Moving Checklist: Tech You Should Pack, Donate, or Sell Before a Move

Before You Move: The Tech Decision That Saves Time, Money, and Headaches

Moving is one of the most stressful life events—right up there with selling a home or starting a new job. For homeowners and renters, the tech you own can create a unique headache: big, fragile, data-filled, and often regulated (batteries, anyone?). This checklist walks you through what to pack, sell, donate, or recycle—with clear timelines, packing methods, and 2026 trends that change the resale and recycling math.

Quick takeaway (read this first)

• Pack what’s fragile, expensive to replace, or hard to reinstall (monitors, primary router, NAS drives).
• Sell high-demand electronics with good resale value: newer monitors, gaming gear, robot vacuums, high-end speakers, and Wi‑Fi 6/7 routers.
• Donate working, older devices after wiping data: tablets, laptops (1–2 generations old), and peripherals to schools or nonprofits.
• Recycle broken gear, batteries, and anything with hazardous components through certified e‑waste programs.

Why this matters in 2026

Two big trends changed the moving tech math since 2024: the mainstream adoption of Wi‑Fi 7 and an expanded circular-economy push from retailers and municipalities in late 2025. As more high-speed routers and AI-enabled smart home hubs entered the market, older models lost value faster—but demand for well-maintained used gear rose because refurbished electronics became a larger part of major retailers’ inventory. That means timing and condition now matter more for resale; and recycling programs are more accessible in many U.S. cities than they were just two years ago.

How to decide: a simple sell vs. keep vs. donate framework

Use these three quick filters for each item:

1. Replacement cost: Is it cheaper to move it or buy a new one? Large monitors and high-end routers often cost more to replace.
2. Data & privacy risk: Does it contain sensitive info? Sell only after a full wipe; donate only after factory reset and verified wipe.
3. Logistics & weight: Heavy items (commercial vacuums, tower speakers) may cost more to move than they’re worth—consider selling locally.

Move-out timeline: When to act

Start early. Here’s a practical schedule you can follow.

8+ weeks before move

• Inventory every tech item and estimate condition: mint, good, fair, broken.
• Check warranty dates and any transferable plans (ISP equipment leases, extended warranties).
• Research resale price ranges on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Swappa, and local marketplaces.

4 weeks before move

• List items you plan to sell. High-value gear sells best with original box, receipts, and photos.
• Schedule donation pick-up or dropoff for working devices you won’t sell.
• Locate certified e‑waste drop-off centers or municipal collection dates for recycling broken items and batteries.

1–2 weeks before move

• Back up and encrypt data from computers, NAS, and external drives. Make a checklist for unpairing smart home devices.
• Factory reset and sign out of all cloud accounts on devices you plan to sell or donate.
• Gather original packaging and protective materials for monitors, routers, and speakers you’ll pack.

Moving day

• Transport the most valuable tech items yourself in your car: monitors, NAS drives, external SSDs, and small routers.
• Label boxes clearly—"Fragile: Monitor - Screen Up"—and include a photo inventory inside the box.

Item-by-item decisions and packing instructions

Monitors

Decision: Pack or sell? If it’s a recent gaming or professional monitor (QHD/4K, high refresh, professional color calibration), you’ll usually take or sell—both fetch good resale prices. Older, low-res monitors are safer to sell or donate.

• Packing: Remove stand and cables, use original box if possible. Wrap the screen in a microfiber cloth and bubble wrap; place vertically with foam supports. Avoid stacking heavy boxes on top.
• Selling tips: List specs (refresh rate, panel type, resolution). High-demand models still command strong prices in 2026 due to content creators and gamers trading up to newer panels.

Speakers (Bluetooth and powered)

Decision: Sell, donate, or pack. Portable Bluetooth speakers with >8 hour battery life still sell well. Large powered speakers (studio monitors) are worth taking or selling locally.

• Packing: Remove batteries if possible. Pack in original packaging or padded cases. For powered speakers, secure removable grills and stands.
• Donation: Local community centers and school music programs often accept smaller speakers and PA gear. Wipe paired devices and reset before donating.

Robot vacuums & Upright vacuums

Decision: Sell or take. Robot vacuums sell well—especially those with mapping, obstacle-climbing features, and LIDAR—thanks to 2025 model upgrades that increased consumer interest in refurbished units. Upright vacuums? Consider selling if the motor is older and replacement costs are low.

• Prep for sale: Clean brush rolls, empty and wash bins, replace filters if cheap to do so—clean appearance adds value.
• Packing: Secure loose parts, tape dustbin closed, and pack dock stations and accessories together with labels.

Routers & Modems

Decision: Pack, sell, or return. Two common move scenarios:

• If you rent equipment from your ISP, you may need to return it—check the account and schedule pickup.
• If you own a router, decide based on technology: Wi‑Fi 7 or high-end Wi‑Fi 6E routers are good to keep or sell; older routers (Wi‑Fi 5) typically have low resale value.

• Packing: Remove antennas if detachable, label ports and cables, store in anti-static or padded bag. Backup router settings if you plan to replicate your network at the new location.
• Security: Factory reset if selling or donating. If keeping, change default credentials after reconnecting to new ISP network.

MagSafe chargers, cables, adapters, and small accessories

Decision: Pack or donate. These are inexpensive to replace but easy to lose in a move—pack essentials in a clearly labeled tech bag. MagSafe items retain value when in mint condition, but cables are low value for selling; better to pack or donate.

• Tip: Use zip pouches and label with photos of device and cable type. Keep one “move day essentials” pouch with chargers for phone, laptop, and router.

