TechLoop vs CeX: Which Pays More for Your Old Tech?

We compared TechLoop and CeX across 10 popular devices. Here is exactly where each one wins — and where each one falls short.

This is not a takedown piece. CeX is a legitimate business with over 600 UK stores, and they have genuine advantages that an online service cannot replicate. But they also have structural limitations that cost you money, and most people do not realise this until after they have already queued at the counter.

We are going to be straight with you about both services, including our own.

The Common Assumption (and Why It Is Wrong)

Most people assume CeX pays the most because they are the biggest. They are the first name that comes to mind when you think about selling old tech. That purple branding is hard to miss on any high street.

Here is the reality: CeX's cash prices are consistently lower than their voucher prices — often 30-40% lower. And when you compare their cash prices against what online buyback services pay, CeX frequently comes up short. Their voucher prices are more competitive, but a voucher locks you into spending at CeX, which is not the same as cash in your bank account.

That does not mean CeX is a bad option. It means the comparison is more nuanced than most people think.

Overview: Two Different Models

Before we get into prices, it helps to understand why these two services operate differently.

CeX is a physical retail chain. They buy your device over the counter, put it on the shelf, and sell it to someone who walks in. Their profit comes from the margin between what they pay you and what they sell it for in-store. They also need to cover shop rent, staff wages, and the cost of maintaining 600+ locations.

TechLoop is an online buyback service. You get a quote online, post your device for free, and receive payment to your bank account once it is inspected. TechLoop's costs are lower because there are no high street shops, no in-store staff, and no physical retail overheads.

These different cost structures directly affect what each service can afford to pay you.

The Key Differences at a Glance

Price Comparison: 10 Popular Devices

This is what most people actually want to know: who pays more?

We compared prices for 10 popular devices in "Good" condition (fully functional, minor cosmetic wear) as of March 2026. For CeX, we are showing both their cash and voucher prices, because the difference matters.

A few things jump out from this table.

TechLoop's cash prices consistently beat CeX's cash prices. The gap ranges from about £25 to £70 depending on the device. This is the comparison that matters for most people, because most people want cash, not a voucher.

CeX's voucher prices are competitive with TechLoop's cash prices — sometimes slightly higher, sometimes slightly lower. But a voucher is not cash. You can only spend it at CeX, and if you do not find what you want, it sits in your wallet doing nothing.

The CeX cash-to-voucher gap is significant. On the iPhone 15, for example, the difference between CeX cash (£290-320) and CeX voucher (£400-420) is roughly £100. That is a 30% penalty for wanting actual money instead of store credit.

Console pricing is closer. CeX is strongest on gaming hardware — their PS5 and Switch voucher prices are genuinely competitive. If you are planning to buy games or another console from CeX anyway, their voucher option for consoles is a solid deal.

Important caveat: These are approximate ranges based on publicly listed prices at the time of writing. Both services adjust prices regularly. The best way to get an exact comparison is to check your specific device on TechLoop and compare with the CeX website on the same day.

Where CeX Wins

Let us be clear about where CeX has genuine advantages that TechLoop cannot match.

Instant Cash in Hand

Walk into a CeX store, hand over your device, walk out with cash or voucher. No posting, no waiting for inspection, no bank transfer delay. If you need money today, right now, CeX wins.

This matters in real life. Maybe you need the cash this afternoon. Maybe you do not trust posting a valuable device. Maybe you just prefer face-to-face transactions. All of these are valid reasons to choose CeX.

Physical Inspection, No Surprises

At CeX, the staff member checks your device in front of you and makes an offer on the spot. You see the inspection happen, and you accept or decline immediately. There is no gap between "the condition I described online" and "the condition the inspector assessed." Everything happens in real time.

With any online service, there is always a possibility that the inspector grades your device differently from how you described it. TechLoop mitigates this with transparent grading criteria and the option to have your device returned free of charge if you decline a revised offer — but the possibility of a revision exists.

Browse and Buy While You Are There

CeX stores are filled with secondhand tech at prices that are genuinely hard to beat for used goods. If you are selling an old phone and buying a replacement, doing both at CeX in a single trip is efficient and saves on postage in both directions.

No Postage Anxiety

Some people do not like posting expensive electronics, even with a prepaid tracked label. The idea of a £400 phone sitting in a Royal Mail van is uncomfortable. With CeX, your device goes from your hand to the counter. No transit risk.

