How to Turn Your Apartment into a Smart Home

SMART HOME GADGETS FOR YOUR APARTMENT

Despite a seemingly unending array of smart home gadgets that make life simpler, you may feel left out if you live in an apartment. That's because many popular devices often demand building or maintenance procedures that, if you're only renting, you aren't permitted to do within your lease agreement.

Fortunately, several smart devices don't need you to make changes to your building.

SMART HOME VS. SMART APARTMENT

The most significant disadvantage of creating a smart home as a renter is that most leases and rental contracts do not allow for long-term modifications to the structure. Even if yours did, you might not want to put money, time, or effort into technologies you can’t take with you when you leave.

Most gadgets on our list are simple to install, even an inexperienced DIYer will have no problem completing this task. Contact your landlord to find out precisely what you are allowed to do regarding building modifications before deciding which gadgets to install.

DON’T FORGET TO PROGRAM ROUTINES

Automation is where most of the excitement, convenience, and fun in a smart home comes from. It's entirely up to you whether your front door unlocks itself as you approach it or your coffee maker starts brewing as soon as your alarm goes off in the morning.

BEST SMART HOME DEVICES FOR APARTMENTS

Choosing versatile smart devices that are readily compatible and don't cost a fortune is essential in automating a rented space. Fortunately, there are several of them to select from.

Smart plugs

Smart Plugs are a fantastic option for automating existing devices' on/off functions rather than smart switches and outlets requiring permanent installation. Get a weather-resistant smart plug if you're connecting lights, fountains, or other electrical equipment outside.

There is one disadvantage to most stand-alone smart plugs. While they allow for extensive programming, the majority can only turn an electronic device on or off. To automatically dim a group of outdoor lights, you'll need a plug that allows for it, such as the Kasa Outdoor KP405.

Kasa Smart Plug HS103P4

This popular choice is simple to operate and designed to fit securely into the wall without obstructing any adjacent outlets.

Kasa Outdoor EP40

This two-outlet adapter may come in handy if you want an automated on and off switch for outdoor lights.

Kasa Outdoor KP405

This is a unique outlet that can dim compatible bulbs. It has one outlet, and it is weather resistant.

Smart bulbs

Smart light bulbs (light bulbs with smart technology and wireless connectivity) work well with nearly any lamp that shares their physical connector. A low-cost smart bulb like Kasa's, which offers a broad spectrum of colors, up to 850 lumens, and a wide variety of programming and hub options, will please most renters.

A Philips Hue smart bulb is an excellent choice if you're looking for something that looks nicer and is more dependable. Although they are pricey, they are designed to last decades and work with a variety of other smart home hubs in addition to the Philips-specific model.

Kasa Smart Bulb KL130

It's not only simple, straightforward, and inexpensive, but it also comes from a manufacturer that is highly trustworthy.

Philips Hue White and Color Bulb

The Philips Hue smart lighting collection is widely acknowledged as the best in the business, and these bulbs live up to that reputation. Even more powerful variants generate the same amount of light as 75-watt and 100-watt incandescent bulbs.

Smart speakers

The smart speaker and its microphone are critical to making the smart home easier. It will be particularly useful to turn on lights, start the oven, play music, and do quick internet searches throughout the day.

Many Bluetooth speakers are compatible with the most popular voice assistants, but the finest performing choices are generally from the source. For example, the Echo Dot is both inexpensive and almost as effective as they get in terms of recognizing your instructions consistently. The Echo Studio and the Google Nest Audio, on the other hand, are better at playing music.

Amazon Echo Studio

It's one of the best-sounding smart speakers by Amazon today. When it's linked in stereo with another Echo Studio and an Echo Sub, it sounds terrific.

Amazon Echo Dot

This is one of the most dependable and least invasive smart speakers on the market, despite its tiny size.

Google Nest Audio

The high-end Google speaker is worth considering if you want to use your Android tablet or smartphone as a hub for all of your home's gadgets.

Smart security devices

A wireless video doorbell is an excellent place to start ensuring the security of your home. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is an advanced model with a hefty price tag. If you live in a modest apartment with decent Wi-Fi coverage, the 2nd-generation version may work well for half the price. The Blink Video Doorbell system is another smart choice, and it's way more affordable.

The Wyze Cam v3 is a tiny and inexpensive system for general monitoring security. It can even film video 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a 32-gigabyte microSD card. The Blink Outdoor is an outdoor camera with weather resistance, an easy installation procedure, and a decent cost difference.

Lastly, most smart locks need heavy changes to the door, but it's not always the case for August Smart Lock. It's one of the top-rated semi-permanent options for people who are renting.

Many no-drill options are available on the market for people who want to install smart doorbells and cameras. One option is the Ring No-Drill Mount, explicitly designed for Ring cameras. Off-brand versions are also available that work for various smart doorbells and cameras.

Ring Video Doorbell 4

One of the most up-to-date wireless doorbells on the market. If you want to spend less, you may choose between the 2nd-generation model or the less expensive Blink Doorbell system.

Wyze Cam v3

It has a 1080p resolution and is simple to use, making it ideal for many indoor applications.

Blink Outdoor Camera

It's waterproof, simple to set up, and should have no trouble connecting to a wireless network on the other side of your apartment.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

This is one of the few smart locks that work with most traditional deadbolts, so setting up requires the least time.

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