Owning a home means having the freedom to install any smart device you desire. When renting, your options are more limited.
The last thing you want is to go through the trouble of upgrading someone else's home, only to lose your security deposit for making changes not permitted in your lease. As a general rule, you should never mess with plumbing, electrical wiring, or major appliances in a property you're renting.
Installing a fancy new smart toilet, laundry machine, oven, or refrigerator in a property you're renting is likely out of the question. Moreover, many smart home security systems, outdoor surveillance cameras, video doorbells, and other internet-connected gadgets require electrical wiring, making them unsuitable for renters.
But renting doesn't mean having to forgo all the conveniences of a connected home. There's plenty of plug-in and battery-powered models you can easily set up on your own in minutes, then take with you to your next spot when your lease is up. Read on for the most renter-friendly smart home devices.
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Mini, Matter Compatible, Compatible with Alexa, Google Home & Samsung SmartThings, Energy Monitoring, 15A, UL Certified, 2.4G Wi-Fi Only, Tapo P110M(2-Pack)
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Mini, Matter Compatible, Compatible with Alexa, Google Home & Samsung SmartThings, Energy Monito
The TP-Link Tapo P110M combines Matter compatibility, detailed energy monitoring, and wide third-party integration into a reliable, feature-rich smart plug.
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Mini, Matter Compatible, Compatible with Alexa, Google Home & Samsung SmartThings, Energy Monito review
Though on the expensive side, the Leviton Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer is an easy-to-install smart plug that lets you control lamps and other small lighting appliances with any of the major home automation platforms.
Leviton Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer D23LP-2RW review
The Amazon Echo Dot Max is a feature-packed $100 smart speaker that replaces the standard Echo with balanced, room-filling sound, robust smart home connectivity, and Alexa+ support.
Amazon Echo Dot Max review
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.
Apple HomePod mini review
Tapo TP-Link Smart Light Bulbs, 1100 Lumens High Brightness(75W Equivalent), Matter-Certified, 16M Colors RGBW LED Bulb, Dimmable, CRI>90, Voice Control w/Siri, Alexa & Google Home, A19 E26 L535E
Tapo TP-Link Smart Light Bulbs, 1100 Lumens High Brightness(75W Equivalent), Matter-Certified, 16M Colors RGBW LED Bulb,
The TP-Link Tapo L535E is an ultra-bright, Matter-ready smart bulb that delivers rich colors, tunable whites, and seamless integration with Alexa, HomeKit, Google, and SmartThings.
Tapo TP-Link Smart Light Bulbs, 1100 Lumens High Brightness(75W Equivalent), Matter-Certified, 16M Colors RGBW LED Bulb, review
If you want to secure and monitor your home without spending a bundle or signing a long-term contract, there's a lot to like about the versatile and easy-to-use SimpliSafe Home Security System.
SimpliSafe Home Security System review
The Ring Alarm Pro is a DIY smart home security system and a Wi-Fi mesh router in one, and handles both tasks with aplomb.
Ring Alarm Pro review
The Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor is an affordable 2K camera that delivers a sweeping view of any room and uses AI for precise insights into what's happening inside your home.
Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor (2025) review
The Wi-Fi-enabled GE ClearView PHNT10 air conditioner is impressively quiet and does a superb job of cooling without blocking the view from your window.
GE Profile Clearview PHNT10 Smart Air Conditioner review
The GE Smart Heat/Cool AWGP12 window air conditioner works with voice and app commands, effectively cools and heats rooms of up to 550 square feet, and tells you how much power it's using.
GE 11,000 BTU Smart Heat/Cool With Heat Pump Electronic Window Air Conditioner (AWGP12) review
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.
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 review
The Tovala Smart Oven lets you bake, broil, and air fry almost anything, and can automatically set cooking modes with freezer case favorites.
Tovala Smart Oven (2022) review
The Instant Pot Pro Plus offers eight different cooking methods, from the brand's classic pressure cooking to sous vide, but its mobile app integration doesn't add much to the overall experience.
