Trading in a monitor rarely works the way it does for phones or laptops. Programs that give store credit for used displays are uncommon, and many retailers and manufacturers only offer recycling drop-off, which pays nothing. If you want money back, the realistic routes are selling the screen yourself, using a reseller or refurbisher, or giving it away. This guide compares those routes, shows what drives price, and walks through a net-proceeds example so you can decide before you list anything.

Why trade-in programs seldom cover monitors

Trade-in programs depend on resale value after shipping, testing, and handling. Monitors are large, fragile, and cheap per pound to replace, so the margin disappears quickly. A used panel can also hide defects such as backlight bleed, uneven brightness, or stuck pixels that are costly to check at scale.

Technology also moves quickly. A monitor from several generations ago may have a lower refresh rate and resolution than a current budget model, which reduces demand. Programs that do exist tend to be time-limited promotions tied to a purchase, with conditions that change, so read the current terms on the program page rather than assuming credit.

Recycling is a separate service. Many stores and municipal collection points accept old electronics for responsible disposal. That is useful for a dead screen, but you should not expect a payment for it.

Your realistic options compared

Route Typical payout Effort Good for
Local sale through a classified or community listing Highest, usually Medium: photos, messages, meetup Working screens with the stand and cables
Online marketplace with shipping High, minus fees and shipping High: careful packing, disputes Popular models with demand
Refurbisher or buyback business Lower, but quick Low: quote, ship or drop off Convenience over price
Manufacturer or retailer promotion Varies, often credit toward a purchase Low Only when currently offered
Donation to a school, nonprofit, or friend None, but may help others Low Older but working screens
E-waste recycling None Low Broken or very old units

Quick checks before you decide

Spend five minutes grading the monitor honestly, because the grade decides which route is sensible.

  • Does it power on reliably and hold a picture for an hour without flicker?
  • Does a full white and a full black screen reveal stuck pixels, dark patches, or uneven edges?
  • Do all buttons work, and are the on-screen menu and inputs responsive?
  • Is the stand included and stable? A missing stand can cut interest sharply.
  • Are there scratches or cracks? Cracks and spreading discoloration usually mean recycling, not selling.

Step-by-step preparation

  1. Unplug the monitor and wipe the screen with a barely damp microfiber cloth. Do not spray liquid directly on the panel.
  2. Gather the stand, power cable, video cable, and original box if you still have them.
  3. Find the exact model number on the back label and confirm the size, resolution, and refresh rate from the manufacturer’s documentation.
  4. Reset the on-screen settings to defaults, using the menu option if one exists.
  5. Photograph the front powered on, the back panel with ports, the label, and any flaws up close.
  6. Write an honest description, including defects, and the date you bought it if you know it.
  7. Check recent listings for the same model to set a price near what buyers actually seem to accept, rather than what sellers ask.

Unlike phones, most monitors hold little personal data. Smart models with built-in apps, Wi-Fi, or account sign-ins are the exception, so sign out of every account and run the factory reset described in your manual before handing one over. Remove any screen-protecting film you added only if the buyer asks, since it may protect the surface.

What buyers care about

Price follows a handful of features that you can read straight from the spec sheet. Screen size and resolution come first. After that, refresh rate matters to gamers, panel type and color accuracy matter to creative buyers, and extras such as height adjustment, rotating stands, and built-in speakers add modest value.

Condition is the multiplier. A clean screen with no marks and the original packaging commonly sells faster than an identical model with a scratch. Age matters as well, because buyers worry about backlight wear. If your monitor still has manufacturer coverage, mention it, but check whether the warranty transfers to a new owner before promising anything.

Timing plays a role too. Demand often rises around the start of a school term and during holiday shopping, and falls when new models arrive. If you are not in a hurry, waiting a few weeks may widen your pool of buyers.

A worked example with illustrative assumptions

The figures below are invented for illustration and are not real prices. Substitute your own.

