MPB's Unused Tech Survey

Over €1.2 trillion worth of unused tech in EU, UK & US homes

Adults can make quick cash by selling unused devices sitting in their homes. The total worth of these devices is a whopping €1.2 trillion throughout the nine countries surveyed (US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden).

Our survey shows 65% of adults surveyed own at least one unused device, including cameras, TVs, smartphones, laptops, tablets and gaming consoles. 

The most common unused tech items are smartphones and TVs. Two-thirds of Americans have at least one of these items and 38% have at least two unused smartphones. Over half of Americans and Europeans (56%) and Brits (53%) have at least one unused camera in their home. For all surveyed tech categories, adults under 35 are most likely to have at least one that is unused. 

Americans are sitting on over half a trillion dollars ($649.5 billion) worth of technology they no longer use. Of the nine countries we surveyed, the US accounts for half the total amount. Germany ranks second with €117.2 billion worth of unused devices.

The majority of adults have never traded a used item

It goes without saying that cashing in on used items helps cover the cost of tech. Despite this, over half of adults surveyed (60%) reported never having traded a used item. The decision not to sell unused items is shocking considering the amount people spend on new tech every year. 

Nearly two-thirds of Europeans, 70% of Brits and half of Americans have never traded in an old tech item in order to get a new one. 54% of Europeans and 50% of Americans report not having sold an old tech item in the past 10 years. Consumers over 55 in the US are more than twice as likely to have never sold or traded an old tech item than those under 35. 

Roughly 10% of adults don’t sell unused tech because they “don’t know how to” and almost 15% feel “they don’t have enough time.” Those under 35 are most likely to view selling old tech as “too much effort.” Thinking they won’t receive much money is the main barrier preventing people from selling unused tech, with this belief being most apparent in adults over 55. 

The average European has €2,100 worth of unused gear

Adults across the nine markets surveyed hold on to thousands of euros worth of unused tech. The average American is sitting on $2,459 worth of unused tech, while the average European has just over €2,100 and the average Brit has £1,332. 

There is a large amount of variation in these figures across the EU countries. (The average amount of unused tech per person in Sweden exceeds €2,750 compared to just €1,600 in France.)

Adults spend an average of £390 upgrading their tech each year. Just over half of Americans estimate spending over $400 on tech annually, and 14% estimate spending over $1,000. Europeans and Brits follow the same trend, though they are slightly more conservative with their tech spending. However, 10% of consumers in Europe estimate spending over €1,000 per year. The average estimated spend per person is $521 in the US, €490 in the EU and £375 in the UK.  

Millennials and Gen Z own the most unused tech

Research shows young adults hoard more devices than anyone. Millennials and Gen Z hold on to the most unused tech as adults 18-34 have an average of €3,142 worth of devices. 

The splits between the amount of tech owned by younger and older adults is drastic. The average value of unused tech among US adults under 35 is $3,691 compared to $1,171 for adults 55+. In Europe, these numbers average out to €3,192 and €1,171, respectively.

Gen Z and millennials would benefit the most financially by selling unused devices. However, the younger demographic is most likely to hold sentimental value toward their unused tech (almost a quarter of the sample stated this as a reason for not selling).