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Buying new stuff is cool, but if you’re on a budget, you can get some great deals by thrifting. Thrifting, or shopping resale, secondhand, preowned or whatever you call it, has surged in recent years. A 2023 Recommerce report said that 85% of shoppers have now bought and/or sold secondhand goods, including 27% first-timers. The US Census Bureau said that the resale market will have hit $53 billion in 2023. A recent industry report from thredUP estimates that by 2027, resale will have grown nine times faster than the broad retail sector.
Thrifting staples like Poshmark and Depop continue to grow, but individual retailers like Patagonia and H&M are also opening their own secondhand programs. The thing with thrifting is, a first-time buyer may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of products, and the quality concerns that are typically attached to buying preowned goods.
What’s the best way to thrift online? If you’re looking for specific brands, products or sizes, the lack of inclusivity and availability can be disheartening. On top of that, fees can raise price tags and cut into profits for buyers and sellers. We’ve found some thrifting apps are better than others.
Online thrifting may seem like more hassle than it’s worth to you, but you’re not alone. I felt the same way at the beginning of my research. After researching and using nine different apps for a couple of weeks, some longer, I feel confident in saying that if online thrifting is something you want to do, there’s a platform out there best suited for your needs.
Here’s how to find the right online secondhand thrifting app for you.
Best for sellers
Vinted
Best eco-friendly consignment
thredUP
Best for luxury products
Vestiaire Collective
Other apps we tested
In finding the best, we also researched and tested several other popular thrifting apps. Here’s a quick rundown on each.
Depop and Mercari are both very popular online resale sites, with wide product ranges and millions of users each. Both have similar fees for sellers, with the companies taking 10% of sales and an additional amount in the form of a payment processing fee. For buyers, the ability to chat directly with sellers is a perk, along with wide product availability and standard return policies. Overall, both are good, but there isn’t anything outstanding about them compared with our top picks.
Fashionphile is an online luxury consignment/resale company. Neiman Marcus launched a partnership with Fashionphile in 2019, making Neiman Marcus’ brick-and-mortar stores helpful drop-off/pick-up spots. Sellers make money by selling their products to Fashionphile based on non-negotiable online quotes. Perks for buyers include strong authentication processes and decent product availability.
The RealReal is another online luxury consignment/resale company. It’s had a rough couple of years, internally and externally, most notably an ongoing legal battle with Chanel concerning fake products. For buyers, it’s a straightforward platform with decent product availability and standard return policies. Sellers have several options: to consign items, trade them or sell directly, all of which come with different payout schedules.
eBay, the original resale site, wasn’t included on this list because it’s more of a general resale site, not primarily focused on apparel like the others. It also requires listing fees, or payments to post an item for sale, but it does give sellers an allotment of 250 free listings before those payments kick in. For interested buyers, the major platform might offer unique finds in all categories.
How CNET tests thrifting apps
I tested nine different thrifting apps to determine which were the best. There are lots of thrifting apps available on the market, so there was a set of exclusion criteria in order to make this list as useful as possible. All apps eligible for review had to be resale (not wholesale), have both app and web services, be available on the Apple and Google Play app stores, and must only offer resale services, nothing additional like rental services. These criteria were created in order to ensure the apps included are accessible for users and operate under comparable business models.
When looking at the eligible apps, user experience was key to creating evaluations and rankings. I took the pain points from my own secondhand shopping experience — in real life and online — and evaluated how these apps either alleviated or exacerbated these things. This boiled down to looking at four major areas:
- Fees: For sellers, buyers, listings and any other hidden ones that might be a nasty surprise at checkout.
- Ease of return: How easy is it to return something you bought online?
- Ease of use: How user-friendly is the app, the website? What features do the top apps have that make browsing a pleasant experience?
- Product availability and inclusivity: Do apps who say they have plus sizes actually have them? How many categories and listings do they have?
To get a real sense of the user experience for each app, I made accounts for all the apps included on this list and played around with the personalization options, read help pages and browsed for hours on end. After using them on my own, I also ghosted Reddit threads, read blogs and watched video reviews to get some outside idea of what the known perks and drawbacks are for many of these apps. Due to my own financial limitations, I didn’t purchase anything from these apps, so I wanted to make sure I was understanding the customer experience as well as I could.
