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Router Apple AirPort Express – White

Warranty: 12 months

Starting at

$74.49

Staff pick

Our latest and most favorite offer.

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Dual-band Wireless Router Asus Rt-ac1900p

Warranty: 12 months

Starting at:

$99.00

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Router Wifi Linksys Ea7300 Maxstream Ac1750

Warranty: 12 months

Starting at:

$85.00

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Netgear C3700 Wireles Router – Dual-Band Wifi Docsis 3.0

Warranty: 12 months

Starting at:

$95.00

Router Wifi Linksys Ea9500

Warranty: 12 months

Starting at:

$193.64

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Are Refurbished Routers And Modems Worth It? (Solved!)

You might already be aware of refurbished electronic products, which are significantly cheaper than brand-new ones.

Refurbished network devices, including routers, modems, and mesh systems, are available from various online and local stores. But are these refurbished network devices worth it?

In this article, we discuss whether refurbished network products are worth it. We also go over what to look for when purchasing such refurbished products.

Here’s Whether Refurbished Routers And Modems Worth It:

Refurbished routers and modems are worth it only if they are significantly cheaper than brand-new ones; otherwise, you’re better off getting a brand-new router or modem. Refurbished network devices have older tech and are typically slower. They also only have a minimal warranty period.

Table of Contents

What Are Refurbished Routers And Modems?

Refurbished routers and modems are second-hand network products repaired due to minor damage.

All refurbished routers and modems are not the same: they can be factory-refurbished or third-party refurbished.

Factory-refurbished routers and modems are repaired and renewed by the manufacturer. Manufacturers also test them to make sure that they work without any issues.

On the other hand, third-party refurbished or locally refurbished routers are not repaired by the manufacturer; instead, these repairs are done by third-party repair centers. So the quality of third-party refurbished products can vary significantly.

Therefore, factory-refurbished network products are usually better than third-party refurbished products.

Are Refurbished Routers, Modems, And Mesh Wi-Fi Systems Worth It?

Refurbished routers, modems, and mesh Wi-Fi systems are only worth it if they are significantly cheaper than brand-new ones. The only advantage they have is their lower price.

On the other hand, refurbished network devices can have many disadvantages. They might have outdated electronics and not support the latest networking standards, making them slower than new devices. They might also overheat and slow down due to their power-hungry older tech.

Most refurbished routers and modems only have a minimal warranty period; some also don’t have any warranty.

Refurbished modems might also have user account issues: if the original user didn’t remove his account, you might not be able to register the modem with the internet provider. Some older modems can also have less support from the internet provider and might not get regular firmware updates.

Some hardware issues in refurbished routers, modems, and mesh systems can be very subtle and might occur only randomly. For example, a refurbished router might restart randomly after using it continuously for a few weeks. In that case, you won’t be able to identify the issue within the return period of the router.

Another risk of buying refurbished network devices is that they may come with incompatible power supplies and cables, which can happen mostly with third-party refurbished routers and modems.

Different refurbished products can also have different quality levels, so you can’t be sure whether the one you get is of decent quality.

What To Look For When Purchasing Refurbished Routers, Modems, And Mesh Systems?

Before buying a refurbished router, modem, or mesh system, you should check several things.

Make sure the device has at least a few months of warranty. Also, check whether the returns are accepted.

Check whether the device is factory-refurbished or third-party refurbished; factory-refurbished products usually have higher quality than third-party refurbished products.

Also, check whether the refurbished network device has all the required parts, including the power adapters, cables, and antennas.

The age of the device also matters; if it is too old, it is not worth it. So make sure to check the manufactured year before buying.

If it is a Wi-Fi router, check the Wi-Fi standard. Newer Wi-Fi standards provide faster data rates and reliable connections, so a refurbished Wi-Fi router is not worth it if it doesn’t support new standards.

Also, make sure the network device you get support the required speeds. For example, if you want a 1 Gbit/s ethernet connection, check if the router or modem has a gigabit ethernet port.

When buying refurbished modems, ensure that the old user account has been removed. Otherwise, you might not be able to register the modem with the internet provider.

Mesh Wi-Fi systems benefit from having a dedicated wired or wireless backhaul. So when you buy a refurbished mesh system, make sure it has a wired or wireless backhaul.

Another thing to check is whether the refurbished router or modem still gets the latest firmware updates from the manufacturer. It’s usually not worth buying a refurbished device if the manufacturer has discontinued it and stopped providing firmware updates.

