Best Rent-to-Own Stores and What They Really Cost

Rent-to-own stores let you take home furniture, appliances, or electronics now and pay weekly or monthly without good credit, but you usually pay far more than the cash price. Before a $175 million FTC settlement in 2020, Progressive Leasing customers typically paid about twice the retail price (FTC). The cheapest way to use rent-to-own is to pay the item off inside the early purchase or same-as-cash window. Below are the main US and Canadian options as of November 2026, plus five names from older lists that you should skip.

What Is Rent-to-Own?

Rent-to-own, also called lease-to-own, means you lease an item with weekly, every-two-weeks, or monthly payments and own it after the last payment or when you use an early purchase option. Unlike layaway, you take the item home on day one. You can usually return it and stop paying, but you do not get back what you already paid.

A lease is not a loan, so there is no interest rate on the contract to compare. Add up every payment and compare the total with the cash price. The FTC suggests asking three questions: how much each payment is, how long until you own the item and what that totals, and what other fees apply, including for paying early.

Here is what each store offers and where the catches are.

1. Aaron’s

Website: Aaron’s

Aaron's leases furniture, appliances, electronics, and computers through about 1,210 company-run and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, plus its website. Private equity firm IQVentures bought the company for about $504 million in October 2024 (Digital Commerce 360). Ask about the same-as-cash window when you sign: paying the lease off inside it costs the cash price plus tax and fees, while missing it puts you back on the full lease schedule.

2. Rent-A-Center

Website: Rent-A-Center

Rent-A-Center, owned by Upbound Group, had 1,728 company-run US stores plus 448 franchised locations at the end of 2024 (Upbound 10-K). It leases TVs, laptops, furniture, mattresses, and appliances on weekly, every-two-weeks, or monthly plans, and repairs items at no extra cost while they are on rent. Ask for the early purchase price in writing, since it is the only way to cut the total cost.

3. Progressive Leasing

Website: Progressive Leasing

Progressive Leasing does not run stores. It buys the item you pick at a partner retailer, including Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe's, Walmart, Wayfair, and Home Depot, and leases it to you. You do not need a credit history, but you must be 18, have an SSN or ITIN, and have a bank account. A standard lease runs 12 months, and the 90-day purchase option is the cheapest way to own the item (Progressive Leasing).

4. FlexShopper (skip: in bankruptcy)

Website: FlexShopper

FlexShopper, an online lease-to-own marketplace, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025 after finding more than $140 million in improper borrowing, and its business was put up for sale (Chapter 11 Cases). Do not start a new lease there. If you already have one, keep records of every payment and ask for your payoff amount in writing.

5. Buddy’s Home Furnishings

Website: Buddy’s Home Furnishings

Buddy's Home Furnishings is a rent-to-own franchise with more than 220 stores in 18 states and Guam, according to reports on its sale to private equity firm Skyline Investors in early 2026 (Retail TouchPoints). Stores lease furniture, appliances, and electronics. Terms vary by franchise owner, so ask each store for the total lease cost and the early purchase price before you sign.

6. Leaseville

Website: Leaseville

Leaseville is a Los Angeles-based online lease-to-own store for new electronics and home products, from Apple devices and TVs to appliances and tools. Approval is based mainly on income and bank history rather than a credit score, the standard lease runs 12 months, and paying off early cuts the remaining cost (MoneysMyLife).

7. Kmart and Sears (skip: no longer an option)

Website: Kmart

The last full-size Kmart in the continental US closed in October 2024 (KMPH), so the Kmart leasing option that older lists recommend is effectively gone, and sister chain Sears has only a handful of stores left. For appliances on a lease, use Progressive Leasing at Lowe's or Home Depot instead.

8. ElectroFinance (skip: site offline)

Website: ElectroFinance

The electrofinance.com website no longer loads, and we found no current lease offers from the company. For phones, laptops, and game consoles on a lease, use Leaseville or a Progressive Leasing partner such as Best Buy or Amazon.

9. Home Choice

Website: Home Choice

Home Choice sells furniture, appliances, and electronics on in-house installment plans paid weekly, every two weeks, or monthly, with 3- to 6-month same-as-cash options and layaway. These are credit plans rather than leases: the store says interest accrues from the day you sign and that same-as-cash requires extra payments during the promotional period (Home Choice).

10. Tech Trekkers (skip: not a rent-to-own store)

Website: Tech Trekkers

Tech Trekkers is an Orange County, California, computer repair and IT support company, not a lease-to-own store (Tech Trekkers). For game consoles and laptops on a lease, look at Leaseville or Progressive Leasing at Best Buy.

