The Best Smart Home Products for Renters

One of the benefits of owning a home is the freedom to install any smart device you desire. In a rental, your options are more limited. The last thing you want is to go through the trouble of upgrading your space, only to lose your security deposit for making changes that your lease doesn't permit.

As a general rule(Opens in a new window), you should never mess with plumbing, electrical wiring, or major appliances in a property you're renting. This means installing a fancy new smart toilet, laundry machine, oven, or refrigerator is likely out of the question. Moreover, many smart security systems, security cameras, video doorbells, and other internet-connected gadgets require wiring, and are thus unsuitable for rentals.

But renting doesn't mean you have to forgo all the conveniences of a connected home. We've gathered the best renter-friendly smart home devices that you can set up in minutes without any physical installation, and pack up and take with you when you move.

With a smart plug, you can transform anything that plugs into the wall—be it a lamp, space heater, humidifier, or even a Christmas tree—into a connected device that you control from your phone. Smart plugs go directly into a wall outlet or a power strip, and have their own outlet you then plug into with the device you want to automate. You're not gaining or losing any outlets by plugging one in—you're simply making an existing outlet smart by connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network.

The ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 is one of the pricier options in this category, but it's also one of the best for renters and homeowners alike. It lets you independently control two outlets, tells you how much power each one is drawing, and has a handy USB charging port. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 is a smart surge protector with six outlets you can independently control via your phone or voice. If you have fewer devices you want to make smart, the Wyze Plug is our favorite affordable option.

Looking to automate string lights on your patio or a decorative water feature? An outdoor-friendly smart plug can help. The weatherproof Wyze Plug Outdoor is one of the least expensive, and most versatile, options we've tested. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, tells you how much power you’re using, and features a built-in light sensor, so it can automatically turn on when the sun goes down.

The ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 is a feature-rich smart plug that works with Apple HomeKit and supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands.

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 is a feature-rich six-outlet smart surge protector that you can control with your voice or with a mobile device.

The super-affordable Wyze Plug is easy to use and lets you control whatever you plug into it with your phone and voice.

The Wyze Plug Outdoor is a weatherproof dual-outlet smart plug that offers phone and voice control, energy reporting, and lots of integration with third-party devices for just $12.

Whether you live in a rental or not, a smart speaker (or a smart display) is a must-have connected home gadget. Beyond playing music, our favorite models serve as a central command center, letting you control other compatible smart home devices by voice. The first step in the buying process is to decide which voice assistance platform is the right fit for your home: Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, or Google Assistant. All three support most major smart home device brands.

The fourth-generation Amazon Echo is the best smart speaker for most Alexa users, while the Nest Audio is our top pick for Google Assistant fans—both are well priced and just the right size to fill a room with sound. With Apple's HomePod mini, you can use Siri to control your smart home as long as your other connected devices are compatible with Apple's HomeKit protocol.

Smart displays offer the same hands-free voice assistant features as smart speakers, but with screens on which you can follow recipes, check your calendar, make video calls, and control your connected gadgets with a few taps. A smart display can also double as a digital showcase for your photos or curated art. The Alexa-powered Amazon Echo Show 10 and the Google-centric Nest Hub Max are our favorites for the living room, with the best balance of screen size and sound quality.

The fourth-generation Amazon Echo speaker takes the sound quality and smart home hub capabilities of the Echo Plus and puts it in a new round package.

The Nest Audio smart speaker offers Google Assistant functionality and clear, detailed sound in an attractive design for a reasonable price.

The Apple HomePod mini speaker offers Siri voice assistance and smart home control in an attractive little orb design for just $99, but the Amazon Echo delivers substantially more audio power for the same price.

The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 10 smart display delivers powerful audio and adds a motorized base that lets the screen and camera rotate as you move around.

The Google Nest Hub Max is a big, bright smart display with Google Assistant, and you can even use it as a home security camera.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade your rental is to swap out your standard incandescent lighting for LED smart bulbs, which use less energy, last longer, and support app and voice controls.

