10 Things You Never Knew You Could Pawn for Money

Pawn shops are often a convenient way to get a quick injection of cash when you have a surprise bill or an emergency expense. Jewelry, musical instruments, and art can all be left as collateral for a short-term loan. But there are some items that you may not have realized that many pawn shops will accept.

Take a look at these 10 surprising items you can pawn, and how much you could get for each one.

Value: $50 to $200

Kitchens that are packed with unused appliances could be your key to extra cash. Smaller appliances are often easier to pawn than larger alternatives. They're less of a logistical challenge for the pawn shop in terms of storing and reselling.

Waffle makers and sandwich toasters will likely only get a few dollars, even in mint condition. However, high-end appliances like KitchenAid mixers could get up to $200. Always check with the pawn shop first, as they don't all accept kitchenware.

Value: $37 to $558

High-end sneakers can sell for a surprising amount of money. Pawn shops know this, which is why some will take a chance on loaning money against your favorite kicks.

Pawn shops will pay 25%–60% of the sneakers' value, with the condition and demand for these shoes driving that percentage. The rarer your sneakers, the higher the loan.

Value: $142 to $1,370

If you're a fitness fan, your equipment could help give you some financial breathing room. While most pawn shops might balk at taking smaller pieces of gear like dumbbells, most will accept strength training machines, systems like Peloton, and high-end treadmills.

One pawn shop suggests calculating 55% of the new price as a guideline of how much you may be offered for your fitness gear. Pawn shops will also factor in the condition and age of your equipment.

Value: $36 to $60

It's not just large electronics that pawn shops are looking for. They're also interested in smaller devices and accessories, particularly if they have a high retail price.

AirPods are some of the most expensive wireless earbuds on the market, retailing at up to $250. Pawn shops will only pay a certain percentage of this value, usually up to $60 for AirPods in excellent condition. Make sure yours don't have any cracks or dents, as this will dramatically drop the value.

Value: $40 to $75

Your unused circular saw or leaf blower could be the key to fixing your short-term money worries. Power tools are often high-value pieces of equipment, meaning a pawn shop can sell them for a profit if you don't claim them back.

Tools that get the most money will be modern, cordless, and from known brands like DeWalt or Wagner. Pawn shop offers range from $40 for a Bosch Jigsaw to $75 for a DeWalt drill. The better condition your tools are in, the more you should get for them.

Value: $300 to $500

Your consoles don't need to be vintage to get a good price. If you have a next–gen console like an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, you could pawn this for a loan large enough to cover auto repairs or a surprise utility bill.

Recent valuations show these consoles can fetch up to $500 at a pawn shop, but only in excellent condition and with all their relevant accessories and controllers.

Value: $24 to $1,700

Drones come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from casual toys to professional racing equipment. Unsurprisingly, you'll get more for higher-end equipment in excellent condition. Missing blades, battery covers, and cables will drop your price significantly.

Experts state that recreational drones get 10%–30% of their original price while professional-grade drones may command up to 50% of their retail value.

Value: $98 to $3,600

Many pawn shops pay for high-end apparel and accessories, particularly if they know they can resell them for a profit. Chanel's recent price increases, for example, might mean a pawn shop will pay more for this designer, knowing they'll find it easier to sell if you don't make your repayments.

Experts suggest that pawn shops pay 30%–60% of the bag's initial value. A Kate Spade bag that costs $328 might be pawned for $98, but a $6K Hermes bag may fetch $3.6K.

Value: up to $50

From the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to oddities like the Atari Jaguar, retro video game consoles are sought after by collectors. With that in mind, pawn shops will often pay out for these items as they know there's a good resale market.

The value of your consoles will vary depending on their rarity, condition, and how in demand they are, but one independent pawn shop stated they may pay up to $50 for vintage game consoles.

Value: depends on age, make, and model of vehicle; usually 25%–50% of the value

Pawning your car is technically known as title pawning. You don't physically hand over your car. You just transfer the title to the pawn shop owner or operator for the duration of the loan.

Luxury vehicles (think Porsche, Lamborghini, or Bugatti) are far more likely to secure you a higher loan. A banged-up, 20-year-old SUV might only net you less than $1K after fees.

It's possible to pawn all these items for quick cash, although pawn shops may vary on specific categories they will accept. Call ahead before you turn up in store with your collection of kitchen appliances to avoid disappointment.

Remember, if you don't pay back the agreed amount for your goods, you could forfeit your right to retrieve them. If pawning isn't the right choice for you at the moment, consider selling excess household items or collectibles like vintage toys from your attic. A quick clearout could be a simple way to reduce money stress.