There wasn’t a straightforward way to compare the general prices of items across these apps. Instead, I looked at the things that may cause sellers to raise their prices, like fees and shipping costs, and I took note of how frequently sales or discounts were offered — and how you can get your money back in the event of a return. While this doesn’t mean there won’t be an occasional outrageous price tag on any of these apps, this seemed to be a good way to see the clearest comparisons across all the various market factors that determine an item’s price.
Why is thrifting so popular?
There are three general motivations behind thrifting: environmental, social and financial.
Thrifting is an attractive option for eco-conscious shoppers as it can be a more environmentally friendly practice compared with shopping new. The fashion industry is a major polluter, causing global concerns — in 2018, the industry’s total greenhouse gas emissions were equivalent to all of France’s, Germany’s and the UK’s combined. The industry’s water usage and carbon emissions via global shipping are two major concerns.
Thrifting is one way to extend the lives of existing clothing, creating what advocates call a “circular economy.” The basic idea of this cycle is that when clothes are passed on to other consumers, they stay out of landfills and help reduce demand for new clothes — two things that help alleviate fashion’s environmental footprint.
From a social perspective, research has shown that there’s been a significant decline in the stigma surrounding resale in recent years, up to 76% of Americans surveyed in one study. In fact, thanks in large part to Gen Z, thrifting has become a social media trend. Thrifting took off on social media in 2021 as a TikTok trend, with users making trendy #ThriftFlip videos of their best thrift store finds and transformations. As of September 2023, the tag “thrifting” had over 11 billion views on TikTok.
And, for shoppers, thrifting is a great way to save you money. One report estimates you can save nearly $1,800 a year by shopping secondhand.
There have been concerns about the ethical impact the rise of thrifting has had. The increased popularity of thrift stores can lead to increased prices, potentially making these products out of reach for the communities they were originally meant to serve.
Sellers have similar motivations: cleaning out your closet can make room for current trendy pieces; donations or resales can be a more environmentally friendly practice and keep clothing out of landfills; and it can be a great way to make some cash.
Seller and buyer fees by app
| App | Listing fee* | Seller fees** | Buyer fees*** | Who pays for shipping? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poshmark | None | Sales over $15: deducts 20%sales under $15: $3 | None | Buyer |
| Vinted | None | None | Buyer protection: Each sale = 70 cents + 5% of item price | Buyer |
| thredUP | Included in Clean Out kit service fee | $15 + shipping for Clean Out kit | For returns, $4 restocking fee + shipping (exceptions apply) | Buyer for sold items, seller for submitted items |
| Vestiaire Collective | None | Incremental depending on item price | Only in event of needing to relist an item | Buyer |
| Mercari | None | 10% of item price plus processing payment fee of 50 cents + 2.9% of item price | None | Depends — sellers can print labels themselves or have Mercari do it and charge buyers |
| Depop | None | 10% of item price plus payment transaction fee of 45 cents + 3.3% of item price | None | Depends — sellers can cover shipping or have the buyer incur the cost |
| The RealReal | Depends on method of sale: consign/trade/sell | Depends on method of sale | None | Buyer |
| Fashionphile | None | None | None | Sellers for submitted items, buyers for purchased items |
| eBay | Yes after 250 listings | Incremental percentage from 13.25-15% + 30 cents | None | Buyer |
* A listing fee is a one-time amount that a seller must pay in order to post an item for sale.
** Seller fees refer to the costs that sellers will incur once a sale is completed — this does not include any potential shipping costs.
*** Buyer fees refer to any costs buyers incur in addition to an item’s price and shipping.
Unbeatable Offer: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus for Just $190 at Best Buy and Amazon
There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to Android tablets on the market, and that can make trying to differentiate between them as you shop a little challenging. But it’s usually the size of the display, how much storage is available, and most importantly, how much it will cost that you should be taking note of when comparing your options. And when it comes to those categories, it’s hard to top the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus — especially with the current discount.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus comes with 64GB of storage, 4GB of RAM and a large 10.9-inch display, making the discounted price of $190 a solid deal. That’s a $30 saving over the normal $220 asking price, although we don’t know for how long the deal will remain on the table. If you want to be sure you can take advantage of this price, now is the time to act.
