Splurging on New Appliances Could Be the Smartest Move Renters Ever Make

Renters often assume they shouldn’t invest in major appliances, but in many cases, owning a high-quality appliance can save money and improve daily life—especially if it can move with you from one rental to another.

Understanding which appliances are worth buying is a crucial step for renters—because investing upfront can pay off in the long run.

Even if it costs you a few hundred dollars more.

Understanding different rental types and expectations

Appliances being provided in a rental isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can vary depending on whether you’re in a house or apartment, and whether it’s privately owned or investor-managed.

Some rentals—known as “live-in ready"—are fully equipped with appliances, while others expect tenants to provide key appliances such as refrigerators, washers, or dryers.

Even if your landlord provides appliances, you may want to replace them anyway. That's what Realtor.com® writer Arlyn Hernandez did.

"As someone who spends her free time cooking, baking, and meal planning, it was clear that an upgrade would drastically improve my quality of everyday life," she explains.

Hernandez says the appliances that were in place in her townhome were just not cutting it, so she ended up replacing the rental's malfunctioning stove, tiny fridge, and inefficient dishwasher after she got her landlord's blessing.

Because landlords may have specific rules about what types of appliances you can bring in, renters should always check their leases or have a conversation with their landlord before deciding to purchase appliances.

Which appliances are worth investing in

It’s often worth investing in appliances that reduce utility costs through energy efficiency and that you can either take with you when you move or resell later.

Renters can realistically take appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves, and small kitchen gadgets.

According to technology expert Victor Zhang, refrigerators, washers, and dryers offer the best long-term value and durability.

"They directly impact daily comfort and utility costs, and they’re built to last a decade or more," he says.

But again, it's important to be realistic about the upfront investment.

Top-freezer refrigerators typically run between $300 and $1,000, while washers average $700 to $1,300, and dryers fall in the $800 to $1,200 range.

And those prices are likely on the rise. Tariffs on imported steel and aluminum have been raised from 25% to 50%, affecting items like refrigerators, washers, and dryers.

Yet, a quality appliance can improve convenience by saving time and effort, and integrating smart technology.

It can also increase energy efficiency, which can reduce utility bills.

"A 15-year-old refrigerator, for example, may use twice as much electricity as a modern Energy Star–rated model," says Zhang. "Over a few years, the difference in your power bill could amount to several hundred dollars—sometimes enough to offset the upfront cost."

Plus, you can always recoup some of your investment by reselling an appliance in the future.

Logistics of moving appliances and why quality matters

Before you purchase your appliance, measure appliance openings, doors, and pathways in your rental to make sure it will fit.

If you're purchasing your appliances before you move into your new rental space, you'll also need to delay delivery or secure a place to store them until you move in.

Moving large appliances safely and efficiently can be a challenge.

Some stores deliver appliances for free. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to rent a truck, hire movers, or use a delivery service.

If you purchased your appliances from a big-box retailer, installation is often included at no extra cost.
If not, you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install them yourself, or hire a handyman or contractor for help.

While the upfront cost of a long-lasting appliance may be steep, it can provide long-term savings and peace of mind.

"Quality appliances are tools that save you time, reduce monthly bills, and can even move with you or be resold later," says Zhang. "Balance those benefits against upfront cost, and you’ll arrive at a decision that feels less like a luxury and more like a calculated investment."