Searching online there are plenty of resources out there for smart home devices & reviews. There are rankings from different people comparing the different features, costs, etc. These are excellent resources for anyone looking to outfit their home with smart devices and automate routine tasks.
However, smart devices and setup at a short-term rental property is different than a smart home for personal use. This means the criteria we use and how we evaluate the different smart devices will be different. We’ve been using smart devices at vacation rental properties for years, and have learned what works and what doesn’t. We can also see why some devices may work in a primary residence but wouldn’t do very well in a short-term rental or Airbnb.
Evaluating Smart Devices for Short-Term Rentals
Since these types of reviews don’t seem to exist (or at least not in one centralized place) our team set out to create the first database of smart device reviews from a short-term rental perspective. For each device, we’ve taken time to look at different aspects of the devices to come up with an overall rating. Our goal is to continue to add to the complexity and structure of the reviews over time. For now we are giving an overall rating along with our thoughts and experience using the devices in short-term rentals and Airbnbs.
Review Structure
For each device we have been able to review, we are creating an overall score along with some commentary about our thoughts. Our overall score will take into account functionality, reliability, price, communication protocol, and battery life (if applicable). All of the devices we will be reviewing will be compatible with SmartThings, but will likely work with other platforms as well.
Ask Us for a Review
We’re going to do our best to get to as many devices as possible! If we haven’t yet reviewed a device you are interested in let us know! Fill out the form below and we’ll prioritize your request.