Wyze makes some of our favorite affordable smart lights, including the Bulb White and Bulb Color. These two models use a common E26 base, which means you can install them into standard light sockets, like a ceiling fixture or lamp. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios enable them to connect to your mobile device directly without a separate home automation hub.

If you have a yard, smart outdoor lights can help set a festive mood for outdoor parties and BBQs. The weatherproof Govee Lynx Dream String Lights feature multicolor LEDs that you can control with your phone or voice. They offer a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that's great for gatherings.

The budget-friendly Wyze Bulb White boasts several upgrades over its already excellent predecessor, including an easier setup process, longer life expectancy, and a wider dimming range.

The Wyze Bulb Color is a refreshingly affordable smart light bulb you can control with your phone and voice that supports device-triggered automations, schedules, sleep routines, and more.

Designed for outdoor use, the fun, highly customizable Govee Lynx Dream String Lights feature multicolor LEDs that you can control with your phone or voice.

Worried about porch pirates, bike thieves, or a crazy ex? A DIY home security kit lets you monitor your home and feel more secure.

While some security systems require professional installation and multi-year monitoring contracts (with hefty early termination fees), DIY options are more renter-friendly. For instance, they typically involve wireless components you can install with double-sided tape. Plus, with most DIY systems, such as SimpliSafe, you can purchase the hardware outright and monitor it yourself. If you add professional monitoring, fees vary: SimpliSafe's no-contract monitoring service starts at $17.99 per month, for instance.

An outdoor home security camera can also offer protection and peace of mind, serving as a watchful set of eyes on your place at all times. As you might imagine, wireless cameras are better for renters than their wired counterparts. Battery-powered Wi-Fi cameras, such as the indoor/outdoor Ring Stick Up Cam Battery, are the easiest to install because you can put them just about anywhere (as long as they can connect to Wi-Fi) without having to worry about staying close to an outlet or snaking a power cord into your home.

Wi-Fi-connected indoor security cameras let you keep an eye on what's happening inside the house, and make sure all of your belongings are safe when you're not there. Most of our favorite models don't require hardwiring, like the Eufy 2K Pan and Tilt P24, which is affordable and easy to install in minutes.

Another easy way to safeguard your rental against property theft and home invasion is to install a video doorbell. These devices let you not only see and speak with the person outside, but also record footage of visitors that approach your door while you're away or unable to answer.

There are two types of video doorbells: wired and wireless. If you rent your residence, opt for a model that runs on batteries as opposed to one that gets power from low-voltage wiring. Wireless video doorbells are easy to install (and remove), but the downside is that their batteries tend to deplete quickly; they last anywhere from two to six months. If you live in an area with cold weather, expect to recharge or replace your batteries more often. You also run the risk of your doorbell shutting down at an inopportune time with battery-powered models. The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free is our favorite wireless model.

A smart lock lets you easily unlock and lock your door with your phone, and monitor who enters and leaves the place when you're away. The most advanced options also work with voice commands.

Before installing one in a rental, it's wise to check your lease to see if doing so is allowed. The laws on whether tenants can change the locks in a rental vary state by state(Opens in a new window). In Florida(Opens in a new window), where I live, you must obtain your landlord's consent, unless your lease specifically states that you're allowed to change the lock. If you do so without permission (which we absolutely do not condone), be sure to hold onto all the original parts, because you might need to reinstall them at the end of your lease.

The good news is that most smart locks work with standard predrilled holes, so you often don't need to worry about creating new ones. Additionally, some smart locks simply attach to the inside of your door and use your existing keyed cylinder and deadbolt hardware; with these models, you have to remove the interior escutcheon only.

Our favorite renter-friendly model is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It requires minimal assembly and is operable with your existing keys, so you won't need to provide your landlord with a new one.

If you want to secure and monitor your home from afar without spending a bundle or signing a long-term contract, there's a lot to like about the versatile and easy-to-use DIY SimpliSafe Home Security System.

The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is a versatile battery-powered wireless indoor/outdoor security camera that records motion-triggered video and stores it in the cloud.

The Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24 is an affordable indoor home security camera that delivers vivid high-resolution video and is packed with features typically found on pricier models.

The battery-powered Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free is easy to install and offers sharp HDR video, voice control, and interoperability with third-party smart devices.

The sleek August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is easy to install and packs a ton of features into its compact frame.

In many cases, installing a smart thermostat in a rental isn't worth the hassle. As an alternative, a smart air conditioner can offer similar convenience and potential energy bill savings in the warmer months.

A smart air conditioner is an excellent option for rentals that lack central cooling. These models may be more expensive than traditional units, but they feature Wi-Fi connectivity so you can turn them on or off, as well as adjust the target temperature from your phone (or with your voice in some cases). Most also support scheduling, which means you can easily program them to automatically turn off when you leave for work and not waste money on cooling an empty house.

The Midea 8,000BTU U-shaped Air Conditioner is one of the quietest window units we’ve tested. It's easy to install and did a good job of cooling in our tests. You can control it with a remote, mobile app, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.

If you're concerned about secondhand smoke, mold, or other airborne pollutants, consider a smart air purifier. These devices also typically keep a record of your air quality in a companion app. Our favorite model, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, is both a capable HEPA air purifier as well as an oscillating fan with a small footprint; it even features Wi-Fi connectivity for phone and voice control.

The affordable Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor doesn't purify the air, but it alerts you to pollutants and other gaseous impurities inside your home and graphs its findings.

The Midea 8,000BTU U-shaped Air Conditioner is an ultra-quiet window air conditioner with built-in Wi-Fi and support for Alexa and Google voice commands.

The Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 is both a capable HEPA air purifier as well as an oscillating fan with a small footprint and Wi-Fi connectivity for phone and voice control.

Amazon's Smart Air Quality Monitor is fairly limited in terms of functionality, but it easily alerts you to pollutants and other gaseous impurities inside your home.

From full-size ovens you can preheat using your phone, to voice-controlled refrigerators that open on command, there's a smart version of just about every kitchen appliance. These connected devices are a luxurious option for homeowners looking to upgrade, but impractical for rentals (unless your lease excludes major appliances).

The good news for renters seeking greater culinary convenience is that there are plenty of smaller smart kitchen appliances to choose from, and all you need is some counter space.

The Anova Precision Oven, for instance, combines conventional convection technology with steam cooking and a precise low-temperature mode that effectively allows you to cook sous vide without a water bath or sealing your food in a bag. In addition, it lets you bake, roast, slow cook, and steam food to chef-level results, making it one of the smartest appliances we've tested,

Smart coffee makers allow for app and voice control, so the only thing standing between you and a java jolt is a couple of taps on your phone or the phrase, "Alexa, turn on my coffee maker." The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker, for example, lets you use voice commands to turn it on and off as well as set the brew strength. And because it supports Alexa routines, you can program it to automatically brew your coffee at a specific time each day. Want more than coffee? Check out the Beermkr.

If your rental lacks a backyard, you can grow herbs and vegetables indoors with an AeroGarden Bounty Elite smart hydroponic system. No need for a green thumb: It supports Wi-Fi and sends alerts to your phone when it needs water or plant food.

The Anova Precision Oven lets you bake, roast, slow cook, sous vide, and steam food to perfection, making it one the smartest countertop ovens you can buy.

The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker works with Amazon Alexa so you can control it with your voice or from your phone, but it costs a lot more than a standard programmable model.

The Beermkr is a smart countertop appliance that makes it easy to brew and serve tasty craft beer using premeasured kits and an intuitive mobile app.

The AeroGarden Bounty Elite is a smart indoor hydroponic system that includes everything you need to easily grow up to nine plants at a time, no matter your gardening experience level.

When it's time to clean up, a good robot vacuum can help you dispose of dust, pet hair, and other debris in your home without requiring you to lift a finger.

Unlike more traditional canister or stick models, robot vacuums are autonomous and intelligent. They're typically equipped with lasers and sensors to navigate around your home without assistance, and include Wi-Fi connectivity for app and voice control. Most also support scheduling, so you can program them to automatically start cleaning at a specified time, like when you're out of the house. With a few exceptions, you barely have to interact with them at all.

