5 Smart Home Devices Under $50 That Will Instantly Boost Your Rental’s Energy Efficiency

Making your rental home more energy efficient doesn’t have to mean costly upgrades or disrupting your landlord’s property. Thanks to affordable, plug-and-play smart home devices, you can easily cut your energy bills and shrink your carbon footprint—no wiring or renovation skills required! In this guide, we’ll spotlight five powerful gadgets under $50 that are perfect for renters who want hassle-free savings and comfort.

Why Renters Should Invest in Smart Energy Devices

Rental-friendly smart devices are an ideal way for tenants to control energy use without violating lease agreements. Here’s why:

• No permanent installation: Easy to unplug and take when you move.
• Simple setup: Most are plug-and-play and connect via Wi-Fi.
• Lower energy bills: Small upgrades add up to big savings.
• Remote control and automation: Run your home efficiently, even when you’re away.

Let’s break down the top five devices you can get for under $50 and how each can make your rental smarter, greener, and cheaper to run.

1. Smart Plugs: The “Set-and-Forget” Energy Saver

What Are Smart Plugs?

Smart plugs are small adapters that plug into your existing outlets. You then plug appliances or electronics into them. With Wi-Fi connectivity, you control them remotely from your smartphone or by voice with smart assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, etc.).

How Smart Plugs Improve Energy Efficiency

• Schedule devices to turn off automatically, so you never waste energy on idle gadgets.
• Monitor usage: Some smart plugs let you track energy consumption for plugged-in devices.
• Kill “vampire” loads: Many electronics draw power even when off. A smart plug can completely shut them down when not needed.

Best Uses for Renters

• Lamps and lights
• Fans and space heaters
• Coffee makers
• Window A/C units
• Entertainment devices (TV, soundbar, game console)

Pro Tip: Set a “master off” schedule for all non-essential devices when you’re at work or sleeping to cut energy use effortlessly.

2. Smart LED Bulbs: Bright Savings at Your Fingertips

What Are Smart Bulbs?

Smart LED bulbs screw directly into your current light fixtures and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Using an app (or voice), you can adjust brightness, color, and even set routines—no need to rewire or replace any fixtures.

How Smart Bulbs Boost Efficiency

• LED Efficiency: LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescents and last 15x longer.
• Remote Control: Turn off forgotten lights from anywhere.
• Scheduled Automation: Create routines for lights to match your daily schedule (e.g., dimming at night, off during work hours).
• Motion-activated options: Only light the room when it’s in use.

Best Uses for Renters

• Bedroom and living room lamps
• Kitchen overhead fixtures
• Entryway and hallway lights for security

Pro Tip: Group multiple bulbs together in the app to control all with a single command—helpful for turning off the whole apartment as you head out the door.

3. Smart Power Strips: Tame and Automate Your Entertainment Hub

What Are Smart Power Strips?

A smart power strip offers several individually controllable outlets in a single surge-protected unit. Plug in your computer, TV, gaming console, or set top box, then control each outlet via app or voice—much like smart plugs, but consolidated for convenience.

How Smart Power Strips Improve Efficiency

• Automate groups: Turn off all entertainment devices when you leave or go to bed.
• Eliminate standby waste: Stop “vampire” electronics from drawing power when not in use.
• Ready for routines: Power only the devices you need at specific times (e.g., turn on coffee machine at 8 a.m.).
• Energy monitoring: See usage data for groups of devices, helping you spot the biggest power hogs.

Best Uses for Renters

• TV and media centers
• Home office set-ups (computer, monitor, printer)
• Kitchen counter appliances

Pro Tip: Name each outlet in the app (e.g., “TV”, “Modem”, “Soundbar”) to make voice commands intuitive and maximize savings.

4. Smart Thermostats for Portable or Plug-In Heaters & A/C Units

What Are Plug-In Smart Thermostats?

Even if your landlord won’t let you replace the HVAC thermostat, smart thermostats designed for portable heaters, fans, and window A/Cs can help you gain climate control without permanent installation.

These devices sit between your heater or A/C unit and the wall outlet, providing temperature-based automation and remote scheduling similar to a traditional smart thermostat.

How Portable Smart Thermostats Improve Efficiency

• Custom schedules: Set your heater/A/C to run only when needed—no wasted energy.
• Remote control: Adjust temperature from anywhere, so you never cool or heat an empty apartment.
• Temperature monitoring: Get accurate indoor readings so you don’t overdo it.
• Auto shut-off: Prevent overheating, overcooling, or accidental all-day use.

Best Uses for Renters

• Portable space heaters
• Window or portable A/C units
• Box fans

Pro Tip: Look for models compatible with voice assistants for hands-free temperature control—handy if you live in a studio or small space!

5. Smart Sensors: Your Invisible, Automated Energy Enforcers

What Are Smart Sensors?

Smart sensors—including motion sensors, temp/humidity sensors, and open/close sensors—act as triggers for other smart devices in your home. Used with smart plugs, bulbs, or thermostats, they enable your devices to react automatically to your habits and conditions.

How Smart Sensors Save Energy

• Room occupancy: Switch off lights or devices in unoccupied rooms.
• Climate response: Turn on/off fans or A/C units only when certain temperature or humidity thresholds are met.
• Window/door sensors: Pause heating or cooling if a window or door is left open, preventing wasted energy.

Best Uses for Renters

• Hallways, bathrooms, and closets (motion-activated lighting)
• Kitchen and laundry areas (humidity sensors for fans)
• Entryways (temperature and presence sensing)
• Monitoring open windows and doors in shared apartments

Pro Tip: Combine smart sensors with smart plugs and bulbs for advanced, energy-saving automations—like having your fan kick on only when a room is both occupied and warm.

How to Choose the Right Smart Device for Your Rental

Before clicking “buy,” make sure you consider a few renter-specific factors:

• Wired vs. wireless: Stick to plug-in or battery-powered smart devices for easy removal at move-out.
• Hub requirement: Favor Wi-Fi devices that don’t require a proprietary smart hub (unless you already have one).
• Voice assistant compatibility: Check if the device works with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, depending on your preference.
• App controls and privacy: Choose brands with good app reviews—