Rent to Own Appliances: Washer, Dryer, Fridge & More
Last updated 05/26/2026 by
Ante Mazalin
Edited by
Andrew Latham
Summary:
Rent-to-own appliances are household items you lease on a weekly or monthly basis, with each payment building toward full ownership, and no credit check is required for approval.
The major national chains differ on pricing, early buyout terms, and product selection.
- Rent-A-Center: The largest national chain, with over 2,000 locations, same-day delivery on most items, and flexible early buyout pricing within the first 90 days.
- Aaron’s: Comparable coverage and pricing to Rent-A-Center, with a stronger selection of bedroom furniture sets alongside appliances.
- FlexShopper: Online-only lease-to-own for buyers without a local storefront option, shipping nationwide with approval based on bank account activity rather than credit.
- The cost reality: Total payments on a rent to own appliance typically run two to five times the item’s retail price. Early buyout options are the main tool for limiting that gap.
A broken refrigerator or a washer that gives out can’t wait. Rent to own appliances exist specifically for that gap: when you need something now, conventional financing isn’t available, and paying full retail upfront isn’t realistic.
The arrangement is accessible, but the total cost is significant. Understanding how the pricing works before you sign is the difference between a useful short-term solution and an expensive long-term mistake.
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How Rent to Own Appliances Work
Rent to own appliances operate on a lease structure: you make weekly or monthly payments for a set term, and ownership transfers to you once the final payment clears.
Most agreements run 12 to 24 months. You can return the item at any time without penalty, which distinguishes rent to own from a standard installment loan.
Every major rent to own chain operates on a no-credit-check basis. Approval requires proof of income, a valid ID, and an active bank account or debit card. Same-day or next-day delivery is standard at most locations.
The key financial feature to understand is the early buyout option. Most programs offer a significantly discounted purchase price if you pay off the remaining balance within the first 90 days. After that window closes, your effective cost increases substantially with each passing payment period.
Major Rent to Own Appliance Companies
Four providers cover the majority of the market. Their terms differ on pricing, delivery speed, and product availability.
| Provider | Model | Credit Check | Early Buyout | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-A-Center | In-store and online; 2,000+ locations nationwide | No | 90-day same-as-cash option | Widest availability; same-day delivery |
| Aaron’s | In-store and online; ~1,300 locations | No | Early purchase options available | Furniture + appliance bundles |
| FlexShopper | Online only; ships nationwide | No (bank account review) | 90-day payoff option | Buyers without local storefronts |
| Progressive Leasing | Virtual lease-to-own at partner retailers (Best Buy, Walmart) | No hard pull | 90-day, 6-month, and 12-month options | Buying from a preferred retailer |
Progressive Leasing differs from the others: it operates inside major retail stores rather than as a standalone chain. If you prefer to shop at Best Buy or a specific appliance retailer, Progressive lets you use their lease-to-own financing at checkout.
What Does Rent to Own Cost?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions reports that rent to own arrangements typically cost two to five times the retail price of the item once all payments are totaled. That gap is the most important number to understand before signing.
Here is a realistic cost breakdown for common appliances at full-term pricing:
| Item | Retail Price (Approx.) | Typical Weekly Payment | Full-Term Total (18 mo.) | Effective Markup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washer and dryer set | $900 | $28–$35 | $2,200–$2,730 | 2.4x–3x retail |
| Refrigerator (mid-range) | $700 | $22–$30 | $1,720–$2,340 | 2.5x–3.3x retail |
| Bedroom set (queen) | $800 | $25–$35 | $1,950–$2,730 | 2.4x–3.4x retail |
| Dishwasher | $500 | $18–$25 | $1,400–$1,950 | 2.8x–3.9x retail |
The 90-day early buyout option changes the math considerably. Paying off a $900 washer-dryer set within 90 days typically costs $1,000 to $1,150 total, a meaningful premium over retail but far less than full-term payments.
Rent to Own Washer and Dryer
Washers and dryers are the most commonly rented appliance category across all major chains. Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s both carry full-size sets from brands including Samsung, LG, and GE, with delivery and installation included in most markets.
Weekly payments on a mid-range set run approximately $28 to $35. At 78 weekly payments (18 months), total cost lands between $2,184 and $2,730 on a set that retails for $800 to $1,000.
If same-day laundry access is essential and a laundromat is not a realistic alternative, the 90-day buyout option keeps the premium reasonable. The full-term path is the expensive one.
Rent to Own Refrigerator
Refrigerators rank second in rent to own volume, driven by the fact that a broken fridge creates an immediate need with no grace period. Most chains stock French door, side-by-side, and top-freezer configurations from Samsung, Whirlpool, and GE.
Weekly payments on a mid-range refrigerator ($600 to $900 retail) run approximately $22 to $30. Full-term cost at 18 months runs $1,716 to $2,340.
One practical note: delivery crews at Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s handle removal of your old unit as part of the delivery service in most locations. Confirm this at the time of order, as policies vary by market.
