10 Smart Home Gadgets Under $100 That Make Apartment Living More Sustainable
Apartment living is all about efficiency, convenience, and maximizing your rental space—without losing sight of your environmental impact. Thanks to smart home technology, making your apartment more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be expensive or require hardwiring and renovations. In fact, a wide variety of smart devices under $100 can help you save energy, reduce waste, and live more sustainably, all while staying renter-friendly.
Below, we’ll explore the best budget-friendly gadgets for smarter, greener apartment living, with plenty of practical tips for renters. Whether you care most about lowering your utility bills, reducing your carbon footprint, or just making your daily routine a little easier, these devices can help you achieve your sustainability goals.
Why Go Smart and Sustainable in Your Apartment?
- Lower Utility Bills: Smart gadgets help you actively monitor and reduce your energy and water usage.
- Reduce Waste: Automated controls ensure you never forget to turn off lights or devices, cutting down on unnecessary energy use.
- Lightweight Installation: Most smart home gadgets are plug-and-play or stick-on—and easily removable when you move out.
- Healthier Living Spaces: Improve air quality, conserve resources, and automate repetitive tasks.
Let’s dive into the top 10 smart home gadgets under $100 that can make a big difference in your apartment’s sustainability.
1. Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are compact devices that plug into your existing outlets, instantly turning any device into a smart device. They allow you to schedule, monitor, and remotely control your electronics from your smartphone or voice assistant.
How Smart Plugs Make a Difference
- Schedule power: Automatically turn off electronics when not in use (think coffee makers, lamps, charging devices).
- Eliminate “vampire” loads: Many devices draw power even when “off.” Smart plugs help cut that wasted energy.
- Easy installation: No rewiring—simply plug and play.
Tip for Renters
Look for Wi-Fi-enabled plugs compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. Set schedules for lights, fans, or holiday decorations to prevent unnecessary energy usage.
2. Smart LED Light Bulbs
Traditional incandescent bulbs waste up to 90% of their energy as heat. Smart LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity, last for years, and offer convenient features like automated scheduling and dimming.
Benefits
- Reduce electricity use: LEDs cut lighting electricity demand by up to 80% compared to incandescent bulbs.
- Set schedules and scenes: Lights can turn off automatically or mimic your routine, even when you’re away.
- Control with your phone: Adjust brightness and color temperature remotely.
Tip for Renters
Opt for bulbs that simply screw into your regular sockets—no special fixtures needed. Take them with you to your next apartment!
3. Smart Power Strips
Multiple entertainment or office devices? Smart power strips allow you to power down groups of devices at once and provide real-time energy monitoring for each outlet.
Benefits of Smart Power Strips
- Energy logging: See which gadgets suck up the most power and adjust accordingly.
- Group scheduling: Turn off your home office or TV setup at bedtime automatically.
- Overload protection: Some models protect sensitive electronics from surges.
Tip for Renters
Great for entertainment centers, kitchen appliances, or computer setups. When you move, just unplug and take it with you.
4. Smart Thermostats for Room Heaters & ACs
While whole-home smart thermostats might require landlord approval, there are renter-friendly versions that regulate portable heaters, window AC units, or fans via smart plugs, IR blasters, or standalone devices.
Making Temperature Control Smarter
- Schedule heating/cooling: Warm or cool your space only when needed.
- Remote control: Adjust your climate from your phone before you get home.
- Adaptive learning: Some models “learn” your preferences and adjust automatically.
Tip for Renters
Look for IR blaster smart thermostats that work with your specific AC or space heater model—no electrical installation required.
5. Smart Water Leak Sensors
Water leaks in apartments are a sustainability and financial nightmare. Smart water leak detectors alert you in real-time to leaks—from under sinks, behind toilets, or in laundry areas—helping you act before small drips become disasters.
Why This Matters for Sustainability
- Prevent water waste: Stop drips and leaks early, saving hundreds of gallons.
- Limit water damage: Reduce the need for repairs that waste materials and resources.
- Easy to install: Place or stick down—no tools or wiring required.
Tip for Renters
Choose battery-operated sensors for easy move-out. Alert your property manager immediately if you find a leak.
6. Smart Shower Timers
Few things waste more water and energy than long, hot showers. Smart shower timers attach to your shower wall and help you track and reduce your water use—often with fun, gamified countdowns and LED indicators.
Benefits of a Smart Shower Timer
- Save water: Reduce waste by keeping showers short and sweet.
- Save energy: Heating water accounts for a significant portion of your utility bill.
- Simple setup: Most use suction cups or adhesive for tool-free installation.
Tip for Renters
Challenge yourself or roommates to five-minute showers and track your apartment’s monthly water savings.
7. Smart Window Sensors
Ditch the drafts and stop cooled or heated air from leaking out. Smart window and door sensors alert you if a window is open, letting you take action before your AC or heater goes into overdrive.
Why You’ll Love Window Sensors
- Boosts HVAC efficiency: Reminds you to close windows when the heating or AC is running.
- Improves security: Get instant notifications if a window is opened while you’re away.
- Non-destructive: Peel-and-stick installation makes them totally renter-friendly.
Tip for Renters
Look for sensors with app integration and simple adhesive mounts. Pair with smart thermostats for supercharged energy savings.
8. Smart Air Quality Monitors
Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, especially in city apartments. Smart air quality sensors help you track fine particulates, VOCs, CO2, and humidity, offering real-time data and actionable tips to improve your space and health.
Benefits for Sustainability and Comfort
- Optimize airflow: Know when to open a window or use a fan versus running power-hungry air purifiers unnecessarily.
- Detect mold risks: Get alerted to excess humidity so you can ventilate and prevent unhealthy mold growth.
- Portable: Move them from room to room and take with you when you relocate.
Tip for Renters
Choose a model with alerts and home automation integrations. Some can trigger fans or dehumidifiers based on indoor readings.
9. Smart Reusable Notebook
Paper waste adds up quickly, especially for students, creatives, or remote workers living in apartments. Smart reusable notebooks write just like regular notebooks but upload your notes to the cloud and wipe clean for reuse.
Sustainable Notetaking Solution
- Eliminate paper waste: One smart notebook can replace dozens of disposable ones.
- Cloud-connected: Instantly save and organize your notes, making it easier to stay paperless.
- Perfect for small spaces: Reduce clutter from stacks
