar condition are selling for on the same platform. A tablet listed at $400 when others are at $280 will sit unsold. A tablet priced $20 below market will sell in hours. Include the original charger and any accessories; tablets without chargers sell for 15 to 25 percent less. Be clear about cosmetic damage — scratches, dents, and screen condition — because buyers will ask or claim you misrepresented it.
Donation and tax deduction: no money, but a write-off
If your tablet is too old or damaged to sell for meaningful money, donating it may be worth more to you as a tax deduction than the cash you would receive. Organizations like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local schools accept tablets. Some charities that refurbish devices for low-income families, like World Computer Exchange or Computers for Communities, may value your donation higher and give you a receipt stating that value.
You can deduct the fair market value of the donated tablet on your taxes if you itemize deductions. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller — roughly what you would get on Facebook Marketplace. Keep the receipt from the charity; the IRS may ask for it. If the tablet is worth less than $500, you do not need a professional appraisal, but you do need to document the donation.
Preparing your tablet for sale: data removal and cosmetic assessment
Before you ship or hand over your tablet, wipe it completely. For iPads, go to Settings, General, Reset, and choose Erase All Content and Settings. For Android tablets, go to Settings, System, Reset Options, and choose Erase All Data. This removes all your personal information, photos, passwords, and accounts. Buyback services will not accept a tablet with data on it, and private buyers may refuse to take it.
After wiping, assess the condition honestly. Look at the screen for cracks, dead pixels, or discoloration. Check the back and edges for dents and scratches. Test the buttons, speakers, and charging port. Note the battery health if you can — on iPad, go to Settings, Battery, Battery Health and Charging; on Android, this varies by manufacturer. Take clear photos in natural light showing any damage. This is what you will describe to buyback services or show to private buyers.
Gather the original charger and any cables, earbuds, or boxes you have. These raise the price by 10 to 20 percent. If you have lost the charger, say so upfront; a third-party charger is cheaper than the surprise of discovering it is missing after you have already agreed on a price.
Comparing payouts across methods
| Method | Time to payment | Typical payout (% of private sale price) | Effort required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade-in (Best Buy, Apple) | Same day | 30–50% | Minimal — walk in, hand over tablet |
| Online buyback (Decluttr, Gazelle) | 1–2 weeks | 40–70% | Low — answer questions, ship, wait |
| Facebook Marketplace | 2–7 days | 85–100% | High — photos, description, buyer communication |
| eBay | 3–14 days | 75–95% (after fees) | High — listing, photos, shipping, buyer disputes |
| Donation | N/A | Tax deduction only | Low — drop off or arrange pickup |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my tablet has a cracked screen?
A cracked screen cuts the value by 40 to 60 percent across all methods. Retail trade-in may not accept it at all. Online buyback services will take it but pay significantly less. Private buyers will negotiate hard or walk away. If the crack is small and does not affect the display, disclose it clearly and expect a lower offer. If the screen is shattered, donation may be your best option.
Can I sell a tablet that is locked to a carrier?
No. A tablet locked to Verizon, AT&T, or another carrier cannot be used on another network and is worth far less. You must contact the carrier and request an unlock before selling. This is free if you own the tablet outright. If you are still paying it off, you cannot unlock it until the balance is paid. Buyback services and private buyers will ask if it is unlocked.
Do I need the original box and packaging?
No, but having it raises the price by 5 to 15 percent, especially on newer tablets. Buyback services do not require it. Private buyers on Facebook Marketplace and eBay may pay more if you have the original box, charger, and all accessories, because it signals the tablet was well cared for. If you do not have the box, do not buy one to include — the cost is not worth the small price bump.
What happens if a buyback service says my tablet is in worse condition than I described?
They will lower their offer or reject it. This is why honesty matters. If you described the screen as "light scratches" and they see deep gouges, they can refuse to pay the quoted price. Read their return policy before shipping — most allow you to refuse the lower offer and have the tablet shipped back free. If you disagree with their assessment, ask them to send photos of the damage they found.
Is it safe to ship a tablet to a stranger on Facebook Marketplace?
Shipping to a private buyer carries risk. Use Facebook's shipping option, which provides tracking and some buyer protection. Never accept wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment methods you cannot dispute. Require payment before you ship. If a buyer insists on paying after delivery, decline the sale. For high-value tablets, consider meeting in person in a public place instead of shipping.