In 2026, the rental industry continues to grow as rentals have become a standard solution for short-term, seasonal, and project-based needs. The global product rental market is projected to surpass $170 billion this year, with demand spread across events, construction, outdoor recreation, professional services, and local rental businesses.
Growth is driven by practicality. Renting allows businesses and individuals to use the right equipment at the right moment, without the overhead of storage, maintenance, or long-term commitments. This applies across use cases, from one-day events and temporary job sites to seasonal operations and specialized projects.
Rental demand is further shaped by predictable cycles, such as event seasons, construction timelines, production schedules, and periods of increased travel, all of which create short bursts of high equipment needs. Rentals fit naturally into these patterns by offering flexibility and reliability without long-term planning.
From event decor and camera gear to bikes, tools, trailers, and outdoor equipment, rentals are increasingly built into everyday workflows. Below, we break down the most rented items in 2026 and the product categories seeing the strongest demand.
1. Event decor and equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Event decor and equipment rentals performed strongly throughout 2025 as weddings, corporate events, and large gatherings continued to rebound. Most customers only need these items for a single day or weekend, making renting far more practical than owning bulky inventory.
The global event equipment rental market is projected to grow from roughly $12.3 billion in 2024 to around $20.6 billion by 2033, showing that demand for rented event equipment is expected to keep rising steadily over the coming years.
Who rents this?
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Private individuals
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Event planners
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Businesses
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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High booking volume during peak seasons
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Strong margins on reusable inventory
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Bundled rentals increase order value
Rental tip with Booqable
Events often have tight timelines and specific requirements. Use custom online checkout fields to collect event dates and venue details upfront, apply distance-based delivery charges or free pickup, and protect fragile items with refundable damage deposits.
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Put your toes in the water and test the demand in your area with a rental website for just 29/month.
2. Camera and AV equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Driven by content creation, the rise in social media related jobs, corporate video production, and hybrid events, camera and AV rentals have shown a steady and sustained growth in the last decade. This is particularly present in products such as mirrorless cameras, lighting kits, and portable audio setups.
This trend suggests ongoing rental demand through 2026, especially as creators and teams avoid purchasing equipment that may be used only a few times per year.
Who rents this?
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Content creators
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Marketing teams
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Event producers
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Higher daily rental prices
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Short project-based bookings
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Frequent repeat customers
Rental tip with Booqable
High-value equipment needs careful turnaround. Add order padding time to allow for inspection between rentals, schedule routine gear checks, and require refundable damage deposits upfront to reduce risk.
3. Bikes and e-bikes
Why this product is in demand right now
Bike and e-bike rentals grew steadily in 2025 alongside tourism recovery and city-based travel. E-bike adoption continues to rise globally, with sales increasing across Europe and North America.
This growth signals strong rental interest heading into 2026, particularly in destinations where visitors prefer temporary access rather than transporting or owning a bike.
Who rents this?
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Tourists
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Hotels and resorts
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Local visitors
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Predictable seasonal demand
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Add-ons like helmets and locks increase order value
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Strong alignment with travel trends
Rental tip with Booqable
Availability visibility is key for travelers. Display the availability pop-up calendar on your rental website, bundle bikes with helmets and locks using product bundles, and apply seasonal pricing rulesets to match peak travel demand.
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Every new rental business starts with a website to get their first bookings.
4. Party equipment and inflatables
Why this product is in demand right now
Continued interest in home-based celebrations and themed events suggests steady demand into the years ahead, particularly for events such as birthdays, school events, and community celebrations. Industry estimates place the global party and event rental market at over over $6 billion in 2026.
Continued interest in home-based celebrations and themed events suggests steady demand into the years ahead.
Who rents this?
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Parents
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Schools
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Community groups
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Relatively low upfront investment
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Fast rental turnaround
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Easy category expansion with themed items
Rental tip with Booqable
Party bookings are often last-minute and location-based. Set up distance-based delivery charges, create themed bundles to increase order value, and use custom online checkout fields to capture venue details and property access instructions.
5. Camping and hiking equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Camping and hiking rentals remained popular in 2025 as outdoor travel stayed strong. Industry data shows continued participation in short outdoor trips, especially among first-time campers. Rising sales of entry-level camping gear indicate ongoing interest, which supports rental demand through 2026 for customers testing outdoor activities without committing to purchases.
Who rents this?
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Tourists
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First-time campers
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Families
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Bundles increase revenue per booking
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Seasonal patterns are easy to anticipate
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Equipment supports repeated use
Rental tip with Booqable
Outdoor rentals vary by trip length and season. Offer product variations for customers to select different sizes of hiking attire, apply seasonal pricing rulesets to offer discounts in quieter months, and create starter kits with bundles for first-time campers.
