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Best items to resell for profit in 2026 (including thrift store finds)

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eBay

By Kai Gradert, co-founder of Hero · Updated

Oct 23, 2026

Short answer: the thrift store finds most worth flipping for a profit are small, durable, branded items that already have a record of selling. Look for cast iron pans (Lodge, Griswold, Wagner), vintage Pyrex, pottery with maker's marks, Carhartt and Dickies workwear, vintage Levi's, original-pressing vinyl, recent textbooks, and game consoles and headphones you can test. Check recent sold prices first, and try to pay no more than about a third of what the item should sell for.

The best items to resell in 2026 are small, durable things that already have a record of selling: used Apple devices and game consoles, vintage and workwear clothing, quality tools, trading cards, and plain thrift store finds like cast iron and Pyrex. Below is a numbered list of 25, a simple way to work out what to pay, where to find items, a 10-second way to check any item before you buy, and the items to skip.

Quick list: 25 of the best items to resell in 2026

iPhones and iPads (reset them properly first)
Nintendo Switch consoles and games
Retro consoles: PS2, original Xbox, GameCube
AirPods and Beats headphones
Camera lenses, especially older manual-focus glass
Vintage stereo gear (Marantz, Pioneer, Technics)
Vintage microphones, mixers and audio interfaces
Vintage band tees (single-stitch)
Carhartt and Dickies workwear
Vintage Levi's
Patagonia and other outdoor brands
Vintage Polo Ralph Lauren
Y2K accessories (like Von Dutch trucker hats)
Classic sneaker silhouettes (authenticate first)
Pokémon and other trading cards (vintage, sealed or graded)
Original-pressing vinyl
Sealed VHS and cassettes
Out-of-print and first-edition books
Recent textbooks (nursing, engineering, law, computer science)
Cast iron pans (Lodge, Griswold, Wagner)
Vintage Pyrex (Gooseberry, Butterprint)
Pottery with maker's marks (Roseville, Hull, McCoy, Frankoma)
Quality hand tools and power tools (Snap-on, Milwaukee, DeWalt)
1960s and 1970s sewing patterns (sell in lots)
Original chargers, power cords and batteries for old consoles and cameras

Is reselling still profitable in 2026?

Yes, if you buy with the margin in mind. Secondhand demand keeps growing. ThredUp's 2026 Resale Report says U.S. online resale grew 19% in 2025, while the broader retail clothing market grew 3.6%. It projects U.S. online resale to reach $48.3 billion by 2030. Those numbers are led by apparel, but the same shift toward buying used shows up in electronics, books and home goods. Supply is there too: the U.S. Census Bureau, quoting the resale trade group NARTS, notes more than 25,000 resale, consignment and nonprofit resale shops in the country.

Profit is what is left after the buy price, selling fees and shipping. For most categories, eBay's final value fee is 13.6% of the total sale (item, shipping and tax). eBay raised it from 13.25% for items sold on or after February 14, 2025 (eBay Seller Update, January 2025). Books, movies and music are about 15.3%. Men's and Women's Athletic Shoes are lower, 8% on sales of $150 or more. Here is a simple example: a $40 sale pays about $5.44 in the main fee, plus a small per-order fee, and then you still pay for shipping and supplies. For current rates, see eBay fees explained.

A rule of thumb for thrift resellers: try to pay no more than about a third of what the item should sell for. Then fees and shipping still leave you a real profit.

What makes an item worth reselling

It has sold recently. Look at sold prices, not asking prices.
It is small and ships cheap. Light, durable items keep shipping from eating your margin.
People search for it by name or model. Brand, model number and maker's mark make an item easy to find and easy to price.
You can check the condition fast. Items you can test and clean are safer buys than a mystery box.
There is steady demand. One big sale proves little. Look for a cluster of sales at similar prices.

What to pay: work the math backward

Start from what the item sells for, not what it is tagged at.

Find the sold price. Look at recent sold listings for the same model and condition.
Take out eBay's cut. For most categories that is 13.6% of the total sale, plus $0.40 on orders over $10 ($0.30 on orders of $10 or less).
Take out shipping and supplies.
Take out the profit you want. What is left is the most you should pay.

Here is an example with round numbers. A jacket sells for $40 with free shipping. eBay's fee is $5.44 (13.6%) plus $0.40, so $5.84. Say shipping costs you $6 and you want $15 profit. $40 minus $5.84, $6 and $15 leaves about $13. Pay $13 or less. That lands close to the one-third rule above.

If the buyer pays shipping or sales tax, eBay takes its percentage on that full total too. See eBay fees explained for the details.

Also check how often it sells. An item that sells every week frees up your cash faster than one that sells twice a year.

Electronics (items 1 to 7)

1. iPhones and iPads

Used Apple devices are among the easiest things to sell because buyers search by exact model. Check the model and storage, test the screen and buttons, and make sure the device is signed out of iCloud and factory reset before you list it. Check recent sold prices for the exact model before you buy: See recent sold prices on eBay.

