Return Policy Guide

Lowe's Return
Policy 2026

Lowe's standard return window is 90 days for most items, same as Home Depot. The key difference: outdoor power equipment (mowers, generators, blowers) is just 30 days at Lowe's vs 90 at Home Depot. Plants get the same 1-year guarantee. MyLowes Rewards members skip the receipt entirely. Below: the head-to-head with Home Depot.

TN
Written by Travis Nickerson, founder of RefundHaul
Verified May 4, 2026
Most items
90DAYS
Hardware, tools, paint, garden supplies, lumber. Same as Home Depot.
Outdoor power equipment
30DAYS
Mowers, generators, blowers, gas-powered tools. Tighter than other categories.
Major appliances
48HOURS
Defects at delivery. Past 48 hours, you're on manufacturer warranty.
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Lowe's vs Home Depot: how the policies actually differ

If you're choosing between Lowe's and Home Depot for a project, or comparing return-friendliness, the headline windows are nearly identical: 90 days standard, 1-year plant guarantee, 30-day specialty windows. The differences are in the specifics.

CategoryWindowNotes
Standard return window90 days at bothIdentical headline policy
Plant guarantee1 year at bothBoth honor annual plants for 1 year
Major appliance defects48 hours at bothIdentical delivery rule
Outdoor power equipmentLowe's: 30 days vs Home Depot: 90 daysLowe's tighter, biggest meaningful difference
Special-order returnsBoth: 30 days, varying restocking feesRead order paperwork at purchase
Free loyalty programMyLowes Rewards (Lowe's) vs Pro Xtra (Home Depot)Both auto-log purchases for receipt-free returns
Average store experienceSubjective, varies by locationTry both for major projects

The MyLowes Rewards advantage

MyLowes Rewards is Lowe's free loyalty program, comparable to Home Depot's Pro Xtra. The biggest return-related benefit: every purchase is automatically logged to your account. Lost the receipt for a faucet you bought 2 months ago? Your MyLowes app has it.

Other perks for returns and projects:

For DIY-ers and weekend renovators, signing up takes 30 seconds and saves hours of receipt-hunting over time.

Outdoor power equipment: the 30-day window most people miss

Lowe's applies a special 30-day return window to outdoor power equipment, a tighter restriction than the standard 90 days. The list includes:

Why the shorter window? These items depreciate quickly with use, and Lowe's has had to limit "rental" behavior, buying a snow blower for one storm, returning it after.

Watch out The 30-day clock starts at purchase. If you buy a lawn mower in March and try to return it in May (60 days later) because you decided you don't need it, the return will likely be denied. Plan around this.

Major appliances at Lowe's

Like Home Depot, Lowe's applies a tight 48-hour rule for delivered major appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, water heaters):

Within 48 hours of delivery: Report any damage, defects, or issues. Lowe's will replace or refund. Document with photos.

After 48 hours: The manufacturer's warranty is your only path. Lowe's will help facilitate warranty claims but won't process direct returns.

Sealed unopened appliances: 30 days, with restocking fees that vary by category and may run up to 15%.

For installation through Lowe's: if the appliance is installed by Lowe's-arranged installers and a defect is later discovered, the installation paperwork covers different return considerations than a customer-installed appliance.

Lowe's plant guarantee

Lowe's offers a 1-year guarantee on perennial plants, trees, and shrubs, matching Home Depot's policy. Bring the receipt or look up your purchase via MyLowes Rewards account. Photo evidence of the dead plant works if you've disposed of it.

Annual flowers and tropicals follow the standard 90-day window.

One Lowe's-specific perk: their Garden-Smart guarantee on certain branded plants extends beyond the typical 1-year window. Check the plant tag for guarantee specifics.

