The best refurbished iMac to buy in 2026 is the 24-inch M1 (2021) for value and the 24-inch M3 (2023) for future-proofing. Both run the current macOS, and both sell far below their $1,299 and $1,499 launch prices. The 27-inch 5K Retina Intel iMac is still the cheapest route to a large all-in-one screen, but only the 2020 model runs macOS Tahoe. We ranked every refurbished iMac generation against live pricing across Back Market, Mac of All Trades, Amazon Renewed, and Apple Certified Refurbished to find the best value at every budget.
According to RefurbMe's tracking, a new iMac reaches the refurbished market a median of 91 days after Apple's release (Time-to-Refurb, as of August 2026), so buyers typically wait about three months for the first refurbished units of a generation to appear. Time-to-Refurb is the median number of days from Apple's release date to the first time RefurbMe records a model in stock refurbished. Across every iMac model RefurbMe has ever tracked, the median Refurb Discount versus the original Apple price is 90% (as of August 2026), though that family median is skewed high by legacy 2010-era models and does not mean a current iMac sells for 90% off. See the live figures on RefurbMe's iMac stats page.
Which refurbished iMac should you buy? Quick verdict by budget
The right refurbished iMac depends on your screen-size needs and how long you plan to keep it. Apple Silicon models (M1, M3, M4) are the future-proof choice; Intel models are the budget big-screen play, and their software ceiling is now the deciding factor.
| Model | Best for | Chip | Screen | Max macOS | Refurbished from |
| 24-inch iMac M1 (2021) | Best value | M1 | 24" 4.5K | macOS 27 | |
| 24-inch iMac M3 (2023) | Most future-proof | M3 | 24" 4.5K | macOS 27 | |
| 27-inch iMac 5K (Intel) | Big screen on a budget | Intel | 27" 5K | macOS 26 (Tahoe) on the 2020 only | |
| 21.5-inch iMac (Intel) | Cheapest all-in-one | Intel | 21.5" 4K | macOS 15 (Sequoia) on the 2019 only |
Prices update in real time from certified refurbishers with warranty, shipping, and return policies you can compare side by side. For the full release history, see every iMac release date and generation.
1. 24-inch iMac M1 (2021): best value
Apple M1 with 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU
8GB memory
2021 release
Apple M1 with 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU
8GB memory
2021 release
Apple M1 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
8GB memory
2021 release
The 24-inch M1 iMac is the best refurbished iMac deal in 2026. Apple's first Apple Silicon all-in-one launched in spring 2021 with a 4.5K Retina display, a slim aluminum body in seven colors, and the same M1 chip that reset expectations for the MacBook Air.
Five years on, the M1 still runs the latest macOS and handles web work, office tasks, photo editing, and light video without strain. It launched at $1,299; refurbished units now start at across the refurbishers RefurbMe tracks. The lowest price RefurbMe has ever recorded on this model is $529, seen at Amazon on 3 May 2026, which is a useful floor to measure any listing against.
The one caveat is memory. The base model ships with 8GB of unified memory soldered to the board, so it cannot be upgraded later. Heavy multitaskers should hunt for a refurbished 16GB configuration up front.
2. 24-inch iMac M3 (2023): most future-proof
Apple M3 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
16GB memory
2023 release
Apple M3 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
8GB memory
2023 release
Apple M3 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
8GB memory
2023 release
The 24-inch M3 iMac is the pick for buyers who want the longest support runway. Released in October 2023, it pairs the same colorful 4.5K design with the faster M3 chip, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and a stronger Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence tasks.
The M3 launched at $1,499 and now starts at refurbished, with a RefurbMe record low of $689 set on 28 June 2026. That premium over the M1 buys two extra chip generations, which matters if you plan to keep the machine into the 2030s.
For a buyer choosing between the two, the math is simple: pick the M1 to save money now, or the M3 to stretch the useful life. Both run current macOS and Apple Intelligence, so neither is a compromise on software.
3. 24-inch iMac M4 (2024): the current model
The 24-inch M4 iMac is the newest generation, announced in October 2024 and available from November 8, 2024. It adds the M4 chip, a nano-texture glass option, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and 16GB of unified memory as standard, up from 8GB on the M1.
