Compare · Checked October 13, 2026
The Home Depot vs Lowe's return policy
Return windows, free shipping, price match, mail return fees and holiday rules at The Home Depot and Lowe's, side by side, from each store’s own policy.
The short answer
- Both give 90 days for most items, so the exceptions below decide it.
- Lowe's publishes a price match or adjustment policy; we have not found one for The Home Depot.
Shop at The Home Depot Shop at Lowe's
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The Home Depot vs Lowe's side by side
| The Home Depot | Lowe's | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 90 days | 90 days |
| Free shipping | Free 2-day on eligible items | Free at $25 |
| Price match | Not stated | Matches competitors |
| Mail return fee | No fee listed | No fee listed |
| Holiday returns | None listed yet | None listed yet |
| No receipt | Not spelled out on its policy page | Lowe's does not accept returns or exchanges without proof of purchase. A receipt, order number, the card or digital wallet you paid with, your phone number or your MyLowe's Rewards account all count. |
| Good to know | Store returns are credited right away; mailed returns once the warehouse processes them. | Major appliances, generators, chainsaws and pressure washers: only 48 hours to return. |
| Shop | Shop at The Home Depot | Shop at Lowe's |
The Home Depot exceptions
- Some product categories have their own, different return limits (The Home Depot keeps a separate policy exception list, so check the product page before you buy)
- Gifts: refunded as a Home Depot gift card
- Original and return shipping: refunded only if homedepot.com made an error
Full details, sources and the date we checked: The Home Depot return policy.
Lowe's exceptions
- 48 hours: major appliances, air conditioners, evaporative coolers, paint sprayers, portable generators, pressure washers, chainsaws, pole saws, utility vehicles, golf carts, go-karts, motorized bikes, construction heat and tile saws
- 30 days: liquid paint, TVs and electronics, water heaters, most outdoor power equipment, special-order custom window treatments, HVAC systems, and plants other than trees, shrubs and perennials
- 90 days: CRAFTSMAN battery and electric outdoor power equipment
- 365 days: trees, shrubs and perennials, and purchases made with a MyLowe's Rewards Credit Card, Lowe's Commercial Account, Lowe's Business Advantage or Lowe's Business Rewards
Full details, sources and the date we checked: Lowe's return policy.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better return policy, The Home Depot or Lowe's?
Both give 90 days for most items, so the exceptions below decide it. Lowe's publishes a price match or adjustment policy; we have not found one for The Home Depot. The right choice depends on what you are buying; check the exceptions for your item.
Can I return a The Home Depot item to Lowe's?
No. Each store only takes back what it sold. Return the item to the store you bought it from.
Both stores’ rules come from their own policy pages, checked October 13, 2026. Sources are on each store page.