6. Tools and construction equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Renting tools and construction equipment remains common for short-term or specialized jobs across the globe. Tool and construction equipment rentals stayed stable in 2025 as renovation and maintenance projects continued. The broader equipment rental market is projected to reach around $52 billion in 2026, with tools representing a large share of this activity.
Who rents this?
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Contractors
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Homeowners
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Small businesses
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Year-round demand
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High likelihood of repeat customers
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Opportunities to add accessories or attachments
Rental tip with Booqable
Tool rentals depend on reliability and repeat use. Block off servicing periods with the Scheduled downtime feature, collect rental contract signatures from your mobile device, and set up invoice due dates to keep payments organised.
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7. Suits and dresses for all occasions
Why this product is in demand right now
Formalwear rentals remained popular in 2025 as weddings, conferences, and social events continued at consistent levels. Market projections for online clothing rentals indicate continued expansion into the early 2030s, suggesting stable demand for rented attire through 2026.
Who rents this?
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High-end fashion consumers
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Wedding guests
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Professionals
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Event attendees
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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High per-item rental value
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Predictable booking timelines
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Repeat customers across different events
Rental tip with Booqable
Fit and style are critical for formalwear. Use product variations for different sizes and colours, offer recurring discounts for repeat customers, and protect garments by charging credit card authorizations through Stripe.
8. Water sports equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Participation in paddle sports and recreational water activities continues to increase, supporting rental demand during peak travel seasons. Water sports rentals performed well in 2025, especially in coastal and lake regions.
Who rents this?
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Tourists
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Adventure travelers
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Local recreation groups
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Strong seasonal demand
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Group bookings increase revenue
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Durable inventory
Rental tip with Booqable
Most water sports rentals happen in groups and on weekends. Increase revenue with bundles for group bookings, and add business protection by generating and collecting professional rental contract signatures before equipment is released.
9. Winter sports equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Winter sports rentals remained steady in 2025, supported by ski tourism and holiday travel. Industry reports show that many resorts continue to invest in rental infrastructure, indicating expectations of sustained demand through 2026 as travelers favor renting on location rather than transporting gear.
Who rents this?
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Tourists
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Casual winter sports participants
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Families
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Concentrated seasonal demand
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Bundled gear increases booking value
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Repeat customers during holiday periods
Rental tip with Booqable
Trust and visibility matter for seasonal sports. Launch quickly using one of Booqable’s sports rental website templates, and add weekend pricing rulesets to make the most out of your busiest days.
10. Toys and baby equipment
Why this product is in demand right now
Toy and baby equipment rentals expanded in 2025 as families prioritized flexibility and cost control. Increased sales of premium baby gear, such as travel strollers and car seats, suggest ongoing rental demand into 2026 as parents look for temporary access during early growth stages or travel.
Who rents this?
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Young families
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Traveling parents
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Caregivers
Why this is interesting for rental businesses
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Fast inventory turnover
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High repeat usage
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Appeal to sustainability-focused consumers
Rental tip with Booqable
Families often rent for longer periods or repeat needs. Use custom pricing structures with monthly discounts, encourage loyalty with recurring client discounts, and simplify browsing with product bundles based on child age or use case.
Start your rental business for just 29/month
Put your toes in the water and test the demand in your area with a rental website for just 29/month.
Choosing the right item to start with
The most rented items tend to be practical, versatile, and needed for events, home projects, travel, and recreation. You don’t need to invest in everything at once. Start with one or two items that fit your budget, match local demand, and require minimal storage.
If you’re unsure where to begin, look for items that are easy to maintain and in steady demand year round, such as chairs, tools, bikes, or electronics.
What to do next
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Pick one item from the list that fits your goals and space.
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Check what competitors in your area are renting and at what prices.
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Prepare your items with clear photos and simple descriptions.
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Add your inventory to Booqable so customers can see availability and book online.
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Start sharing your rental offering through local groups or your website.
These small steps help you move from an idea to taking your first orders with confidence.
How Booqable can help get you get started
Managing rentals gets easier when everything lives in one place. With Booqable you can:
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track availability and prevent double bookings
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show customers what’s rentable and when
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take online reservations and payments
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create pickup, return, and delivery workflows
Whether you start with one item or build a full rental catalog, Booqable gives you the tools to grow at your own pace.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not legal or financial advice. Always check local regulations and consult a professional before making business decisions.