As of August 2026, refurbished M4 iMacs still sell close to new. Apple's own refurbished store lists the M4 from $1,269 against a $1,299 launch price, a discount of roughly 2%. That fits RefurbMe's data: with a 91-day median Time-to-Refurb and a machine less than two years old, only a thin supply has entered the certified channel. Most buyers get better value from the M1 or M3 today. If you specifically want the current model, track it with a product availability alert so you are notified the moment refurbished stock lands.
4. 27-inch iMac 5K Retina (Intel): big screen on a budget
3.2Ghz Intel Quad-Core i5 5th gen
8GB memory
2015 release
2.9Ghz Intel Quad-Core i5 3rd gen
16GB memory
2012 release
3.5Ghz Intel Quad-Core i5 4th gen
8GB memory
2014 release
The 27-inch 5K Retina iMac is the cheapest way to put a large, sharp all-in-one on your desk, and refurbished units start at . Intel-based 2015 to 2020 models are widely available. No Apple Silicon iMac offers a screen this large, which keeps demand alive despite the older chips.
The trade-off is the software horizon, and the year on the box decides it. Among Intel iMacs, only the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) appears on Apple's macOS Tahoe compatibility list; the 2019 27-inch tops out at macOS Sequoia, the 2017 at Ventura, and the 2015 at Monterey. Tahoe is also the last macOS to support Intel at all, so even a 2020 machine stops receiving major macOS upgrades after it, though it keeps working and receives security patches for a period.
Buy a 2020 27-inch if you want maximum screen for minimum money with the longest remaining software life. It launched at $2,299 and RefurbMe's record low for it is $499, set on 8 July 2026. Older 5K models go far cheaper (the lowest RefurbMe has ever recorded on the 2015 27-inch is $218) but buy years less support. Insist on an SSD rather than a Fusion Drive in every case. For everyone else, an Apple Silicon 24-inch is the more durable choice.
5. 21.5-inch iMac (Intel): cheapest all-in-one
The 21.5-inch Intel iMac is the entry point to the refurbished iMac catalogue, starting at . It is a genuine bargain for a basic desktop: web browsing, email, documents, and streaming all run fine on the better-specified units.
Three rules keep this from being a false economy. First, prefer the 2019 4K model, the only 21.5-inch iMac that reaches macOS Sequoia; RefurbMe's record low for it is $239, against $159 for the 2017 (which stops at Ventura) and $99 for the 2013 (which stops at Catalina). Second, avoid Fusion Drive and spinning-disk models and insist on an SSD, because a mechanical drive makes even a light machine feel slow.
Third, treat these as short-horizon buys. No 21.5-inch iMac runs macOS Tahoe, so none of them will see another major macOS release. If the price gap to a 24-inch M1 is small, spend up for Apple Silicon.
How much do you save on a refurbished iMac?
Refurbished iMacs deliver some of the deepest discounts in Apple's lineup because the desktop turns over more slowly than laptops and phones. Across every iMac model RefurbMe tracks, the median Refurb Discount versus the original Apple price is 90% (as of August 2026), a figure inflated by legacy 2010-era units still in circulation. That family median is a longevity signal, not a promise that a current model is 90% off.
For a realistic read on a specific generation, compare the live refurbished price to Apple's original list price. RefurbMe's per-model medians as of August 2026 are far more modest than the family figure: 59% off for the 24-inch M1, 54% for the M3, and 31% for the M4, against 78% for the 27-inch 2020 and 82% for the 21.5-inch 2019. The newer the chip, the smaller the discount, which is why the M4 is not yet a value pick.
Where should you buy a refurbished iMac?
Where you buy matters as much as which model you pick. RefurbMe compares all major refurbishers so you can see grade, warranty, and price in one place, and the spread between them on iMacs is wide.
| Refurbisher | Median Refurb Discount on iMacs | Last iMac in stock |
|---|---|---|
| Back Market | 85% | 4 August 2026 |
| Mac of All Trades | 89% | 13 August 2026 |
| Amazon Renewed | 77% | 13 August 2026 |
| eBay Refurbished | 84% | 13 August 2026 |
| Apple Store | 35% | 13 August 2026 |
Source: RefurbMe /stats, per-merchant medians across every iMac each seller has listed, as of August 2026. Like the family figure, each median spans legacy models, so read it as a positioning signal rather than the discount on any one machine.
