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Smart Home Starter Kit for Renters: 16 Upgrades, No Drilling or Wiring
16
items Renting means no rewiring, no drilling and no landlord drama. Everything here plugs in, screws into an existing socket or sticks on, and comes with you when you move. Start with one plug and one speaker, then build up. Grouped into control, lighting ...
Sections
3
Voice, Plugs & Control
Lighting Without an Electrician
Peace of Mind: Cameras & Sensors
Voice, Plugs & Control
The easiest hub to start with: plug it in, and it controls the smart plugs and bulbs below by voice or routine. Good enough sound for podcasts in the kitchen.
Amazon Echo Dot (newest) - Alexa+ Speaker, Charcoal
Turns any lamp, fan or coffee maker into something you can schedule or switch off from bed. Note: Alexa only, so skip it if you use Google Home.
Amazon Smart Plug 2-Pack, Works with Alexa
Six individually controlled outlets plus USB ports, with surge protection. Ideal behind a TV or desk: shut off everything on standby with one tap, and see which device uses the most power.
Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 No Hub
The renter's workaround for a wall switch you can't replace: it sticks on and physically presses the button. Works over Bluetooth from your phone; add a SwitchBot hub if you want voice control.
SwitchBot Smart WiFi Switch Button w/ Hub
Everything the Echo Dot does, plus a screen: see the doorbell or camera feed, a clock, the weather and a quick control panel for lights. A great bedside or kitchen upgrade.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest), Smart Display
Team Google instead of Alexa? The Nest Mini is the Google Assistant equivalent of the Echo Dot: voice control for plugs and bulbs, timers and music. Pick one ecosystem and stick with it so everything works together.
Nest Mini (2nd Generation) with Google Assistant Charcoal
Lighting Without an Electrician
Swap these into the lamps you already have. Warm white for evenings, bright daylight for working, colors for movie night. No hub needed, and they work with Alexa, Google and Matter.
Govee A19 Color Changing Smart Bulb 800LM
Battery-powered, stick-on motion lights for hallways, closets and under the bed. No outlet, no app, no drilling. The cheapest upgrade here and one of the most useful at 3am.
Govee LED Motion Sensor Night Light, 3 Pack
If your Echo or Google speaker is set up, these are the easiest next step: screw them into existing lamps and control them by voice or schedule. 1100 lumens is brighter than most smart bulbs, and Matter support means they work with Alexa, Google Home...
Tapo Multicolor Dimmable Smart Bulbs L535E 2-Pack
For a bedside or living-room corner when the ceiling light is harsh and you can't change it. Tap the top to turn it on, or use the app for warm reading light, colour scenes and a wake-up/sleep schedule. Works with Matter, Alexa and Google. Mood light...
Govee RGBIC Smart Touch Bedside Lamp
Adhesive LED strip for behind a TV, bed frame or shelf. Test the adhesive on a hidden spot first: on painted rental walls, use removable mounting clips so you get the deposit back.
Govee 32.8ft RGBIC LED Strip Lights Alexa
Peace of Mind: Cameras & Sensors
Shows temperature and humidity on your phone and alerts you when a room gets too cold, too hot or too damp. Useful in older rentals with drafty windows or mold-prone bathrooms.
Govee WiFi Thermometer Hygrometer H5179
The alternative if you don't want a subscription: it can record to a microSD card. Rated for indoor and outdoor use, so it can also watch a balcony or window.
WYZE Cam v4 2.5K AI Security Camera
The cheapest insurance a renter can buy. Put it under the sink, behind the washing machine or next to the water heater: if it detects water it sounds a loud 100dB alarm and pushes an alert to your phone, so a slow drip doesn't turn into a lost deposi...
Govee WiFi Water Sensor 1 Pack, Leak Detector
A renter-friendly camera with no monthly fee required: record to a microSD card locally, or add cloud later if you want. 2K+ picture, colour night vision and person/pet detection. It's weatherproof, so it can sit on a balcony, but it plugs in, so pla...
Tapo 2K+ Wired Indoor/Outdoor Security Cam
Check on a pet or the front room while you're away. Plugs in and sits on a shelf, so nothing to mount. Heads-up: saving clips to the cloud needs a Blink subscription.
Blink Mini 2 Home Security & Pet Camera HD