Best Smart Home Gadgets & Compact Tech for Apartments
Most “smart home” upgrades assume you own the walls — a smart thermostat, a wired doorbell, a built-in security system. None of that works in a rental. These four picks plug into an existing outlet, screw into an existing socket, or stick to an existing surface, so you get real voice-and-app control without touching a single wire.
| Product | Tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring | Budget | turning any single lamp or appliance into a voice-controlled device |
| Govee Smart RGB LED Strip Lights, 16.4ft | Mid-range | accent lighting that changes a room's whole mood |
| Amazon Basics Smart A19 Color Changing LED Bulb | Budget | upgrading one fixture to smart control in under two minutes |
| Kasa Smart Power Strip, KP303 | Mid-range | a desk or entertainment corner with several devices needing separate control |
1. Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring, KP115
Best starting point
Similar style shown — see the exact model and finish on Amazon.
- Control: works with Alexa and Google Home for voice control, plus the Kasa app for scheduling and control from anywhere
- Monitoring: tracks energy usage per device, so you can see what's actually running up the bill
- Best for: turning any single lamp, fan, or appliance into a voice-controlled device with no rewiring
2. Govee Smart RGB LED Strip Lights, 16.4ft
Most popular
Similar style shown — see the exact model and finish on Amazon.
- Control: app and voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant, with 16 million colors, 64 scene modes, and music sync
- Installation: adhesive backing sticks to the back of a shelf, desk, TV, or bed frame — no tools or wiring
- Best for: accent lighting that changes the whole mood of a room with a tap, not a switch
3. Amazon Basics Smart A19 Color Changing LED Bulb
Easiest upgrade
Similar style shown — see the exact model and finish on Amazon.
- Install: screws into any standard A19 socket — no hub required, works over 2.4GHz WiFi with Alexa
- Control: full color-changing range plus dimming, controlled by voice or the Alexa app
- Best for: upgrading one lamp or fixture to smart control in under two minutes, with nothing to mount or stick anywhere
4. Kasa Smart Power Strip, KP303
Most outlets
Similar style shown — see the exact model and finish on Amazon.
- Outlets: 3 individually app- and voice-controlled smart outlets plus 2 always-on USB ports, with ETL-certified surge protection
- Control: works with Alexa and Google Home, with each outlet switchable on its own instead of all together
- Best for: a desk, TV console, or entertainment corner with several devices that need separate on/off control
Which one should you get?
If you've never tried a smart home device, start with the single smart plug — it's the cheapest way to add voice control to one lamp or appliance you already own. For a bigger visual upgrade, the LED strip lights change the entire feel of a room and stick on with no tools. If a single fixture needs smart control instead of a whole outlet, the smart bulb is the fastest install on this page — just screw it in. And once you're hooked, the smart power strip extends that same control to a whole desk or entertainment setup, one outlet at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add smart home devices to a rental without any wiring?
Yes — smart plugs, smart bulbs, and adhesive LED strip lights all work with your existing outlets and sockets, so there's no wiring, no hub installation, and nothing that needs to be undone when you move out.
Do I need a smart home hub to use a smart plug or smart bulb?
No — the products on this page connect directly to your home WiFi and work with Alexa or Google Home without any separate hub, which keeps the setup to just downloading an app.
What's the easiest first smart home device to buy?
A basic smart plug is usually the easiest starting point — it costs under $20, takes a minute to set up, and instantly adds voice and app control to any lamp or appliance you plug into it.