The difference between resellers who struggle and those who build real income comes down to one thing: knowing what to buy. You could spend hours at a thrift store and walk out with items that sit unsold for months. Or you could spend the same time finding pieces that sell within days for 3-5x what you paid.
This guide covers the 25 best items to resell in 2026, based on actual sales data, market trends, and profit margins. Each category includes what to look for, where to sell, and realistic profit expectations.
How We Selected These Items
Every item on this list meets three criteria:
- Consistent demand: Buyers actively search for these items
- Accessible sourcing: You can find them at thrift stores, estate sales, or online
- Strong margins: Minimum 50% profit after fees and shipping
Some items require expertise to evaluate (like vintage watches). Others are straightforward for beginners (like brand-name athletic wear). We note the skill level needed for each category.
Fashion and Clothing
1. Vintage Levi's Jeans
Skill level: Beginner
Levi's 501s, 505s, and 517s from the 80s and 90s consistently sell for $40-100 depending on condition and rarity. Look for "Made in USA" tags, orange tabs, and selvedge denim. Larger sizes (36+ waist) command premium prices because they are harder to find.
Where to sell: Depop, eBay, Poshmark
Typical margin: 200-400%
2. Lululemon Athletic Wear
Skill level: Beginner
Even used Lululemon sells well. Leggings, Define jackets, and Swiftly tops in good condition fetch $30-60. Check the size dot in the pocket to verify authentic Lulu and determine the exact style name.
Where to sell: Poshmark, Mercari, eBay
Typical margin: 100-200%
3. Vintage Band and Concert Tees
Skill level: Intermediate
Authentic vintage band tees from the 80s and 90s can sell for $50-500 depending on the band and rarity. Look for single-stitch construction, faded graphics, and tour dates. Metallica, Nirvana, and classic rock consistently perform well.
Where to sell: eBay, Depop, Grailed
Typical margin: 300-1000%
4. Designer Handbags
Skill level: Advanced (requires authentication skills)
Louis Vuitton, Coach, and Kate Spade bags found at thrift stores can resell for significant profit. However, fakes are common. Learn authentication markers or use services like Entrupy for verification.
Where to sell: eBay (with authentication), Poshmark, The RealReal
Typical margin: 200-500%
5. Nike and Jordan Sneakers
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Limited releases and retro Jordans command premiums. Even general release Nike styles in good condition sell well. Check StockX or GOAT for current market values before buying.
Where to sell: eBay, StockX, GOAT, Mercari
Typical margin: 50-300%
Electronics and Tech
6. Apple Products
Skill level: Intermediate
iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and AirPods hold value better than any other tech. Test functionality thoroughly before purchasing. Unlocked phones and newer models command the highest prices.
Where to sell: eBay, Swappa, Facebook Marketplace
Typical margin: 30-100%
7. Video Game Consoles
Skill level: Beginner
Both current and retro consoles sell consistently. PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X remain in demand. Retro consoles like SNES, N64, and original PlayStation attract collectors willing to pay premium prices.
Where to sell: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari
Typical margin: 50-200%
8. Video Games
Skill level: Beginner
Certain titles, especially retro games, sell for far above their original prices. Pokemon games, rare RPGs, and sealed copies can fetch hundreds. Use PriceCharting to check values before purchasing.
Where to sell: eBay, Mercari
Typical margin: 100-500%
9. Camera Equipment
Skill level: Intermediate
DSLR bodies, quality lenses, and vintage film cameras attract dedicated buyers. Test everything you buy since defective camera equipment is hard to sell. Canon, Nikon, and Sony dominate the market.
Where to sell: eBay, KEH, MPB
Typical margin: 50-150%
Home and Decor
10. Pyrex (Certain Patterns)
Skill level: Beginner
Not all Pyrex is valuable, but certain patterns command premium prices. Gooseberry, Lucky in Love, and Eyes pieces can sell for $50-200 per piece. Pink and turquoise colors generally sell best.
Where to sell: eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace
Typical margin: 200-1000%
11. Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Skill level: Intermediate
Authentic MCM pieces from designers like Eames, Knoll, and Herman Miller sell for hundreds to thousands. Even anonymous MCM-style pieces in good condition attract buyers. Requires vehicle for transport.
Where to sell: Facebook Marketplace, Chairish, 1stDibs
Typical margin: 100-500%
12. Cast Iron Cookware
Skill level: Beginner
Lodge, Le Creuset, and vintage Griswold cast iron holds value. Even rusted pans can be restored. Le Creuset Dutch ovens found at thrift stores often sell for $100-200.