In terms of key specifications, that midsize display and decent amount of storage size are two of the main ones to take notice of, plus the whole thing is powered by Android and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor. If the 64GB storage limit is a concern, note that it can be expanded up to 1TB via an optional microSD card if required, and that’s something that can be resolved pretty inexpensively. Four speakers with Dolby Atmos support round out the main specs of note, making this a solid movie-watching device.
Don’t worry if this isn’t the tablet for you; we have rounded up plenty more tablet deals if you’d prefer something at a different size or price point, or with a different power profile.
‘Dune’: Where to Stream the Film Before Watching ‘Dune 2’
The second installment of the sci-fi epic Dune from director Denis Villeneuve is set to hit theaters on March 1. Adapted from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, the film series is a sweeping production that takes place in a complex world rife with political conflict, conspiracies, mysticism and families trying to survive on a harsh planet.
2021’s Dune introduced Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, a young man with extraordinary abilities. He resides with his parents, Leto and Lady Jessica, on planet Arrakis, a rough desert environment where sandworms and leery locals called the Fremen dwell. Conflict erupts over a precious substance called “spice” that puts House Atreides at odds with its enemies, House Harkonnen, and it can potentially shape the future of the story’s entire Known Universe.
A compelling tale told with stunning visuals and an all-star cast, the film earned six Oscars. You may want a refresher before visiting a theater to see the new installment, and you can relive the feel and magic in Villeneuve’s first Dune film. See below where you can stream it and learn how a VPN can come in handy while viewing.
Read more: Dune Movie’s Out Now: A Guide to All the Terminology You Need to Know
Watch Dune on two platforms
You have two main options to stream Dune on-demand. As a Warner Bros. production, the movie is available on Max, where you can also stream the 1984 adaptation of the film by director David Lynch.
Additionally, Netflix has part one of Dune available to stream until Feb. 29, one day before the next film in the series lands in theaters.
Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2024
How to watch Dune from anywhere on VPN
Maybe you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Dune while away from home. With a VPN, you can virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to access the film from anywhere. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming, too.
A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic and stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling, find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.
You can use a VPN to legally stream content as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.
Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation and choose a country where Dune will be streaming on a service like Max. Before opening the streaming app, be sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream the movie on multiple devices, you may need to configure each to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account.
If you run into streaming issues, first ensure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device, and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.
Save Up to 43% When You Add Apple’s Magic Keyboard to Your iPad Today
The iPad in its various shapes and sizes is arguably the best tablet you can spend your hard-earned money on. There are plenty of options to choose from and they’re all great for consuming content. But if you want to get some work done, you’re probably going to want to add an Apple Magic Keyboard to the mix. It has a keyboard, of course, as well as a trackpad for those times when you don’t want to have to reach up and tap things with your finger. And right now you can pick one up for a hugely discounted price, too.
Woot is offering three different models of the Apple Magic Keyboard with discounts of up to 43% off but as always, these prices aren’t going to be here for long. Woot says that you have a little more than a week, ending March 9, but it’s always possible that supplies could run dry before then, so factor that into your buying plans.
Right now the options available to you include the Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in either white or black for $200, $99 less than Amazon is currently charging, while the keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air is only available in white but at the lower $190 asking price. That’s $60 less than Amazon’s current discounted price. Make sure to pick the one that works with your particular iPad.
Regardless of the model you pick, you’ll get a keyboard with scissor switches and backlit keys with 1mm of travel for a quiet typing experience. The multitouch trackpad works with the latest versions of iPadOS, while a USB-C port handles charging of the whole thing when attached to your iPad. That then leaves your tablet’s USB-C port free for plugging in other accessories, too. All of this in a form factor that folds closed to protect your iPad when it isn’t in use so you won’t need an additional case or cover.
And if it’s time to upgrade your iPad to go with your brand-new Magic Keyboard, be sure to check out our collection of the very best iPad deals before you place an order. We keep the list updated so that the prices are always the best you’re going to find online.
