10 Smart Home Gadgets Under $100 That Make Green Living Easy for Renters

Living green doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—especially if you’re renting. With the right affordable smart home gadgets, you can reduce your energy usage, minimize waste, and shrink your carbon footprint, all without drilling holes in the wall or installing permanent fixtures.

In this guide, we’ll spotlight 10 of the best smart home devices under $100 that can help renters live more sustainably. Whether you’re looking to save on utility bills, automate green habits, or simply make eco-friendly living more convenient, these budget-friendly gadgets have you covered.

Why Choose Smart Gadgets for Green Living?

Reduces Energy Bills: Automate heating, cooling, and lighting to eliminate waste.
Monitors Usage: Track your habits and discover ways to be more efficient.
No Permanent Installation: Perfect for renters who can’t make drastic changes.
Easy Setup: Most devices connect via WiFi and can be controlled with your phone or voice assistant.

10 Eco-Friendly Smart Home Gadgets Under $100

Below are practical and affordable gadgets that can help any renter adopt greener habits—no landlord approval required!

1. Smart Plugs — Effortlessly Control Energy Use

Smart plugs are compact, affordable devices that plug into your existing outlets. Once connected, you can control lamps, fans, or appliances from your smartphone or via voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.

Schedule devices to power off automatically when not in use.
Monitor real-time energy consumption with certain models.
Remote control ensures nothing is accidentally left on.

Perfect for: Lamps, space heaters, coffee makers, and electronics that don’t need to stay on 24/7.

2. Smart LED Light Bulbs — Efficient Lighting, Every Room

LED bulbs are already more eco-friendly than incandescent, but smart LED bulbs take it further. Not only do they use less energy, but they can be dimmed, color-tuned, and scheduled from your phone—so you only use as much light as you need.

Set timers and scenes for optimal energy use.
Control lights remotely so you never leave them on when you’re out.
Longer life span than standard bulbs.

Perfect for: Renters who want to customize lighting and save energy without installing new fixtures.

3. Smart Thermostats (Lite Versions) — Hands-Off Temperature Control

While premium smart thermostats can be pricey and require HVAC rewiring, new renter-friendly options simply plug into the wall or control portable heaters, window ACs, and other plug-in appliances.

Program schedules or use occupancy sensors for heating/cooling when you’re home.
Geofencing lets your smartphone automatically adjust temp as you come and go.
Lower bills by only conditioning air when needed.

Tip: Check your device compatibility—some models work directly with existing wall units or smart plugs.

4. Energy Monitoring Smart Power Strips — Tame Phantom Loads

Many electronics sap energy even when turned off, a problem called “phantom loads.” Smart power strips let you monitor and shut off entire banks of plugged-in devices with a tap or on a schedule.

Identify and eliminate unnecessary energy drain.
Control multiple devices with a single command.
Protect against surges at the same time.

Recommended for: Media centers, computers, chargers, and other “clustered” devices.

5. Smart Water Leak Sensors — Prevent Water Waste & Damage

Leaks are a renter’s worst nightmare—wasting water, risking your deposit, and potentially damaging property. Place smart water sensors under sinks, behind washing machines, or near water heaters. You’ll get an instant alert if moisture is detected.

Catch leaks early before they become disasters.
Protect your security deposit with proactive alerts.
Conserve water by addressing drips and leaks quickly.

Setup is easy: Battery-powered and doesn’t require wiring.

6. Smart Showerheads — Green Up Your Morning Routine

Upgrade your bathroom with a smart showerhead that tracks water usage and temperature in real-time. Some models even light up or send notifications to help you keep showers short and sustainable.

Monitor gallons used with built-in LED displays.
Encourage shorter showers with fun light or audio cues.
No plumbing expertise needed—easy to install and remove.

Ideal for: Renters looking to conserve water and energy alike.

7. Smart Window or Door Sensors — Heat and Cool Less, Spend Less

Drafty rental? Smart sensors can detect when windows or doors are left open. You can prompt reminders to close them, or automate your smart thermostat or air conditioner to pause operation.

Prevent energy waste by ensuring conditioned air stays inside.
Instant smartphone alerts if a window/door is left open.
No drilling or wiring—most affix with adhesives and are renter-friendly.

Expand your smart home: Integrate with other devices for maximum automation.

8. Smart Recycling Bins or Trackers — Make Recycling Effortless

Wish recycling was less confusing? Smart trackers and bins can scan barcodes and offer instant feedback on what’s recyclable in your area. Some track your habits, set goals, or even gamify recycling for shared apartments.

Learn recycling rules with instant lookups per item.
Track your waste reduction progress over time.
Gamify and share results in roommate groups or families.

Tip: Look for standalone smart trackers you can use with any bin—no permanent installation required.

9. Smart Plant Sensors — Keep Indoor Gardens Thriving

Houseplants improve indoor air quality, but keeping them alive can be tricky. Smart plant sensors monitor moisture, sunlight, and temperature, sending reminders when it’s time to water or move your plants.

Reduce wasted water by only watering when truly needed.
Get notified if your plant is too hot, cold, or sun-starved.
Support air-purifying benefits of healthy plants.

Best for: Apartments with limited natural light or busy schedules.

10. Smart Blinds or Curtain Controllers — Automate Natural Light & Insulation

With simple adhesive or clamp-on designs, you can automate existing blinds or curtains and schedule daily opening/closing, optimizing for daylight and heat retention.

Maximize free daylight and reduce lighting needs.
Insulate your home at night to maintain comfortable temps.
No permanent installation—removable for easy move-out.

Upgrade for savings: Combine with smart lights and thermostats for a fully automated, eco-friendly home.

How to Set Up Your Green Gadgets in a Rental

Stick to Non-Permanent Solutions

Choose devices with adhesive, clamp, or plug-in installation.
Avoid drilling holes, re-wiring, or mounting devices to avoid losing your deposit.