€1,199 for a new MacBook Air. Or €700 for the same device – just refurbished, with warranty. Almost €500 saved, without quality compromises. Sounds too good to be true?
But not every seller delivers the same quality. Stiftung Warentest tested eight refurbished shops in 2025 and found significant differences: Back Market scored 1.8 (excellent), while Refurbed only managed 2.6. Some devices arrived with broken USB ports or heavily dusty fans.
In this guide, you'll learn where to find the best MacBook Air refurbished, which generation (M1, M2, or M3) suits your needs, and what to watch out for when buying. This guide focuses specifically on the MacBook Air. For an overview of all refurbished laptops, read our general laptop buying guide.
What Does "Refurbished" Mean for MacBooks?
Refurbished means a device has been professionally inspected, renewed, cleaned, and repaired if necessary. For MacBooks, there are two fundamentally different paths.
Unlike simply used devices, refurbished MacBooks go through a multi-step quality process: functional testing of all components, professional cleaning, replacement of defective parts with original components, and final quality control.
Apple Certified Refurbished
At Apple's official refurbished store, you get devices that according to Macwelt are "technically 100% perfect." Apple installs new batteries and cases when needed, uses only original replacement parts, and provides a full 1-year warranty. You can add AppleCare+ on top.
Savings here run 10 to 15 percent compared to new prices. Not huge, but you're getting essentially a new device.
Third-Party Platforms
Back Market, Refurbed, Rebuy, and Asgoodasnew offer much deeper discounts: 20 to 40 percent is common. These platforms work with certified refurbishers who professionally restore devices.
The catch: Quality varies. While Back Market earned the top spot in Stiftung Warentest with a 1.8 rating, Refurbed landed second-to-last in quality assessment with a 2.6.
Current Price Comparison: Refurbished MacBook Air M1, M2, M3
As of January 2026, here's what the MacBook Air refurbished market looks like:
Refurbished MacBook Air M1 (2020)
| Seller | Price from | Savings vs New | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Refurbished | ~€900 | ~€150 | 12 months |
| Back Market | ~€700 | ~€350 | 24 months |
| Refurbed | ~€720 | ~€330 | 12 months |
| Rebuy | ~€680 | ~€370 | 36 months |
| Asgoodasnew | ~€710 | ~€340 | 30 months |
The refurbished MacBook Air M1 is the clear value champion. For most users, it's more than enough.
Refurbished MacBook Air M2 (2022)
| Seller | Price from | Savings vs New | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Refurbished | ~€1,050 | ~€200 | 12 months |
| Back Market | ~€850 | ~€400 | 24 months |
| Refurbed | ~€880 | ~€370 | 12 months |
| Rebuy | ~€820 | ~€430 | 36 months |
| Asgoodasnew | ~€870 | ~€380 | 30 months |
Refurbished MacBook Air M3 (2024)
| Seller | Price from | Savings vs New | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Refurbished | ~€1,150 | ~€150 | 12 months |
| Back Market | ~€1,000 | ~€300 | 24 months |
| Refurbed | ~€1,030 | ~€270 | 12 months |
Prices are approximate and fluctuate daily. Compare current prices
Quality Differences in MacBook Air Refurbished: What Stiftung Warentest Found
Stiftung Warentest purchased 40 laptops from eight refurbished sellers in 2025 – MacBook Air refurbished models, Lenovo ThinkPads, the full spectrum. Some devices arrived in perfect condition. Others? Dusty fans and broken USB ports.
The Winners
Back Market received the top score of 1.8. Devices arrived functional, matched their advertised condition, and customer service responded quickly. Learn more about all sellers in our detailed seller comparison.
Asgoodasnew, Clevertronic, and Rebuy also scored "good."
The Problem Cases
Some sellers shipped devices with:
Broken USB ports
Heavily dusty fans
Company profiles that weren't deleted
SIM locks on smartphones
Maximum savings according to Stiftung Warentest reached €1,200 for Windows laptops and €480 for MacBooks. That's serious money for a MacBook Air refurbished when you pick the right seller.
Condition Grades Explained: What You'll Actually Get
Every platform uses different terms for restored device conditions. "Excellent" at one seller means "Like New" at the next, and "Premium Refurbished" elsewhere. Confusing? Our condition grades guide explains all ratings in detail. Here's the translation:
Excellent / Like New
No visible signs of use
Device looks brand new
Usually from short use periods, display models, or returns
Very Good
Minimal micro-scratches, only visible up close
Perfect display and functionality
Best compromise between price and appearance
Good
Visible light scratches or wear
Fully functional
Lowest price, but cosmetic trade-offs
Using the MacBook Air refurbished daily? Go with "Very Good" condition. Costs you €30 to €50 more than "Good" – but the visual difference is clear. And let's be honest: You're staring at it every day.
Battery Health in MacBook Air Refurbished
Ask in any Apple forum about refurbished MacBooks. Within five minutes, the battery question pops up. And yeah, people are right to ask.
What Are Charge Cycles?
A charge cycle equals one complete discharge from 100% to 0%. If you start at 100%, drain to 50%, recharge, then use another 50%, that's one cycle.
MacBook Air batteries are designed for about 1,000 charge cycles before dropping to 80% of original capacity.
What's the Industry Standard?
Most reputable refurbished sellers guarantee at least 80% battery capacity for MacBook Air refurbished. That means:
A new battery might last 15 hours
At 80% capacity, you'll still get around 12 hours
For most users, that's perfectly adequate. Apple itself often ships refurbished MacBooks with brand new batteries.
