- Truck Rental Winner: Lowe’s offers 90 minutes for $19, whereas Home Depot only offers 75 minutes for the same price.
- Availability: Home Depot has rental centers in nearly all locations; Lowe’s “Tool Rental” is a newer, separate department available only in select markets.
- Deposits: Expect a standard $150 credit card hold at both chains for most power tools and trucks.
- Price: Home Depot generally offers lower 4-hour base rates for light-duty tools (e.g., drain augers start at $22 vs. Lowe’s $60+).
For decades, The Home Depot has been the default option for DIYers needing a tile saw or an auger for an afternoon. However, Lowe’s has aggressively expanded its dedicated “Lowe’s Tool Rental” department since 2020, challenging that dominance. If you are planning a renovation in 2025, the choice between these two isn’t just about brand loyalty; it is about specific 4-hour rental windows, deposit holds on your credit card, and whether you need the tool for 75 minutes or 90 minutes.
After your rental work, make sure to enter the Lowe’s customer satisfaction survey at www.lowes.com/survey $500, no need to sign up or log in.
This guide ignores marketing fluff and analyzes hard numbers, contract terms, and equipment specifications to help you decide where to spend your money.
The Core Difference: Ubiquity vs. The “New” Department
Before comparing prices, you must understand the structural difference between these two services.
The Home Depot operates a mature rental network. Almost every large Home Depot location has a dedicated “Tool Rental Center” with a separate entrance, keeping contractor hours (often opening at 6:00 AM). Their fleet is massive, standardized, and available nationwide.
Lowe’s is different. While you can rent carpet cleaners (Bissell Big Green) at a kiosk in almost any Lowe’s, the Lowe’s Tool Rental program, which includes heavy machinery such as trenchers, skid steers, and plate compactors, is a separate department available only in select locations. These are often newly constructed annexes attached to the main store. If your local Lowe’s does not have this specific add-on, you cannot rent heavy tools there. Find a Lowe’s store for rentals near you.
4-Hour Rate Showdown: Price Comparison Table
The “4-hour rate” is the industry standard for DIY projects. It allows you to pick up a tool in the morning, complete the job, and return it before lunch without paying for a full 24-hour day.
The table below compares current base rates for popular tools. Note: Prices can vary slightly by region, but these figures represent the standard 2025 pricing tiers.
| Tool Category | Home Depot (4-Hour Rate) | Lowe’s (4-Hour Rate) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drain Auger (Hand/Small) | $22 – $25 | N/A (Typically 24h min or higher tier) | Home Depot |
| Power Drain Snake (50-75 ft) | $58 – $62 | $60 – $77 | Draw |
| Mid-Tine Tiller | $27 – $43 | $51+ | Home Depot |
| Pressure Washer (Gas) | $61 – $71 | $65 – $96 | Home Depot |
| Cement Mixer | $45 – $55 | $67+ (Daily rate common) | Home Depot |
| Pickup Truck | $19 (75 mins) | $19 (90 mins) | Lowe’s |
Analysis: Home Depot consistently wins on price for smaller, 4-hour jobs. Their inventory includes “Pro-sumer” grade tools (such as Makita electric breakers) with lower rental entry points. Lowe’s often prices its rentals closer to commercial rates, sometimes making its 24-hour rate a better value than its 4-hour rate.
Deposit Rules and Credit Card Holds
Neither store will accept cash for a deposit. You must have a credit card (or in some cases a debit card with a Visa/Mastercard logo, though policies are stricter here) to initiate a rental.
Home Depot Deposit Policy
The standard deposit at The Home Depot is $150 for most tools and trucks. This is processed as a “pre-authorization” hold on your card.
- Small Tools: Some smaller hand tools or carpet cleaners may have a lower deposit (e.g., $50).
- Large Equipment: Towable items such as chippers or trenchers may require a higher deposit, typically $250 to $500, depending on the store’s theft risk profile.
- Refund Speed: The hold is released immediately upon return, but banks often take 3-5 business days to reflect this in your available balance.
Lowe’s Deposit Policy
Lowe’s follows a similar structure but varies more by location. The standard deposit for general tools (augers, saws, tillers) is also $150.