11. RNR Tire Express

Website: RNR Tire Express

RNR Tire Express sells tires and wheels on weekly, every-two-weeks, or monthly payment plans. Its monthly plan needs no credit history and says everyone is approved, which helps if you need tires now, but compare the total of payments with a tire shop's cash price (RNR Tire Express).

12. ShopEZCredit

Website: ShopEZCredit

ShopEZCredit advertises "second chance" financing on furniture, appliances, mattresses, mowers, grills, hot tubs, and more. Its website does not say whether its plans are leases or loans or what they cost, and its footer still reads 2019, so get the full terms in writing and check its Better Business Bureau profile before you apply (ShopEZCredit).

13. HomeSmart (skip: not a rent-to-own store)

Website: HomeSmart

HomeSmart is a Scottsdale, Arizona, real estate brokerage (HousingWire), not a furniture or appliance rental company. For furniture on a lease, use Aaron's, Rent-A-Center, or Buddy's.

Rent-to-own in Canada

Canadian shoppers have fewer choices. easyhome, a division of goeasy, is Canada's largest lease-to-own company and leases furniture, appliances, and electronics on weekly or monthly agreements through corporate and franchise stores (goeasy). Aaron's also has stores in Canada. The same rule applies: ask for the total cost of the lease and compare it with the cash price.

Rent-to-own stores compared

Store Name	Best For	What They Offer	Key Feature	Tip
Aaron’s	No credit shoppers	Furniture, appliances, and electronics	Same-as-cash payoff window	Use same-as-cash to save on costs.
Rent-A-Center	Flexible payment schedules	Laptops, TVs, mattresses, and more	Free repairs and return options	Get the early purchase price in writing.
Progressive Leasing	Major retailers	Leases at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more	90-day purchase option	Apply online for faster approval.
FlexShopper	Not recommended	Online lease-to-own marketplace	Filed for Chapter 11 in December 2025	Do not open a new lease.
Buddy’s	Family-friendly leasing	Furniture, electronics, and appliances	220+ franchise stores	Terms vary by franchise owner.
Leaseville	Online shoppers	Electronics, tools, and appliances	Approval based on income and bank history	Pay off early to cut the cost.
Kmart (via Sears)	Not recommended	Last full-size Kmart closed in 2024	No longer available	Use Progressive at Lowe's or Home Depot.
ElectroFinance	Not recommended	Website no longer loads	No current offers found	Use Leaseville instead.
Home Choice	In-house installment credit	Furniture, appliances, and essentials	3- to 6-month same as cash	Pay off inside the same-as-cash period.
Tech Trekkers	Not recommended	IT repair company	No lease-to-own program	Use Leaseville or Progressive.
RNR Tire Express	Drivers who need tires now	Tires and wheels	No credit needed on monthly plan	Compare with a cash price.
ShopEZCredit	Second-chance financing	Furniture, appliances, outdoor gear	Terms not posted online	Get terms in writing.
easyhome	Canadian shoppers	Furniture, appliances, and electronics	Weekly or monthly leases	Ask for the total lease cost.

Conclusion

Rent-to-own works best as a short bridge: pick a store with a clear early purchase option, pay the item off inside that window, and walk away from any lease where the salesperson cannot tell you the total cost. If you can wait a few weeks, saving up or buying an open-box or used item usually costs far less.

FAQ

What is rent-to-own?

Rent-to-own allows you to lease items like furniture or electronics with regular payments over time. After completing the payments, you own the item.

How is rent-to-own different from layaway?

With rent-to-own, you use the item immediately while making payments. Layaway requires you to pay in full before taking the item home.

Do rent-to-own stores require a credit check?

Most do not require good credit, but many still check it. Progressive Leasing, for example, looks at credit bureau reports along with your income and banking history.

Are rent-to-own programs expensive?

Yes, unless you pay off early. The FTC found Progressive Leasing customers typically paid about twice the retail price. Paying inside a same-as-cash or 90-day window keeps you close to the cash price.

What can I rent-to-own?

You can rent furniture, electronics, appliances, and more. Some stores also offer tools, outdoor equipment, and gaming systems.

Are there penalties for returning items early?

You can usually return the item and end the lease, but you will not get back the payments you have made. Check your agreement for return fees.

Can I save money with rent-to-own?

Only compared with a full-term lease. Paying off within the early purchase window keeps the cost near the cash price; a full 12-month or longer lease usually costs much more than buying outright.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Missing payments may result in late fees or repossession of the item. Communicate with the store to discuss alternatives.

Do all stores offer online rent-to-own options?

No, but Leaseville and Aaron's lease online, and Progressive Leasing works at online checkouts such as Amazon and Wayfair.

Is rent-to-own right for me?

If you need items quickly but lack upfront cash, rent-to-own can work. However, it’s crucial to understand the costs and terms.