Short answer
For most kids, the best refurbished iPhone we have right now is the iPhone 14, from $285: 128 GB or more, battery health of 85% or higher, and years of iOS updates still to come. For a teen with a bigger budget, the iPhone 16e from $360.
Picked from the phones we have in stock today and recalculated every night, so a phone that sells out drops off.
What to look for in a kid's iPhone
| Check | Why it matters | Our picks |
|---|---|---|
| Battery health 85% or more | Kids use phones all day and forget to charge them. | 85-90% or 90%+ only |
| 128 GB or more | Photos, videos, games and school apps fill 64 GB fast. Storage can't be added later. | 128 GB minimum |
| Years of iOS updates left | Updates bring security fixes and keep apps working. | Models from 2021 or later |
| A case and screen protector | Our warranty covers faults, not drops or water. | $10 each, or both for $15 at checkout |
| No third-party-part messages | A non-original part can show a message in Settings. | Premium and Excellent phones have none. If it matters to you, pick one of those grades |
| Parental controls | Screen Time, Family Sharing and Find My are built into every iPhone. | How to set it up |
Our picks by budget
Best under $300iPhone 14from $28518 in stock that tick every box128 GB · Good · battery 90%+6.1 in screen · iOS updates expected about 2028–2030 (estimate)See iPhone 14 phones
Best under $400iPhone 16efrom $3609 in stock that tick every box128 GB · Good · battery 90%+6.1 in screen · iOS updates expected about 2031–2033 (estimate)See iPhone 16e phones- Under $200: nothing in stock ticks every box today. The cheapest that does is the iPhone 14 from $285.
- Under $300: iPhone 14 from $285. The newest model under $300 that ticks every box (18 in stock).
- Under $400: iPhone 16e from $360. The newest model under $400 that ticks every box (9 in stock).
Every iPhone under $400 that ticks every box today
| Model | From | In stock | Screen | Major iOS updates expected until (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | $360 | 9 | 6.1 in | about 2031–2033 |
| iPhone 15 | $325 | 104 | 6.1 in | about 2029–2031 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $335 | 8 | 6.7 in | about 2029–2031 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $375 | 1 | 6.1 in | about 2028–2030 |
| iPhone 14 | $285 | 44 | 6.1 in | about 2028–2030 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $285 | 3 | 6.7 in | about 2028–2030 |
Graded phones with 128 GB or more and battery health of 85% or higher. The update estimate is ours, based on how long Apple has supported past iPhones; Apple doesn't publish end dates. How we estimate
Protect it from day one
Kids drop phones. Our 12-month warranty covers faults, like a battery that won't hold a charge or a camera that stops working, but not drops, cracked screens or water. At checkout you can add a silicone case ($10), a tempered-glass screen protector fitted before it ships ($10), or both for $15, sized to the phone you're buying.
Set up parental controls
Every iPhone has them built in. Create a Child Account in Family Sharing, then choose which apps and websites they can use, who they can message and call, and how long they can spend on apps. Location sharing in Find My lets you see where the phone is. Every phone we sell is guaranteed free of iCloud and Activation Lock, ready to set up with your child's own Apple Account. Step-by-step set-up guide
Common questions
What is the best refurbished iPhone for a kid?
Right now it's the iPhone 14, from $285 with us: 128 GB or more, battery health of 85% or higher, and years of iOS updates left. The pick is recalculated every night from what's in stock.
How much storage does a kid's iPhone need?
128 GB. 64 GB fills up quickly with photos, videos and games, and iPhone storage can't be added later.
What battery health should a kid's iPhone have?
85% or more, so it lasts a school day. Every phone we sell shows its battery health before you buy.
Should I buy a case and screen protector?
Yes. Our warranty covers faults but not drops or water. At checkout, a case is $10, a screen protector fitted before it ships is $10, or both for $15.
Can I control what my child does on the iPhone?
Yes. With Family Sharing and a Child Account you can approve app downloads, filter websites, choose who they can contact and set time limits. These are built into iOS.
Can I see where my child's iPhone is?
Yes. Turn on location sharing in Family Sharing and you can see their location in Find My.
Will it be ready to set up with my child's Apple Account?
Yes. Every phone we sell is guaranteed free of iCloud and Activation Lock, and ready to set up with your child's own Apple Account.
Will it work on our family phone plan?
Yes. Every phone we sell is unlocked and works on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and the networks that run on them.