You’ve upgraded to a new e-reader and the old one is sitting in a drawer. It still works — e-ink devices last forever — but you’re not using it. Here’s how to turn it into cash or credit, and which option makes the most sense for a device.
Amazon Trade-In: easy and stacked
Amazon’s trade-in program is the simplest path for Kindle owners. You send in your old device, and Amazon gives you an Amazon gift card plus 20% off a new Kindle. The 20% discount stacks on top of sale prices, making it one of the best deals in e-readers if you’re staying in the Kindle ecosystem.
How it works:
- Go to Amazon’s Trade-In page and search for a Kindle model.
- Answer questions about condition (screen, battery, accessories).
- Amazon provides an instant offer — typically $5–$30 for the device itself, plus the 20% coupon.
- Ship the device with Amazon’s prepaid label (free).
- Once Amazon receives and verifies it, the gift card and 20% coupon are applied to your account.
The real value is the 20% coupon. A $5 trade-in offer on an old Kindle Paperwhite isn’t impressive, but 20% off a $399 Kindle Scribe is $80. That’s the value you’re getting, not the gift card. If you’re planning to buy a new Kindle anyway, the trade-in program is almost always the best deal — even a non-functional device qualifies for the 20% coupon.
Devices that trade in well: Any Kindle, any condition. Amazon accepts Kindles with cracked screens, dead batteries, and water damage — the gift card amount drops, but the 20% coupon applies regardless. They also accept non-Amazon e-readers, though offers on those are minimal.
Reselling on eBay and Swappa
For devices that still have value, selling directly nets more cash than trade-in. E-readers hold value surprisingly well — a three-year-old Kindle Paperwhite in good condition sells for 50–60% of its original price.
eBay: The largest market. Search for your model and filter by “Sold listings” to see what they’re actually selling for. Factor in eBay’s ~13% fee on electronics and shipping ($5–10). List with clear photos showing the screen on, the screen off, and any cosmetic damage. Mention battery life specifically — buyers care about this more than anything else.
Swappa: Lower fees than eBay, but a smaller e-reader market. Swappa requires devices to be fully functional (no cracked screens), which limits the pool of buyers but also means less competition from broken units. If a device is in good shape, Swappa’s flat fee structure ($5–10) beats eBay’s percentage.
What sells well: Kindle Paperwhite (any generation) and Kindle Oasis hold value best. Kobo devices sell moderately well on eBay but are harder to move on Swappa. Boox devices and reMarkables sell at a premium because the buyer pool is smaller and more motivated. PocketBook devices are hardest to resell in North America.
What doesn’t sell: Kindle Basic models depreciate the most percentage-wise. The original Kindle Scribe (2022) has dropped significantly because the 2024 model was a substantial upgrade. Very old Kindles (pre-2015) have almost no resale value except as trade-in fodder.
Factory reset before selling
Always factory reset before selling or trading in. Forgetting this step hands your Amazon account (and all books) to a stranger.
Kindle: Settings → Device Options → Reset. This deregisters the device and wipes all content.
Kobo: Settings → Device Information → Factory Reset. Make sure you’ve backed up any sideloaded highlights first — they’ll be gone forever.
Boox: Settings → System → Reset Options → Erase All Data. Also remove any SD card and log out of your Google account first to avoid Factory Reset Protection issues for the buyer.
reMarkable: Settings → General → Factory Reset. This also disconnects the device from your reMarkable Connect subscription.
After resetting: Turn the device back on and verify it’s at the setup screen. If it asks for a previous account or PIN, you haven’t fully reset it.
Which old devices still have value in 2026
| Device | Approximate Resale Value | Best Option |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle Oasis (10th Gen) | $120–$160 | eBay — discontinued, collectors want it |
| Kindle Oasis (9th Gen) | $80–$110 | eBay |
| Kindle Paperwhite (2021) | $70–$90 | eBay or trade-in (depending on next purchase) |
| Kindle Paperwhite (2018) | $40–$60 | Trade-in — 20% coupon beats resale |
| Kindle Basic (2022) | $40–$55 | Trade-in |
| Kindle Scribe (2022) | $150–$200 | eBay — large price gap to new model |
| Kobo Libra 2 | $100–$130 | eBay |
| Kobo Clara BW | $80–$110 | eBay |
| BOOX Note Air 3 | $250–$300 | eBay or Swappa |
| reMarkable 2 | $200–$280 | eBay — strong resale market |
The hybrid strategy
If you have multiple old devices, use a mix: trade in the low-value ones to Amazon for the 20% coupon (even broken ones count), and resell the high-value ones on eBay or Swappa. An old Kindle Keyboard from 2010 that Amazon will give you $5 for still generates a 20% coupon on a new Kindle — that’s better than the $0 it’s worth on eBay.
Timing matters
E-reader resale prices spike in late November through December (holiday gifts) and drop in January–February (post-holiday lull). If you’re upgrading after a holiday release, sell your old device in November when demand is highest. Amazon’s trade-in 20% coupon holds steady year-round, so the trade-in math doesn’t change with the seasons — but cash resale does.