Inksky
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 your 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 your 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 your 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 your 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.