Rent-A-Center vs Aaron’s: Which Rent-to-Own Chain Is Better?
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The Two Largest Rent-to-Own Chains
Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s are America’s two largest rent-to-own retail chains, together accounting for thousands of locations nationwide. Both offer furniture, appliances, and electronics on weekly payment plans with no credit check required. They’re direct competitors for the same shoppers — so which one should you choose?
The honest answer is: it depends on location, inventory, and specific pricing. Neither chain is universally better; the right choice varies by what you’re buying and what’s available near you.
Pricing Comparison
Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s price comparably on most items, but specific pricing varies by location, product, and current promotions. Aaron’s is generally considered to have slightly lower prices in competitive markets, while Rent-A-Center may be better priced in areas where they have less direct competition. The only reliable way to compare is to get quotes from both for the specific item you want.
Inventory and Selection
Both chains carry similar core inventory: bedroom sets, living room furniture, mattresses, appliances, and electronics. Aaron’s has been expanding their online ordering capabilities more aggressively, making their inventory more accessible even if you don’t have convenient store access. Rent-A-Center has a larger store footprint in many regions, which may mean more convenient access in suburban areas.
Early Purchase Options
Both chains offer early purchase options that allow you to acquire the item at a reduced total cost before the end of the lease term. Rent-A-Center’s early purchase pricing can vary significantly — ask specifically about the “early purchase amount” at 90 days and at the midpoint of the lease term. Aaron’s has similar early purchase policies and is generally transparent about communicating these options.
Customer Service and Returns
Both chains allow you to return items at any time with no further obligation, no credit damage, and no penalty — this is the key advantage of traditional rent-to-own vs. lease-to-own programs that involve bank account debits. If your financial situation changes, you can simply return the item. In terms of customer service quality, both chains have mixed reviews — outcomes tend to vary significantly by individual store and management.
Bottom Line
Visit or call both options near you with a specific item in mind. If the prices are similar, choose based on convenience and the customer service quality of your interaction. If one is significantly cheaper or has the specific style you want, that decision is easy. The brands are similar enough that location-specific factors matter more than brand-level differences.
How Rent-to-Own Chains Fit Into the Furniture Market
Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s are the two largest rent-to-own chains in the United States, with thousands of locations between them. Both operate on the same fundamental model: customers take furniture, electronics, or appliances home by making ongoing weekly or monthly payments rather than a single upfront purchase. At the end of the payment term, the item is owned outright. If payments stop, the item is returned and ownership reverts to the store.
This model serves a specific market: shoppers who need furniture immediately, cannot qualify for traditional retail financing, and do not have the savings to cover a full cash purchase. For these buyers, rent-to-own chains offer a path to furnished living that would not otherwise be available on their timeline.
The trade-off is cost. Rent-to-own agreements, when evaluated against the total payment amount versus the retail price of the item, reflect a significant effective interest rate. A piece of furniture that retails for $500 might require $800 to $1,000 in total payments under a rent-to-own agreement. Understanding this going in is important for making an informed decision.
Both Rent-A-Center and Aaron’s compete directly in this space, and the differences between them — in pricing structure, product selection, customer service reputation, and early buyout terms — are worth understanding before choosing one over the other or deciding whether a different financing approach might serve you better.
Comparing Pricing, Selection, and Terms
Pricing at both chains is structured around weekly or monthly payment amounts rather than a total cost, making direct comparison difficult without calculating the full payment sum. Generally, Aaron’s has a reputation for slightly lower weekly rates, while Rent-A-Center has more locations and broader availability in suburban and rural markets.
Product selection at both chains covers bedroom furniture, mattresses, and electronics — tending toward practical, familiar items rather than design-forward choices. Early buyout options are an important feature: both chains allow customers to pay off the remaining balance and own the item outright before the full term. Exercising this option early — particularly in the first 90 days — typically saves meaningful money compared to completing the full payment schedule.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Traditional rent-to-own chains are one option in the no-credit-needed furniture space, but not the only one. Lease-to-own programs offered through mainstream furniture and mattress retailers often provide a wider selection of furniture brands and models, competitive payment terms, and the ability to shop at retailers whose inventory and quality may exceed what traditional rent-to-own chains carry.
For bedroom furniture specifically, these retailer-based programs let you choose from a broader range of frames, mattresses, and bedroom sets while still making payments over time without traditional credit requirements. The total cost structure is worth comparing against rent-to-own chain agreements before committing — you may find that a lease-to-own program at a furniture retailer gives you better furniture at comparable payment terms.
Making the Best Choice for Your Situation
The right choice between Rent-A-Center, Aaron’s, and lease-to-own alternatives depends on what matters most to you. If convenient locations and same-week availability are primary considerations, one of the major chains may serve you well. If furniture quality and selection matter more, retailer-based lease-to-own programs typically offer better options at comparable payment structures.
Regardless of which approach you choose, understanding the full payment cost before signing any agreement is essential. Add up all the weekly or monthly payments over the full term, compare that to the retail price of the item, and understand what your early buyout options are. Making an informed decision based on total cost — not just weekly payment amount — protects you from commitments that cost significantly more than you initially realized.
For bedroom furniture specifically, where quality and durability affect your sleep every night, taking the time to compare options is worthwhile. The best financing arrangement is one that gets you furniture you are satisfied with at a total cost you are comfortable with.