The Smart Home Gadgets You Really Need (+ Those You Don’t)

By Simon Clark, Contributing Author at Enlightened Digital

In 2019, smart home devices and systems are at their most impressive yet. Smart devices today can grill chicken at your next family barbecue, equip your alarm system while you’re out of town and even toss a treat to your furry friend while you’re at the office.

But for renters, equipping your home with the latest smart home gadgets is certainly easier said than done. If you don’t own your own place, it can often be tricky enough to find a landlord that allows you to hang frames on the wall, let alone rip out the wiring to fit new switches for smart lighting.

Although it remains true that some smart devices simply won’t work for many rented properties, a connected home isn’t a luxury only homeowners can enjoy. There are plenty of products out there that are perfect for renters looking to upgrade their living space into a smart home, whether you’re looking to improve your home security, cut down your utility bill, or simply add more tech into your humble abode.

That said, there are also a number of smart devices that just aren’t worth the hype, and for renters, they aren’t worth the investment. 

Here are some of the most essential smart home gadgets for today’s renters and a few that you can easily go without:

The Essentials: 

Smart Speaker

Although smart speakers, like the Amazon Echo, may seem like an obvious choice, they’re one of the best places to start when it comes to smart home technologies. If you’re already one of the 118 million Americans who own a smart speaker, you’re likely already familiar with many of its functions, from playing music to reporting the weather. Because the Echo plugs right into an outlet, it doesn’t require any installation, which is perfect for renters who may not be staying in the same place long term.

In addition to their own unique functions, the Echo can connect to other smart home products, which can be controlled via Alexa voice commands. As you introduce more of these smart technologies into your home, your smart speaker can act as a centralized hub. It’s the easiest and most autonomous way of interacting with your many gadgets.

Smart Locks

Changing the locks of a rented property is a surefire way to annoy your landlord, but that doesn’t mean an existing lock can’t be made smart. So long as your door already has a compatible deadbolt, smart locks like the August Smart Lock Pro can be fitted in a matter of minutes. Once installed, this smart lock device connects to your WiFi network and can be accessed regardless of your location, thanks to the corresponding app. The August locks automatically when you close the door, then unlocks when you (and your smartphone) return. It also includes other handy features. For example, it can tell you if the door is partly open when you’re away from home.

Smart Plug

As a renter, you know that utilities can start to cost a lot more than you expected if you’re not careful about your power usage. Smart plugs are a great way to regulate the energy you use on a daily basis, leaving you with a lower utility bill at the end of the month. With the Wemo Mini Smart Plug, all you have to do is connect  the device into your existing outlet and plug your appliance into the smart plug. Then, you’ll be able to control the appliance from anywhere using the Wemo app. Forgot to turn off your bedroom lamps? Do it remotely from the app. Not sure if you left the flat iron on? Save yourself a drive home and turn it off via the Wemo app.

In-Home Camera

Homes without a security system are 300 times more likely to get broken into, and renters are more vulnerable to property crime than homeowners. In order to keep your home security in check, installing a wireless camera is often wise. Renters aren’t able to install cameras into the wall without stealthily seeking permission from their landlords, but wireless cameras from companies like Nest look sleek enough to sit out on any shelf in the home.

If you live with roommates, keep in mind that many of these in-home smart cameras have facial recognition and will alert you if it spots any unfamiliar faces, which may often be a housemate’s friend, partner, or family member. Be sure to communicate with any other residents who may be impacted should you equip your home with a camera.

The Non-essentials:

Smart Doorbell

Smart doorbells, like Ring or solutions from home security organizations, are getting a ton of hype when it comes to smart home technologies. However, many of today’s most popular models aren’t a viable option for renters. In many cases, smart doorbells need to be hard-wired to the property, an adjustment that typically can’t be done without the permission of the landlord. Smart doorbells also have video features, which require some additional consideration. For example, if you live in an apartment complex, the camera will be looking onto the property of the building owner, who may object to it being there. In addition, if your building has narrow hallways, the video may not capture valuable footage and wouldn’t be worth the investment.

Water / Flood Sensor

At first glance, a smart water leak or flood sensor may seem like a useful option. After all, water damage is a resident’s worst nightmare, aside from a house fire or a natural disaster, of course. However, these devices might not be worth the investment for renters. Many renter’s insurance policies already include flood coverage, so those already paying for this potential problem may not need to spend additional funds on a pricey gadget. If you’re extra worried about potential water damage or flooding, this tool could be helpful, but if you’re managing a tight budget or simply trying to determine which devices are actually necessary, this is one you can skip.

Smart Coffee Makers (and a slew of others)

Although the novelty of starting the coffee pot on your smartphone from the comfort of your bed may seem tempting, consider smart coffee makers to be just one of many smart products that don’t add much of a purpose to your daily routine. From smart toilets, to smart egg cartons and even smart forks, there’s seemingly a “smart” product for any part of your home. Although these gadgets certainly solve their own unique set of problems, the “non-smart” versions of these products also work just fine.

With technology being added to almost every aspect of life today, it’s important to assess which products are truly essential and which are just hype. Use this list to your benefit when determining the gadgets you’ll be including in your connected home.

Author Bio: Located in Seattle, Simon is a business and tech writer as well as a regular contributor to Enlightened Digital. He is a coffee aficionado, and when not in the office, you can find him hiking.