Where to sell: eBay, Facebook Marketplace
Typical margin: 100-300%
13. Vintage Lamps and Lighting
Skill level: Intermediate
MCM lamps, art deco fixtures, and quality vintage lighting attract interior designers and collectors. Test all electrical components and note any issues in listings.
Where to sell: eBay, Etsy, Chairish
Typical margin: 150-400%
Books and Media
14. Textbooks
Skill level: Beginner
College textbooks, especially STEM subjects, hold value well. Scan ISBNs with apps like BookScouter to check current buyback prices. Recent editions sell best.
Where to sell: Amazon, eBay, textbook buyback sites
Typical margin: 50-200%
15. First Edition Books
Skill level: Advanced (requires expertise)
First editions from notable authors can be worth thousands. Learn to identify first edition markers for different publishers. Dust jacket condition significantly affects value.
Where to sell: eBay, AbeBooks, specialty dealers
Typical margin: 100-10,000%
16. Vinyl Records
Skill level: Intermediate
Not all vinyl is valuable, but certain pressings command premium prices. Original pressings, Japanese imports, and limited editions sell best. Check Discogs for market values.
Where to sell: Discogs, eBay
Typical margin: 100-500%
Sports and Outdoor
17. Golf Clubs
Skill level: Beginner
Name brand golf clubs (Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist) hold value well. Complete sets and recent models sell fastest. Vintage clubs attract collectors.
Where to sell: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, 2nd Swing
Typical margin: 50-200%
18. Bicycles
Skill level: Intermediate
Road bikes, mountain bikes, and vintage models all have buyers. Learn to identify quality brands (Trek, Specialized, Cannondale). Tune-ups before selling increase value.
Where to sell: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay
Typical margin: 100-300%
19. Camping and Hiking Gear
Skill level: Beginner
Quality outdoor brands (Patagonia, REI, North Face) sell well year-round. Tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags in good condition find buyers quickly.
Where to sell: eBay, Mercari, REI Garage Sale
Typical margin: 100-200%
Collectibles
20. Trading Cards (Pokemon, Sports, MTG)
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
The trading card market has exploded. Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and sports cards can be worth hundreds to thousands for rare cards. Learn grading and authentication.
Where to sell: eBay, TCGPlayer, PSA-graded sales
Typical margin: 100-10,000%
21. LEGO Sets
Skill level: Beginner
Retired LEGO sets appreciate significantly. Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Creator Expert lines hold value best. Complete sets with boxes command premiums.
Where to sell: eBay, BrickLink
Typical margin: 50-300%
22. Vintage Toys
Skill level: Intermediate
Action figures, Barbies, Hot Wheels, and vintage board games attract collectors. Original packaging significantly increases value. 80s and 90s toys are currently hot.
Where to sell: eBay
Typical margin: 100-500%
Tools and Equipment
23. Power Tools
Skill level: Beginner
DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita tools hold value well. Even used tools in working condition sell quickly. Test everything before listing.
Where to sell: Facebook Marketplace, eBay
Typical margin: 50-150%
24. Musical Instruments
Skill level: Intermediate
Guitars, keyboards, and vintage instruments attract dedicated buyers. Learn to identify valuable brands and models. Condition and playability matter.
Where to sell: eBay, Reverb, Facebook Marketplace
Typical margin: 100-300%
25. Vintage Audio Equipment
Skill level: Intermediate
Receivers, turntables, and speakers from the 70s and 80s attract audiophiles. Brands like Marantz, Pioneer, and Technics command premium prices.
Where to sell: eBay, Audiogon
Typical margin: 100-400%
Maximizing Your Profits
Sell across multiple platforms
Different items perform better on different platforms. Vintage fashion thrives on Depop, electronics sell well on eBay, and furniture moves on Facebook Marketplace. Listing the same item across multiple platforms increases your chances of a quick sale.
The challenge with multi-platform selling
When you list items everywhere, you need a system to prevent double-selling. Nothing damages your reputation faster than canceling orders because you already sold the item elsewhere.
Tools like Voolist let you create one listing and push it to multiple platforms automatically. When something sells, the inventory sync removes it from all connected marketplaces. This prevents embarrassing cancellations and saves hours of manual work.
Track your metrics
Keep records of what you buy, what you sell, and your actual profits after fees and shipping. Over time, you will identify which categories work best for your sourcing abilities and time investment.
For more strategies, check out our thrift flipping guide or explore our complete guide to starting a reselling business.