9 Affordable Smart Home Devices to Secure Your Airbnb & Vacation Rental
9 Affordable Ways to Secure Your Airbnb with Smart Home Technology
This is really going to date me, but do you remember when the first flat-screen TVs became available? Or the first CD players and iPod Shuffles?
They were so expensive.
The technology was exciting and innovative, but it was hard to justify spending that kind of money when our dinosaur box television was still working perfectly well.
So we waited.
And, as technology tends to do, it became better and more affordable. Flat-screen TVs dropped dramatically in price while the displays improved, energy consumption decreased, and features like HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi eventually became standard.
The same thing has happened with smart home technology—and that’s fantastic news for vacation rental owners.
Today, you don’t need an elaborate professional security system or a huge budget to make your Airbnb or vacation rental safer. There are affordable smart devices that can help you monitor your property, protect it from damage, improve guest safety, and even manage certain aspects of your rental when you’re hours away.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Smart Home Technology Is Worth It for Vacation Rentals
When we first started our short-term rental business, we were operating on a shoestring budget.
We knew we had good homeowners insurance, additional insurance through our property management company, and coverage through booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. With what felt like triple protection, we didn’t think too much about the additional steps we could take to physically protect and monitor the house.
But, like I always say:
You don’t know what you don’t know.
At the time, I didn’t realize how valuable things like exterior cameras, smart locks, water sensors, and a smart thermostat would eventually become.
Four years of vacation rental ownership has definitely changed my perspective.
Some of the best investments we’ve made in our property haven’t been expensive renovations or fancy upgrades. They’ve been relatively inexpensive pieces of technology that allow us to know what’s happening at our house—even when we’re hours away.
If you own an Airbnb, vacation rental, second home, or even your primary residence, these are some of my favorite affordable smart home devices for adding another layer of security and peace of mind.
1. Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are important in any home, but I especially appreciate having smart monitoring in a vacation property.
Our vacation rental is incredibly busy for about six months of the year. During the remaining months, occupancy is much more inconsistent. Sometimes we’re there, sometimes family or friends are using the house, and sometimes it sits empty.
That’s exactly when remote monitoring becomes so valuable.
Depending on the system you choose, smart carbon monoxide detectors can send notifications to your phone when an alarm is triggered. That means you have an opportunity to respond even when you aren’t physically at the property.
For a remotely managed home, that additional awareness can provide tremendous peace of mind.
SHOP SMART CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS →
Safety note: Always follow local building and fire codes regarding the required number, type, placement, testing, and replacement of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your vacation rental.
2. Interconnected Smoke Detectors
At our primary home, we’ve traditionally used basic, tried-and-true smoke detectors.
For our vacation rental, however, I wanted something a little more robust.
Interconnected smoke alarms can provide an additional layer of protection because when one compatible alarm detects smoke, the other connected alarms can sound as well.
Today’s wireless interconnected options can also make this kind of setup much more accessible than it once was.
And while you’re evaluating your fire safety equipment, don’t forget the basics: fire extinguishers.
We keep them accessible in appropriate areas of the property so guests have an additional safety resource should an emergency occur.
They’re not glamorous purchases, but they’re some of the most important investments you can make in a vacation rental.
SHOP INTERCONNECTED SMOKE DETECTORS →
SHOP FIRE EXTINGUISHERS {Click Here}
3. Smart Locks for Exterior Doors
This is one vacation rental security upgrade I wish we had made sooner.
I talked about this experience in my post about the 9 mistakes I made when starting my first Airbnb, but here’s the short version.
We once had houseguests accidentally leave our vacation rental unlocked when they departed.
We live a few hours away, and our housekeepers happened to be on vacation.
That meant our house sat completely unlocked for several days.
Fortunately, we had exterior security cameras by that point, so we could monitor the property. But it was still a nerve-racking few days.
After that experience, we installed affordable smart locks on our exterior doors.
Being able to remotely verify or control the lock status—depending on the lock and setup—is one of those little things that can make managing a vacation rental from afar significantly easier.
