Does Best Buy Take Used Printers? | Trade-In Or Recycle

If you’ve got a printer that’s slow, streaky, jam-prone, or just replaced by a newer model, you’re probably asking one thing: can Best Buy take it off your hands?

The answer depends on what you mean by “take.” Best Buy’s regular trade-in lineup is built around phones, tablets, computers, and a few other categories. Printers sit outside that core list, so the in-store path is usually recycling, not a buyback.

That can still be a win. Recycling is a low-friction way to clear space, skip shipping, and avoid tossing electronics in the trash. On top of that, Best Buy runs occasional “recycle and save” deals that discount a new printer when you drop off an old one.

Does Best Buy Take Used Printers? What To Expect In Store

In many locations, Best Buy will accept printers through its electronics recycling service. You bring the printer in, staff direct you to the drop-off point, and the device enters the recycling stream.

In most cases, you won’t receive cash or a gift card just for recycling a printer. If you’re hoping for a discount, you’re looking for a time-limited promo, not a standing offer.

Printer recycling and trade-in are separate tracks. Trade-ins usually involve a condition check and a quoted value. Recycling is a disposal service with rules about what’s accepted and how many items you can bring in one visit.

Trade-In Vs. Recycling: The Practical Difference

“Used printer” can mean two different situations:

• A working printer you’d like to sell for value.
• A printer you’re done with and want removed cleanly.

Best Buy’s store process is designed for the second case. Even a working printer often has low resale value once you factor in age, missing parts, and the fact that new entry-level printers go on sale often.

When Selling Beats Recycling

Selling can be worth the time if your printer is still desirable and easy for a buyer to test. Strong candidates include:

• Newer laser printers with low page count.
• Business-class ink tank models with the original box and accessories.
• Photo printers that still produce clean, banding-free prints.
• Label printers with common media formats.

If your printer is older, temperamental, or missing trays and cables, recycling will usually save you a week of listing drama.

How Best Buy’s Printer Recycling Works

Most stores that accept printers treat them as e-waste intake. You bring the unit to the front, customer service, or a designated recycling area, and staff guide you from there. Policies vary by location, so check the rules that apply to your country and store before you drive over.

In the U.S., Best Buy outlines what it accepts and how in its official page on electronics recycling at Best Buy stores.

What Counts As A Printer At The Counter

For drop-off purposes, staff usually treat inkjets, laser printers, and all-in-one units the same: the main device goes into the electronics recycling flow. Label printers and small specialty printers often qualify too, yet a store may sort them with other small electronics.

Big office machines are the wildcard. Floor-standing copiers and heavy multifunction units can fall under separate haul-away rules, and some stores won’t have space for them. If your printer is the size of a mini-fridge, call ahead and ask where they want it dropped.

Do You Pay A Fee To Recycle A Printer?

Many drop-offs are free, but fees can exist for certain categories, sizes, or local rules. Use the store’s posted recycling details to confirm whether printers are fee-free where you live and whether item limits apply.

Will You Get A Coupon Or Store Credit?

Most of the time, no. A coupon is tied to an active promo. When a printer “recycle and save” deal is running, it often works like this: you recycle any printer in store, then you receive an offer that applies to select new printers under the promo’s terms.

Best Buy lists active offers on its promotions page: current Best Buy Trade-In promotions. Read the fine print for store participation, household limits, and which new printers qualify.

What To Do Before You Hand Over A Printer

A printer can hold personal data. Some models store Wi-Fi credentials, fax logs, scan history, or address books. A quick reset and a tidy prep routine keeps things simple.

Remove Ink And Toner Neatly

If your printer has cartridges or toner, pull them out before drop-off. Ink leaks make handling messy. Bag cartridges upright, and keep them separate from the printer.

Factory Reset And Clear Network Details

Look for “Restore Defaults,” “Reset,” or “Network Reset” in the printer menu. For printers without a screen, the reset is often a button combo listed in the manual. After the reset, remove the printer from your computer and phone so it won’t keep trying to reconnect.

Gather The Parts That Matter

For recycling, you can usually bring the main unit alone. For selling or donating, missing pieces cut value fast. Try to locate:

• Power cable and any external power brick.
• Paper trays, rear feeders, or duplexer attachments.
• USB cable, if it’s the non-standard type.
• Original box and packing foam, if you’ll ship it.