2. Nintendo Switch consoles and games

Consoles, docks and popular games all sell. Test the console, check the Joy-Con controllers for drift, and sell games separately if the title is in demand. Compare what working consoles actually sold for: See recent sold prices on eBay.

3. Retro consoles: PS2, original Xbox, GameCube

Retro systems keep their value when they are complete and working. Look for the console with cables and a controller. Test it before you buy if the store allows it.

4. AirPods and Beats headphones

Buyers care about the model and whether the case and earbuds all work. Check for the generation number and clean them well before you photograph them.

5. Camera lenses, especially older manual-focus glass

Match the mount and the exact lens name. Look through the glass for fungus, haze and scratches. Lenses are small, which keeps shipping simple.

6. Vintage stereo gear (Marantz, Pioneer, Technics)

Receivers, turntables and speakers from known brands attract collectors. Make sure it powers on and the knobs work. These items are heavy, so factor shipping in or sell local on Facebook Marketplace.

7. Vintage microphones, mixers and audio interfaces

Known brands and clean units sell well to home studio buyers. Check for working inputs, no crackling, and original power supplies.

Clothing and accessories (items 8 to 14)

8. Vintage band tees (single-stitch)

Look for a single line of stitching on the sleeve and hem, and a tag from the right era. Faded and thin can be a good thing here. Holes and stains usually are not.

9. Carhartt and Dickies workwear

Jackets, bibs and work pants hold up for years and buyers know the brands. Check zippers, lining and any rips. Older, made-in-USA labels are worth a second look. Check what Carhartt jackets are selling for before you buy: See recent sold prices on eBay.

10. Vintage Levi's

Check the red tab, the care label and the stitching. Older denim is the target. Look at the crotch and knees for wear that cannot be fixed.

11. Patagonia and other outdoor brands

Fleece, jackets and vests sell year-round, with a lift in cold months. Check zippers and cuffs, and the brand's tags and labels.

12. Vintage Polo Ralph Lauren

Classic logos and bold knits from older lines do best. Check the tag, the fabric and any pilling or staining before you buy.

13. Y2K accessories (like Von Dutch trucker hats)

Trucker hats, bags and sunglasses from the early 2000s have a loyal buyer group. Authenticity matters. Compare the tags, stitching and logos against known real examples.

14. Classic sneaker silhouettes

Well-known models sell, but fakes are common. Authenticate before you list, and check the sole and the insole for wear. For eBay, athletic shoes that sell for $150 or more have a lower fee than most categories.

Collectibles and media (items 15 to 19)

15. Pokémon and other trading cards

Cards are small and easy to ship, which is why they sit on so many resale lists. Pokémon is at the top: in February 2026 a PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16,492,000, the most ever paid for a Pokémon card at auction. You are not likely to find that one at a thrift store, but the franchise's 30th anniversary year has kept interest high. Check the card's set, edition and condition. Sealed product and graded cards are priced differently from loose cards. On eBay, trading cards and collectible card games like Pokémon pay a 13.25% final value fee up to $7,500, a little under the 13.6% most categories pay. Look at recent sold lots and singles before you price a find: See recent sold prices on eBay.

16. Original-pressing vinyl

Look for first pressings, small labels and jazz, rock and soul titles. Check the record for scratches and warps. Working record players are worth a look too.

17. Sealed VHS and cassettes

Sealed copies are the target. Opened tapes of common titles are usually not worth the shelf space.

18. Out-of-print and first-edition books

Look for first editions, signed copies, and niche subjects that went out of print. Check the copyright page for edition details. Most common paperbacks are not worth buying.

19. Recent textbooks

Nursing, engineering, law and computer science textbooks hold value, especially current editions. Always check the edition number against what students need now.

Home and tools (items 20 to 25)

20. Cast iron pans (Lodge, Griswold, Wagner)

Cast iron lasts forever and buyers search by brand. Old Griswold and Wagner pieces are the most sought after. Check that the pan sits flat, has no cracks, and is not warped. Rust can be cleaned off. Compare recent Lodge skillet sales (then search Griswold or Wagner by name if that is what you found): See recent sold prices on eBay.

21. Vintage Pyrex (Gooseberry, Butterprint)

Patterns matter. Check for chips, cracks and faded paint. Sets with their lids sell better. Pyrex is heavy and fragile, so pack it carefully. Check sold prices for the pattern and shape you have: See recent sold prices on eBay.

22. Pottery with maker's marks (Roseville, Hull, McCoy, Frankoma)

Flip it over and look for the mark. Check for chips, cracks and repairs. A marked piece in good condition is the goal.

23. Quality hand tools and power tools

Snap-on, Milwaukee and DeWalt are brands buyers trust. Make sure power tools run and come with a battery or cord. Older American-made hand tools are worth a look too.

24. 1960s and 1970s sewing patterns

Uncut patterns with the envelope in good shape do best. Sell them in lots to save on time and shipping.

25. Original chargers, power cords and batteries

Old consoles and cameras are often found without their original cables. Matching OEM parts are easy to ship and easy for a buyer to search for by model.