How to Check Battery Health
After purchase, you can check battery status yourself:
- Hold the Option key
- Click the Apple menu (top left)
- Select System Information
- Go to Hardware > Power
There you'll see the cycle count and capacity. A good refurbished device should have fewer than 300 cycles.
M1 vs M2 vs M3: Which MacBook Air Refurbished Generation Do You Need?
M1, M2, or M3? The question's annoying because every comparison tells you "it depends." Let's get specific: Who actually needs which chip in a MacBook Air refurbished?
Refurbished MacBook Air M1: Perfect for 80% of Users
Macwelt confirms that the M1 MacBook Air is still absolutely worth it in 2024-2026. It handles:
Office work, email, browsing
Photo editing in Lightroom or Affinity Photo
Light video editing (1080p in Final Cut Pro)
Streaming, Zoom calls, everyday work
Not editing videos for clients? Not using 3D software? Then M1 is plenty. Bonus: €200 to €400 less than M2 or M3 for a refurbished MacBook Air.
Refurbished MacBook Air M2: For Power Users
Need genuinely more power? The M2 brings:
About 15 to 20 percent more performance
Better webcam (1080p vs 720p)
MagSafe charging port
New, thinner design
Makes sense if: You regularly edit 4K video, keep many browser tabs open, or simply prefer the newer design in a MacBook Air refurbished.
Refurbished MacBook Air M3: For Future-Proofing
The M3 brings:
Another 15 to 20 percent performance boost
Better GPU for gaming and graphics
Hardware ray tracing
Longer software support (until roughly 2032)
Apple's software support for all current MacBook Air models is guaranteed for at least 5-7 years.
Makes sense if: You plan to use the device for 6+ years or do demanding creative work.
Warranty vs Consumer Rights: Your Protection in Germany
Most people confuse these. (I mixed them up for years too.) When you buy a MacBook Air refurbished, German buyers have two different protections.
Statutory Warranty (Gewährleistung)
Under German consumer law, used goods come with a 1-year statutory warranty. The seller is liable for defects that existed at the time of purchase.
This means: If your MacBook Air refurbished shows a defect after three months that traces back to a pre-existing issue, the seller must repair or replace it.
Voluntary Seller Guarantee
Additionally, many platforms offer their own guarantees for MacBook Air refurbished:
| Seller | Guarantee |
|---|---|
| Apple Refurbished | 12 months |
| Back Market | 24 months |
| Rebuy | 36 months |
| Asgoodasnew | 30 months |
| Refurbed | 12 months |
Rebuy stands out with 36 months. That's three years of coverage, more than you get buying new without AppleCare. All details and legal background in our complete warranty comparison.
Environmental Bonus: Why Refurbished Is Sustainable
If you need another reason: The ecological footprint of a refurbished laptop is drastically smaller than new production.
According to a study by French environmental agency ADEME, refurbished devices reduce environmental impact by 91 percent. This includes:
91.3% less raw material consumption
86.4% less water consumption
89% less e-waste
91.6% fewer CO₂ emissions
Research from GreenCitizen shows: Manufacturing a new laptop requires 240 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water. A refurbished device produces only 6.32% of a new device's CO₂ emissions.
For every million refurbished devices, 16,000 tons of raw materials are saved. Put another way: Ten people buy refurbished instead of new? That's 160 tons of raw materials saved. As much as three houses weigh.
This isn't just good for your conscience, it's objectively sensible. More about sustainability in tech purchases in our detailed guide.
Where Should You Buy Your MacBook Air Refurbished? My Recommendation
After analyzing Stiftung Warentest results and market prices:
If Quality Is Your Priority
Apple Certified Refurbished or Back Market for your MacBook Air refurbished. Both reliably deliver good devices. Apple offers near-new quality, Back Market the best balance of price and verified quality.
If You Want Maximum Savings
Rebuy combines low prices with 36 months of warranty for MacBook Air refurbished. The risk is cushioned by the long coverage period.
If Warranty Length Matters to You
For a MacBook Air refurbished with long protection, Asgoodasnew (30 months) or Rebuy (36 months) are ideal. Both beat even Apple with AppleCare.
What I'd Avoid
Platforms with below-average test results. Saving €50 isn't worth the hassle if you receive a device with dusty fans or broken ports.
This checklist is a quick overview. For a step-by-step guide with detailed checkpoints, read our comprehensive MacBook buying guide.
Checklist: Buy MacBook Air Refurbished
Before you click 'Buy':
[ ] Which generation do I actually need? (M1 is enough for most)
[ ] What condition can I accept? (Very Good is the sweet spot)
[ ] Is battery capacity specified? (At least 80%)
[ ] How long is the warranty? (Longer is better)
[ ] Does the seller have good test results? (Check Stiftung Warentest)
[ ] What's the return policy? (14 days is standard)
The Bottom Line
You want a MacBook Air. New costs you over €1,000. Refurbished from Back Market or Rebuy? €700, full warranty, and in three years you won't notice the difference – except in your bank account.
My recommendation: For most users, the refurbished MacBook Air M1 from Back Market or Rebuy is the best deal. You get a capable device, save substantially, and have up to three years of coverage. Plus you're doing something for the environment.
If you have quality concerns: Apple's own refurbished store delivers near-new quality with full warranty. The savings are smaller, but the risk is zero.
Compare current MacBook Air prices at refurbito and find the best deal for you.
