To make your Airbnb home smart, it requires network of several smart devices. Over the years, the market for smart home devices has tripled. Hence an average user now has several options to choose from. But the thing with making a perfect home automation network is to choose the right devices. We have already done research and tested several smart products over a year. We already have an in-depth post about each type of smart home but if you want to know what are the best smart home devices for Airbnb that you can install, then follow this post.
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Top 6 Smart Home Devices For Airbnb
1. Amazon Echo 2nd Generation – Best AI Speakers
Amazon Echo is the most popular smart speaker today. The first smartphone device that you must add to your Airbnb property should be the smart home speaker. Because they act as a hub or control device for other smart home devices. You can control other devices using voice commands that have Alexa understands. There is another smart home speaker like Google home but out of all Alexa is compatible with most of the smart devices.
During our research, we found that many smart home devices for Airbnb have inbuilt Alexa like ecobee four thermostats. Other versions of Amazon echo like echo dot have lesser range when it comes to voice control. Speaker itself is also itself compared to other versions.
- It is compatible with most of the smart home devices.
- Therefore software is highly developed.
- It has very easy voice commands.
- Adding new commands is also easy.
- Inexpensive compared to other speakers.
- Required yearly subscription to Alexa.
- Doesn’t respond well with low-speed internet connectivity.
Bottom Line
No matter how many Smart home devices you have at Airbnb property but without any smart home speaker like Alexa it won’t be an easy job to voice control all the devices. Alexa brings all the smartphone devices together. So make sure your Airbnb property has one.
2. Ring Alarm – Best Security System
The another thing that you must have at your Airbnb property is a home security system. With the help of home security system, you can make sure that your property is safe as well as the guest are secured. The security systems like ring alarm include a motion sensor, contact sensor, siren, and base station. The system can also be accessed via the smartphone. Hence you can keep in an eye if there is an intrusion. By using PlayStation on the smartphone, you can switch on and off these sensors.
The manufacturer also offers professional monitoring services at a monthly subscription fee. This service also adds to the security of your property. They monitor your house 24/7, and if there is intrusion or emergency, they can call emergency services on your behalf. However, even without monitoring Services system works perfectly.
- It works with most of the home automation systems.
- It can be controlled using Alexa, Google Home and Apple.
- Sensors are of high quality.
- Professional monitoring service is very good.
- It is easy to install and expand.
- Sensors are expensive.
- Monitoring service is expensive compared to other systems.
Bottom Line
With so many security concerns, for any Airbnb property, you are required to ensure the safety of your guests. With the help of home security system, you make them feel secure. Also, you can monitor your property without having to go down to the property physically.
3. Arlo Pro 2 – Best Security Camera
Cameras are the best way to keep an eye on your property. The camera not only helps you keep the house safe, but you can communicate with the guest using the two-way talk feature. And guest can also use the camera to keep an eye on their kids or pets when they are away from the property. Most of the home security systems lack high-quality camera but with Arlo pro 2 its not the case. It can itself function as the home security system and as a best security camera for airbnb too.
It captures the high video resolution 1280 x 720. Even the video recorded in night flight mode shows a clear picture. The system also allows you to store seven days of recording on its cloud service for free. If you want to store videos of more than seven days, then you would have to buy the premium storage cloud services of Arlo. For Airbnb property, seven days of recording is more than enough.
- Resolution of the cameras is 720p.
- It has a good quality motion sensor.
- It works with most of the smart devices.
- Cameras are waterproof.
- You also have local backup storage.
- It does not support other sensors.
- Expensive compared to other security cameras.
Bottom Line
The Arlo cameras could be your best security system for your air bnb property. Even if you don’t install other security systems, you must get Arlo pro 2.
4. Philips Hue White A19 – Best Smart Lights
To save money on energy bills, you must install smart lights at your Airbnb property. Smart lights can be used to efficiently by scheduling their operation. You can set different times for particular lights. With the use of motion sensors, you can switch it on and off. When not in use, it can automatically switch itself off.
The Philips Hue does require a hub to connect to Wi-Fi. One hub can accommodate around 50 lights. The app is user-friendly, and you can also set different shades of lights. When you combine with color lights, you can create different ambience modes for your Airbnb property. When using it for your Airbnb property, all you have to do is give guests access to the app or just tell them smart device commands to set different lighting patterns.
