Have you ever looked at your garage and thought it might be full of money you don't know you have? Probably true. Peer-to-peer rental in Italy is growing fast, and certain items are in far higher demand than most people realize.
In this ranking we've compiled data on the most searched-for categories on peer-to-peer rental platforms in Italy, with estimated monthly earnings for an active lender in an average city.
The most profitable category by far. Hobbyist photographers consistently seek quality gear for specific weekends without wanting to spend €2,000+ on a camera body. Anyone with a Sony A7, Canon R6 or Nikon Z6 can capture very high demand, especially in spring and summer.
Cycle tourism has exploded in Italy in recent years. Tourists and enthusiasts seek quality bikes for single days or weekends. High-performance carbon bikes command premium rates, but trail MTBs also find borrowers easily.
The second-highest value category. A DJI Mavic 3 or Mini 4 Pro costs €700–1,500 — many people want one for a wedding or vacation but won't buy it. Few lenders in this segment means less competition and more bookings.
Highly seasonal (peak in summer and Easter) but with intense demand during warm months. Tents take up space at home and are used 2–3 times a year at most — renting is the natural alternative for those who don't want to buy.
Highly seasonal (December–March) but very high demand. Buying skis + boots new costs €400–900. Renting from a private person costs €15–25 per day. The math is easy for borrowers. For lenders who don't ski every week, it's pure income for 4 months a year.
💚 Seasonal items shouldn't discourage you: generating €350/month for 4 months equals €1,400/year from a single item that would otherwise sit in storage.
High turnover, low unit value. Someone doing home renovations needs a drill or sander for a day or two. Contained costs, year-round steady demand. The advantage: these are items practically everyone owns and almost no one uses frequently.
In urban centers, tourists and commuters seek flexible mobility. Shared scooter services aren't always available or accessible. A privately-owned electric scooter — especially in cities without dense sharing fleets — can see daily requests.
Acoustic and electric guitars, basses, keyboards. Beginners don't want to invest €400 in an instrument before knowing if they'll stick with it. Band members need a backup for a gig. The demand is niche but highly loyal and willing to pay.
Valuable items, bulky, rarely used. A €600 paddleboard used 10 times a summer can generate €80–120 per rental weekend. Excellent prospects for those who live near lakes, rivers or the coast.
PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch with game libraries. High demand during the holiday season and summer vacations. High-value items, easily transported, not subject to significant wear with normal use.
How to Use This Ranking
First, check what you already own. The most effective strategy is to start with items you already have that you rarely use — don't buy items specifically to rent them out (except in very specific cases of verified high demand).
Then assess local demand. A camera sees high demand everywhere, but a SUP only works well if you have a lake or the sea nearby. An electric scooter makes sense in a city center, less so in a town of 5,000 people.
🎯 Recommended strategy: choose 1 medium-to-high value item (camera, bike) + 1 high-turnover item (tool, scooter) + 1 seasonal item (tent, skis). With three well-built listings, you can have income for 10–11 months of the year.
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