Gaming Hardware Strength

CeX was built on games and consoles. Their pricing for gaming hardware is among the best on the high street, and their voucher prices for consoles are competitive with most online services. If you are trading in a PS5 to fund a Switch (or vice versa), CeX makes that a single trip.

Where TechLoop Wins

Now the other side of the comparison.

Higher Cash Prices

This is the headline. TechLoop's cash prices consistently beat CeX's cash prices across phones, laptops, tablets, and most other device categories. The gap is typically £25-70 per device, which adds up fast if you are selling multiple items.

There is no voucher-versus-cash split. TechLoop pays cash by bank transfer. The price you are quoted is the price you receive.

No Travel Required

CeX has over 600 stores in the UK, but that still means a trip — potentially involving driving, parking, public transport, or a walk into town. If you live in a rural area or your nearest CeX is a bus ride away, the convenience cost is real.

TechLoop works from your sofa. Get a quote, print a free postage label, drop the parcel at any post office or parcel collection point, and wait for payment. The entire process requires zero travel.

Broken Devices Accepted

CeX has limited appetite for broken devices. Cracked screens, battery faults, and significant cosmetic damage will often result in a refusal or a drastically reduced offer at the counter.

TechLoop accepts broken devices as standard. Cracked screens, faulty batteries, non-functional units — all of them have value and all of them get a quote. If you have a phone with a smashed screen that CeX turned away, TechLoop will almost certainly make an offer.

7-Day Price Lock

CeX prices change daily. The price you see on their website today might be different when you visit the store tomorrow. There is no guarantee.

TechLoop offers a 7-day price lock. When you accept a quote, that price is guaranteed for seven days while you post your device. No surprises, no "sorry, the price dropped yesterday."

Transparent Grading

At CeX, the condition grade is assessed by the staff member in front of you, and the criteria can feel somewhat subjective. Different stores, different staff, different days — the assessment may vary.

TechLoop publishes its grading criteria online. You can see exactly what "Good," "Fair," and "Poor" mean before you get a quote. The inspection at TechLoop's facility follows the same published standards. If the inspector disagrees with your self-assessment, you get a revised offer with an explanation, and you can accept it or have the device returned at no cost.

GDPR-Compliant Data Wipe

Both services wipe your data, but TechLoop performs a certified GDPR-compliant data wipe on every device, regardless of condition. This is documented and auditable. For anyone concerned about data security — and you should be — this provides a higher level of assurance.

No Queue

Anyone who has visited a busy CeX store on a Saturday knows the wait. The buying and selling counter can have a 20-40 minute queue, and the inspection itself takes time. With TechLoop, the only waiting is for Royal Mail to deliver your parcel and for the inspection to complete — typically 1-3 days total, none of which require you to stand in a shop.

The Hidden Costs

Every transaction has costs beyond the headline price. Here is what each service costs you beyond the obvious.

CeX's Hidden Costs

Travel: Petrol, bus fare, parking, or your time walking. Even a short trip to town costs £2-5 in transport and 30-60 minutes of your day.

The cash penalty: CeX's cash price is 30-40% lower than their voucher price. If you want actual money, you are paying a significant premium for the convenience of instant payout.

Time in-store: Queue time plus inspection time. Budget 30-60 minutes for a typical visit, longer on weekends.

Price volatility: No price lock means the offer you saw online might not match what you are offered in-store. This is especially frustrating if you have already made the trip.

Condition subjectivity: Without published grading criteria, you are at the mercy of the individual staff member's assessment. This can vary.

TechLoop's Hidden Costs

Waiting time: You will not get paid instantly. From posting your device to receiving payment, expect 2-5 days including Royal Mail transit. If you need money immediately, this is a real drawback.

The inspection gap: There is always a chance your device is graded differently from how you described it, resulting in a revised (lower) offer. TechLoop mitigates this with transparent grading and free returns, but the uncertainty exists.

Posting effort: You need to print a label, package the device, and drop it at a post office or collection point. This takes 10-15 minutes and a trip, although a shorter one than visiting a CeX store in most cases.

Trust in transit: Your device is in Royal Mail's hands for 1-2 days. It is tracked and insured, but if you are anxious about posting valuables, this is a psychological cost even if the financial risk is covered.

Real Scenarios: Which Should You Choose?

Let us put this in practical terms.

Choose CeX If...

• You need cash or voucher today, physically in your hand, within the hour.
• You are already planning to buy something from CeX (a game, a console, a replacement phone) and the voucher price is competitive.
• Your local CeX is nearby and you do not mind the trip.
• You prefer face-to-face transactions and want to see the inspection happen.
• You are selling a recent console or gaming hardware where CeX's voucher prices are strong.

