Smart home kit under $300 for a first apartment or rental
Updated
Speaker or display, plugs, bulbs, a battery doorbell or indoor camera and leak sensors: a renter-friendly smart home for under $300, with no rewiring and nothing to repair at move-out.
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Before you buy
This kit builds on the starter kit and adds the two things renters worry about: who is at the door and whether there is a leak.
Why leak sensors come first
Water damage is a common and costly home claim. In insurance data for 2019–2023, water damage and freezing produced about 1.5 claims per 100 insured homes per year, with an average claim of about $15,400. The EPA estimates that the average household’s leaks can waste more than 9,300 gallons of water a year. A $10–$18 sensor on the floor can give you a warning at the first drop.
Doorbell or camera: pick by lease and need
- Battery video doorbell. Most use screws or an adhesive/door-frame mount. Check your lease and building rules; shared entrances and hallways are often regulated. See what renters can install and the apartment door camera rules.
- Indoor camera. No landlord approval needed in most cases, but point it away from neighbors and shared spaces. Recording laws vary by state: audio recording especially. Ask a local attorney or tenant organization if unsure.
- Security. The FTC advises a strong, unique password, two-factor authentication where offered and automatic updates for cameras.
Rental rules in brief
Plug-in and stick-on devices are the lowest-risk choices. If you have a disability and need a modification such as a smart lock to operate your door, the Fair Housing Act provides a process for reasonable modifications at your own expense; see our renter modification guide. Keep original parts in labeled bags and reset every device before move-out.
Placement of the three leak sensors
| Spot | What it catches |
|---|---|
| Under the kitchen sink | Supply line and drain leaks, disposal |
| Behind the washer or dishwasher | Hose and drain failures |
| Next to the toilet or water heater | Fill valve, supply line, tank leaks |
Core items
Smart speaker or small smart display
$30–$70Your hub and voice control. A display adds a screen for doorbell or camera views, but a speaker is enough for most of this kit.
What to look for: Matter controller support in the vendor’s list, a physical microphone switch, the ecosystem your phones use
See options on AmazonSmart plugs × 3
$10–$13Lamps, a fan and a router-side power cycle, with no wiring and nothing to restore at move-out.
What to look for: Matter or ecosystem logo, a rating that matches the device, a compact body
See options on AmazonSmart bulbs (E26, white) × 4
$8–$10Dimming, schedules and voice control in the living room and bedroom, in standard lamps.
What to look for: an E26 base, dimmable, tunable white if you like warm evening light, Matter or ecosystem logo
See options on AmazonBattery video doorbell or plug-in indoor camera
$50–$90Adds the front-door or inside view most renters want. A battery doorbell mounts without wiring; an indoor camera needs only an outlet.
What to look for: local or free clip storage options, no-drill mount for doors if the lease requires it, a clear statement of subscription features, ecosystem support
See options on AmazonWater leak sensors × 3
$10–$18The highest-value alert in the kit: one under the kitchen sink, one behind the washer or dishwasher and one near the water heater or bathroom.
What to look for: a loud siren, battery life of a year or more, ecosystem or Matter support, a low-battery alert
See options on AmazonNice to have
Door and window sensors × 2
$12–$18Know when the entry door or balcony door opens, and use it to turn on a hall light.
What to look for: your ecosystem or Matter, replaceable coin battery
See options on AmazonTemperature and humidity sensor
$12–$25Shows a bedroom or basement problem before mold or comfort complaints.
What to look for: humidity readings, alerts at limits you set, ecosystem support
See options on AmazonStep by step
- Set up the speaker or display and your ecosystem app; add every adult to the home.
- Add plugs and bulbs and name them for the room and lamp.
- Place the leak sensors flat on the floor and test each with a damp paper towel.
- Install the doorbell or camera after getting written permission if needed; set a strong password and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Create three routines: lights at sunset, a leak alert to every adult, and a “Leaving” scene that turns off plugs.
- Run the household through it: show everyone the switch, the button and the voice commands.
Cheaper or upgraded versions
Under $200: drop the doorbell or camera, keep one more plug and add a door sensor. You still get voice control, lighting and the leak alerts.
Closer to $400: add a thermostat or a smart controller for a window AC if the landlord agrees, and a retrofit lock only with written approval. See the under $500 kit, or the renter no-drill kit.
Frequently asked questions
What can renters install without permission?
Plug-in devices, smart bulbs, battery sensors and indoor cameras usually need none, but check your lease. Anything that changes the door, hardware or wiring needs written approval.
Do I need to tell my landlord about a video doorbell?
Check your lease and building rules, and ask in writing if it mounts on the door, frame or a shared hallway. Rules vary by state and city; ask a local attorney or tenant organization if unsure.
Can I take it all when I move?
Yes. Remove the devices from your account, factory reset them and keep the adhesive strips and original parts for any mount you removed.
Will leak sensors lower my renters insurance?
Some insurers offer discounts or programs for leak detection devices. Ask your insurer which devices qualify before you buy.
Sources
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Fix a Leak Week
- Insurance Information Institute — Facts + statistics: homeowners and renters insurance
- Federal Trade Commission — Using IP cameras safely
- HUD and DOJ — Joint statement: Reasonable modifications under the Fair Housing Act (2008)
- Amazon Alexa Developer Docs — Understand smart home Matter support
- Google Home Help — Prepare your smart home for Matter