You can accomplish big things with a small home or even a home you don't own. Apartment (and residential) renters can take advantage of smart home technology to make their homes more comfortable and convenient. All without having to do any renovations, rewiring, or anything else that would reduce your security deposit. Here are some easy-to-use, affordable options for renters and anyone who doesn't want to break a sweat to make their home smart.
smart light bulb
Photo: Michael Hession
Smart lighting allows you to bypass flipping a switch and instead control your lights remotely, set them on a schedule, or trigger them through cameras, sensors, and other smart devices. This eliminates the need to go in and out of dark rooms. Homeowners can install smart switches and dimmers, but this is a permanent approach that requires wiring. Renters are better off just screwing in smart light bulbs. These light bulbs can do everything a smart switch can do (like change colors in some cases) and can be done with just your fingers, without the need for a screwdriver, breaker, or skill.
For apartments, we like the WiZ 60W A19 Color LED, which turns multiple lamps and fixtures into smart lights and adds a little extra color. The Wiz features 800 lumens, which is equivalent to a 60-watt bulb, so it's plenty bright for everyday tasks. However, it can also project bright colors and has a wide color temperature range, as well as several options for preset lighting themes and circadian rhythm modes. If you are a HomeKit user, we recommend the Meross MSL120 Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb. Both bulbs are inexpensive. It also connects to Wi-Fi, so you can easily add as many as you like or remove them if you want to move them.
smart plug
Photo: Sara Kobos
With a smartphone and an empty electrical outlet, you can use smart plugs to control, schedule, and automate almost any electronic device. These devices are small, usually rectangular in shape, and about the same size as an inkjet printer cartridge. They come in all shapes and sizes, but all smart plugs let you schedule table lamps to turn on and off when you come and go, or let you cool your apartment (or your pet) with a fan while you work. If you forget your electric kettle, radio, TV, etc., please turn them off.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is perfect for apartments because its small size means you can squeeze it into tight spaces on top of your kitchen counter or behind furniture. Once plugged in, you can program it to turn on and off based on your work schedule, sleep schedule, sunrise/sunset times, and more. And when you're lounging on the couch, you can stuff things in the back and control it with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Home. If you have a limited number of outlets, you can also get the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300), which allows you to control each outlet individually.
home security system
Photo: Michael Hession
Apartment hallways can be crowded, and you don't always know who will be coming and going. With a wireless DIY home security system, you can ease your worries without having to run wires all over the place or call a service technician. (It's a good idea to let your landlord know you're installing a system that could set off lights and sirens or cause a visit from the police or fire department. Also, many cities require permits, so check that as well.) ) A starter package that provides most of what you need in one box, including door/window sensors, motion sensors, and keypads. Also, if you're moving, keep in mind that most DIY systems are easy to disassemble and transport.
SimpliSafe is user-friendly, you aren't locked into a service contract (some contracts can lock you in for years, even if you move), and you can work with or without professional supervision. Recommended. It's flexible enough to suit both small and large homes, allowing you to expand or move into a larger space as needed. SimpleSafe supports Alexa and Google Home, but not HomeKit. For HomeKit users, we recommend the Abode Smart Security Kit.
best home security system
Having a good home security system will help you feel more secure. It can alert you that a door or window is open and intimidate wanderers into calling for help.
smart smoke detector
Photo: Michael Hession
Security systems often come with smoke detectors, but even if you don't need the entire system, it's a good idea to invest in a smart smoke detector. In fact, we believe everyone should have a smoke detector. Unlike regular detectors, smart smoke detectors will alert you on your smartphone when you are not home. It not only sends out smoke alarms, but it also tests itself and tells you if it's working properly, and you can use the app to stop false alarms without having to poke the unit with a broom.
Most landlords probably don't want to wire smart home devices into their rental properties, so we recommend the battery-powered version of the Nest Protect. It's reliable, so if you forget to flip the bacon, for example, voice prompts and smartphone notifications alert you to the danger long before the 85 dB alarm starts going off, so you can mute the alarm first. can. It also has an integrated night light and self-check mode, which can alert you to low battery levels instead of emitting those annoying late-night chirps.
smart camera
Photo: Sara Kobos
Indoor security cameras can alert you to unexpected visitors, pet antics, homeowners' sudden intrusion, and more. If you want to avoid potential legal issues, be sure to let your roommate know where and where you want to install the camera (and respect their decision if they don't want it installed).
The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is perfect for apartment dwellers because it's small, easy to use, and affordable compared to other options. Especially considering the excellent video quality. There are several options for handling video recordings. You can capture video at 2K resolution to an internal microSD card (sold separately) or 1080p resolution to a network (NAS) drive, or choose from two different paid cloud service options (you can also 1080p). By default, video clips are recorded when motion is detected for up to 5 minutes. If motion is still detected at that point, start a new clip without taking a break or resetting to ensure you don't miss anything. You can also log everything 24/7 if you want a comprehensive view.
If your homeowner doesn't mind drilling holes in your door frame or hallway walls, a smart doorbell camera can send a notification to your smartphone every time someone (or something) approaches your door. This may be undesirable in an apartment hallway with high foot traffic. But doorbell cameras are great because you can see who's on the other side of the door, so you know when it's a friend, a delivery person, or someone who can help you deliver your package. (If your door opens onto another door, yard, or garden, you should let your neighbors know before you buy, as there may be legal concerns.)
We like the Eufy Security Video Doorbell 2K (battery powered) because it doesn't require any wiring, captures great images, and the battery lasts about 4 months. You can store up to six months of footage on the included base station, and you can also automatically load video to Eufy's cloud service, which provides 30 days of video history for $3 per month per camera. However, note that the cloud option limits recording to 60-second clips and includes breaks between clips.
smart speaker
Photo: Michael Murtaugh
If you want to pack a lot of smart features into a small space, consider a smart speaker. These devices are primarily voice-controlled and can play music, podcasts, news, and trivia games, as well as suggest recipes, act as timers and alarms, order pizza, and tell you what's on TV. You can also The most popular models work with common smart devices, allowing you to trigger most of the devices discussed here, such as hard-to-reach smart plugs and smart lights, or turn on your thermostat while you're already lying in bed. You can adjust it.
The 5th generation Amazon Echo Dot is perfect for apartment living because it's small, inexpensive, and compatible with all the devices in this article.