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Top 20 Best Sites for Second-Hand Books in the UK
What are the best sites for second-hand books in the UK? You’ve reached the right place.
Books are a treasure trove of knowledge, discovery, and adventure. But if you’re an avid reader, you’d agree this is an expensive hobby. One of the best ways to save money while indulging in your love for reading is to buy second-hand books.
In the UK, there are several online portals that specialize in second-hand books. If you are looking for second-hand used books online in the UK, here are the top 20 options-
20 Best Sites for Second-Hand Books in the UK
AbeBooks is one of the largest online sellers of used books in the UK. The platform has been around since 1996 and boasts an extensive collection across genres, from fiction to textbooks and even memoirs and cookery books.
Key Features
- Search by Author, Title, or Keyword
- Extensive selection of books under £10
- Large collection of out-of-print editions
Want to purchase books at a fraction of its original price? Visit World of Books (WoB). Be it fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, or rare books, WoB has one of the widest collections of second-hand books in the UK. Currently, it is also offering a free book on the purchase of 3 books on selected titles.
Key Features
- Vast selection of genres
- Free shipping within the UK
- Also offers a vast collection of used music CDs, DVDs & Blu-Rays, and video games
How about purchasing used books and making a positive impact? Part of the Oxfam charity network, Oxfam Books sells second-hand books online and in physical stores across the UK. Proceeds from book sales support Oxfam’s global initiatives, making every purchase impactful.
Key Features
- 1000s of titles to choose from
- Buy 3 and get 30% OFF
- Supports charitable causes
With highly affordable prices and a diverse selection of genres, Monster Book Shop is the next best store for online second-hand book in the UK. It has unique book categories, like “Bestsellers by Black Writers,” “Books by LGBTQ+ Authors,” and more to help readers with their selection.
Top Features
- Highly affordable prices
- Unique book categories
- UK delivery and worldwide shipping from £1.99
Alibris is a marketplace for independent sellers to offer new and used books. They have a vast selection of second-hand books in the UK, including best-sellers and even academic texts. Apart from books, you can also find a diverse range of movies and music CDs.
Key Features
- Wide range of new and used books, movies, and music
- User-friendly interface
- Regular discounts and offers
Biblio is a global platform with over 175 million new and used books. The platform focuses on rare and hard-to-find used books, offering a variety of genres and special editions. Readers can also join the Bibliophile Club to save up to 10% on every purchase.
Top Features
- Large collection of rare and collectible books
- International seller network
- Bibliophile Club offers great deals and discounts
One of the most popular second-hand book shops in the UK is JustBooks. Whether you’re looking for used, new, rare, out-of-print, or textbooks, you can easily find them at highly discounted prices on JustBooks. The search feature on the website is easy to use and makes finding used books a breeze.
Top Features
- Hundreds and millions of new and used books
- User-friendly search feature
- Allows you to choose the destination and currency of your choice
AwesomeBooks offers both new and used books, with a strong focus on sustainability. The prices are highly affordable and you get to choose from a variety of genres, including Bestsellers, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s Books, and more.
Top Features
- Up to 90% discount on original prices
- Focus on sustainability
- Free UK delivery
If you’re unable to find a specific used book online, chances are you might find it at ThriftBooks. The platform offers one of the most extensive selections of used books at heavily discounted prices. The platform is also known for its customer loyalty program that provides additional savings.
Top Features
- Extensive selection
- Customer loyalty program
- International shipping
How about 2 used books at £5 or 5 used books at £10? With MusicMagpie, you are sure to save loads of money on your book purchases. The platform has a vast collection of books across categories like Crime & Thriller, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Children’s Books, Food, Fitness & Health, and more.
Top Features
- Heavily discounted used book bundles
- Efficient search tool
- Shop by author, collection, or genre
One of the leading second-hand book stores in the UK is Better World Books. The platform has a mission-driven approach where it donates a book to someone in need on every sale. They offer a wide array of used books at competitive prices, supporting literacy initiatives globally.