Smart home devices (thermostats, cameras, smart locks)

Decision: Take, sell, or donate—depends on integration. Smart locks and thermostats are often installed and may be prohibited to remove by lease agreements. For homeowners, take high-value locked devices if you can reinstall; otherwise sell or donate.

• Factory reset and remove accounts before selling or donating. Note that smart locks may need new keys or codes; leave clear info for new owner if permitted.

External drives, NAS, and sensitive storage

Decision: Always pack and transport yourself. These contain data risk and are easy to damage in movers’ trucks.

• Action: Back up everything to cloud and an encrypted offline drive. Physically carry the primary drive; wipe drives you plan to sell or donate using secure erasure tools.

Sell smart: platforms, timing, and pricing tips (2026 update)

In late 2025 and into 2026, marketplaces optimized for used electronics matured. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right platform:

• Local marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist) — best for bulky items like monitors and speakers. No shipping; meet in person. Expect quicker sales but price lower than eBay for simplicity.
• eBay — best for high-value and niche items that ship well (gaming monitors, studio speakers). Use auction or fixed-price with clear photos; factor shipping and fees.
• Swappa — great for phones, tablets, and consumer tech with a fee but trusted buyer protections.
• Trade-in programs (Best Buy, Amazon, carrier buybacks) — easiest but lowest payout. In 2025 retailers expanded trade-in categories, making this a convenient option if you prioritize speed over cash.

Pricing tip: In 2026 demand spikes for Wi‑Fi 7-compatible routers and high-refresh monitors. If you own one, price it competitively—buyers will pay near-new prices for well-maintained gear.

Donate responsibly

Donating feels good—but protect yourself and your data.

• Wipe all devices—do a full factory reset and remove cloud accounts. Keep proof of donation (receipt) for tax purposes.
• Choose trusted recipients: local schools, Goodwill (check local policies), community centers, and library makerspaces. Call first to confirm they accept electronics (some only accept working equipment).
• For networking gear, check if the nonprofit needs credentials or installation help; donate with a note about what’s included (router config, power adapter, cables).

Recycle the rest: batteries, broken devices, and hazardous parts

Broken gear and batteries should not go in household trash. In 2026 many municipalities expanded e‑waste drop-offs. Follow these steps:

• Use certified recyclers (R2 or e-Stewards). Search Call2Recycle for battery drop-off locations and your city's solid waste site for electronics days.
• Remove and recycle lithium batteries separately. If shipping devices with batteries, follow carrier rules—some carriers require special labeling and packaging.
• For bulk items (large CRT monitors are rare now), contact a local recycler; some moving companies offer disposal add-ons for an extra fee.

Data security and account unlinking checklist

Before you hand off a device or load it into a truck, complete this short list for each device:

• Back up important data and verify backups.
• Sign out and factory reset: phones, tablets, smart speakers, cameras, TVs, thermostats.
• Remove stored payment methods from smart devices and streaming accounts.
• Unpair Bluetooth devices and disable device location tracking features.
• Record serial numbers and IMEIs for sold or donated devices (good for warranty transfers and theft reporting).

Packing tips that prevent breakage and lost equipment

• Use original boxes for monitors, routers, and consoles when possible—manufacturers design these for transport.
• Wrap screens and lenses in microfiber first, then bubble wrap. Never lay monitors flat under heavy boxes.
• Label boxes with both content and destination room. Add a “Move Day Essentials” tech kit: phone charger, laptop charger, power strip, and a small toolkit.
• Insure high-value electronics and transport them in your car if possible—moving companies' valuation coverage is often limited.

Real-world mini case study

Two renters in Portland (moved Jan 2026) sold a Wi‑Fi 6E router, a 32" gaming monitor, and a Dreame X50 robot vacuum before moving. They listed the router and monitor on eBay for higher returns and sold the vacuum locally on Facebook Marketplace after a quick filter replacement. Their strategy: sell higher-value, heavier items locally or on platforms that favor shipping, donate an old laptop to a local school, and recycle a dead smartphone battery at a municipal e‑waste event. Result: $720 in combined sales and zero e‑waste at move-out.

Final checklist — what to pack, sell, donate, or recycle

Pack

• Primary monitor(s), external SSDs, NAS drives, current router (Wi‑Fi 6/7), essential chargers including MagSafe.

Sell

• Recent monitors, high-end speakers, robot vacuums, gaming peripherals, Wi‑Fi 6E/7 routers, and any hardware with receipts/warranty.

Donate

• Working but older laptops, tablets, secondary monitors, Bluetooth speakers—after data wipes.

Recycle

• Broken gear, batteries, old CRT displays, worn cables, smart-home devices with failed batteries—use certified e‑waste drop-offs.

What to do if you’re short on time

If you’re moving fast, prioritize three actions: back up and secure data, pack valuables in your personal vehicle, and schedule a certified e‑waste pickup. Use trade-in programs for quick payouts if you don’t need top dollar; otherwise, price competitively on local marketplaces for the fastest cash.

Closing tips from local experts

As a practical, local expert: photograph every device before handing it off (helps dispute claims), keep receipts for donations for taxes, and check city e‑waste schedules—they’re better organized now than in 2024 thanks to new 2025 municipal programs. Finally, when in doubt, pack small but valuable tech in your car—it's cheap insurance against damage or loss.

Next steps (call-to-action)

Ready to streamline your move? Download our printable Moving Tech Checklist, get estimated trade-in values from top marketplaces, or book a local e‑waste pickup today. Protect your data, maximize resale, and move with confidence—start by taking inventory now.

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