Best Smart Home Devices for Renters of 2026
Renting should not stop you from having a smart home. In 2026, the best smart home devices for renters require no drilling, no permanent wiring changes, and leave zero trace when you move out. From retrofit smart locks to wireless cameras and smart plugs, here are the top picks that any landlord will be fine with.
How we ranked renter-friendly devices
- Zero permanent modifications required
- Reversible installation
- No drilling or wiring changes
- Works without existing smart infrastructure
- Easy move-out
Top picks ranked
#1 TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini (KP125M) — $14.99. The fastest way to make any lamp, fan, or appliance smart in a rental. Plug in, connect to Wi-Fi via Matter, and control with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home.
#2 Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Smart Bulb — $19.99. The best renter-friendly smart bulb in 2026. Screw into any standard socket, connect via Matter, and control with any voice assistant. See our best smart light bulbs.
#3 Arlo Pro 5S 2K Wireless Security Camera — $249.99. Fully wireless with rechargeable battery and magnetic mount — no drilling or cable runs required. 2K HDR, color night vision, and AI object detection.
#4 August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — $229.99. The ultimate renter smart lock. Mounts over the interior side of your existing deadbolt — exterior hardware stays untouched. See our best smart locks.
Verdict
Build a renter-friendly smart home in 2026 by starting with TP-Link Kasa plugs ($14.99) and Nanoleaf Matter bulbs ($19.99) — no modifications, take both when you move. Add an Arlo wireless camera for security and an August retrofit lock for smart access. Total setup under $350 with zero landlord impact.
Top renter-friendly picks
- +Cheap and reliable
- +Matter support out of the box
- −2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- −Plain industrial design
- +Matter over Thread for best-in-class reliability
- +16 million colors + tunable white
- −Thread requires a Thread Border Router for full benefits
- −Single bulb — starter kit costs more
Arlo
Arlo Pro 5S 2K Wireless Security Camera2K HDR wire-free camera with color night vision and a built-in spotlight.
- +Fully wire-free — rechargeable battery with magnetic quick-mount install
- +2K HDR sensor with built-in color spotlight for true color night vision
- −Cloud recording and AI detection require Arlo Secure subscription ($8+/month)
- −Battery requires periodic recharging — frequency depends on motion activity
August Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)Retrofit smart lock — installs in 10 minutes, keeps your existing keys.
- +Mounts over existing deadbolt interior — no exterior changes, fully renter-safe
- +Built-in Wi-Fi — no August Connect bridge required
- −Battery life of 3–6 months on 4 AAs requires periodic replacement
- −No Matter support — relies on August cloud for all remote access