Best Items to Rent Out for Extra Income

The idea behind spareRent is simple: earn from what you own. Most households are sitting on hundreds — often thousands — of dollars of underused items. A power drill that comes out twice a year. A camera lens bought for one trip. A tent that only sees daylight on bank holidays. In a peer to peer rental marketplace, those idle assets become income.

Why peer-to-peer rental works

Rental demand is already enormous. Car-related rental searches alone reach roughly 8,100 searches per month in the U.S., while fashion-focused platforms like Tulerie attract around 2,900 monthly searches. Those numbers show a clear pattern: people would rather borrow something for a specific need than buy, store and maintain it themselves.

Car rental searches

8,100/mo

U.S. search volume

Fashion rental (Tulerie)

2,900/mo

U.S. search volume

The same logic applies at neighborhood scale. Renters save money and storage space; lenders recover purchase costs without giving up ownership. The best items to rent out share a few traits: they are expensive to buy, used infrequently by any one person, and easy to hand back in the same condition.

Top categories to list for extra income

These categories consistently produce the strongest return for spareRent lenders.

Power tools & DIY equipment

Drills, pressure washers, tile cutters, ladders

High replacement cost and one-off project use make these a staple of any peer to peer rental marketplace. A quality drill can pay for itself after just a few weekend loans.

Include original cases and manuals so renters feel confident using them safely.

Cameras & photography gear

DSLRs, mirrorless bodies, lenses, lighting kits, gimbals

Creative gear is expensive to buy and often sits idle between shoots. Lenders regularly earn back a meaningful share of the purchase price per rental.

List sensor-size, compatible mounts and battery count to reduce back-and-forth questions.

Outdoor & camping gear

Tents, backpacks, camp stoves, roof boxes

Seasonal demand spikes around holidays and long weekends. Outdoor equipment is bulky to store, so renters prefer borrowing over buying.

Photograph gear fully assembled so renters can judge capacity and condition.

Electronics & gaming

Projectors, VR headsets, consoles, speakers

Tech depreciates quickly but still commands strong per-day rates. A projector for movie night or a VR headset for a party is cheaper to rent than to own.

Bundle cables, adapters and a quick-start card to avoid support messages.

Party & event supplies

Pop-up canopies, folding tables, chairs, décor

Events are short-term by nature. Hosts need volume for one day and have nowhere to store it after.

Offer package pricing for common combos like tables + chairs.

Sports equipment

Bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, skis

Specialty sports gear is costly and seasonal. Renters want to try before investing, and lenders turn garage clutter into income.

Note sizing, weight limits and any required safety accessories.

Baby & kids gear

Travel cribs, strollers, high chairs, carriers

Parents need gear only for short windows. Clean, well-maintained items rent reliably to visiting families.

Highlight cleaning routines and safety-certification dates.

How to maximize your rental earnings

Price at 5–15% of retail value for a one-day rental, with discounts for multi-day bookings.
Take clear photos in daylight and include a short video demo for complex items.
Write descriptions that answer the three renter questions: what is it, what does it include, and what condition is it in?
Respond to requests quickly — listings with fast response times rank higher in browse results.
Set a fair damage deposit and use a platform that holds funds securely until the rental ends.

Start earning from what you own

You do not need a garage full of professional equipment to start. One well-photographed, fairly priced item is enough to test whether peer-to-peer rental fits your routine. Many spareRent lenders begin with a single high-value item and expand once they see the first booking request come in.

List your first item Browse items near you

Frequently asked questions

What is the most profitable item to rent out?: Cameras, power tools and outdoor gear typically lead because they combine high retail cost with occasional use. The most profitable item for you is the one you already own, can keep in excellent condition, and can hand off quickly.
How much can I earn renting out my stuff?: Earnings depend on the item's value, local demand and your pricing. A $400 item rented at $25–$40 per day can generate meaningful monthly income with just a few bookings.
Is it safe to rent items to strangers?: spareRent uses verified profiles, clear deposits and safe pickup workflows. Always inspect items at handoff, document condition with photos and use the platform's booking system so every rental is tracked.
Do I need insurance?: Check your existing contents or home insurance policy, and review the protections available through the platform. Never assume coverage applies automatically.