Instant Pot Pro Plus review
The Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni impresses on all fronts with an effective roller mop, top-notch vacuum performance, and hands-off self-maintenance features, making it the top 2-in-1 robot floor cleaner.
Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni review
The iRobot Roomba j9+ is a user-friendly robot vacuum that justifies its high price with strong suction power, reliable obstacle avoidance, self-emptying functionality, and ample app features.
iRobot Roomba j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum review
The diminutive SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ stands tall as a self-emptying robot vacuum with surprisingly powerful cleaning performance for an attractive price.
SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ review
The AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug is a single-outlet plug that uses the Matter standard to work with multiple home automation platforms and scores of third-party smart home devices.
AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug review
The fifth-generation Amazon Echo Dot adds tap gestures and mesh networking, but is otherwise nearly identical to the previous version.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) review
The Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb is a versatile LED that offers good color quality, fun effects, and compatibility with the most popular home automation platforms.
AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb review
The Arlo Essential XL Outdoor is a wireless outdoor home security camera with standout battery life and lots of features for a relatively affordable price.
Arlo Essential XL review
The Smartmi Air Purifier P1 is a Wi-Fi-enabled air monitoring and filtration device that does a good job of removing harmful airborne particles and is easily moved from room to room.
Smartmi Air Purifier P1 review
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus is the best 2-in-1 robot mop and vacuum we've tested for under $300, and it can even empty its own dustbin.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus review
The iRobot Braava Jet m6 is a powerful, pricey robot that sweeps and mops your floors until they shine.
iRobot Braava Jet m6 review
The dual-outlet TP-Link Kasa EP40A Outdoor Plug isn't as affordable as some of its competitors, but its robust third-party platform support makes it exceptionally versatile.
TP-Link Kasa 2-Outlet Outdoor WiFi Smart Plug (EP40) review
The fourth-generation Echo Show 8 has upgraded speakers for richer sound and a faster processor for more seamless and natural voice interactions with Alexa+, making it Amazon's best smart display for most households.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025) review
With the ability to track your sleep in addition to all of the voice control capacity of the original, the second-generation Nest Hub smart display is an ideal bedside companion for Google Assistant users.
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) review
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.
Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights review
The TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam is a 2K outdoor camera that's easy to install and packed with features, including built-in spotlights, color night vision, and a rechargeable battery that can last nearly a year.
TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam review
The second-generation Arlo Video Doorbell is a well-priced wireless smart doorbell that delivers sharp video with a full view of your doorstep as well as optional cloud storage and smart alerts.
Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation review
The Blueair Blue Signature is a stylish air purifier that offers multiple air quality readings and does an excellent job of eliminating harmful pollutants in your home.
Blueair Blue Signature review
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.
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor review
The Peloton Cross Training Bike+ improves upon its predecessor with an AI-powered camera that counts reps and provides form feedback, making it just as effective for strength training as it is for indoor cycling.
Peloton Cross Training Bike+ review
The eero 7 Pro is an excellent, reasonably priced Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that uses 5GbE Ethernet jacks and 6GHz transmissions to deliver strong wireless performance to every corner of your home.
eero Pro 7 review
The sleek August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is easy to install and packs a ton of features into its compact frame.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review
Peloton Cross Training Tread Treadmill with 24" Touchscreen Display
The Peloton Cross Training Tread's swiveling display, paired with its extensive library of classes—including strength training, stretching, yoga, and more—makes it a standout smart home fitness machine.
Peloton Cross Training Tread Treadmill with 24 Touchscreen Display review
With its 22-inch HD touch screen and vast library of outdoor, studio, and Google Maps-based iFit workouts, the NordicTrack RW900 rowing machine is an excellent choice for beginner, intermediate, and advanced rowers alike.
NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine review
The Tempo Move strength training machine has some limitations and requires you to own several peripherals, but otherwise offers a fun, effective virtual personal training experience at an accessible price.
Tempo Move review