Sell Your Microwave in the US

Used microwaves in the US typically sell for $27 to $120. Microwaves are cheap new, so second-hand values are low and the practical question is whether yours is worth the effort of listing.

What microwaves are worth in the US

Condition	Typical	What it means
New with Tags	$121	Unused, tags or seals intact
Like New	$103	Barely used, no visible wear
Good	$79	Light signs of use, complete and working
Fair	$55	Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part
For Parts	$30	Not working or incomplete, sold as seen

Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.

What lifts the price

Combination models with grill or convection
Working turntable, roller ring and plate

What pulls it down

Rusted interior cavity
Sticky or failing door catches

Selling a microwave in the US

Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

Distances are the real constraint. State plainly whether you will ship or collection only, because a buyer three states away will otherwise ask.

Demand rises through the spring cleaning season and again around college move-in in August, when furniture and small appliances move fastest.

Working out what yours is worth

Heat a cup of water and time it to confirm output
Confirm the turntable plate and roller ring are present

Getting it ready

Check the door closes squarely and the seal and latch are undamaged, since that is the safety-critical part.
Heat a mug of water for a minute to confirm it works, and note the wattage and model from the rear plate.

Photograph

The interior with the door open, showing the roof and the turntable in place
The door seal and latch close up

Put in the description

Whether the turntable, roller ring and any accessories are included
That it has been tested, and the state of the door, seal and interior

Wattage and type: “800W Solo Microwave, 20L, Silver” or “Combination Microwave Oven and Grill, 900W”. Wattage is the search term and combination models are a separate market. Include the external dimensions, because most buyers are fitting it into a specific gap.

Steady, with lifts in September when students move and around house moves. Clean, tested units sell within days because they are usually the cheapest working option a buyer can find.

It costs nothing to list

There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the $121 a buyer pays is the $121 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.

Where in the US

The United States is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United States with their own page for microwaves.

Common questions

Where can I sell a microwave in the US?

List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

Is the turntable included?

Say so and photograph it in place. Replacement plates are model specific and surprisingly expensive relative to a used microwave.

What is the waveguide cover and why does it matter?

A small panel on the cavity wall that protects the internals. If it is burnt or missing the microwave should not be used until it is replaced.

Is a missing turntable plate a problem?

Yes, more than you would think — plates are size-specific and often cost a meaningful fraction of the microwave’s value.

More: how to sell a microwave, what microwaves are worth, or Kitchen & Appliances across the United States.