How many hours a week do you actually use your console? For most people the answer is: very few. A PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X or a Nintendo Switch often spend entire weeks in standby, while someone a few kilometers away would love to finish the last chapter of a series without spending hundreds of euros to buy one.
That's exactly the meeting point that drives console peer-to-peer rental. In this guide we look at how much you can realistically earn renting your console on Lendmates, which prices to set, how to safely manage games and accessories, and the mistakes to avoid in turning an idle item into a small recurring income.
Why Console Rental Works So Well
Consoles have three characteristics that make them ideal for peer-to-peer rental. First, they're expensive to buy but cheap to try: someone who hesitates to spend €500 is happy to pay €15/day for a gaming weekend. Second, demand is year-round and consistent, with predictable peaks — major title launches, holidays, school vacations. Third, they're compact and easy to hand off: they fit in a backpack, no van required like for a kayak or tent.
💡 The key principle: a console you use 4 hours a week is idle 97% of the time. Every day it sits switched off in the entertainment unit is potential income you're not collecting.
Real Earnings: Prices and Simulations
| Console | Price/day | 4 days/month | 10 days/month | 18 days/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 (with 1 game) | €14–20 | €50–72 | €126–180 | €227–324 |
| Xbox Series X | €13–18 | €47–65 | €117–162 | €210–292 |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | €10–15 | €36–54 | €90–135 | €162–243 |
| PS5 + PS VR2 headset | €22–32 | €79–115 | €198–288 | €356–518 |
| Retro / collector console | €12–20 | €43–72 | €108–180 | €194–324 |
In terms of break-even: a PS5 bought for €500 can pay for itself in roughly four months of consistent renting. From there, every booking is net profit on an item you would have kept at home anyway.
What to Include (and What Not to)
Always include
The console, power cable, HDMI cable and at least one controller with its charging cable. Without these the borrower can't even turn the system on.
Add as extra value
A second controller (essential for local multiplayer and very requested), gaming headphones, and especially one or two popular games. A "PS5 + two controllers + FIFA + a single-player title" package rents at a noticeably higher price and stands out immediately in search results.
Manage accounts and saves carefully
This is the most delicate point. Never leave your personal account logged in with saved payment methods. Create a guest profile dedicated to rentals, or explain to the borrower how to sign in with their own account.
💚 Practical tip: prepare a laminated card (or PDF) with startup instructions, the list of included accessories, and a note: "remember to sign out of your account before returning." It reduces errors and improves reviews.
Hygiene and Maintenance
Controllers and headphones change hands and come into contact with skin, sweat and sometimes food. A borrower immediately notices if the grips are greasy or the headphones smell. Clean between rentals — microfiber cloth on controllers, sanitizing wipes on headphone cushions, a pass over the console vents — costs nothing and protects your reputation.
"My Switch was basically in a drawer since I finished Zelda. Now I rent it almost every weekend to families with kids. It pays for itself and doesn't take up unnecessary space."
Who Are the Typical Console Borrowers?
Understanding who will contact you helps write a more effective listing and package the right configuration. On P2P rental platforms, console seekers almost always fit one of these profiles: the parent evaluating whether to buy as a gift; the student or remote worker who games only during vacation periods; the curious gamer testing an exclusive title or the VR experience; and the person renting for a specific occasion — a party, a weekend with friends, a beach house that needs entertainment on rainy days.