Here are the best places to donate electronics, depending on what you have and where you are. Working devices usually go to local charities, Goodwill, Salvation Army, school-device programs, or city reuse/donation directories; non-working items are better routed to recyclers or manufacturer take-back programs.

Good donation options

  • Goodwill often accepts electronics such as computers, monitors, keyboards, and accessories.
  • Salvation Army appears in NYC’s electronics donation guidance as an option for residents.
  • City reuse directories can point you to local charities that accept working devices. NYC’s donateNYC and London’s device-donation listings both do this.
  • Some nonprofits specialize in phones or laptops for people in need, including programs for domestic violence survivors, veterans, schools, or low-income families.

If the item is broken

  • If the device does not work, recycling is usually the right path rather than donation.
  • Many manufacturers and retailers offer take-back or recycling options for electronics.
  • Local recycling centers may also accept electronics, and some regions have dedicated drop-off events or legal requirements for proper disposal.

Before you donate

  1. Back up your data.
  2. Factory reset the device and remove SIM cards, memory cards, and accessories.
  3. Check whether the organization wants chargers or cables.
  4. Confirm condition requirements, since some groups only take working devices.

Fastest way to choose

  • Working phone or laptop: local charity, Goodwill, school-device program, or city donation directory.
  • Broken electronics: recycler, manufacturer return program, or retailer take-back.
  • Bulk business equipment: specialized donation/reuse programs often handle larger pickups.

If you want, I can narrow this down by your city or by the type of electronics you have.