Why India’s Gen Z Is Renting Laptops, Cameras and Consoles Instead of Buying Them

There are so many products that we use, but the question is do we need to really own them? The GenZ in India is changing consumption for themselves and making a smarter move in 2025. They are buying what they really need and renting the rest and getting rid of that buying itch. Platforms like Rentkar in India have been pioneering the gadget rental space, from TVs, MacBooks and PS5s to cameras and microphones.

India’s gadget rental market is expected to cross ₹10,000 crore by 2027, growing over 35% every year as per reports. More than 60% of users are under 30, and the biggest demand is coming from cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. It’s a clear sign that Gen Z isn’t afraid to think and manage their resources differently.

This is a generation that understands how fast things change technology, jobs, interests, even priorities. They know that at this stage of life, with limited money, it’s not smart to own every. Renting gives them what they need right now, without draining their pockets and lets them buy only things that they really need.

They understand money differently

Most young people today think practically. They know spending upfront ₹1.5 lakh on a MacBook Pro and draining their complete pocket when they could rent a laptop in India for a few thousand doesn’t make sense.

They’re not anti-ownership. They just see no logic in tying up their savings in one gadget when their needs are constantly evolving from MacBook to a gaming laptop. A laptop bought today might feel old next year or just in 6 months. A camera with all those accessories one purchases might stay unused for months after one trip.

The hidden cost of ownership of highly depreciated assets

Buying something feels super rewarding at first. But once the product comes home, you start seeing what it really costs to own it and the time it’s not even utilized properly. At one point the user takes more value in just owning the product than using them. The GenZ is no longer thinking this way.

You buy a PlayStation 5 and then realize you need to buy new games every few months like FC26, Spiderman, Ghost of Yotei to play your console. You buy a camera and discover that every new trip needs new lenses, filters and attachments, and after that trip it just lies there.

That’s why gadget rentals have become the smarter choice. You save your money, avoid maintenance costs, and always have the latest model when you actually need it and pay as per your requirements.

Flexibility is the freedom in 2025

The older generation loved to get products on EMIs. Buy now, pay later worked really well with no cost Emi options. But for Gen Z, that mindset feels like a trap and they understand they are still tied up to monthly recurring payment till the tenure of their EMI and their needs are constantly evolving.

In India, many people end up delaying or defaulting on EMI payments as the EMI model creates demand and instant purchase but no forecast for the need of the product. Renting removes that completely. You can start and stop whenever you want. There’s no commitment, no loan, and no long-term responsibility. You simply make a cost-effective decision that fits your current needs. This flexibility is exactly what makes rentals work in 2025.

Technology moves faster than we can

A laptop you buy today might not suit you tomorrow or your requirements for specifications may change. You might begin with a MacBook for editing but later want a Windows for gaming or software development. Owning both isn’t necessary. Renting makes perfect sense here.

A student who edits videos for a few months can rent a high-performance system instead of buying one. A gamer can try the latest consoles with the latest games and simply return them after their holidays.

Through PS5 rentals in India or other tech rentals, people can enjoy the newest games and devices without worrying about resale, depreciation or post ownership costs. They don’t tie their identity and money to one device.

Living lighter, not lesser

Older generations looked into success with ownership of a house, a car, a TV, and a shelf full of gadgets. But Gen Z doesn’t see it that way. They value freedom and flexibility, not storage and overconsumption,

They’d rather spend on travel, experiences, and learning new skills than with just spending money on a single product. Renting allows them to do just that and be free and gain more control over their finances.

Owning what you only need

Renting doesn’t just save money, it saves time and most of us account for money, but forget the value of time and lost opportunity. You are never going to be 25 again. When you don’t have to wait months to buy something, you start faster and gain a lost advantage.

A content creator doesn’t have to delay a shoot till they can afford a new camera. A student doesn’t have to borrow a friend’s laptop. You can get what you need instantly, use it for your project, and return it.

India is no longer just buying products sold by Western companies but switching to a system where they can borrow and share their underutilized products, assets which were once depreciated will now make revenue for them. The new generation of consumers values flexibility over ownership and access over just holding products. From renting a PS5 for the weekend to leasing a MacBook for coding, the mindset has evolved in 2025.

As infrastructure, technology, and trust continue to grow, the sharing economy will only get stronger and India will witness a circular economy in the next decade, one where smarter choices replace impulsive purchases and there is not only buying and selling happening in the market.

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