Is Best Buy Open Box a Good Deal?
Returned and display electronics at 15-30% off retail
15-30% off retail
Quick Verdict: Is Best Buy Open Box Worth It?
Fair — Deal Score: 7.2/10
| Price | 15-30% off retail |
| Free Tier | Yes |
| Best For | You want brand-name electronics at a discount and don't mind minor cosmetic wear |
| Skip If | You want perfect packaging and the peace of mind of buying new |
✓ Pros
- Genuine 15-30% savings on brand-name electronics
- Items are inspected and graded (Excellent, Satisfactory, Fair)
- Full manufacturer warranty still applies
✗ Cons
- Limited availability — specific items sell fast
- Cosmetic imperfections on lower grades
- Return policy is shorter (15 days vs 30 for new)
Our Analysis
Best Buy's Open Box program sells returned and display electronics at discounts ranging from 10% to 60% off retail, depending on item condition. Products are graded as Excellent (minimal signs of use, 10–15% off), Satisfactory (light cosmetic wear, 15–25% off), and Fair (noticeable wear, 25%+ off). The program covers everything from laptops and TVs to appliances and headphones, with inventory constantly rotating as returns are processed.
The community consensus across Reddit tech forums is strongly positive, with experienced shoppers calling it one of the best-kept deals in consumer electronics. The key insight from r/buildapcsales and r/hometheater is that Open Box Excellent items are functionally indistinguishable from new products — they're typically returns from buyers who changed their mind, not defective units. The return policy is identical to new items, which eliminates the biggest risk of buying open box. Best Buy's price matching also applies, so if the new price drops below your open box price, you can get an adjustment.
The practical challenge is inventory unpredictability. Popular items sell quickly, and you can't order specific open box conditions online for all products. Reddit power users recommend checking the website Tuesday and Wednesday mornings (when weekend returns are processed and listed), visiting physical stores for the best selection, and being flexible about exact models. End-of-quarter months (March, June, September, December) tend to have more aggressive open box pricing as managers work to meet sales targets. For anyone buying electronics who isn't in a rush for a specific item, Open Box is objectively the smartest way to shop at Best Buy.
Cost Breakdown
Save 10–60% on electronics with no additional risk — same return policy as new items.
What Real Users Report
Bought an Open Box Excellent LG C4 OLED for 20% off. Literally had all original packaging, no scratches. Someone just returned it.
Tuesday mornings are the move. Weekend returns get processed Monday and hit the floor Tuesday. That's when the best stuff appears.
Same return policy as new. That's what makes it a no-brainer — if anything is wrong, you return it like normal.
Worth it if
You want brand-name electronics at a discount and don't mind minor cosmetic wear
Skip if
You want perfect packaging and the peace of mind of buying new