- Carpet Cleaners: In many Lowe’s locations, the Bissell carpet cleaner rental kiosk requires a $50 deposit, though some high-theft stores have eliminated the deposit entirely, opting instead to charge the full replacement cost if not returned (a risky strategy for the renter).
- Heavy Machinery: For their dedicated Rental Centers, expect deposits to be strictly enforced via credit card. Debit cards are frequently rejected for high-value machinery rentals like Kubota excavators.
Truck Rental Wars: 75 vs. 90 Minutes
This is the most distinct “High Information Gain” difference between the two retailers. If you need to haul a sheet of plywood or a new refrigerator, the rental terms are not identical.
Home Depot “Load ‘N Go”
- Rate: $19.00 flat fee.
- Time Limit: 75 Minutes.
- Overtime: Charged at roughly $5.00 per 15 minutes.
- Vehicle: Usually a Ford F-250 flatbed or a generic cargo van.
- Reservation: First-come, first-served. You cannot reserve these online in advance.
Lowe’s Truck Rental
- Rate: $19.00 flat fee.
- Time Limit: 90 Minutes.
- Overtime: Similar 15-minute increment charges.
- Vehicle: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or similar standard bed truck.
- Reservation: Also generally first-come, first-served, though some dedicated Rental Centers allow scheduling.
The Verdict: Lowe’s gives you 15 extra minutes for the exact same price. In a rental scenario where traffic or loading delays are common, that 15-minute buffer is valuable. If you are 80 minutes into a rental, Home Depot will charge you an overtime fee, while you are still within the base rate at Lowe’s.
Brand Availability & Equipment Quality
If you are partial to a specific ecosystem of tools, your choice is made for you. The rental fleets mirror the sales floor inventory.
Home Depot Fleet
Home Depot’s rental fleet is massive and leans heavily into “Pro” brands that contractors use daily.
- Makita: Dominates the electric demolition hammer and concrete saw category.
- Honda: Almost all gas engines on tillers and pumps are Honda GX series.
- Hilti: High-end fastening and demolition tools.
- Milwaukee: Increasingly common for cordless rental options.
- Ryobi: Found in the light-duty lawn and garden section (electric mowers, trimmers).
Lowe’s Fleet
Lowe’s dedicated rental centers feature newer equipment (since the program is younger), often appearing less “beaten up” than Home Depot’s inventory.
- Metabo HPT: The primary brand for pneumatic nailers and some concrete tools.
- Husqvarna: The heavy hitter for concrete saws and outdoor power equipment.
- Bosch: Common for rotary hammers and demolition.
- Kubota: The standard for their mini-excavators and skid steers.
Late Fees, Cleaning Penalties & “Gotchas”
The “Clean Return” Rule:
Both retailers include clauses regarding cleaning fees.
Home Depot is notorious for charging a cleaning fee (ranging from $50 to $200) if equipment returns with dried concrete, heavy mud, or paint splatter.
Lowe’s is generally more lenient, but their policy explicitly states that equipment must be “clean and fueled.”
Fuel Policy:
Both require gas-powered tools to be returned full. If you return a trencher half-empty, you won’t just pay pump prices; you will pay a convenience premium that can exceed $8-$10 per gallon.
Damage Protection:
Home Depot automatically adds a 15% Damage Protection fee to quotes. This is optional. You can decline it, but you will be liable for any resulting damage. Lowe’s offers a similar waiver. If you are doing light work, you might decline it; for demolition work, it is highly recommended.
Final Verdict: Which One Wins for You?
Choose The Home Depot If:
- You need a tool for just 4 hours and want the lowest possible price.
- You need a specialized tool (such as a tile stripper or texture sprayer) that is widely stocked.
- You are starting early (6:00 AM pick-up).
Choose Lowe’s If:
- You are renting a pickup truck and want the extra 15 minutes of drive time.
- You have a “Lowe’s Tool Rental” center nearby and prefer newer, less-worn equipment.
- You are looking for a 24-hour rental, where their pricing often becomes competitive with Home Depot.
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