Rent to Own Bedroom Sets and Furniture
Aaron’s has the strongest furniture selection among the major chains, with bedroom sets, living room packages, and dining sets available alongside appliances. Rent-A-Center also carries bedroom furniture, though its selection is narrower than Aaron’s.
Queen bedroom sets (bed frame, dresser, nightstands) retail for $700 to $1,200 depending on brand and material. Weekly payments run $25 to $35, with full-term totals ranging from $1,950 to $2,730.
Furniture rent to own is best used as a temporary bridge. Buying secondhand or through a furniture financing program once your credit improves will cost significantly less than carrying a rent to own agreement to full term.
How to Apply for Rent to Own Appliances
Approval at every major chain is straightforward. These are the standard steps.
- Choose your provider and item. Compare weekly payment amounts and early buyout terms across Rent-A-Center, Aaron’s, and FlexShopper before selecting. The same appliance can vary by $5 to $10 per week between providers, which adds up significantly over a full term.
- Gather your documents. You need a government-issued photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements, or benefit award letters), proof of residence (utility bill or lease), and an active bank account or debit card. No credit score is required.
- Apply online or in-store. Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s both have online applications. In-store approval typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. FlexShopper is online-only and connects directly to your bank account for verification.
- Review the agreement before signing. Confirm the weekly payment, total number of payments, total cost of ownership at full term, and the early buyout price and deadline. Make sure delivery, installation, and any service or warranty terms are in writing.
- Schedule delivery. Same-day delivery is available at most Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s locations when you apply before noon. FlexShopper ships within 2 to 5 business days depending on the retailer.
Rent to Own Appliances: Pros and Cons
Pro Tip
The 90-day same-as-cash window is the only version of rent to own appliances that makes consistent financial sense. If you can’t realistically pay off the item within 90 days, you’re paying a premium that compounds with every additional payment cycle. Before signing, calculate exactly how much you would need to pay each week to close the balance before the 90-day deadline, then decide whether that number is achievable given your current cash flow. If it isn’t, a secondhand purchase or a secured personal loan may cost less overall.
Alternatives to Rent to Own Appliances
Rent to own is not the only path to a washer, refrigerator, or bedroom set when cash is short. These alternatives often cost less in total.
Buy secondhand. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local thrift stores regularly carry functional washers, dryers, and refrigerators for $100 to $350. This is the cheapest option available and worth exhausting before signing a rent to own agreement.
Appliance financing through the retailer. Home Depot and Lowe’s offer 0% financing for 12 to 24 months on qualifying appliance purchases for buyers who can pass a basic credit check. If your score is above 580, this path costs a fraction of the rent to own total.
No-credit-check installment financing. Some lenders offer installment loans for household goods without a hard credit pull. These carry high interest rates but still tend to cost less than full-term rent to own pricing.
Credit union personal loans. Federal credit unions cap personal loan APRs at 18%. For a $900 appliance financed over 12 months at 18% APR, total interest is approximately $90. That compares favorably to a $1,500 rent to own markup on the same item.
Key takeaways
- Rent to own appliances require no credit check. Approval is based on income, ID, and an active bank account.
- Full-term total cost runs 2 to 5 times the retail price, according to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
- The 90-day early buyout option is the most cost-effective version of the arrangement. Use it whenever possible.
- Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s are the two largest national chains. Progressive Leasing provides lease-to-own financing at major retailers including Best Buy and Walmart.
- Most rent to own programs do not report payments to credit bureaus, so the arrangement will not help rebuild your credit score.
- Secondhand purchases, retailer 0% financing, and credit union personal loans are typically less expensive alternatives when they are accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does rent to own appliances hurt your credit?
Rent to own agreements typically do not appear on your credit report at all. Most chains do not report payment history to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, so on-time payments will not help rebuild your score, and missed payments will not directly lower it. However, accounts sent to collections can still appear on your report.
Can I return a rent to own appliance early?
Yes. Rent to own agreements allow you to return the item at any time without additional penalty. You forfeit all payments made up to that point, but you have no remaining financial obligation. This flexibility is one of the primary advantages over a conventional installment loan.
What credit score do you need for rent to own appliances?
No minimum credit score is required. Rent-A-Center, Aaron’s, FlexShopper, and most other providers approve based on income verification, a valid ID, and proof of residence. There is no hard credit inquiry at any of the major chains.
Is rent to own the same as lease to own?
The terms are used interchangeably for appliances and consumer goods. Both describe a lease arrangement where payments build toward ownership. The structure, costs, and no-credit-check approval process are the same under either name.
How do I find rent to own appliances near me?
Rent-A-Center’s store locator and Aaron’s location finder both show nearby stores by zip code. Both chains also accept online orders with home delivery if you prefer not to visit a location. FlexShopper is online-only and ships to any U.S. address.
For a broader look at how rent to own works across all categories, see What Is Rent to Own?, covering homes, cars, and electronics alongside appliances in one place.
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