Appliances Cost More After October 1 2026: Buy Or Rent?

Ahead of the festive season, prices for home appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and televisions are set to rise. Top brands, like Blue Star, Daikin, Haier, and Godrej Appliances, will increase prices by 4-10% across categories.

Meanwhile, the Indian appliance rental market is projected to reach USD 534 million by 2030, up from USD 213 million in 2024. Rentomojo is recognised as India’s largest furniture and appliance rental platform.

Water Purifier and Washing Machine Prices Increased by 6-9% Since January

In January 2026, a Whirlpool 6 kg fully automatic top-load machine cost ₹13,940. The price rose to ₹15,890 in June, up from ₹14,090 in March. The LG 7kg semi-automatic washing machine was priced at ₹10,990 in March and rose to ₹11,990 in May. Haier 6.5kg top-load washing machine jumped from ₹11,790 in January to ₹13,340 in September.

On Rentomojo, a 6kg semi-automatic washing machine on rent costs ₹431/mo on a 36-month plan. A 7 kg inverter front-load with heater costs ₹1,528/mo on the same plan.

Water purifiers showed a similar trend this year. Livpure Eterna 7L jumped from ₹9,999 in January to ₹12,499 in May. In September, the same unit cost ₹12,999. Aquaguard Sure Delight 6L was priced around ₹6,499 in January, and now it costs ₹7,999. Pureit Wave Plus was ₹8,099 in January, and it is now listed at ₹9,999.

In other categories, microwaves rose by around 8.5% on average. For example, Samsung 28L convection jumped from ₹12,890 to ₹14,450 in May. Whirlpool 235L triple-door fridge jumped from ₹25,790 to ₹28,490 as of September 2026.

Why are Appliance Prices Increasing Rapidly?

On October 1, 2026, the appliance industry will face its third round of price hikes. Manufacturers face several problems that are pushing prices even higher. For example, high shipping costs are one of many reasons.

1. High Metal Prices

Copper prices surged from $8,000-$9,000 last year to $14,500 a tonne. Since metal prices have gone up by almost 25-35%, manufacturers have had to increase appliance prices. Aluminium, steel, and plastic prices are also increasing.

2. The West Asia Conflict

According to CRISIL, crude oil is expected to be 32% higher year on year. The rising prices have put pressure on the rupee. Commodity prices have increased due to the war.

3. A Weaker Rupee

The rupee averaged ₹93.6 against the dollar in April. In mid-July, the average was close to ₹95.96. The rupee further weakened in September, averaging around ₹95.32 due to firm U.S. Treasury yields.

Also, manufacturers said the new BEE star-rating norms (effective since 1 January, 2026) led to higher production costs. As a result, air conditioners and fridges face higher manufacturing costs.

How Much Are Appliance Prices Expected to Increase?

Prices for water purifiers are yet to be announced. B Thiagarajan, MD of Blue Star, said, "All the commodity prices have been going up because of the war. Copper, steel and plastics have all become costlier.” He said air conditioners and deep freezers are increasing by 5-8% because of higher commodity costs.

Renting Appliances is an Alternative During This Time

Rentomojo’s water purifier, namely Nirapure, starts at ₹292/mo on a 36-month plan; this is the lowest-priced appliance in Rentomojo’s Bangalore catalogue. Prices vary by location; the Rentomojo app and website show the latest pricing.

Tenures run from 3 to 36 months; hence, upfront costs are spread across monthly plans. Plans are also available for 6, 11, 12, and  24 months. One month’s rent is considered the security deposit, and the deposit is fully refundable once the appliance is returned in good condition.

A 6kg semi-automatic washing machine on rent starts at ₹431/mo and ₹439/mo on 36-month and 12-month plans. A 6.5kg fully-automatic top-load washing machine is available for ₹687/mo and ₹702/mo on 36-month and 12-month plans. Home delivery is done within 48-72 hours, and free setup is included for washing machine rentals.

1.5-ton 3-star convertible inverter split air conditioner is available for ₹1,106/mo on a 36-month plan and ₹1,129/mo on a 12-month plan. Installation charges are added at checkout.

Buying vs. Choosing Appliances on Rent

Buying a top-load washing machine costs ₹13,340. An AC costs ₹33,779, and a water purifier costs ₹13,099. Renting appliances from Rentomojo includes a security deposit, which appears at checkout. Appliance rentals cost less when the user needs the appliance for about 1.5-3 years.

The following is the break-even point:

Users can rent appliances through the Rentomojo app and website. To place an order, a selfie and PAN card need to be uploaded online. The rented appliances can be cancelled before completing the tenure; Rentomojo adds a month’s rent as early exit charges.

Since urban professionals frequently relocate for work, renting is an alternative. The main decision lies in how long a person stays at the same address.

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