Some smart locks also allow you to create temporary or unique access codes, which can be helpful for guests, housekeepers, maintenance professionals, and property managers.
SHOP SMART LOCKS FOR VACATION RENTALS →
RELATED: [9 Mistakes I Made When Starting My First Airbnb → CLICK TO READ
4. Keyless Locks for Owner Storage Areas
Not every lock in a vacation rental needs to be connected to Wi-Fi.
For our interior owner storage areas and detached garage, we use simple keyless locks instead.
We trust our cleaning crew to secure these areas after each cleaning, and we’re certainly not worried that guests are going to stage a toilet-paper heist. We intentionally stock plenty of supplies throughout the house for guest use.
The locks are simply there to separate our owner and housekeeping storage from guest-accessible areas.
Using the same designated code on appropriate storage locks also makes things easier for our housekeeping team and eliminates another annoying problem:
Lost keys.
Sometimes the simplest technology really is the best solution.
5. Smart Thermostat for Heating and Cooling
One of the bigger unexpected repairs we’ve had at our vacation rental was replacing the heat pump.
It was expensive, but two surprisingly good things came from it.
First, we developed a wonderful relationship with the owner of the local heating and cooling company. His wife eventually became our favorite housekeeper we’ve ever had, and over time they’ve actually become friends. It’s one of those unexpected relationships that came from owning a vacation rental that I’m incredibly grateful for.
On a more practical level, replacing the system also prompted us to upgrade our old thermostat to a smart thermostat.
And I love it.
During the winter, when our bookings are less consistent, we can check the temperature of the house remotely. We can also make sure the heating or cooling hasn’t inadvertently been left at an extreme setting after a stay.
During severe cold weather, simply being able to check the indoor temperature gives us another piece of information about what’s happening at the property when we’re hours away.
When you’re protecting one of your biggest investments, that kind of visibility is incredibly valuable.
6. Solar-Powered Exterior Security Cameras
If I had to choose one piece of technology that has given me the most peace of mind as a vacation rental owner, it would probably be our exterior security cameras.
During our first year, we didn’t have any.
I think we simply assumed cameras would be expensive and complicated, so we never really investigated them.
What a mistake.
Affordable solar-powered exterior cameras have made it incredibly easy for us to monitor permitted exterior areas of the property remotely.
They can help us confirm when guests have arrived or departed, see when our housekeeping team arrives, and simply check that everything around the exterior of the property appears normal.
For us, they’ve been worth every penny.
There’s also an unexpected bonus.
Our cameras regularly capture mama deer and their babies wandering through the front yard. We’ve even had hummingbirds fly directly up to the camera lens apparently trying to figure out what it is.
Vacation rental security with complimentary wildlife entertainment. Who knew?
SHOP SOLAR-POWERED EXTERIOR CAMERAS →
Privacy reminder: Exterior cameras should never be used in private areas, and vacation rental owners should follow current platform rules, disclosure requirements, and applicable local laws regarding security cameras and recording devices.
7. Smart Outdoor Outlets and Timers
This one isn’t exactly a security necessity, but it has turned out to be a surprisingly useful vacation rental management tool.
I recently added outdoor twinkle lights around our hot tub and fire pit area.
They add a little whimsical ambiance to the patio, but they’re also connected to a smart outdoor outlet and timer.
At around 10 p.m., the lights turn off.
It’s a subtle signal to guests that it’s time to wrap up the evening outside and head indoors.
Our city has a good-neighbor policy for short-term rentals that includes expectations around evening noise. Instead of relying entirely on signs and rules, the lighting creates a natural visual cue that the outdoor portion of the evening is coming to an end.
So far, it’s worked beautifully—and our patio looks pretty fantastic in the process.
SHOP SMART OUTDOOR OUTLETS →
[INSERT AFFILIATE LINK]
8. Smart Water Leak Detectors
Water might be my husband’s biggest fear when it comes to homeownership.
And, frankly, he has good reason.
Over the years, we’ve experienced a sewer backup, a once-in-a-century flash flood that sent water down our interior walls all the way to the basement, a tiny pinhole leak that caused a ridiculous amount of damage, and poorly installed flashing that allowed water to leak around windows.
