How smart home tech can help manage you short term rentals & create a better experience for guests
Smart home technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a wide range of benefits for both homeowners and short term rental hosts. For short term rental hosts, smart home technology can be a valuable tool for creating better experiences for guests.
One of the biggest advantages of smart home technology is its ability to make your rental property more convenient and user-friendly for guests. With smart home devices like smart locks, thermostats, and lighting systems, you can allow guests to easily access and control various aspects of your rental property. This can be especially helpful for guests who are arriving late at night or who have specific needs, such as a preference for a certain temperature or type of lighting.
In addition, smart home technology can also enhance the overall atmosphere of your rental property. With smart speakers and entertainment systems, you can provide guests with a more immersive and personalized experience, allowing them to easily access their favorite music, movies, and more. This can help to make your rental property stand out and give guests a memorable experience.
There are many different types of smart home technology that can be helpful for short term rental hosts. Some of the best smart home tech devices for short term rental hosts include:
Smart locks: These allow guests to easily access your rental property using their smartphone, without the need for physical keys. This can be especially convenient for guests who are arriving late at night or who have specific access needs.
Smart thermostats: These can help guests to easily control the temperature in your rental property, ensuring that it is comfortable and energy-efficient.
Smart lighting systems: These allow guests to easily control the lighting in your rental property, creating the perfect ambiance for their stay.
Smart cameras and sensors: These can help you to monitor your rental property remotely, ensuring that it is safe and secure.
Smart speakers and entertainment systems: These can provide guests with a more immersive and personalized experience, allowing them to easily access their favorite music, movies, and more.
Overall, the best smart home tech devices for short term rental hosts will vary depending on the specific needs and preferences of your guests. It is important to consider the features and capabilities of different devices, as well as their compatibility with your existing smart home system. Here we’ve collected our favorites:
Smart Locks
Safe, secure, and easy access is perhaps the most important consideration when managing an Airbnb or Vrbo property. Don’t risk accidental lock-outs! Instead, install one of these smart lock systems.
August Smart Lock Pro: This smart lock is easy to install and allows you to control access to your rental property using your smartphone. It also integrates with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: This smart lock allows you to control access to your rental property using your smartphone, and it also has a built-in WiFi connection so you can monitor and manage access remotely.
Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock 2nd Gen: This smart lock allows you to control access to your rental property using your smartphone, and it also has a touch-to-open feature for added convenience.
Yale Assure Lock SL: This smart lock has a sleek design and allows you to control access to your rental property using your smartphone. It also integrates with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Nest x Yale Lock with Nest Connect: This smart lock is part of the Nest family of smart home products and allows you to control access to your rental property using your smartphone. It also integrates with other Nest devices, such as the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Hello Doorbell.
Smart Thermostats
Airbnb or Vrbo owners who value their own time, want to prioritize energy efficiency, and who want to create the best possible experience should look into the following smart climate control systems:
Nest Learning Thermostat: This smart thermostat is easy to install and allows you to control the temperature in your rental property using your smartphone. It also has a learning feature that adapts to your preferences over time.
Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat: This smart thermostat has a built-in Alexa voice assistant and allows you to control the temperature in your rental property using your smartphone. It also has a remote sensor that can help to improve temperature control in different rooms of your property.
Honeywell Lyric T5 Smart Thermostat: This smart thermostat is affordable and easy to install, and allows you to control the temperature in your rental property using your smartphone. It also integrates with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Emerson Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat: This smart thermostat has a sleek, modern design and allows you to control the temperature in your rental property using your smartphone. It also has a touch screen display and integrates with other smart home devices.
Carrier Cor Wi-Fi Thermostat: This smart thermostat is part of the Carrier family of smart home products and allows you to control the temperature in your rental property using your smartphone. It also has a large, easy-to-read display and integrates with other Carrier smart home devices.
Smart Lighting Systems
The primary reasons why an Airbnb or Vrbo owner might want to use a smart lighting system, including convenience, customization, energy efficiency, and security. The best smart lighting devices and systems to solve these problems include:
Philips Hue: This smart lighting system allows you to control the lighting in your rental property using your smartphone. It also has a wide range of color options and integrates with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Lutron Caseta Wireless: This smart lighting system allows you to control the lighting in your rental property using your smartphone, and it also has the ability to create different lighting scenes and schedules.
Sengled Smart LED Bulbs: These smart LED bulbs are affordable and easy to install, and allow you to control the lighting in your rental property using your smartphone. They also have a long lifespan and energy-efficient design.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb: This smart LED light bulb is affordable and allows you to control the lighting in your rental property using your smartphone. It also integrates with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Sylvania Lightify: This smart lighting system allows you to control the lighting in your rental property using your smartphone, and it also has a wide range of color options and the ability to create different lighting scenes.
Smart Cameras & Sensors
Nobody likes an Airbnb or Vrbo host who is constantly hovering around the property. Smart cameras and sensors allow you to easily monitor your rental property without the need to be physically present, check for water leaks or other potential issues, and receive alerts if there are any problems. To stay on top of things remotely, you might want to invest in a…
Nest Cam: This smart camera allows you to monitor your rental property using your smartphone, and it also has motion and sound detection, as well as night vision capabilities.
Ring Video Doorbell: This smart doorbell has a built-in camera and allows you to monitor your rental property's entrance using your smartphone. It also has motion detection and two-way audio capabilities.
Arlo Pro 2: This smart security camera has a wireless design and allows you to monitor your rental property using your smartphone. It also has motion and sound detection, as well as night vision capabilities.
Wyze Cam Pan: This affordable smart security camera allows you to monitor your rental property using your smartphone, and it also has motion and sound detection, as well as 360-degree pan and tilt capabilities.
Netatmo Outdoor: This device allows you to receive alerts in real time and take action if an intruder trespasses your property. This device boasts motion and sound detection, as well as the ability to differentiate between different types of movements.
Smart Speakers & Entertainment Systems
By providing guests with access to a smart speaker or entertainment system, you can add an extra layer of value to your rental property. This can help to differentiate your property from others in the market, and can help to increase guest satisfaction and loyalty. If you’re looking to improve guest experience, check out…
Sonos One Speaker: This easy-to-setup smart speaker offers voice control, multi-room listening, and naturally, compatibility with popular streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple music.
Roku Smart TV: These smart TVs have a user-friendly and intuitive, so guests can easily find and access the content they want, and can be used to access a wide range of streaming services, as well as live TV, games, and more. Guests to easily access their favorite streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, without the need for additional devices or cables.
Samsung Frame: For hosts who are particularly concerned about aesthetics and attractive design, you might decide to opt for this beautiful smart TV that blends right into its surroundings.
Orbi 4G LTE Modem + Tri-Band Mesh WiFi Router Combo: There’s nothing worse than troubleshooting your guests wifi connection issues. This super-powered device allows you to backup your rental property’s wifi with a cellular connection. Pretty nifty if you ask me!
Roku Express 4K: For the budget conscious host, this device turns any old TV into a smart TV. For simple setup (the device plugs into a basic HDMI port and sits on top, or below, the screen), and basic features, like access to all major streaming services are available, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and HBO Max, this may be your best bet.
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