Best Video Equipment Rental Options: Top 11 Choices

Whether you're an independent filmmaker looking to shoot your first feature or an amateur videographer trying to get the best shots of your child's birthday party, finding quality equipment rentals can be difficult.

There are plenty of places that claim to have the best video equipment for rent, but not all of them are created equally.

You need a place where you'll find everything you need at a price that won't break your bank.

That's why we've put together this list of the best video equipment rental options in the U.S.

We'll show you where to go and what to expect so that you can make an informed decision about your next project.

What Is Video Equipment Rental?

Video equipment rental is a service that allows you to rent expensive, specialized and often heavy production equipment for use on location or in the studio.

The main reason why filmmakers need to rent video equipment is that they will not have access to the necessary tools at all times.

Good video equipment is not cheap and cinematographers may not be able to afford it on their own.

Even if they do have their own equipment, using it on a freelance basis can be very expensive because of the time associated with it.

It is not uncommon for a filmmaker to have a busy schedule and be in need of video equipment. If so, they are going to want to utilize a video equipment rental service so they do not have to go out and purchase something every time they need it.

The need for video equipment rental has increased dramatically over the years because commercial and industrial films are now being made left, right and center.

When you know how to make money with video production, having the right equipment is essential.

The quality of your camera and editing software can make or break a project. Plus, if you’re working with multiple clients, the right gear can help you get the job done quickly and efficiently.

But investing in this type of equipment can be expensive! A working kit of camera, lenses, audio, and lights can still cost several thousand dollars.

B&H lists the new Canon EOS C200 (EF-mount) as no longer available, and lists a used body at $1,499.95.

A Panasonic GH5 body is discontinued. B&H lists used bodies at $599.95 and $699.95.

There’s also the cost of accessories. For example, you’ll need filters, microphones, audio recorders, lights, and more to produce high-quality content for your clients.

Luckily for you, there’s an easier way to get started — Renting!

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best video equipment rental options for filmmakers and content creators on a budget.

Best Video Equipment Rental Options

These six names are the options this guide covers. Two of them have since paused or folded into another company, and the notes below say which.

1. Adorama Rental Company

Adorama Rental Co. is a New York rental house for cinema, photo, audio, and grip gear. Its cinema rental page cites a catalogue of 14,000+ items. The prep facility is in Brooklyn at 370 19th Street, and pickup and drop-off are also available at the Manhattan store, 42 West 18th Street.

You can browse the catalog, add gear to a cart, and either check out online or request a quote. Choose Brooklyn or Manhattan pickup, or ship to an address. Shipped orders go UPS Ground, and the renter pays the shipping. Mailed returns include a prepaid UPS label. Drop the package at UPS so it is scanned by the end of the return day. A late scan is billed as an extra rental day.

2. ShareGrid

ShareGrid is a peer-to-peer rental marketplace for photo and video gear. Owners list equipment, and renters book it from them after ID verification.

Most rentals are local handoffs. You pick start and end dates. On local pickups, pickup and return days are free of shoot-day charges, a weekend counts as one shoot day, a full week is capped at three shoot days, and a full month (22–31 days) is capped at ten. National shipping is a limited beta for selected users. Those orders add shipping charges and include a prepaid return label.

Every rental needs coverage, such as a damage waiver or an insurance plan. That coverage is what stands in for the large security deposit a traditional house often places on a card.

3. KitSplit

KitSplit launched in 2015 as a peer-to-peer marketplace for cameras, lenses, lighting, and other production gear. The founders were Kristina Budelis, Lisbeth Kaufman, and Ken Amarit.

As of October 2026, kitsplit.com shows a holding page (“Stay tuned! We will be back shortly.”) instead of a bookable catalog. Treat it as paused until that catalog is actually open again.

4. BorrowLenses

BorrowLenses was an online camera and video rental service. In March 2024, Lensrentals acquired select assets of that business. BorrowLenses.com no longer takes new rentals and sends customers to Lensrentals. Local pickup at BorrowLenses ended after March 11, 2024. Gift cards, credits, and orders already in progress were moved over to Lensrentals. New bookings go through Lensrentals, in the next section.

5. LensRentals

After acquiring select BorrowLenses assets in March 2024, Lensrentals says renters can choose from more than 400,000 copies of 6,000 cameras, lenses, and photo and video tools. The company is based in Memphis.

At LensRentals, their motto is “try before you buy.” What that means is that they are able to provide access to high-quality lenses from nearly every manufacturer in the industry.

You can rent anything from wide-angle zooms like the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM all the way up through ultra telephoto superzooms like the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.