Knock a Massive $370 Off This 16-Inch Asus Vivobook Laptop Today Only at Best Buy
While the best laptops on the market can cost a pretty penny, few of us need to spend thousands of dollars on ultra-powerful devices. There are plenty of great alternatives for budget-conscious buyers that you can snag without breaking the bank. And today only, you can take advantage of a massive discount at Best Buy that can help you get your hands on one of them for even less.
From an original price tag of $750, Best Buy has slashed the Asus Vivobook 16-inch laptop down to just $380, which saves you a whopping $370. You won’t be asked to enter a discount code or clip a coupon to get that price, but you do need to act soon. Best Buy is only offering this deal today, Feb. 29, so you only have a matter of hours to snag one at this price.
In terms of specifications, this budget laptop has more than enough to get the job done. The large, 16-inch display has 1,920×1,080 full HD resolution and is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS SPI and 12GB of RAM. The 512GB SSD is fast and spacious, while the whole thing is wrapped in a lovely “quiet blue” finish.
The laptop runs Windows 11 Home, which adds a refreshed look over the already familiar Windows 10, with a 30-day trial of Windows Office 365 also thrown in. And you can always nab a cheap Microsoft Office deal once that trial runs out). Overall, this is a great laptop for taking to school, working from home, and so much more.
Looking for something a little different? Our collection of the best laptop deals will have something for everyone.
Cheap Tablet Sale Drops Amazon Fire Tablets as Low as $35 for a Limited Time
There are a lot of great tablets out there, but Amazon makes some of the best models on the market — particularly on the cheaper end. If you want an affordable device for browsing the web, controlling your Alexa-powered smart home or keeping a kid entertained, you could do worse than Amazon’s Fire tablets for the money. And right now, you can save on several models if you shop at Woot, with prices discounted as low as $35. The sale is slated to end on March 4, though stock is likely limited, so if you find something you like, be sure to snap it up quickly.
The most budget-friendly option in the sale is the Amazon Fire 7 tablet, an inexpensive and pretty basic tablet. It’s ideal if you just need something to read on, catch up on emails with or control smart home devices via Alexa. This isn’t the latest model, but it has 16GB of storage and 1GB of RAM, and you can pick it up from Woot for just $35 instead of the usual $50. There’s also the kids version, which comes in a rugged case for added durability, and is going for a just $10 more at $45. That’s down from a retail price of $100 and the device includes a year of Amazon Kids Plus content at no extra cost.
Going up a size, you’ll find the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, another great affordable option, and with a slightly larger screen, it’s probably the one to aim for if you want to watch video. It has a much more substantial 64GB of storage, 12 hours of battery life and double the RAM at 2GB, giving you a smoother experience. You can pick it up for $60, and while it’s almost double the cost of the Fire 7 tablet, it has a more powerful processor and is probably the better purchase if you can swing it.
If you want something that’s a bit more high-end, then you’ll be happy with the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet, which is going for $140 rather than the usual $230. This current-gen device has a large 11-inch screen with a 2,000×1,200 resolution, plus 4GB of RAM and the more substantial octa-core MTK8188J processor that will let you get some extra productivity work done. It also has a battery life of up to 14 hours or so, although it still only comes with 64GB of storage, so you’ll very likely want to increase that using a microSD card.
Don’t forget to pick one of these up soon before stock runs out, and if you don’t really see anything you like, check out these other tablet deals as well.
Last Call: This $60 Dollar Flight Club Deal Ends in a Matter of Hours
Travel can get expensive, especially if you’re throwing airfare into the mix. And that cost can rise even higher if you’re booking international or long-distance flights. There are resources online to help you search for flight deals to help with the cost, but searching for bargains yourself can take up a lot of time and energy. And if you’re not familiar with the destination, it can be challenging to figure out which offers are actually solid deals. Investing in a Dollar Flight Club subscription can spare you the trouble, because DFC finds the best deals and sends alerts when great fares hit, helping you snag a cheap flight without the hassle.
Right now, you can grab a lifetime Premium Plus subscription from StackSocial for just $60, which is a massive discount on the usual $99 annual price, especially when you consider you won’t be hit with recurring fees. But this offer is set to expire tonight, Feb. 29, meaning you have just a matter of hours left to get in on the deal.
