The Little Life
Got a small home? Perhaps an apartment, or a tiny house? Our Little Life series will help you find the best compact tech that'll help you make the most of your space.
If you rent, you need to be careful not to make any permanent changes to your landlord's property, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on smart home tech, though, because there's now a great selection of devices that require no drilling or screws, and that you can simply pick up and take with you when you move.
For example, there are smart locks that fit over your existing door handles and rotate the lock mechanism using an app, PIN, or fingerprint. They can be installed in minutes, and won't annoy your landlord. Want smart blinds? There are devices that attach to the pole or track, allowing you to open and close them remotely, on a schedule, or when a sensor is triggered. Easy peasy.
There are also mini robot vacuums specifically designed for small homes, which can fit into tighter spaces and have much smaller docks than average, and solar smart lights that you can use without any power cables.
Read on for a list of the best smart home devices for renters, which I've picked as an apartment-dweller myself. Some devices are only available in certain regions, so you'll only see those that are sold where you are.
Smart tech for renters
SwitchBot K11+ Robot Vacuum & Mop
Pros
- Compact bot
- Neat dock with auto-empty
- Speedy cleaner
- Accurate navigation
- Large dock dust bag
Cons
- "Mop" not worth bothering with
- Auto-empty is noisy
- App has some illogical quirks
- Can't have dock in a no-mop zone
- Bot is small but not short
SwitchBot Lock Pro
Pros
- Fits onto existing locks
- Quick and easy to install
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Much bulkier than a conventional smart lock
Aqara Camera Hub G350
Pros
- Playful, family-friendly design
- MicroSD card slot for video storage
- Compatible with multiple ecosystems
Cons
- Subscription needed for advanced AI features
- Quite fiddly menus
- Camera mount and USB plug not provided
GE Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Bulbs
Pros
- Wide range of colors and effects
- App is easy to use
- Alexa and Google Home support
- No hub required
Cons
- Not Matter or HomeKit certified
- A little pricier than a lot of the competition
Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker
Pros
- Better sound quality than previous models
- New tap gestures
- Room temperature sensor
Cons
- No 3.5mm port
- Incremental upgrade if you have other dots
Govee Smart Outdoor Solar String Lights
Pros
- No mains power supply needed
- Run for up to 13 hours
- Controllable via Govee app
Cons
- Only eight lights on a string
Willow Indoor Plant Sensor Starter Kit
Pros
- Very easy to install
- Provide daily updates
- Beautifully designed app
Cons
- Requires Wi-Fi hub
- A few features are subscription-only
Pros
- Simple and sweet
- Affordable
- Stable connection
Cons
- App setup a little annoying
- No energy consumption
- No HomeKit
SwitchBot Blind Tilt Motorized Blinds
Pros
- Works with any Venetian blind
- Can be installed in 10 minutes without any drilling
- Much more affordable than a purpose-made smart blind
Cons
- Bulky, not very attractive
- Motor is quite loud
- Requires additional Wi-Fi hub
Nanoleaf Solar Garden Lights
Pros
- Great value
- Remote control has impressive range and is easy to use
- Solar panels provide enough charge to use the lights all night
- Ambient light sensor to turn them on and off automatically
Cons
- Remote control is hard to see when using the lights after dark
- Some of the preset effects are a bit over the top
Meaco Pro Sefte Air Circulator
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Strong airflow
- Auto adjust fan speed mode
- Built-in and replaceable battery
Cons
- Not cheap
- Compact but not exactly small
- Non-Pro version will make more sense for some people
