5 Pieces of Dusty Old Tech Every Homeowner Should Get Rid of

Homeowners all have at least one thing in common: limited space. We also all rely heavily on electronics for entertainment and daily convenience, so much so that we tend to keep old tech products, like headphones and gaming consoles, on hand “just in case,” even after purchasing a replacement. But for the sake of a clean, tidy home, there comes a time to admit that it’s best to get rid of some unwanted electronics — or at least give them to someone who will actually use them.

Of course, it can be difficult to part with gadgets that still work. After all, some of them are older devices that owners should try to reuse. There are even clever uses of old technology to make your living space more modern at low cost. But in reality, most outdated devices simply aren’t worth it; especially these five dusty old technologies that you should finally get rid of.

Check your closet, check under your desk, and check around your entertainment center; chances are there is at least one pair of old headphones that you haven’t used in the last few years. Maybe they have frayed cables, burned out speakers, or loose ear pads. Maybe you have a gaming headset with a microphone that no longer works very well? In any case, these so-called spare parts just take up space and are unlikely to be reused.

An old pair of wired headphones can probably go in the trash if you don’t think they’ll sell for much. But if you have Bluetooth headphones or any type of wireless earbuds, they probably contain lithium-ion batteries that it’s not wise to throw away the old fashioned way. These should be taken to a designated battery recycling location. When you recycle batteries this way, it helps avoid any potential fire hazards, while also ensuring that the batteries can be reused instead of sitting in a landfill.

Given their size, tablets are preferable to smartphones when it comes to working, gaming, and watching TV on a portable device. Along the same lines, some prefer dedicated e-readers for reading books and online publications. But these devices are less portable than a smartphone, so you don’t necessarily have one with you everywhere, which means they can easily become obsolete dust collectors.

Tablets are a little more specialized than smartphones; Not everyone has one, and those who do may not upgrade to a newer model at the same rate as a smartphone. This makes old tablets a great donation option, as more people will benefit from access to this type of technology. Before handing over your tablet to someone else, be sure to erase all personal information from the device. It’s a bit like how you safely dispose of an old smartphone. A factory reset will help ensure that the next owner cannot access your sensitive data.

More than most hobbies, video game enthusiasts have a penchant for retro technology. It is therefore difficult to part with old consoles linked to nostalgic memories. And at a time when Gen Z is abandoning streaming in favor of physical media, there’s a strong push to retain cartridge- and disc-based systems in favor of modern digital-based alternatives. But it’s important to ask yourself the question: “Do I really see myself plugging in this old console again?”

For some people, the answer is a resounding yes. But if you answered no, do yourself a favor and get it out of your house. Don’t just throw it in the trash. Video game consoles are among the technological devices offering the best resale value. Retro systems are coveted by collectors, but recently released hardware also sells well. Price increases on current-gen consoles mean you may be able to get almost as much as you paid for that PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X a few years ago.

There’s almost certainly a drawer in your house overflowing with cables. USB, HDMI, Ethernet, power cords and much more. You can probably reach in and remove a mess of cables that would take the better part of an afternoon to untangle. It’s the ultimate example of saving something for a “just in case” scenario, but in all honesty, you might not even remember what half of those cords are for.

There are certain gadgets that you might regret throwing away, either because they are nostalgic or because they have monetary value. In the case of those aforementioned cables, however, it’s probably best to toss them in the trash. The reason they ended up in a drawer is that most electronic devices come with the best and latest cable for their particular charging or connectivity standard. An exception might be having an extra-long cable that can help a friend set up their home entertainment system, but otherwise it’s rarely worth the trouble of finding a new home for those dusty old cords.

Modern homeowners can enjoy convenient luxury with digital voice assistants, self-adjusting thermostats, automated electrical outlets, and other smart home gadgets. However, these types of devices may become obsolete, either due to technical limitations or the manufacturer’s discontinuation of support. In fact, a Federal Trade Commission report found that up to 89% of smart devices are not disclosed regarding how long the products will receive software updates.

If you want your smart home to operate at maximum efficiency, you’ll need to take it upon yourself to keep the ecosystem up to date. So what about the pile of old, useless gadgets that hardly ever get used anymore? If you own gear like Echo smart speakers, Ring security cameras, or Fire TV Sticks, Amazon has a tech exchange system. It accepts a wide variety of gadgets and there are often special promotions or value propositions for these Amazon branded items. Act quickly and you can extract some value from your dusty old smart home technology rather than throwing it in the trash.