Top Features
- Wide selection of genres
- Charitable contributions
- Free shipping worldwide on orders above £10
With a collection of over 700,000 used books, you’re sure to have a fun time shopping for used books at Goldstone Books. Thousands of new titles are added to the collection every week to leave the readers spoilt for choices.
Top Features
- Large collection of antiquarian classics to current bestsellers
- Easy-to-use search bar
- Thousands of new titles are added every week
If you’re looking for the best sites for second-hand books in the UK, you should also check out MediMops. It has a vast collection of books across genres, including Fiction, Romance, Non-fiction, Crime Thrillers, and a lot more.
Top Features
- Affordable pricing with up to 70% OFF
- Easy and secure checkout
- Worldwide shipping
Skoob Books offers a vast selection of second-hand books, including rare and antique titles. They operate both online (PsychoBabel) and from their physical store at the Brunswick Centre. Their commitment to affordability makes them a popular choice.
Top Features
- Rare and antique books
- Affordable pricing
- Physical and online store
Books Etc. offers a mix of new and second-hand books at competitive prices. They have a simple, user-friendly website and often run promotions to provide additional savings to the customers. Their focus on customer satisfaction makes it one of the best stores for second-hand books online in the UK.
Top Features
- Highly competitive prices
- User-friendly website
- Frequent promotions
As the name suggests, Rare and Antique Books specializes in rare and collectible books. They offer a curated selection of high-quality, second-hand books that appeal to collectors and bibliophiles alike. Their expertise ensures authenticity and value.
Top Features
- Specializes in rare and collectible books
- Curated selection
- Expertise in book valuation
Brought To Book is another popular UK-based online bookstore that sells rare and collectible books at the best prices. It has a vast collection of such collectibles in various categories like Modern Firsts, True Crime, Detective Fiction, and more.
Top Features
- Rare and collectible books at great prices
- Search by author and book titles
- Free UK shipping
The Fireside Bookshop specializes in books by independent authors from across the world. Many of the hard-to-find titles are available in excellent quality at this highly user-friendly online store. You can also easily search for books by author, keyword, ISBN, or SKU.
Top Features
- Specializes in books by independent authors
- Vast collection of rare used books
- Highly affordable with books starting from £5
Amazon is best known for new books but it also has a thriving marketplace for second-hand books in the UK. Independent sellers offer used books across all genres, often at significantly reduced prices. Amazon’s robust search tools make it easy to find exactly what you need.
Top Features
- Wide range of sellers
- Competitive prices
- Efficient search and delivery
eBay UK is also a great platform for finding second-hand books in the UK. From rare editions to popular titles, you can find all of it and more on eBay. Its auction and buy-it-now options offer flexibility in purchasing. Moreover, you can often find books at very low prices, especially when purchased in bulk.
Top Features
- Auction and buy-it-now options
- Rare and collectible books
- Bulk purchasing options
Get Used Books from the UK Delivered to Your Location with Jetkrate
Now that you have a list of the best sites for second-hand books in the UK, start browsing these platforms to add more books to your collection. But it is worth noting that most of these online used book stores don’t offer international shipping. But don’t worry as we have a solution for that as well.
With Jetkrate, you can get the books delivered from the UK to any international location of your choice. The reliability, speed, and affordability of Jetkrate make it the go-to choice for all of your international shipping needs.
FAQs
1. What is the best online store for used books in the UK?
AbeBooks, World of Books, Oxfam, and Biblio are some of the best sites for second-hand books in the UK.
2. Is it good to buy secondhand books?
Yes, buying second-hand books is economical, environment-friendly, and supports a circular economy.
3. How can I order books from the UK to India?
While some UK stores offer international shipping, most don’t. You can use Jetkrate to order books from a UK store to India.
4. How much does it cost to ship used books from the UK internationally?
Shipping costs vary by destination and package weight. You can visit Jetkrate to learn more about pricing.
5. Are UK-based online used bookstores safe?
Yes, reputable UK-based online used book stores like the ones listed in this post are safe and reliable.