  • Assume a used 27-inch monitor that comparable listings show at about $120.
  • Local sale: you accept $110, spend nothing on shipping, and net $110 after a short meetup.
  • Shipped marketplace sale: you receive $120, pay 12 percent in fees ($14.40), pay $25 for packing and shipping, and net about $80.60.
  • Refurbisher quote: $60, no fees, free drop-off, net $60.
  • Recycling: net $0 and no effort.

The shipped sale beats the refurbisher by about $20 but costs the most time and carries return risk if the buyer claims damage in transit. For many people the local sale wins on both money and certainty. If a buyer wants the screen shipped, price in packaging materials, insurance, and the chance of a dispute.

Questions to ask any buyer or program

  • Is the quoted amount cash, store credit, or a gift card?
  • Does the offer depend on me buying something new from the same company?
  • What condition would lower or cancel the offer after inspection?
  • Who pays for shipping or pickup, and is the label prepaid?
  • How long does payment take after the item arrives?
  • Is the quote binding, or can it change on arrival?

Never accept an overpayment, a check that clears slowly, or a request to move the conversation to an unfamiliar app. Meet in a public place for local sales and keep the packing evidence if you ship.

Keep, sell, or recycle

Sometimes the best move is to keep the old monitor. A working screen can become a second display, and a pair of matching screens can transform a workspace. If you are weighing that route, look at monitor arms for dual screens to see how much desk space two displays need and what mounts commonly support.

Sell it if it works, looks decent, and has a recognizable model. Donate it if it works but has little resale value. Recycle it if the panel is cracked, leaking, or no longer powers on. Handle any damaged screen carefully, and never open the casing yourself, because mains-voltage components can retain a charge after unplugging. Leave dismantling to a qualified technician or the recycler.

Myths that cost sellers money

  • Myth: a bigger screen always sells for more. A large older monitor with low resolution can attract fewer buyers than a smaller, sharper one.
  • Myth: the original price sets the resale price. Buyers compare against what a new equivalent costs today, not what you paid.
  • Myth: a missing box kills the sale. It trims interest slightly, mostly for shipped sales, but a clean screen with a stand still sells.
  • Myth: recycling pays. Recycling is a disposal service, and any payment for scrap value is typically negligible.

Packing a monitor for shipping

If you do ship, use the original foam and box when you have them. Without them, wrap the screen face in a soft layer, add rigid cardboard over the front, and keep at least a few centimeters of padding on every side. Ship the stand in a separate bag inside the box so it cannot press against the panel. Photograph the packed box before sealing it.

Old monitor questions

Can I get store credit for an old monitor?

Sometimes, but it is not common. Credit programs for monitors are far less frequent than for phones or laptops, and they usually appear as limited promotions tied to a new purchase. Check the retailer’s or manufacturer’s current program page for conditions, and compare any offer against what you could net by selling the screen directly.

Where can I sell a used monitor for the most money?

A local sale usually returns the most, because you avoid shipping and fees. Online marketplaces can reach more buyers but take a share and add packing risk. Refurbishers and buyback businesses pay less and handle everything quickly. Choose based on how much time you want to spend and how much risk you will accept.

Does a monitor with a scratch or dead pixel still sell?

Often yes, at a lower price, provided you describe the flaw clearly and show it in photos so there are no surprises on arrival. Many buyers accept a few stuck pixels or a faint mark on a budget screen. Cracks, spreading dark patches, or lines across the picture are different, and those units are generally better recycled or offered only for parts.

How should I clean a monitor before selling?

Unplug it, then wipe the screen gently with a clean, barely damp microfiber cloth and dry it with a second cloth. Never spray liquid straight onto the panel, and avoid household glass cleaners. Wipe the bezel and stand, and check your manual for approved cleaning methods before using any cleaner.

Is it worth shipping a monitor?

It can be, if the price is high enough to cover fees, packing, and the risk of damage. For low-value screens, a local sale or donation is usually better. If you ship, use original foam or generous padding, protect the front, and photograph the packed box before sealing it. Put the stand and cables in a separate bag so nothing presses on the panel.

Related guides

Browse all Cases & Cooling guides →