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is our top choice if you have a cluttered home or accident-prone pets; it uses a built-in camera and machine learning technology to detect and automatically avoid common obstacles like dog poop and phone cords.

To scrub away streaks without exerting any elbow grease, you need a good robot mop. All you have to do is fill up the tank with water and/or a cleaning solution (if the robot supports it), press start, and let it run. The Samsung Jetbot Mop is a compelling multi-functional model; it uses two spinning pads to scrub your floors until they shine, and features a handle so you can use it to clean walls.

The most high-tech floor-cleaning bots, such as the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni, go beyond simple vacuuming and mopping. With a self-emptying dustbin, a mop that cleans and dries itself, and a built-in voice assistant, the Deebot X1 Omni is the best two-in-one robot vacuum and mop you can buy.

With a self-emptying dustbin, a mop that cleans and dries itself, and a built-in voice assistant, the pricey Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni is the best two-in-one robot vacuum and mop you can buy.

While pricey, iRobot's Roomba j7+ robot vacuum has smarts to spare, with a guarantee to avoid pet waste and a self-emptying base that means you rarely have to lift a finger.

The Samsung Jetbot Mop quickly zips around your home using two spinning pads to scrub your floors until they shine, and features a handle so you can use it to clean walls.

Whether you're lucky enough to have a dedicated workout room or just an empty corner with enough space for a yoga mat, the connected fitness market is full of rental-friendly options.

If you have enough space, most smart home gym machines, including stationary bikes, treadmills, rowers, and strength training equipment have a screen on which you can stream workouts, while more affordable options let you view classes on your phone or TV.

Smart fitness devices allow for a whole other level of interactivity than their more affordable, non-connected counterparts. Most offer large libraries of guided classes with knowledgeable instructors and/or customized workouts and programs based on your goals and current fitness level. It's like having a personal trainer in the comfort, safety, and privacy of your own home.

The Mirror offers thousands of fitness classes and doubles as an actual mirror, so it blends in with your home decor when not in use and lets you exercise in the comfort of your home without sacrificing a lot of space.

The Peloton Guide is another space-saving option that gamifies strength training to help you get in shape. It's a camera that connects to your TV and lets you see yourself on the screen as you work out, with motivating movement tracking and personalized class recommendations that make strength training fun. As long as you have enough space in front of your TV for a yoga mat, you can get in a good workout.

The Mirror is an interactive fitness device that's like having your own private gym. With thousands of classes to choose from, you can exercise in the comfort of your home without sacrificing a lot of space.

The Peloton Guide is a camera that connects to your TV and lets you see yourself on the screen as you work out, with motivating movement tracking and personalized class recommendations that make strength training fun.

Finally, keep in mind that smart home devices are useless without a strong internet connection.

Interference is a big issue, especially if you live in a densely populated area, as signals from other wireless networks can impact speeds. If you often encounter lag and there are a lot of Wi-Fi networks in your building, congestion may be the problem. In this case, simply changing the channel on your wireless router or using the 5GHz band may help solve the problem. If that doesn't help, there are a few other tricks you can try to troubleshoot your network issues and boost your signal.

If you're looking to beef up your Wi-Fi network, a range extender is a solid, more affordable alternative to buying a new wireless router. A mesh network system can also help maintain smooth Wi-Fi performance and defeat dead zones (you can learn about the differences between a Wi-Fi extender and a mesh system here).

As an additional bonus, some mesh Wi-Fi systems double as home automation hubs, unifying your connected gadgets and letting you control them from one app instead of many. For example, the Eero Pro 6E contains a Zigbee radio that allows you to connect to and control numerous smart home devices such as cameras, lights, and more.

To get even more from your home Wi-Fi network, check out our guides to setting up your router and protecting your Wi-Fi network.

The Eero Pro 6E is a speedy Wi-Fi 6E mesh system loaded with features, including multi-gig WAN and the ability to control home automation devices.