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WTF?! Do you have an Xbox Series X or Series S sitting in the corner gathering dust, unused for months or even years, a constant reminder that maybe a PS5 would have been a better choice (assuming you’ve already got a PC)? If you’re undecided about trading it in, consider this: even Microsoft thinks you should do it, and is sending out emails to owners encouraging them to get rid of the consoles.
X user Nintendeal posted an email they received from Microsoft. “Haven’t played on your console in a while? If you’ve moved on to XBOX on PC or another way to play XBOX games, it may be time to trade in your console to Best Buy for up to $375 back,” the message read.
– Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) October 19, 2026
Microsoft isn’t sending these messages out because it wants people to have some extra money over the holidays. The Redmond giant increased the price of Xbox consoles by $100 and $150 for the 512GB and 1TB models, respectively, less than a year after the previous increase.
In its announcement, Microsoft also revealed it was working with retail partners on new programs to provide previously played consoles at lower prices. As it needs older consoles to refurbish and sell, the company suggested at the time that owners who don’t play their Xboxes anymore trade them in for cash or store credit.
Unfortunately for those who, for some reason, are looking to buy an Xbox console, a refurbished Series X is currently around $650, which is $150 more than what the console cost at launch six years ago.
If you are trading in an Xbox, you might want to consider its condition first. That $375 the email promises is only for those consoles in excellent condition with the power cable, controller, and stand all included. Anything in “poor” condition will likely bring around $150. Really, you’re probably better off buying and selling them theough eBay, though buyers don’t get the security of refurbishment and guarantees.
The average price a consumer has paid for a new Xbox console in 2026 YTD ending August is $529, 26% higher than a year ago, while the average PlayStation console has sold for $597, 20% higher than last year. Both prices are at all-time US highs. Price sensitivity is becoming a real problem.
– Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 9 October 2026 at 15:02
According to figures shared by Circana’s Mat Piscatella earlier this month, consumers bought 559,000 consoles in August, down 15% from a year earlier and the lowest August total since 2013. With even refurbished consoles more expensive than new models were at launch, don’t expect this trend to change anytime soon.
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