The difference that actually matters
Search for a washer and dryer to rent and almost everything on the first page is rent to own. That is a different product wearing similar words. With rent to own the monthly payment is a path to owning the machine, which is why the agreements run longer and why the total ends up well above what the appliance costs to buy outright. It is a reasonable deal for somebody who wants to end up owning a washer and cannot pay for one at once.
It is a poor deal for everybody else. If you are in a rental with hookups, between houses, waiting on a repair, or simply do not want to own an appliance you will have to move, you are paying a premium for an outcome you did not want.
The operators in this directory rent. You pay by the month, they own the machine, and that arrangement ends whenever you say so.
What month to month should mean, and what to check
The phrase gets used loosely, so it is worth asking three specific questions before you agree to anything. Every operator listed here publishes their own answers on their page.
- Is there a minimum term? Some operators ask for three or six months. That is not the same as a lease and it is not unreasonable, given they are delivering and installing a set for you, but you should know it before delivery rather than after.
- What happens when you stop? With a rental the answer should be that they collect the machines, usually free. If there is a collection fee it should be on their page.
- Who fixes it? The whole point of renting is that a broken machine is the operator's problem. Repairs and maintenance are included by every operator on this directory; if you are quoted otherwise somewhere else, that is a rental in name only.
Common questions about renting month to month
Is renting a washer and dryer the same as rent to own?
No, and it is the difference that matters most. Rent to own builds the purchase into the payments, so the agreement runs longer and the total lands well above what the appliance costs to buy. Renting means the operator keeps owning the machine. You pay monthly for as long as you want it and there is nothing owed when you stop.
Is there really no long-term contract?
Some operators ask for a three or six month minimum, which is not the same as a lease and is reasonable given they deliver and install a set for you. Every operator's own terms are on their page. Ask before delivery rather than after, and if anyone will not tell you the minimum term in plain words, that is your answer.
What happens when I want to stop?
You tell the operator and they collect the machines, usually free. That is what makes it a rental. If a collection fee applies it should be published on their page before you agree to anything.
Who pays if the washer breaks?
The operator. Repairs and maintenance are included by every operator on this directory, for as long as you rent. A rental that leaves you holding the repair bill is a rental in name only.
Do I need hookups?
For a standard set, yes: a cold and hot water line, a drain, and a 120V outlet, plus either a dryer vent or a 240V line depending on the dryer. Some operators carry ventless and portable machines for places without them. Say what you have when you enquire and they will tell you straight whether it will work.
When renting month to month is the wrong call
Being straight about this is more useful than selling you something. If you own your home, expect to stay put, and do more than about five loads a week, buying a set outright is cheaper within roughly two years and you should just buy one. A used set in good condition is cheaper still, and we have a guide to buying one.
Renting wins when the situation is temporary, when you do not want to put several hundred dollars into an appliance at once, or when you simply do not want to be the person responsible for a broken appliance. Our cost calculator will tell you which side of that line you are on, and it is happy to tell you not to rent.
See who rents month to month near you
Put in a ZIP and you will get the independent operators covering it, with their monthly rates and their own terms. No form to fill in to see prices.
Search by ZIPComparing rates first? Every operator's monthly price is on the prices page, side by side.