The five-step return process at Lowe's

STEP 01
Find your purchase
Receipt, MyLowes account lookup, or credit card lookup. All work.
STEP 02
Check the category
Most items 90 days. Outdoor power equipment 30. Major appliances 48 hours.
STEP 03
Bring item + ID
Government-issued ID required even with receipt. Original packaging preferred.
STEP 04
Visit any Lowe's
Doesn't have to be the original purchase store. Customer service desk processes.
STEP 05
Get refund
Cards: 7-10 business days. Cash: immediate. MyLowes credit: instant.

Common questions

Lowe's standard return window is 90 days for most items including lumber, tools, paint, hardware, and garden supplies. Plants have a 1-year guarantee. Outdoor power equipment (mowers, generators, blowers) is limited to 30 days. Major appliances must have defects reported within 48 hours of delivery.
Headline policies are nearly identical: 90 days standard, 1-year plants, 30-day specialty windows. The biggest difference: Lowe's applies 30 days to outdoor power equipment (mowers, generators), while Home Depot allows 90 days for the same items. Both offer free loyalty programs that enable receipt-free returns.
Lowe's offers a 1-year guarantee on perennial plants, trees, and shrubs. If they don't survive the year, return them with your receipt or MyLowes lookup for a full refund. Photo evidence works if you've disposed of the dead plant. Annuals follow the standard 90-day window.
Outdoor power equipment depreciates quickly with use, and Lowe's tightened the window to discourage 'rental' behavior, buying a snow blower for one storm and returning it after. Lawn mowers, generators, leaf blowers, pressure washers, snow blowers, and chain saws all fall under the 30-day rule.
MyLowes Rewards is free and automatically logs every purchase to your account. You don't need paper receipts, your purchase history is searchable in the MyLowes app. You can also start returns from your phone before walking into the store, speeding up the customer service desk process.
Major appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, water heaters) have a 48-hour window from delivery to report damage or defects. After 48 hours, you're on the manufacturer warranty. Sealed unopened appliances can be returned within 30 days, with restocking fees up to 15% depending on the category.
Yes. Lowe's can look up purchases through your MyLowes Rewards account, the credit card you used, or your phone number. Without any lookup, you'll receive store credit at the item's lowest selling price in the past 30 days. Government-issued photo ID required.
Lowes.com orders can be returned at any Lowe's store regardless of how they were delivered. Bring the item and your order confirmation (printed or in the MyLowes app). Items too large for in-store return require scheduled pickup arranged through Lowe's customer service at 1-800-445-6937.
Most items have no restocking fee. Special-order products may carry restocking fees varying by category. Major appliances returned in sealed/unopened state typically incur fees up to 15%. Custom-cut, custom-mixed, or custom-ordered items are typically non-returnable rather than fee-charged.
Common denial reasons: item past return window, custom items, hazardous materials where state law prohibits, items damaged from misuse. Ask for a manager for edge cases. For online orders, Lowe's customer service at 1-800-445-6937 can sometimes override store decisions for legitimate disputes.
Generally no. Lumber cut to your specifications by Lowe's staff is non-returnable. Stock-length lumber that hasn't been cut is returnable within 90 days. Same applies to custom-cut blinds and other made-to-measure materials.
Yes. Lowe's matches competitor prices on identical items at time of purchase. If you find a lower price within 30 days of purchase, Lowe's will refund the difference. Bring documentation of the competitor's price (web URL, ad, etc.) to customer service.
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Compare with other store policies

Each store sets its own return windows. Browse the most-checked policies to compare against Lowe's:

Walmart
90 days · electronics 30
Target
90 days · 365 owned brands
Amazon
30 days standard
Best Buy
15 days · 60 w/ Plus
Costco
No time limit · electronics 90
Home Depot
90 days · most items
Macy's
30 days standard
Kohl's
180 days · hassle-free
TJ Maxx
30 days in-store
Sephora
30 days · gently-used OK
Nordstrom
No fixed time limit
Apple
14 days · tightest in retail
Dick's
90 days · 24-hr bikes
REI
365 days members · 90 non