Options For Getting Rid Of A Used Printer

Pick the route that matches your printer’s condition and your tolerance for back-and-forth messages.

Option	What You Get	Best Fit
Best Buy in-store recycling drop-off	Printer removed; no listing or shipping	Old, broken, or bulky printers
Best Buy “recycle and save” promo (when offered)	Coupon tied to select new printers	You’re buying new and the promo matches your pick
Local resale (Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Craigslist)	Cash sale	Working printers buyers can test locally
Online resale (eBay)	Cash sale minus fees and shipping	Niche printers with steady demand
Donation to a school or nonprofit	Space cleared; possible receipt	Clean, complete printers with reliable output
Manufacturer take-back or mail-in	Drop-off or label provided by the brand	You want a brand-managed disposal route
Municipal electronics drop-off day	Printer removed on a set schedule	You’re already dropping off other electronics
Office supply store recycling	Printer removed; occasional store rewards	You’re closer to another retailer’s program

How To Decide Between Selling, Donating, Or Recycling

If the printer won’t sell for enough to cover your time, recycle it. A five-minute check can save a week of listing drama.

Run This Quick Screen

1. Age: Over 5–6 years old usually means lower demand unless it’s a business laser model.
2. Cost per page: Buyers check cartridge pricing. If replacements are pricey, interest drops.
3. Output quality: Print a test page. Streaks, banding, or faded blacks scare buyers off.

Price It So It Moves

Start by checking what similar models sell for, not what sellers ask. Then price under common sale pricing for new budget printers. A basic inkjet listed too close to new-on-sale pricing will sit. A solid laser printer priced clearly below new can move the same day.

Donation Works When The Printer Is Ready To Plug In

Donations go smoothly when the printer includes the power cable and paper trays, and when it prints cleanly. If it needs a cleaning cycle, run it first. If it needs new cartridges to function, it’s usually better to recycle.

What Happens After You Drop It Off

Once a printer enters a retail recycling stream, it’s routed for sorting and material recovery. Stores don’t return recycled items, even if you change your mind later, so decide before you hand it over.

If you’re recycling under a promo, read the terms. Printer coupons often state that recycled printers won’t be returned, and they may limit one coupon per household.

Common Snags And How To Avoid Them

Bring A Cart Or A Box For Awkward Printers

Printers have odd weight distribution. A cheap moving box or a tote keeps doors and trays from swinging open in the parking lot. If the scanner lid is loose, tape it shut with painter’s tape so you don’t leave broken plastic bits on the way in.

Your Store Won’t Accept The Printer

Some locations have tighter limits due to local rules or storage capacity. If you get turned away, ask what nearby store accepts printers or which local drop-off site is recommended.

They Ask You To Remove Batteries

Some models have small internal batteries or accessories that do. If staff ask you to remove a battery, don’t pry or force it. Ask for the next option, or take it to a drop-off site that handles battery-equipped electronics.

They Don’t Take Ink Cartridges

Cartridges may be handled through a separate return flow. Bag them and check local cartridge return bins.

Printer Prep Checklist You Can Run In Ten Minutes

Use this once, and you’ll avoid repeat trips and forgotten cables.

Step	Why It Matters	How To Do It
Record the model label	Helps staff confirm category; helps you list it later	Snap a photo of the back label and write the model name
Print a test page	Shows whether it’s sellable or donation-ready	Use the printer menu or driver tool to print a nozzle check
Reset network settings	Clears Wi-Fi credentials and paired devices	Run “Restore Defaults” or “Network Reset” from settings
Remove cartridges or toner	Prevents leaks and messy handling	Remove cartridges and bag them upright
Secure trays and loose parts	Stops snaps and cracks in transit	Tape trays in place or remove and bag them
Pack the power cable	Keeps donation and resale options open	Match the cable to the printer and bag it
Choose your route before you go	Prevents last-second indecision	Sell if it passes the test page; recycle if it fails

Final Checklist Before You Leave Home

• Confirm your local store accepts printers and note any item limits.
• Reset the printer and clear Wi-Fi details.
• Remove ink or toner and pack it separately.
• Bring the power cable if you might sell or donate.
• Check printer recycle promos if you plan to buy new.