This is an experiment. Can I buy a Kindle of Unclaimed Baggage for under $50? Is it functional? Will that allow me to access my Libby loans and my Amazon library?
Can you buy a Kindle on “sale?”
E-reading has become a popular hobby. There are a few ways to access digital material: cell phones, tablets, computers, and e-readers. The most popular e-reader being Amazon’s Kindle. There are other brands to shop from, but in general, Kindle has a well established name in the e-reader game.
For years I have preached that the best way to buy a Kindle was during Prime day or the Cyber Monday. Over the years, Amazon has not offered the amazing deals of the past. Which leaves deal girlies, like me, looking for the next best way to buy a Kindle.
Look no further than Unclaimed Baggage. If you are not familiar with Unclaimed Baggage, it is a resell website. The site posts items from baggage that goes unclaimed at airports. They have a store front location, you can read more about them here. In short, Unclaimed Bagged is like an online thrift store.
Is shopping from Unclaimed Baggage a new thing?
No, this is not a new trend. But it is one you might be weary of. I was. After researching the platform, there is nothing to be afraid of.
I am in a handful of Facebook bookish groups. In all of these groups, readers share mixed experiences with their Kindle purchases from Unclaimed Baggage. I read these experiences for months. I was left unsure if it was user error, faulty Kindles, or a scam from Unclaimed Baggage. I had to know for myself.
So, I bought a used Kindle.
I started watching the website for Kindles a few months ago. There are almost always Kindles posted, but not always Kindles in the best condition. Kindle vary in price on Unclaimed Baggage. Anywhere from $25-85 depending on the model and condition the Kindle is in.
On February 12, 2025, I bought a 10th generation 2018 Kindle Paperwhite for a total of $63.35. The Kindle was posted for $49.99. Sadly, tax was $3.36 and shipping was $10. Not a bad deal. It wasn’t exactly the $50 total I wanted to spend, but close.
I had every intention of buying the cheapest Kindle available on Unclaimed Baggage. Ironically, it was the same model of my first Kindle. A 2nd gen Kindle for $26. I had upgraded from that model due to a few lifespans issues, you can read about what I experienced here. I decided that while it was the best deal, it was not the best version to buy. So, I got the next cheapest model in good condition. The 2018 Kindle Paperwhite.
Here are the specs posted by Unclaimed Baggage:
I used the model number to read more about it on Amazon and to find a case.
The Kindle arrived on February 18, 2025. Six days after placing the order.
My Review of the Unclaimed Baggage Kindle Experience
At first glance, I was concerned the Kindle was going to be damaged. It was shipped in a soft mailer wrapped in bubble wrap. I opened package and it was on and ready to set up, like a new Kindle. I was impressed. It also came with a bright orange charging cord, another plus.
Selecting the language and connecting to my home WiFi were no issue. I quickly noticed a strong ghosting of e-ink on the screen. Not only that, but it was slower than my main Kindle (2022 gen 11). Not an issue for me, but keep in mind this will likely be the case with any older model Kindle. I don’t think it is something to return a Kindle over, rather the nature of the e-ink technology.
After the Kindle connected to my home WiFi, things got odd. It became super slow and not responsive to touch. I logged into my Amazon account, then it buffered for a few minutes on a blank screen.
My Amazon account loaded, and it recognized the Kindle as my second Kindle. Then I was offered 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for free! It was still moving very slow, so I did a hard reset. After that it worked great, like a new Kindle.
I checked the software and it was up to date. My library loaded in PERFECTLY!! Not only that, but ARCs I had sent to my Kindle Paperwhite 11 loaded in. Simply amazing.
I gave it a quick clean and popped it in the cheapest case I found on Amazon ($7.89).
There were three stickers on the back, two of which I managed to peel off with no issue. One I couldn’t get off without leaving residue, so I left it on. The back of the Kindle is in impressing shape. From the pictures posted on Unclaimed Baggage, I knew it had some marks. I was expecting it to be in worse condition. In person, they were not as noticeable as I thought they were going to be. I would consider the marks normal wear.
Unclaimed Baggage marked this Kindle as “good” condition, I would say it is in great condition. There are no scratches on the screen and the edge is in great condition. The back has a few marks, but they can easily be covered with stickers or a case. For $49.99, this was an amazing buy.
Of course, I tested it out.
I jumped on the treadmill and gave the Kindle a test run. I used my remote page turner and had a few issues. All of which I have narrowed down the smaller screen size. The remote page turner would not turn pages, then it would turn one page back, then one page forward. It was weird. I use the same page turned with my Kindle (gen 11 2022) with no issues. I had to move the page turned to different places on the screen to find the right spot. It is not a deal breaker for me, just something to adjust to.
After 45 minutes of use with a remote page turner, I had no complaints. The screen is clear, no dead pixels, my library loaded in fine, I opened books with no problems, and open and search in the Kindle Store. When I opened the Kindle it was at 86%, after setting it up and using it for 45 minutes at 18 brightness it was at 78% battery. Not bad!
I kept using the Kindle. For the next two months I used just this Kindle. I noticed two things. 1- The battery life does not seem to last nearly as long as my main Kindle (gen 11 2022). 2- It is difficult to find Kindle accessories for older models.
Overall, I am impressed.
So, was it worth it? Do I recommend this Kindle buying hack?
YES!! If you are looking for a way to get a Kindle for under $80, this might be the best way. There were different Kindle models as well as the newest Kindle models posted on Unclaimed Baggage for $49-80. If you watched the site, you likely could snag your ideal Kindle for half the price of a new model.
If you are not comfortable purchasing through Unclaimed Baggage, explore alternatives. You could check on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or a similar resell platform. Make sure that the Kindle turns on, has not outside damage, and has been reset to factory settings.
Have you purchased a Kindle off Unclaimed Baggage? How did it go? Are you interested in shopping on Unclaimed Baggage? Let me know!
Lit Lemon Books 