None of these situations were caused by anything we did wrong.
But they’ve taught us one very important lesson:
Water damage can become a very big problem before you even realize you have one.
That’s why smart water leak detectors were an easy yes for us.
Small leak sensors can be placed in vulnerable areas such as:
- Under sinks
- Near the washing machine
- Around the water heater
- Under a dishwasher
- Near toilets
- Anywhere plumbing or appliances create a potential leak risk
Depending on the model, smart leak detectors can send an alert to your phone when moisture is detected.
For a vacation rental that might be sitting empty—or one located several hours from your primary residence—that early warning can be incredibly valuable.
SHOP SMART WATER LEAK DETECTORS →
9. Motion-Sensor Lighting for Hallways and Stairs
While writing this post, I started thinking about vacation rentals we’ve stayed in over the years and the little details that made certain properties feel particularly thoughtful.
One stood out.
The owners had installed motion-activated lighting in the hallways and stairways.
When you got up during the night, soft lighting automatically came on to help guide you through an unfamiliar house.
Such a simple idea.
As hosts, we’re intimately familiar with our own properties. We know exactly where the stairs begin, where the hallway turns, and how to get to the bathroom in the dark.
Our guests don’t.
Motion-sensor lighting can make nighttime navigation easier and add a thoughtful layer of comfort to the guest experience without requiring a major electrical project.
I’ve already identified a few places where I’d like to add these in our own vacation rental.
SHOP MOTION-SENSOR LIGHTING →
You Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune to Protect Your Vacation Rental
Technology is moving incredibly fast, but one of the benefits is that smart home security has become much more accessible to everyday homeowners and vacation rental hosts.
I can’t imagine what some of these capabilities would have cost a decade ago.
Today, a relatively small investment can allow you to remotely check your locks, monitor exterior areas, receive water leak alerts, check the temperature inside your property, and improve safety for your guests.
And you certainly don’t have to buy everything at once.
If you’re operating your Airbnb on a tight budget like we were in the beginning, start with the areas that present the greatest risk for your specific property.
For us, exterior cameras and smart locks made an enormous difference. Water sensors and our smart thermostat added another level of protection later.
Over time, you can build a simple smart-home system that helps protect your property without spending thousands of dollars.
Because when your vacation rental is one of your greatest assets, a little preventative technology can provide a whole lot of peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Security Technology
What security devices should I have in my Airbnb?
Every property is different, but vacation rental owners should consider appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, secure exterior locks, and other safety equipment required by local codes. Smart locks, permitted exterior security cameras, leak detectors, and smart thermostats can provide additional remote-management capabilities.
Are smart locks worth it for an Airbnb?
For many hosts, yes. Smart locks can eliminate physical key exchanges and, depending on the model, allow hosts to create or change access codes and remotely manage or check the lock. This can be especially helpful when you manage a vacation rental from another city.
Can Airbnb hosts have security cameras?
Airbnb’s rules regarding cameras and recording devices can change, so hosts should always check the platform’s current policy and local laws before installing or using any device. Cameras should never be placed in areas where guests reasonably expect privacy.
What is the best smart technology for managing an Airbnb remotely?
For our property, exterior cameras and smart locks have provided some of the biggest benefits. Smart thermostats and water leak detectors are also particularly useful because they can help you keep an eye on property conditions when no one is there.
How can I secure my vacation rental on a budget?
Start with safety requirements and your property’s biggest vulnerabilities rather than trying to automate everything at once. Affordable smart locks, leak sensors, exterior cameras, keyless storage locks, and motion-sensor lights can be added gradually as your budget allows.
Final Thoughts
Smart technology can’t eliminate every risk that comes with owning a vacation rental—and it certainly doesn’t replace good insurance, reliable local contacts, regular property inspections, or responsible hosting.
But it can give you something incredibly valuable:
Information.
Knowing what’s happening at your property when you aren’t there makes managing a vacation rental from afar much less stressful.
And thankfully, that kind of peace of mind no longer has to break the bank.
