A working VCR is worth more than you might think, because anyone digitizing old tapes needs one and they are no longer made. Your best moves are to sell it, keep it long enough to convert your tapes, or recycle it as electronic waste if it is dead. Do not just toss it in the trash.
VCRs stopped being produced years ago, so the working ones that are left are in demand. Here is how to get value from yours.
Should You Keep It to Convert Tapes?
If you still have home movies or favorite recordings on VHS, hold on to the VCR until you copy them. You can connect it to a computer with a cheap video capture device, or use a VCR-to-DVD recorder. There are also services that convert tapes for you. Once your memories are saved, you can let the VCR go. Here is what to do with the old VHS tapes afterward.
Sell It
- Working VCRs sell on eBay and Facebook Marketplace to people digitizing tapes or collecting.
- Combo units are gold. A VHS-DVD or VHS-DVD recorder combo in working order is especially wanted.
- Include the remote and cables if you have them, since that bumps the price.
Donate It
Thrift stores, schools, and community centers sometimes take working VCRs, and plenty of families still own tapes. Test it first, and pass along any tapes, remotes, or cables with it.
Recycle a Dead VCR
If it eats tapes or will not power on, recycle it as electronic waste. Best Buy and city e-waste events accept VCRs. Keep it out of the trash, since it is full of metal and circuitry. This is the same path you would use for old cable boxes and old electronics cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are old VCRs worth anything?
Working ones are, because they are no longer made and people need them to digitize tapes. VHS-DVD combo units in good shape bring the most.
Can you recycle a VCR?
Yes. It is electronic waste, so recycle it at Best Buy or a local e-waste event rather than putting it in the trash.
Where can I sell an old VCR?
List it on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Include the remote and cables, and mention if it is a combo unit, to get a better price.
How do I convert my VHS tapes before getting rid of the VCR?
Connect the VCR to a computer with a video capture device, use a VHS-to-DVD recorder, or send the tapes to a conversion service.
Can I throw away an old VCR?
No. Recycle it as e-waste. It contains metal and circuit boards that do not belong in a landfill.