Must-Have Appliances for Renters: Because Landlords Won’t Upgrade Your Kitchen for Free! -

Must-Have Appliances for Renters: Because Landlords Won’t Upgrade Your Kitchen for Free!

Let’s be real—renting comes with its fair share of struggles. Your kitchen is probably the size of a closet, your laundry setup consists of hauling a basket down three flights of stairs, and your AC situation is, well… let’s not talk about it.

But just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you have to live like a college freshman surviving on microwaved ramen. I’ve been there—cramped apartment, landlord who believes “working appliances” are optional, and a deep hatred for laundromats. So, let me save you the trial and error. Here’s a game-changing list of renter-friendly appliances that will upgrade your space without getting you in trouble with your lease.

Kitchen Appliances: Because You Deserve More Than Cereal for Dinner

1. Compact Air Fryers: The Secret to Lazy Gourmet Cooking

If you’ve ever stared at your stove like it personally offended you, an air fryer is your new best friend. It’s fast, doesn’t require oil, and most importantly—minimal cleanup. Plus, it won’t turn your kitchen into a smoke-filled disaster (unless you’re trying to cook bacon at 400°F. Don’t ask me how I know).

🔥 Top Picks:

"Ninja air fryer with digital display and multiple cooking functions, including air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. Sleek black design with a chrome handle, ideal for fast and healthy cooking." — Ninja Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Reheats, & Dehydrates, 4-in-1, Fries, Frozen Food, Veggies, and Juicy Meat, Less Oil, Easy Meals, Healthy Meals, Compact, 4 QT

"Cosori air fryer with a sleek black design, digital touchscreen controls, and an open basket filled with crispy French fries. Features multiple cooking modes, including air fry, bake, roast, and reheat for healthier, oil-free cooking." — COSORI Air Fryer 2.1 QT, Small & Mini 4-in-1 airfryer Ideal for Simple Meals and Snack, Easy to Leftover Food to Crispy, Up to 97% Less Oil

Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer – Makes fries so crispy, you’ll forget about fast food.
COSORI Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer – Perfect for small kitchens and people who only cook for one.

2. Mini Rice Cookers: Because Burnt Rice is a Crime

I used to think cooking rice was easy—until I ended up with either crunchy undercooked grains or a mushy disaster. A mini rice cooker takes all the guesswork out and gives you fluffy, perfect rice every single time.

🔥 Top Picks:

"Dash mini rice cooker in pastel green with cook and warm settings, accompanied by a mixing paddle, measuring cup, and recipe guide. Compact and perfect for quick and easy meal prep." — DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer with Removable Nonstick Pot, Keep Warm Function & Recipe Guide, .5 Quart.

Tiger Tacook multi-functional rice cooker in white with a user-friendly control panel, featuring cooking modes for plain rice, brown rice, slow cooking, and synchro-cooking. Designed for convenient and efficient meal preparation." — TIGER JBV-A10U 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer Basket

Dash Mini Rice Cooker – Cute, compact, and foolproof.
Tiger 5.5-Cup Tacook Rice Cooker: Sometimes, you want more than just white rice (yes, it cooks quinoa, too).

Laundry & Cleaning Appliances: No More Laundromat Nightmares

3. Portable Washing Machines: Say Goodbye to Hauling Laundry

If you’ve ever had to drag your laundry through the rain or ration your last pair of clean socks, it’s time to invest in a portable washer. These little miracles let you do laundry from your own apartment—no quarters required.

🔥 Top Picks:

"COMFEE’ 1.6 Cu.ft Portable Washing Machine in Magnetic Gray – Fully automatic compact washer with wheels, 11lbs capacity, 6 wash programs, and built-in drain pump. Ideal for apartments, RVs, and camping." — COMFEE’ 1.6 Cu.ft Portable Washing Machine, 11lbs Capacity Fully Automatic Compact Washer with Wheels, 6 Wash Programs Laundry Drain Pump, Ideal for Apartments

COSTWAY Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine – 26 lbs capacity with 18 lbs washer and 8 lbs spinner, compact design, control knob timer function, and drain pump. Ideal for apartments, RVs, and small spaces. — COSTWAY Portable Washing Machine Twin Tub 26 Lbs Capacity, 18 Lbs 8 Lbs Spinner, Compact Control Knobs Timer Function, Drain Pump, Laundry washer, for Apartment

COMFEE’ 1.6 Cu.ft Portable Washing Machine – Looks small but washes like a champ.
SUPER DEAL Compact Twin Tub Washer – A washer and a spin dryer? Take my money.

4. Handheld Garment Steamers: Because Ironing is the Worst

I’m convinced that ironing is a skill I’ll never master. If you also find yourself awkwardly pressing a shirt with zero success, do yourself a favor and get a handheld steamer. Wrinkles? Gone. Effort? Minimal.