Where to find items to resell

Your own home. Start here. It costs nothing and teaches you to photograph, price and list.
Thrift stores. Ask about discount days.
Garage, yard and estate sales. Go early for the best picks. Later in the day, sellers may take lower offers.
Facebook Marketplace free and cheap listings. Bulky items are often priced to go.
Clearance racks. Only buy when the sold price clears the math above.

Thrift store finds to resell: what to look for

Thrift resellers do best when they look for the same things on every visit. A simple route:

Electronics shelf. Game consoles, headphones, camera gear and small audio equipment.
Men's clothing. Workwear, outdoor brands, denim and graphic tees.
Housewares. Cast iron, Pyrex, marked pottery and tools.
Books and media. Vinyl, sealed tapes, first editions and current textbooks.

Plain, boring items often win. Cast iron, textbooks and old power cords are not exciting, but they sell. Many thrift stores also run discount days, with deep markdowns a day or two each month. Ask at the register, because paying less on the same item is the easiest way to raise your margin.

Watch: video walkthrough

Where to sell: eBay or Facebook Marketplace

eBay works best for small, shippable items that buyers search by model or brand: electronics, clothing, cards, media and tools.
Facebook Marketplace works best for bulky or local items, like stereo gear, furniture and heavy cookware, where you skip shipping.

Many items can go on both. List them in one place first and reuse the photos and description.

How to check in 10 seconds

You have about ten seconds in the aisle to decide. Here is a fast way to do it with Hero:

Snap a photo. Open Hero and take one picture of the item. Hero identifies it and shows a resale value range with similar sold items.
Match the condition. Compare your item to sold items in the same condition, not the best one.
Do the quick math. Take the low end of the sold range, then subtract fees, shipping and what you would pay. If the profit is worth your time, buy it. If not, put it back.
List it before you get home. Hero writes the title and description from your photos and lists on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. If you sell on other marketplaces, Inventory Export lets you export your listings to use elsewhere.

Hero has a free plan, so you can try it on your next thrift trip.

Want to go deeper? Read how price checker apps work in our price checker guide, or the full method for checking what anything is worth with eBay sold listings. Compare tools in best apps for resellers.

Items to skip in 2026

Not everything on a thrift shelf is a good buy. Pass on these:

Recalled products of any kind. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says it is illegal to sell a recalled product. Check cpsc.gov/recalls before you buy or list.
Cribs made before June 2011. CPSC says they are very likely noncompliant and illegal to sell. Skip bassinets and strollers unless you have checked recalls.
Used car seats. You do not know their crash history, and they expire.
Common paperbacks and old textbook editions. They are cheap to buy for a reason. Outdated editions do not sell.
Unbranded fast fashion. No brand name means no search demand, and the margin is thin after fees.
Unauthenticated luxury items and sneakers. If you cannot verify it is real, do not buy it.
Bulky items you cannot ship. Large furniture and old tube TVs only make sense if you can sell locally on Facebook Marketplace.
Electronics you cannot test. No power cord and no way to check it works means you are guessing.

FAQ

What is the most profitable thing to resell?
There is no single best item. The best margins usually come from small, durable things with steady demand, like electronics, vintage clothing, trading cards and tools. Profit depends mostly on what you pay.

What can I resell that's worth $1,000?
It is rare at a thrift store, so do not count on it. The items on this list with the most room at the top sell by exact model or grade, like used Apple devices, camera lenses, vintage stereo gear and graded trading cards. Check sold listings for the exact model or card before you pay.

What is the most popular thing to resell?
Clothing, electronics, books and media, and collectibles show up on nearly every reseller's list. Popular does not mean profitable. Buy them only when the sold price clears your costs.

What sells best at thrift stores for resale?
Vintage clothing and workwear, small electronics, vinyl and books, cast iron, Pyrex and marked pottery.

What should I resell on eBay vs Facebook Marketplace?
Use eBay for small, shippable items that buyers search by model. Use Facebook Marketplace for bulky or local items like furniture and heavy cookware.

How do I know if a thrift find is worth buying?
Check recent sold prices, not asking prices, then subtract fees and shipping. A photo price checker like Hero does the first step in seconds.

What are the easiest items to resell for beginners?
Items you can test and describe easily: used Apple devices, game consoles, branded workwear, textbooks and cast iron. Start with a few items you know and build from there.

Is reselling still worth it in 2026?
Yes, if you buy with the margin in mind and know your fees. Secondhand demand is still growing, but profit comes from buying well, not from the category alone.

What should I not resell?
Anything recalled, cribs made before June 2011, used car seats, fakes, and items you cannot test or ship.

How we picked these 25

Each item had to be small or easy to sell locally, searchable by brand or model, easy to check for condition, and selling steadily on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. We left out anything we could not test or check for authenticity in a store aisle.

Sources

Learn more

Start with Hero

Find it, check it, list it. Snap a photo in Hero, see what it sells for, and list on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Hero has a free plan if you are just starting out. See pricing for more.

Ready to grow your thrifting business? Get Hero for iOS, Android, or if you are selling in volume, check Hero for Business.