5 Times It Pays to Save the Box Your Electronics Came in

Whenever you buy new electronics, they always ship in shiny new boxes. However, once the device is set up, the next big question is whether you should keep the box or throw it away. Generally speaking, there are two types of people. On one hand, some people hoard boxes religiously, and then there are people who throw them away almost instantly. Depending on the device, both approaches have drawbacks.

Manufacturers spend time designing these boxes, finding the perfect shape and size, and for a reason. This protects the device and accessories inside the box. This is even more important for fragile electronic devices. For such devices, it is worth keeping the box. Apart from that, the original packaging makes the device look like it was handled well by its owner. So, if you ever plan to sell or trade the device, it increases the resale value. Even for returns, you sometimes need original packaging. Additionally, some boxes become collectibles over time, especially with game consoles. These are definitely not the boxes you want to throw away.

So it all depends on what the box offers and whether it’s worth keeping. For example, you don’t need to keep the box your computer mouse came in, as you are unlikely to sell it or store it for long periods of time. But for some devices, keeping the box is a wise choice.

Many of us upgrade our smartphones every few years, and the existing one is either resold, traded in, or passed on to someone. In all these cases, the original packaging and accessories make a huge difference. Firstly, when it comes to selling old phones and tablets, devices that include the original box are likely to fetch a higher value. Indeed, buyers tend to associate original packaging with quality. So if someone has the original box, it makes the phone look like it was well taken care of. Plus, if you hand it over to someone, the box will make it look like a complete set.

Even if you don’t plan any of this, the original box is still useful. For example, if the phone shows signs of malfunction during the return period, some sellers may require that you return it in its original packaging. So it is useful to have the box. In addition, the box your smartphone or tablet comes in also includes accessories that you may need occasionally, for example the SIM card ejector tool. If kept outside they often get lost within a few weeks, but when inside the box the accessories stay safe and are easier to find.

Preserving the packaging your TV arrived in can sometimes be difficult, especially for people who don’t have adequate storage space at home. Although it may be tempting to get rid of them, you shouldn’t do so for two reasons. The most important is transportation. If you change apartments frequently, moving your TV can be complicated. Newer, larger models are more fragile and even a slight bump can damage the screen or crack it. The box your TV comes in is ideal for this task. It fits perfectly, protecting all edges and corners. Generic boxes don’t offer the same level of protection, and purchasing them can increase the overall cost of shipping – something you could have easily avoided if you had kept the original box.

Apart from this, the original box is also important for returns, as it was for smartphones. If the smart TV has problems at first, you may need to return it in its original packaging. So, even if you don’t plan to move, it’s recommended to keep the box at least until the return window expires.

When it comes to laptops and desktops, the original box is important for the same reasons as the devices listed previously. When moving laptops or desktops, the original packaging can come in handy and is completely free. On the other hand, a dedicated shipping box will cost you between $15 and $30. Many modern PC cases also feature glass panels, making the original packaging the best choice for shipping. There’s also the resale aspect: laptops and desktops with their original packaging often sell for more.

Even PC components benefit from having their original box intact. For example, high-end GPUs and keyboards, with their original boxes intact, are more sought after. GPUs can even sell for a 5-10% markup on the second-hand market. That said, even smaller laptop and GPU cases can take up a lot of space, so it becomes necessary to organize them properly. If possible, you can flatten the boxes or store smaller boxes inside larger ones.

Projectors and drones fall into the category of devices where you almost always need to keep the original box. Throwing it away can be very costly in the long run. Projectors and drones are expensive devices with lenses, and these are best protected in their original box. Even a small scratch can ruin the whole experience and replacements can be expensive. The original box includes dedicated cutouts to protect lenses and other fragile parts. And this is not limited to transportation. Projectors, drones, and similar devices often sit for long periods of time, only to be removed when needed. So, even at home, the original box will allow you to store the device safely. This becomes even more important if you have children or pets at home.

The same goes for 3D printers. They are also fragile devices and moving them is not an easy task. But the original packaging makes the process much simpler and more convenient. If you don’t have room for boxes, you should at least store the foam cutouts for smoother transportation.

Game consoles also benefit from the storage of the original box. These are filled with sensitive and fragile components, and moving them without their original packaging represents a real risk. Some models are even oddly shaped and finding replacement boxes to transport them in can be a challenge. Additionally, the box can help organize everything, including cables, controllers and manuals.

This also helps with resale value. Gaming consoles have great resale potential, and with the original box, your listing will likely attract more attention. But more importantly, collectors love anything associated with rare consoles, including boxes. Many older game consoles, like the Nintendo Game Boy, have surprising value in the collector’s market, and those that are like new, with their original packaging, fetch high prices.

Now that you know when it’s worth keeping the original box, it’s equally important to realize that this won’t apply to everyone. If you don’t plan to move in the near future or sell the device, recycling the box after a few weeks will keep your home tidy and clean. But if you plan to keep all the boxes, be sure to use them wisely. For example, you can hide indoor security cameras in old cardboard boxes or even use them for decoration. This way, these boxes serve a purpose until you actually need them.