Picking the best Plug products means splitting the catalogue in two. One half is certified pre-owned phones and computers, where the argument is pure value. The other half is current-generation audio from JBL, Sony and Beats, where the argument is the gear itself.
Plug lists over 1,000 certified pre-owned iPhones, Samsung devices and MacBooks, fully unlocked, with 30-day returns, free shipping and prices starting at $99. These are the picks worth starting with, and what each one is genuinely good at.
Best refurbished laptop: MacBook Pro M2 Pro 14.2-inch
The standout on the computer side is the Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro in a 14.2-inch body, with a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM, in Silver, from Early 2023.
That is a real working configuration rather than a stripped base model. Sixteen gigabytes of RAM and half a terabyte of storage is the specification most people should have bought new and talked themselves out of, and a 16-core GPU handles creative work rather than just spreadsheets.
Plug applies the same language here as to its other refurbished devices: up to 40% more affordable than new, backed by a 12-Month Plug Warranty, hand tested by specialized technicians at company headquarters through a proprietary 90+ point functionality evaluation with deep cleaning and sanitization.
Best for: anyone who needs a capable Mac and does not need this year's Mac.
Skip if: your workload specifically requires the latest chip generation.
Best budget unlocked phone: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G with 64GB of storage in Awesome Black, unlocked, is the classic sensible refurb buy. It carries the same certified pre-owned process and the same 12-Month Plug Warranty as the rest of the refurbished range.
Unlocked matters more here than the specification does. A cheap, unlocked, 5G-capable handset is the right answer for a teenager's first phone, a travel spare you are not afraid to lose, or a work phone you do not want tied to a contract.
Best for: first phones, spares, travel handsets, and anyone escaping a carrier deal.
Skip if: you want flagship cameras or many years of future software support.
Best noise-cancelling earbuds: JBL Tune Buds 2
The Tune Buds 2 are the most broadly useful earbuds in the store. JBL combines its signature Pure Bass Sound with noise-cancelling technology, and the buds use a lightweight ergonomic fit with customizable ear tips for a secure fit.
The feature that earns them the spot is the pairing of Adaptive Noise Cancelling, which minimizes distractions, with Ambient Aware mode, which lets you stay connected to your surroundings. That combination is what makes a single pair work for both a commute and a run.
Colour choice is unusually wide: Black, White, Turquoise, Ghost White and Ghost Mauve. There is also a Tune Flex 2 line in Black, Ghost Black, White and Turquoise, built on the same Pure Bass, Adaptive Noise Cancelling and Ambient Aware combination for people who prefer that fit style.
Best for: one pair that has to handle commuting, working, exercising and relaxing.
Skip if: you want the absolute longest battery life on this list.
Best battery life: Sony WF-C510
If the earbuds you keep losing faith in are the ones that die mid-afternoon, the Sony WF-C510 in Black is the answer. Sony quotes up to 11 hours of listening on a single charge plus another 11 hours from the charging case, for up to 22 hours total.
The quick-charge figure is the one that matters day to day: five minutes provides up to one hour of playback, which turns a forgotten charge into a minor inconvenience rather than a lost commute. Sony's DSEE technology restores detail in compressed music, customizable EQ settings let you tune the sound, and Ambient Sound Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.
Best for: long days, long flights, and chronic under-chargers.
Skip if: you specifically want active noise cancelling.
Not sure which earbud spec actually matters to you? Our roundup of JLab earbuds and headphones is a useful cross-reference at similar price points.
Best portable speaker: JBL Grip
The JBL Grip packs JBL Pro Sound into a compact design that fits in one hand, and it is the pick if you want one speaker that goes everywhere.
JBL's AI Sound Boost analyses each track in real time for bigger, clearer sound with less distortion. An integrated ambient light lets you match the mood to the music, with customizable colours, brightness and sound settings available through the JBL Portable app. The IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating plus a drop-proof design covers the abuse a portable speaker actually takes.
It comes in White, Black, Blue and Purple, so it is easy to buy one that does not look like a piece of equipment.
Best for: a do-everything speaker for home, garden and travel.
Skip if: you need something that clips to a backpack strap.
Best clip-on speaker: JBL Clip 5
For the backpack-strap job, the JBL Clip 5 is purpose-built. It is small enough to hold in one hand, with a wide, fully integrated carabiner big enough to clip to just about anything.
JBL says the powerful driver and passive radiator deliver bigger, louder JBL Pro Sound with punchy bass, and a single charge gives up to 12 hours of playtime, extended further with Playtime Boost turned on. It is IP67-certified waterproof and dustproof, which JBL positions squarely at hiking and camping.
Best for: hikes, campsites, bike rides, showers.
Skip if: you want room-filling volume indoors.
Best on-ear headphones: JBL Tune 520BT
The JBL Tune 520BT is the sensible over-the-head option, available in Purple and White. JBL Pure Bass Sound delivers deep, rich audio, and the lightweight build with Bluetooth wireless connectivity pairs easily with a phone, tablet or laptop.
JBL describes the comfortable on-ear design and long-lasting battery life as suited to daily commutes, work, travel and entertainment. On-ear is the format people forget exists between earbuds and full over-ear cans, and it is often the most comfortable choice for long working days. If you are weighing formats more broadly, our comparison of wired versus wireless headphones is worth a read.
Best for: all-day wear at a desk, without the bulk of over-ear.
Skip if: you need something pocketable.
Best statement speaker: Beats Pill
The Beats By Dre Beats Pill portable wireless speaker in Blush Pink is the one that sells on looks as much as sound, and it is a refurbished listing, so it carries the full certified pre-owned treatment: up to 40% more affordable, a 12-Month Plug Warranty, and the 90+ point functionality evaluation with deep cleaning and sanitization.
Best for: a gift, or a speaker that lives on a shelf rather than in a bag.
Skip if: you want the ruggedised waterproof option.
It is a good illustration of why the refurbished half of this catalogue is worth checking first: a recognisable audio brand, a warranty, and a price the same speaker does not carry new. See what Plug currently has in stock before defaulting to a new-in-box equivalent.
How to choose between them
- Decide whether you are buying value or gear. The refurbished phones and MacBooks are value plays with a warranty attached. The audio is chosen on features.
- For earbuds, pick your priority. Noise cancelling points to the Tune Buds 2 or Tune Flex 2. Battery life points to the Sony WF-C510.
- For speakers, pick your environment. Clip 5 for clipping to things, Grip for everywhere else, Beats Pill for indoors and looks.
- For phones, check the unlocked status first. It is the feature that gives you carrier freedom later.
If you are buying a refurbished phone, budget for protection at the same time. Our guide to choosing between tough and MagSafe iPhone cases covers what to look for.
Browse the full Plug catalogue and start with whichever category you were actually shopping for.