If you’re looking to upgrade an Amazon device, the old one gathering dust on your nightstand could be the secret to scoring a deal. Amazon allows you to trade in an existing device in return for an Amazon credit that you can use to lower the price of a new one. While this perk isn’t well known by shoppers, it is super easy to take advantage of. Ahead, we’ll walk through how to trade in an old Amazon device and when the best time to do it is.
How to trade in an Amazon device
To trade in an existing device, start by going to the trade-in page on Amazon’s website. There, you’ll see a list of devices you can trade in, including phones, e-readers, tablets, smart speakers, and more. Under the device you want to trade in, click “Start Trade-in.”
Amazon
From there, you can enter a device name and model or choose from previous purchases if your device was purchased through the same Amazon account. Once your device is chosen, you can see its trade-in value. For example, trading in my old Kindle from 2013 will get me $5 back, plus 20% off a new Kindle. Another editor who tried it with her 2022 Kindle was offered $30 in addition to the 20% off credit.
Amazon
Once you accept your trade-in offer, you’ll receive your trade-in value as an Amazon e-gift card and your trade-in rebate, which you can use to purchase a new device. You’ll have 45 days from when you start the trade-in to ship your old device back to Amazon.
When is the best time to trade in your Amazon device?
Since Amazon only allows you to trade in one device per calendar quarter, you’ll want to time it strategically. Big deal days like Prime Day and Black Friday are some of the best times for a trade-in, since you’re able to stack the trade-in discounts on a hefty deal. With some devices marked down by 50% during these big sale days, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better price.
Amazon devices we recommend
If you aren’t sure which new device to use your credit for, check out some of our favorite Amazon devices:
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Amazon’s fifth-generation Echo Dot offers improved sound quality over previous models, along with a temperature sensor and Eero WiFi extender capabilities.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)
This is Amazon’s top streaming stick. With its powerful processor and GPU, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the fastest streaming device in its price range and now supports console-free Xbox gaming via Game Pass.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite offers even faster performance than its predecessors in the same thin, waterproof form readers love. It’s the e-reader we’d advise for most people as the flush screen design makes it feel more premium than the cheaper model, and the larger screen looks much nicer.
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
The Kindle Scribe redesign features white borders for a more spacious writing surface, plus Active Canvas, a feature that lets you write notes directly on a book page. For most people, a tablet offers more utility for a comparable price, but this e-reader offers an undeniably smooth experience for notetaking.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
The latest Amazon Fire HD 10 is an affordable tablet ideal for enjoying entertainment like videos, music, reading, and casual web surfing. While it will run some popular apps, it can’t handle intensive tasks as well as an iPad.
Trade-in FAQs
Do I need to be a Prime member to trade in a device?
No. Anyone with an existing Amazon device is eligible for the trade-in promotion. However, if you want to stack the trade-in rebate with a big deal during a Prime-exclusive event like Amazon Prime Day, you’ll need a membership. We think a membership is worth it for most people; read more about Amazon Prime benefits.
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