The Dollar Flight Club Premium Plus plan gives you access to savings on flights in business, premium economy and economy seating, and includes both domestic and international deals. Once you sign up and add your home airports (choose up to four departing airports) you’ll get instant alerts via email and can book whenever and wherever using the web or the app, which is available for iOS and Android devices.
Plus, you can get perks and discounts of up to 50% off on various partners, including Babbel, Acanela Expeditions and Huckberry, as well as access to a variety of travel tips from DFC experts to help you plan your next adventure. If high flight prices have been stopping you from booking the vacation of your dreams, now’s the time to invest in a service that can help you find the best discounts, curated and delivered directly to you.
StackSocial is also offering a lifetime Dollar Flight Club Premium subscription for just $40, which is a pared-down version that has access to around 70% of the deals and you can set a start and departure point.
Read more: Best Luggage Deals
Host Your Website for Less With Deals From Hostinger, HostGator and More
If you’ve wanting to create a website — whether for your musings or a new side hustle — you’ll need somewhere to host it. Hosting can get expensive but if you sign up for one of these top services now, you’ll save up to 84%. Compare current offerings from some of the best web hosting services in the game below to find the plan that fits your needs.
Looking for more discounts? CNET has the best deals from Hostinger, HostGator and many others, along with promo code offers — all updated and verified daily.
Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.
Snag Anker’s Nebula Capsule Max Portable Projector at Its Lowest Price
Projectors are great because they give you a large TV screen without it taking up a ton of space or costing a lot of money. But they can be pretty heavy to carry around with you, so grabbing a portable projectoris the way to go if you travel a lot. Anker’s Nebula Capsule Max is on sale right now and is a great option if you’re looking for something small and packed with features.
The Anker Nebula Capsule Max would normally set you back around $470 but Amazon will ship you one today for the low price of just $350. That includes a $90 coupon, bringing it down to its lowest price and making this an excellent deal for a portable projector. That said, there’s no information on when the discount and coupon will end, so buying now is the best route to go down if you want to be sure of getting this discounted price.
The Nebula Capsule Max is small yet doesn’t skimp on features. It can create an image of up to 100 inches big, it has a built-in speaker (so you don’t need to take your own if you’re traveling) and it’ll run for up to 4 hours per charge. That’s more than enough for even the longest of movies and it leaves you with plenty of time for marathon gaming sessions.
This portable projector provides a native 720p HD image and you can download all of your favorite video streaming apps via the Nebula Manager Store, too. You can control the whole thing from your phone and there is support for HDMI and USB connectivity not to mention AirPlay, Bluetooth, and Mirracast.
Not sure that you quite need a projector? Our list of the best TV deals is a good place to start before placing your order, too.
You Can Snag This New Tech From MWC 2024 Right Now
This year’s Mobile World Congress kicked off earlier this week in Barcelona. The long-running mobile trade show brings with it a plethora of phone launches, updated wearables and other new concepts and technology. MWC 2024 runs from Feb. 26 through Feb. 29, and this week has already been packed with plenty of great tech to get excited about.
Mobile World Congress is a chance for the communications industry to launch new phones and debut innovative tech, but much of it may not hit the market for some time. We’ve gone through all the hottest devices to find which ones you can get your hands on right now and have gathered them below. All of the products here are available to preorder or purchase directly.We’ll keep updating this list to highlight new itemsas MWC 2024 continues.
Read more: MWC 2024’s Wildest Phones: Edible Razr, Bracelet ‘Phones’ and One Big Battery
MWC 2024 tech you can order right now
Snag some of the amazing technology highlighted at this year’s MWC 2024 event.
Read more: Humane’s Wearable AI Pin Hints at a Phone-Free Future
Read more: I Controlled Honor’s Magic 6 Pro Phone With Just My Eyes. It Felt Like Wizardry
MWC 2024 tech that’s coming soon
While these products aren’t available to purchase just yet, we do know when they’re expected to arrive.
Read more: Top Phones to Expect in 2024: iPhone 16, Google Pixel 9 and More
For all of our MWC 2024 coverage, from the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Ring to Lenovo’s transparent display laptops, the new Nothing Phone 2A and more, be sure to check out our MWC 2024 roundup.