Back Market is the largest marketplace of certified refurbishers and typically carries the widest iMac selection, with a 1-year seller warranty that begins on delivery and 30-day free returns. It is the first place to check for 24-inch M1 and M3 stock. Mac of All Trades is the specialist: it holds deep stock of older 27-inch and 21.5-inch Intel iMacs that the big marketplaces skip, with free US shipping and a 30-day return policy, and it posts the deepest median discount of any iMac seller RefurbMe tracks.
Amazon Renewed carries a 90-day return-or-replace guarantee and batteries tested above 80% of original capacity, and is worth comparing on price for the same configuration. eBay Refurbished, eBay's vetted certified-refurbished program (distinct from its open marketplace, which has no such vetting), is another certified source with graded conditions and returns. One dead end worth naming: Gazelle is a strong option for iPhones, but RefurbMe has not recorded an iMac in stock there since June 2019.
For maximum peace of mind, Apple Certified Refurbished is the strictest process, though it currently lists only 24-inch M4 iMacs and its prices sit at the top of the range. Note what Apple actually promises on a Mac: Apple states that a refurbished device arrives with genuine Apple replacement parts as needed, thoroughly cleaned and inspected, in a brand new white box with free shipping and returns and a standard one-year limited warranty. The extra guarantee of a new battery and a new outer shell applies to refurbished iOS devices only, so an iMac does not come with either. Whichever seller you choose, compare warranty and return terms side by side before you buy.
Apple Silicon vs Intel: which refurbished iMac should you choose?
The core decision is chip architecture. Apple Silicon iMacs (M1, M3, M4) run faster, cooler, and quieter than any Intel iMac, and they are guaranteed years more macOS support. Intel iMacs win only on screen size (the 27-inch 5K) and rock-bottom price.
macOS Tahoe (macOS 26) is the last release to support Intel Macs, and among Intel iMacs only the 27-inch 2020 model runs it. Every other Intel iMac has already reached its final macOS. An M1 iMac, by contrast, is on the Apple Silicon track: it is supported through macOS 27, the release that drops Intel entirely. If you plan to keep the machine past 2028, buy Apple Silicon.
One shared limit applies to every modern iMac: memory and storage are soldered on Apple Silicon models and cannot be upgraded after purchase. Configure enough RAM and SSD at the point of sale. For a fuller picture of Mac value over time, see whether refurbished is worth it versus new or used.
What should you check before buying a refurbished iMac?
A few checks separate a great refurbished iMac from a regret. Run through these before you buy.
- Confirm the display is flawless. The iMac is defined by its screen, so verify the listing grades cover no dead pixels, burn-in, or backlight bleed.
- Insist on an SSD, not a Fusion Drive. On Intel models especially, a mechanical or Fusion drive is the single biggest drag on speed.
- Check the memory configuration. Apple Silicon RAM is soldered; buy the capacity you need up front, ideally 16GB.
- Verify Activation Lock is cleared. The seller should confirm the iMac is signed out of the previous owner's Apple Account.
- Read the warranty and return window. A 12-month warranty and a 30-day return window are the benchmark from certified sellers.
- Check the exact year on an Intel model. Only the 27-inch 2020 reaches macOS Tahoe; every other Intel iMac is already at its final macOS.
Should you wait for the M5 iMac?
An M5 iMac refresh is expected in late 2026 or 2027, following Apple's roughly annual chip cadence. A new generation reliably pushes older refurbished stock down, so an M5 launch would likely nudge M4, M3, and M1 refurbished prices lower.
For most buyers, waiting is not worth it. The M1 and M3 are already excellent values today, and a new M5 iMac will start near full retail with a 91-day median wait before the first refurbished units appear. If you need an iMac now, buy the M1 or M3; if you can wait six months to a year and want the newest silicon, set a price alert and let the refresh do the work.
Buying refurbished also keeps working electronics out of landfills. You get a cheaper Mac; the planet gets a break.
Head to RefurbMe to compare live refurbished iMac prices, and browse refurbished MacBooks if a laptop suits you better. Already own a monitor you love? See which refurbished Mac mini model to buy instead.
Related: Best iMac Accessories | 7 Best Refurbished MacBooks | Where to Buy a Refurbished Mac
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Last updated: Aug 14, 2026 · First published: Jul 1, 2026