Are There Any Security Issues With Refurbished Routers And Modems?

Refurbished network devices can theoretically have security issues like modified firmware, altered configuration, and modified hardware.

However, having such security issues in a refurbished network device is extremely rare. So you don’t have to worry about them when buying refurbished routers, modems, or mesh systems.

How To Make Sure Refurbished Routers And Modems Are Safe

When buying a refurbished modem, ensure that the old account is already removed. Otherwise, you might not be able to register the device with the internet provider.

You should also factory reset the device to erase all configuration settings. If possible, update the device firmware to ensure that you have the manufacturer’s original firmware.

Before using your refurbished router or modem, you should also change its admin name and password.

Conclusion

Refurbished routers and modems are worth it only if they are significantly cheaper than brand-new ones.

Refurbished network devices can have outdated tech. So they can be slower and less reliable than newer devices. There are many other disadvantages of buying refurbished network devices, including lower warranty periods, possible user account issues, and mismatched power supplies/cables.

So you’re usually better off getting a brand-new router, modem, or mesh system instead of a refurbished one. Newer devices have the latest tech and are faster and more reliable. Also, for a brand-new product, you’ll get manufacturer support and firmware updates for at least a year.

References

Things To Know Before Buying Refurbished Electronics

Refurbished Grades

Manufacturer Refurbished Vs. Seller Refurbished

firmware errors, extracting broken parts

Nowadays, repairing routers on your own is a rather rare occurrence, since the prices for routers are all affordable and do not require large expenditures to purchase a new device. But, nevertheless, if there are craftsmen who can determine the cause of the death of the router and, accordingly, try to revive it. And, it is worth noting, they often succeed.
In this article, we will try to share their experience, and consider the main reasons for the failure of routers and actions to return them to working condition.

• Firmware update errors

  A very common cause of a router turning into a useless clump of plastic.

  Killing by flashing can be divided into two groups:

  • Incorrectly selected firmware;
  • Aborting the update process.

  Let’s take a closer look at the first point. Routers of the same manufacturer and the same model may differ in hardware. It’s called a release. The release number must be indicated in the accompanying documentation of the router and on the label under the bottom. Let’s take a D-Link router as an example.

  Router label

  We see the inscription H / W Ver.: A1, which means the hardware filling of version A1. And you need to install the firmware for this particular version.

  Firmwares for different hardware versions are incompatible even for the same model!

  As for the second point – in no case should you interrupt the update process, even if you get the impression that the router is “frozen”.

  Firmware update process

  Until the indicator strip reaches 100% and the router itself does not reboot – do not touch the network wires, power the router, Wi-Fi buttons, etc., but just drink tea and wait for the successful completion of the process.

  Bad Wi-Fi Antenna Contact

  Another common case of router inoperability is a banal poor contact of either the Wi-Fi antenna or network wires. If there is no wireless connection with the router, then look at the front panel of the router.

  Router front panel

  We need to find the Wi-Fi module activity indicator. If the indicator is on, then the Wi-Fi is working. Then we take the router in our hands and unscrew the antenna.

  Wi-Fi antenna removal

  We look carefully at the antenna socket – if there is debris, dust, which interferes with contact, and if the contacts are oxidized. Also, if the case is not sealed, then you can disassemble the device case and see the contact coming from the antenna attachment point to the network board. If so, solder it in place.

  Bad contact of the mains wire

  Approximately the same story with the mains wire. With the patch cord connected to the rear connector of the router, we look at the indicator corresponding to it. Lit – the connector is working, and the router sees the wire. Try connecting a different, known-good network cable. From frequent and strong kinks at the place where the wire is attached to the connector, contact is lost.

  Repair of the router itself

  There are two other factors that greatly affect the life of the router – power surges and time. If the router burned out from a jump in the network, whether it be a thunderstorm or a short circuit, most likely it can no longer be repaired. But if a lot of time has passed, and the router is simply old and suddenly stopped showing signs of life, then you can try to repair it before throwing it away.
  Prepare screwdrivers, a soldering iron and a magnifying glass before repairing.

  Capacitor swelling

  Microcircuits, resistors and other radio components inside the case are not as afraid of time as capacitors. They tend to swell, while ceasing to perform their functions. This is especially true for low cost models.

  Swollen condenser

  We will have to disassemble at least two things – the power supply and the router itself. Let’s start with the power supply.