- It works with Alexa, Google and Siri speakers.
- Energy Star certified.
- It can be scheduled for optimum use.
- It can be dimmed.
- The Hue app is easy to use and has a lot of customization option.
- Not suitable for large rooms.
Bottom Line
If you replace all the lights in your Airbnb property with smart lights, you can save more than 75% on your energy bills. And also compared simple light smart lights can be accessed via phone or voice command using Alexa or any other smart speaker.
5. Nest (T3007ES) Learning Thermostat – Best Smart Thermostat
HVAC system makes the biggest share of energy bills. If you use smart thermostat like Nest T3007ES you reduce your bills up to 25%. This number is given by the manufacturer. Among all the thermostats we have tested Nest T3007ES the smartest thermostat because it learns from the user’s behaviour and set the temperature of the room according to it.
Most of the home automation systems work with Nest. We connected it to Alexa to see how it responds to voice commands. It works great with a voice command. So if you can just tell your Airbnb guests to use voice command while controlling the temperature of the room, you will also have a good track on how the guest uses the air conditioning. This will help you to know how much using the HVAC system costs you every month.
- Responds very fast to voice commands.
- Looks great compared to other thermostats.
- The screen has several themes for different looks.
- Provides accurate data on energy usages.
- It works with most of the HVAC systems.
- Expensive compared to other thermostats.
- Require good internet connectivity.
Bottom Line
A traditional thermostat doesn’t cost much, but when you are running your Airbnb house, your energy bill is the biggest expense you have to pay for it. So if you have a fair idea how the HVAC system is used by the guest you can optimize it and save some money or update the fare of the Airbnb property based on the information you collect using Nest.
6. Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt – Best Smart Lock
Another most important aspect of Airbnb home is the lock. If you use a smart lock, you won’t have to worry about providing the physical key to the guests. You can just provide the code for the booked period, and they will have access to the house. Once the guest leaves, you can change the code. Also, you can create several access codes for different users and also keep track of the users entering and leaving the house.
We also tested the strength of the lock. It is not easy, it breaks in. If the wrong code is used, the siren goes off to alert the user about the intrusion. As an owner, you can receive the notification on your phone. It is powered by battery, so will have to keep an eye on the battery. Good thing it has an indicator that alerts when the battery is low.
- It is not easy to break.
- Easy to install on any door.
- Can be connected to Amazon Echo or Apple Home Kit.
- Multiple access codes for different users.
- In-built siren to alert the intrusion.
- It requires a Wi-Fi adapter which is sold separately.
Bottom Line
There are many other smart home devices, but in terms of security and making Airbnb owners job easier, Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is the best.
Buyer’s Guide – What To Consider?
There are a variety of smart devices out there but one thing is common between each of them is they can be controlled via phone or voice command. Hence, factors like connectivity, compatibility becomes important. With the buyer’s guide, you will learn about these factors. So that you can get the best possible smart device for your Airbnb home.
1. Connectivity
One thing that is must for any smart device is the internet. It must be connected to the internet some or other way. Hence, you have access to the device from a remote location. Most of the smart home devices today support Wi-Fi. There are two types of Wi-Fi configuration 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. You have to makes sure that all the devices that you install at your Airbnb property use the same configuration.
Another important aspect is the speed. Makes sure the speed is good. For some devices like security cameras, the data they upload to the local storage is large. Hence, for live stream features to work smoothly, good internet is a must. Also, avoid wired devices because they limit the way you can install them and also limit the connectivity with other devices.
2. Compatibility
As you know smart devices are designed to interact with other smart devices; the compatibility factor is crucial. For example, you are using a smart thermostat that is not compatible with the smart speaker you use; you won’t be able to voice control the thermostat. Or you are using a security system, but you don’t use the compatible sensor to go with the security system, the system won’t work.
The first compatibility you must check is the device is compatible with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. It is because these devices bring all the systems together. And also they act as they control hub. Smart devices by big brands make sure they are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri devices. Hence, make sure you stick with these brands. Nest, Ring Alarm etc. are some of the biggest brands that offer smart home devices.
