Certified refurbished speakers, earbuds and TV gear: Apple, Bose and Sonos programs compared

A maker's certified refurbished store is one of the cheaper ways to buy a premium soundbar, speaker or pair of earbuds. Sonos, for example, describes its refurbished stock as products that were bought and returned, then tested and repackaged before resale at a lower price. The makers' terms are not identical, though. We compared what Apple, Bose and Sonos promise on their own US sites, and what they charged on October 29, 2026.

The three programs at a glance

What you save

Discounts vary widely by product, and they are deepest on older models. Bose shows an original price beside each refurbished listing. For Sonos, we compared the refurbished price with the price of the same product new on its US store the same day.

A big discount on an older generation can still be the wrong buy. Bose's first-generation Ultra Open Earbuds are rated for up to 7 hours of playback, against up to 9 hours for the $299 second generation, which also adds wireless charging. On a current model, a $20 saving may be smaller than an ordinary sale on the new product. For a newer open-ear option, see our report on Samsung's Galaxy Buds On.

Why “refurbished” has to be disclosed

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) policy treats prior use as something buyers need to know. In a 2006 staff advisory opinion, the FTC's enforcement division explained that under a 1969 Commission policy, failing to disclose that a product had been used was unlawful even when returned goods had been refurbished to good-as-new condition. The same letter shows how terms can differ: according to the letter, Sony then sold all opened and returned electronics as refurbished, with a 90-day limited warranty. All three programs compared here give a full year.

The FTC's online shopping advice makes the same point from the buyer's side: words such as “refurbished,” “vintage” or “close-out” could mean a product is in less-than-perfect condition, so read the whole description.

Before you buy refurbished

• Buy from the maker, or find out who stands behind the warranty. Bose's one-year refurbished warranty applies when you buy directly from Bose, and the FTC advises asking whether you claim through the manufacturer or the original seller.
• Check the return window before you pay: 14 days at Apple, 30 days at Bose, and 30 days at Sonos under its US terms of sale for products bought directly from Sonos.
• Compare with the current new price, including sales, and check what a newer generation adds.
• Keep the receipt with the warranty. The FTC says it proves the purchase date and that you are the original owner.
• Our guide to product warranties explains full and limited warranties and what federal law requires.

What this comparison cannot tell you

It cannot tell you how a refurbished unit compares with a new one in condition or reliability. None of the pages we read gives failure or return rates, and we have not bought or inspected any refurbished products. Stock and prices change daily, so the savings above are a snapshot. Programs run by retailers and marketplaces set their own terms, which may differ from the makers' programs compared here.