Recommended Devices

Recommended Smart Devices for Short-Term Rentals

This page highlights the smart home devices we consistently recommend for Airbnb, Vrbo, and other short-term rental properties. Unlike generic smart home guides, these recommendations focus on reliability, automation, and guest-friendly operation in real-world rental environments.

Whether you manage a single vacation rental or a multi-property portfolio, these devices form a proven foundation for hands-off automation.

Why Short-Term Rentals Need Different Smart Devices

Short-term rentals operate very differently from owner-occupied homes. Guests change frequently, internet reliability varies, and devices must work without constant supervision.

Because of this, we prioritize devices that:

• Recover gracefully from power or network outages
• Support remote management and monitoring
• Work reliably with frequent guest use
• Integrate cleanly with automation platforms

As a result, many consumer-focused smart devices never make this list.

How We Evaluate Smart Devices for Airbnb & Vacation Rentals

We evaluate every recommended device using real rental scenarios. For example, we test how devices behave during guest turnovers, network interruptions, and automation failures.

Our evaluation focuses on:

• Connectivity stability
• Remote management capabilities
• Platform compatibility
• Guest usability
• Long-term durability

In addition, we favor devices that support calendar-driven automation workflows.

What Types of Devices Are Included

Our top recommendations include one whole setup for end-to-end automation at your short-term rental. Each property should include:

• Smart locks for automated guest access
• Smart thermostats for vacancy-based energy savings
• Leak sensors and water shut-off valves for property protection
• Smart switches & plugs for controlling electronics
• Networking and hub infrastructure

Each category plays a role in reducing manual work while protecting the property.

Keeping This List Updated

We regularly update this list as manufacturers release new devices and retire older models. As standards like Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and Z-Wave evolve, we continue testing new products to ensure these recommendations stay current.

Every device featured here earns its place because it works reliably in short-term rental environments.