3. Hands-Free Control
Smart devices allow you to control several appliances hands-free. You can control the air conditioning of your room with a simple voice command. You can check the footage of home security system on your TV without having to access the system on your phone or hub. Hands-free control is what you want for your Airbnb property; you can buy compatible systems that connect to any of the smart home speakers. The smart home speaker will always be the centre of your smart home automation.
4. Battery
Since most of the devices are wireless, they are powered by a battery. Whichever system you buy for your Airbnb property make sure that system some or other way indicate the amount of battery left. Or at least alerts you when the battery is low. This way you can keep your system always running.
5. App
The way you access all the smart home devices is using a smartphone. Each device manufacturer provides an app for the smart device. As Airbnb owner most of the time you will be accessing the smart home device via an app. Hence you want the app to be accessible even on a remote network, and it provides all the necessary alerts and detail that you require before taking action.
How We Conduct Tests?
Over 90 days, we have tested almost all types of smart devices. If combine the number of products we have tested it is around 136 products that includes almost all categories of smart devices. And if see the total number of experts consulted for all smart devices they are around 74 experts. We didn’t specifically test for smart home devices review but we have compiled all our research in this one article. So that you have the idea of all types of smart home devices that you can use at your Airbnb property.
We had tested all the products based on their function and features. But one thing that was common for all the test is that we always created a network of smart devices to check the connectivity and compatibility of the devices. We used all the smart speakers like Echo, Google Home etc. to check how the device responds to voice commands. In addition to tests, we also contacted several existing customers of each devices. With the help of existing customers, we were able to determine how the product performs after months or years of purchase.
For this review, our team had to go through tons of data which was compiled over 90 days. But they still did. At the end of the research, we were able to give out the smart home devices for Airbnb. Also, they are the most important devices that an Airbnb owner must consider adding to their property.
| Product | Connectivity | Importance | Expandability | Overall | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo | 97.2 | 98.6 | 97.1 | 97.6 | Check Price |
| ecobee4 | 97.1 | 98.4 | 97.0 | 97.5 | Check Price |
| Arlo Pro 2 | 96.9 | 97.8 | 97.3 | 97.3 | Check Price |
| Philips Hue | 97.5 | 97.1 | 97.1 | 97.2 | Check Price |
| Nest T3007ES | 97.4 | 96.9 | 97.2 | 97.1 | Check Price |
| Schlage Sense | 97.3 | 96.8 | 97.1 | 97.0 | CheckPrice |
FAQs
1. What are the pros of smart home devices for Airbnb?
If you look from the perspective of Airbnb owner, smart home devices provide remote control access to the property. The owner can provide access to the visitors, track visitors, track amenity usage, and security without having to go down to the property.
2. What is disadvantage of smart home devices?
Sometimes the technology is too complex to solve issues, and devices are expensive.
3. Are smart home devices safe?
Yes, they are safe, and when they are connected to internet, makes life more convenient for the user.
4. Is there an app to control all the devices?
There is a single hub or control which interacts with all the smart devices inside your home. These hub or control devices have their own apps.
5. Can a smart home be hacked?
A smart home uses internet to do everything. A hacker with proper knowledge and skill can definitely hack it. But it depends on the user, how they manage the access of their smart home devices. It is wise to never share logins or access codes to strangers.
6. How do smart home devices cost?
The average cost of smart home devices cost from $100 to $400. Beyond the device prices, some devices have monthly subscriptions. However, these are cost are all initial costs and you will save lot money on bills long rung.
7. What are devices that are controlled in a smart home?
The devices that looks after climate control, lighting, security, and entertainment are controlled in a smart home.
8. Do smart home devices slow down Wi-Fi?
If there are too many devices using the entire bandwidth might slow down the internet, but Wi-Fi connectivity remains same.
Final Thought
It is not necessary that you must buy all the smart home devices but buying the ones that suits your need is recommended. Beyond the six types of smart home devices that we have mentioned, there are many more. It all depends on your requirement and budget. But we suggest you can begin with our list if you have don’t know which device to buy for your Airbnb property safety and security.
Amazon Echo 2nd Generation- Editor's Choice
Summary
Amazon Echo is the most popular smart speaker today. The first smartphone device that you must add to your Airbnb property should be the smart home speaker.
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