Choose TechLoop If...

• You want the highest cash price and do not want store credit.
• You do not want to travel to a shop or wait in a queue.
• Your device is broken, cracked, or faulty and CeX will not accept it.
• You want a guaranteed price for seven days so you can post at your convenience.
• You want transparent, published grading criteria rather than an in-store judgement call.
• You are selling multiple devices and want to do it all from home.
• Data security is a priority and you want a documented GDPR-compliant wipe.

The "Why Not Both?" Option

There is nothing stopping you from checking both. Get a quote on TechLoop — it takes thirty seconds and there is no commitment. Then check the same device on the CeX website. Compare the numbers. If CeX's voucher price works for you because you are buying something there anyway, go for it. If TechLoop's cash price is better and you do not need the money this instant, post it.

The only bad option is not checking at all and defaulting to whichever service you thought of first.

A Note About Other Options

CeX and TechLoop are not your only choices. For completeness:

Apple / Samsung Trade-In: Convenient if you are buying a new device from the same manufacturer, but the credit offered is typically the lowest of all options. These programmes exist to sell you new hardware, not to give you the best price for your old hardware.

eBay / Facebook Marketplace: Can occasionally net the highest price, but comes with significant effort (photographing, listing, responding to messages, shipping, handling disputes) and risk (scam buyers, returns, platform fees around 12.8% on eBay). Best for rare or high-value items where the effort is justified.

Gumtree / Local Sale: Cash in hand, no fees, but requires meeting strangers and involves safety and fraud risks. Prices are highly variable.

Other Buyback Services (Mazuma, Envirofone, Music Magpie): Each has its own pricing and process. Worth comparing if you want to be thorough. See our full UK buyback comparison guide for a broader breakdown.

How the Comparison Changes by Device Category

The CeX-versus-TechLoop decision is not the same for every type of device. Here is how it breaks down by category.

iPhones

TechLoop wins on cash price for almost every iPhone model. The gap is largest on older models (iPhone 12, 13) where CeX's cash prices drop sharply. CeX's voucher is competitive on recent models (iPhone 15, 16) but only if you want store credit. Check your iPhone's value on TechLoop.

Samsung Phones

Similar to iPhones but with a wider gap. Samsung devices depreciate faster than iPhones, and CeX's cash prices for Samsung phones tend to be lower relative to market value. TechLoop is usually the better cash option. Get a Samsung quote.

MacBooks

TechLoop typically pays £50-100 more in cash than CeX's cash price on MacBooks. The gap is especially wide on older MacBooks (2019-2021 models) where CeX's in-store demand is lower. Check your MacBook's value.

iPads

Both services pay reasonably well for iPads, but TechLoop's advantage on cash pricing holds here too. WiFi-only iPads with lower storage see the biggest gap. Get an iPad quote.

Consoles

This is CeX's strongest category. Their voucher prices for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch are genuinely competitive — often matching or slightly beating online services. If you are trading one console for another at CeX, their voucher deal is hard to beat. For pure cash, TechLoop is still typically better. Check console values.

Smartwatches

CeX accepts some smartwatches but their pricing is often conservative, especially for older models. TechLoop tends to offer more for Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches across all generations. Get a watch quote.

The Verdict

There is no single winner. The right choice depends on what you value most.

If your priority is the highest cash price and you can wait 2-5 days for payment, TechLoop is the better option for most devices. The cash prices are consistently higher, the process requires no travel, broken devices are accepted, and the 7-day price lock removes urgency.

If your priority is instant payment and you are near a CeX store, CeX is a perfectly reasonable choice — especially if you are taking the voucher (which pays 30-40% more than their cash) and plan to spend it there.

If your device is broken, TechLoop is likely your only option of the two, since CeX has limited acceptance for damaged devices.

If you are selling a console and buying another from CeX, their voucher deal on gaming hardware is strong and the single-trip convenience is a genuine advantage.

For most people selling a phone, laptop, or tablet and wanting cash in their bank account, TechLoop will pay more. That is not marketing — it is the structural result of lower overheads allowing higher payouts. But CeX has real, legitimate advantages in speed and physical presence that matter to real people in real situations.

Check both. Compare. Choose the one that fits your circumstances. The five minutes you spend comparing will almost certainly save you money — whichever service you end up choosing.