🔥 Top Picks:

BISSELL Steam Shot OmniReach Handheld Steam Cleaner – Portable multipurpose steam cleaner with 220ml water tank, multiple attachments, and powerful steam for deep cleaning and sanitization. — BISSELL® Steam Shot™ OmniReach Handheld Steam Cleaner,

Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum – Ultra-lightweight 1.4 lbs cordless vacuum with powerful suction, sleek design, and charging dock for quick cleanups in homes, cars, and offices. — Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum, Lightweight at 1.4 Pounds with Powerful Suction

BISSELL SteamShot Handheld Steamer – Also works for cleaning stuff, so win-win.
Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum – Because let’s be real, your couch probably needs some love too.

Living Space & Comfort: Because Your Apartment Deserves Some Luxury

5. Smart Air Purifiers: Fresh Air, No Matter What Your Neighbor is Cooking

If your neighbor’s dinner smells mysteriously like burnt rubber, an air purifier is essential. It keeps the air fresh and actually helps with allergies, so you don’t have to suffer through pollen season.

🔥 Top Picks:

Levoit Vital 200S Smart Air Purifier – WiFi-enabled HEPA air purifier with app control, ultra-quiet operation, and advanced filtration for allergens, pet dander, dust, and smoke. — LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room Up to 1800 Ft² in 1 Hr with Washable Pre-Filter, Air Quality Monitor, Smart WiFi, HEPA Sleep Mode

Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier – High-performance HEPA air purifier for large rooms, dual filtration system, real-time air quality monitoring, and quiet operation. — Coway AP-2015F Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier

LEVOIT Air Purifier – Works fast and is whisper-quiet.
Coway Airmega 400 – A little pricier but covers big spaces (aka perfect for open-plan apartments).

**6. Portable Air Conditioners: Because Landlords Are Never in a Hurry to Fix AC**

If you’ve ever had to sleep with a frozen water bottle because your apartment is basically a sauna, get a portable AC. These bad boys cool your room without needing installation, which means no more sweaty nightmares.

🔥 Top Picks:

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 10,000 BTU AC unit with remote control, dehumidifier mode, and quiet operation for small to medium rooms, bedrooms, and offices. — BLACK+DECKER 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner up to 550 Sq

SereneLife 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner – Compact 8,000 BTU AC unit with fan, dehumidifier, remote control, and rolling wheels for easy mobility. Ideal for small rooms, apartments, and offices. — SereneLife 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner – 3-in-1 Compact Standing Air Conditioner for Room Up to 300 Sq. Ft.

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – Has wheels so you can literally roll it around.
SereneLife Portable AC Unit – Works fast and doubles as a dehumidifier.

Gadgets & Miscellaneous: The Small Stuff That Makes a Big Difference

7. Smart Plugs: Turn Any Appliance Into a Smart Device

Smart plugs are pure magic. Plug one in, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and suddenly your dumb lamp is now a smart lamp. Bonus: you can turn off appliances from your phone, so no more panicking about whether you left the coffee maker on.

🔥 Top Picks:

Kasa Smart Plug Mini 4-Pack – WiFi-enabled smart outlet compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, remote control, timer scheduling, and energy monitoring for home automation. — Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required

Amazon Smart Plug 4-Pack – WiFi-enabled smart outlets compatible with Alexa for voice control, remote access, scheduling, and energy-saving automation. — Amazon Basics Smart Plug, Works with Alexa Only, 2.4 GHz Wi-F

Kasa Smart Plug: 4 pack – Works with Alexa and Google Home.
Amazon Smart Plug – Super easy setup.

8. Mini Espresso Machines: Because Bad Coffee is Not an Option

Life is too short for terrible coffee. A mini espresso machine means barista-level coffee at home—without the barista-level price.

🔥 Top Picks:

Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by De’Longhi – Compact single-serve coffee maker with fast heat-up, 19-bar pressure system, and energy-saving mode. — Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi

De’Longhi Dedica EC685 Espresso Machine – Compact 15-bar pump coffee maker with milk frother, stainless steel design, and customizable brewing for espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos. — De’Longhi EC685M Dedica Deluxe Automatic Espresso Machine,35 oz,

Nespresso Essenza Mini – Tiny but mighty.
De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe Espresso Machine – Looks fancy, makes killer espresso.

Final Thoughts: Rent Smarter, Not Harder

Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you have to suffer through outdated appliances and inconvenience. These renter-friendly appliances will make your life easier, comfier, and way less frustrating.

Got a game-changing apartment hack? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear it!

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer:

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. It won’t cost you extra, but it will help fund my coffee addiction. ☕ Thanks for the support!