6. Peerspace

Peerspace is a marketplace for booking spaces by the hour: studios, lofts, and other locations. Camera, lighting, or grip gear comes with a booking only when that host includes it or lists it as an add-on fee. Peerspace’s own city guides say to confirm gear with the host. If the listing has no gear, book a rental house or a peer-to-peer listing separately.

How Much Does Camera Rental Cost?

When it comes to renting a camera, you have two options: you can rent a new camera or rent a used one. The price of renting a new DSLR will vary depending on the model and how long you are renting it for.

If you want the best price, then you should rent a used camera because they will cost less. They go through rigorous testing, which means that they are in good condition and are ready to be used by anyone.

When looking for a good deal on a camera rental, it is crucial to do your research because there are many companies offering this service and many of them charge different prices.

You can search online for the best prices or ask your friends or colleagues who have used this service before about their experience and if they would recommend it or not.

The advantage of searching online is that you will be able to compare different services and prices so that you get the best deal possible. By comparing prices from different companies, you can narrow down your search and find the best deal available.

You might find that some companies will offer discounts if you book the camera for longer than seven days or if it is being rented for business purposes. Although the price of renting a camera might seem high at first glance, when compared with buying one outright it is much more cost efficient.

Video Gear Rental Is A Good Way To Save Money

If you are a filmmaker, video producer, or just someone who likes to make videos then chances are you will have a need for some video gear at some point. But you probably don’t want to buy all the video gear you might need, so renting video equipment is a great option.

A lot of people think that renting video equipment is an expensive way to go but if you look around the web there are plenty of companies that offer cheap video gear rental.

Online Rental Services For Video Gear

There are a lot of benefits to using online rental services over a single local counter. Mail-order houses can ship gear, and marketplaces can list equipment one shop does not stock. Some of those bookings are still in-person handoffs.

Here are some other benefits of online video equipment rentals:

Cost

If you’re renting expensive equipment, the cost difference between local and online rental can be dramatic.

Price gaps between a mail-order house and a local rental house are real, and they change. A weekend RED Scarlet rental near $150, a $4,000 local week, and a RED Epic week over $5,000 are outdated sample figures. The Scarlet-W page that used to live on BorrowLenses is marked unavailable after that brand moved to Lensrentals. Pull the live day and week rate for the exact body before you compare shops. For a music video shoot, that current quote matters more than an old weekend rate.

Availability

Online rentals are more likely to have more up-to-date gear than your local shop.

It may not always be possible to get something like an Alexa or RED camera body (depending on what type of work you’re doing), but it’s worth checking out online before settling for something less.

What To Look For Camera Lens Rental Sites

When you need a new lens for your camera, you may not want to shell out the big bucks for a brand new one. Fortunately, there are plenty of sites that let you rent lenses – but they aren’t all created equal.

Trying to find the perfect lens can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That’s why we’ve put together this list of what to look for when renting or buying a lens from one of these sites.

Image Quality

Image quality is always the most important factor in any lens purchase; DSLRs are extremely sensitive instruments, and every little flaw in a lens’ optics will show up in your photos.

Whether renting or buying, make sure that the images you take with the lens look sharp and detailed from edge to edge, with no blurriness or softness in the corners.

Lens Type

Not all lenses are made equally, so it’s important to know what type each one is before making your decision.

Lens type refers to how much of your image is captured – ranging from wide angle lenses (which capture lots of space) to telephoto lenses (which capture a close-up view).

Local Or Online Rental For Video Gear

There are two options for renters: local rental or online rental. Choosing either option can be extremely convenient, depending on your needs.

Trying gear before buying it allows you to make sure you like the feel and features of the product, and it will likely save you money in the long run.

However, if you are renting from a local vendor, you may want to buy the product outright because there will likely be fees for returning the item late or for damages that may occur during use.

Online rental shops are convenient if you don’t want to travel far from home to rent equipment.

Also, if you find that the item is not what you expected or it doesn’t work well with other equipment you have, then online rental is a good option so that you’re not out of pocket as much as if you rented locally.

Because online shops rent their products all over the country, they offer more variety than a local shop would have. You can find what you need and have it delivered right to your door. Some houses charge shipping, and many peer-to-peer listings are pickup only.

Is Video Gear Rental Worth It?

Video gear rental is a growing industry that gives artists and filmmakers access to high quality equipment for a fraction of the cost of purchasing the gear.

The barriers to making content are being broken down by lowering the cost of entry and having access to more tools. Video production has never been so easy for artists and filmmakers.

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