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Our purpose was to analyze and compare the image quality and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of different fast T1‐ and T2‐weighted sequences with conventional spin‐echo sequences in renal MRI. Twenty‐three patients with focal renal lesions were examined with a T2‐weighted ultrafast turbo spin‐echo (UTSE) sequence with and without frequency selective fat suppression (SPIR), a combined gradient‐and‐spin‐echo sequence (GraSE), and a conventional spin‐echo sequence (SE). In addition, T1‐weighted images were obtained pre‐and postcontrast, using a fast spin‐echo sequence (TSE) with and without SPIR and the conventional SE sequence. Among the T2‐weighted images, the highest CNR and the best image quality were obtained with the UTSE sequence, followed by the fat‐suppressed UTSE sequence. GraSE and conventional SE sequences showed a significantly lower CNR and image quality (p < 0.05). The T1‐weighted sequences did not show significant differences, in either precontrast or postcontrast measurements. T2‐weighted UTSE with and without fat suppression combined excellent image quality and high CNR for imaging and detection of renal lesions. The T1‐weighted fast sequences provided no alternative to the gradient‐echo or to the conventional SE sequences. The results of this systematic study suggest the use of T2‐weighted fast techniques for improved diagnostic accuracy of renal MRI.