  Dismantling the power supply of the router

  It is worth being prepared that the power supply will be non-separable, as is often the case with impulse models. Then you can carefully make a cut along the border of gluing the body halves.

  Power supply disassembly

  This must be done carefully so as not to cut off the radio components. Inside we will see a printed circuit board with a small transformer, parts and capacitors. We carefully consider the latter under magnification, swelling will be immediately visible.

  Disassembled power supply

  If so, we select an analogue and solder it to a working one. If everything is in order with the block, then go to the router itself.

  Router disassembly

  There are no glued routers – we take a screwdriver and disassemble the case. There will also be a printed circuit board, but more serious than in the power supply. We also carefully examine the capacitors.

  Router circuit board

  If there is such a thing, we solder it to analogues. If not – alas, the only thing that can be advised is to carefully examine all the other radio components, especially at the places of solder. If the part is burned out, there will be a burnt place, and the part itself will be blacker than the norm.
  If there are no symptoms of burnout, there remains a trash can and a trip to the store for a new router.

  Video tutorial on how to disassemble the power supply:

  AC1750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router (Certified Refurbished)

  Dual Band The TRENDnet Wi-Fi Router AC1750, model TEW-812DRU, is able to create a reliable network in a modern home with a large number of network devices. The router creates two networks that work simultaneously – the 1.3 Gbps Wireless AC standard and the 450 Mbps Wireless N standard. USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports will further expand your home network.

  Easy to install

  Intuitive, guided setup process gets you up and running in minutes

  One-touch connection

  One-click connection to your router Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

  USB 3.0 port

  USB 3.0 port lets you transfer data from attached storage devices at 5 Gbps

  Secure Wireless

  Signal encryption with a unique password is used to ensure the security of transmitted data

  Guest network

  Secure isolated guest network

  Parental control

  Control of specific sites

  Next generation Wireless AC

  900 02 The 802.11ac standard allows you to broadcast without interference HD video indoors with many other connections

  Simultaneous Dual Frequency

  High Speed ​​1300Mbps Wireless AC + 450Mbps Wireless N

  Gigabit Ports

  Gigabit Ports Provide High Speed ​​Wired Connection

  Wireless Network Coverage

  Can Cover an Entire Midsize Home 90 004

  Reverse compatible

  Compatible with legacy wireless devices

  Directional Beamforming

  Improves real-time performance by directing a stronger wireless signal to a specific location

  Open access system

  Compatible with DD-WRT firmware****

  902 02

  Standards	IEEE 802. 3 90 008 IEEE 802.3u IEEE 802.3ab IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11 b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (up to 450 Mbps) IEEE 802.11ac (draft 2.0, up to 1.3 Gbps)
  Hardware interface	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN Port USB 3.0 (FTP Storage, Samba, Printing) Power Switch (European Version) WPS Button LED Indicators
  Security	Wireless encryption up to WPA2 Firewall: NAT, SPI Parental Access Control: Mac Filter, URL Filter, IP Filter
  System Requirements	USB printer: Windows: 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Mac OS X: 10.8, 10.7, 10.6, 10.5, 10.4
  Special functions	Quality management Service (QoS) IPv6 support (6to4 and Native) WDS support Up to 3 multiple SSIDs per band Single guest network with option for Internet access for each band only DDNS support for: dyn. com & no-ip.com Support Samba/FTP server Multi-language interface: English, Spanish, French, German and Russian
  Open access system	Compatible with DD firmware -WRT
  Antenna Directivity	2.4 GHz: 6 dBi (max.) internal/5 GHz: 6 dBi (max.) internal
  0181	802.11a: FCC: 22 dBm, CE: 18 dBm (Max)/-68 dBm (typical) @ 54 Mbps 802.11b: 19 dBm (Max)/-84 dBm (typical) @ 11 Mbps 802.11g: 18 dBm (Max)/-72 dBm (Typical) @ 54 Mbps 802.11n: FCC: 18 dBm (Max)/-68 dBm (Typical) @ 450 Mbps 2.4 GHz 802.11n: FCC: 22 dBm, CE: 18 dBm (Max)/-68 dBm (typical) @ 450 Mbps 5 GHz 802.11ac: FCC: 23 dBm, CE: 19 dBm (Max.)/-55 dBm (Typical) @ 1.3 Gbps
  Power	Input: 100 – 240 V a.c. Output: 12 V DC, 2 A Power consumption: 21 W (Max.