Airbnb Smart Home: Top Devices Every Host Needs

Smart home technology is becoming increasingly popular among Airbnb hosts because it offers convenience, efficiency, and security and is a great way to enhance guest experience. Smart homes look more appealing to travelers, especially if the devices inside your vacation rental are similar to what they have at their own homes.

Installing smart home technology can deliver numerous benefits to both you and your Airbnb guests. So, in this article, we'll talk about innovative tools that can transform your rental property into a smart Airbnb home.

Selecting Airbnb Smart Home Technology: Things to Consider

Smart home devices are gadgets that perform specific tasks and use internet connectivity and AI to automate and optimize different aspects of your home. The best thing is that you can control smart devices remotely from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet.

Integrating smart home technology into your Airbnb can make guests' vacations stress-free and help them get the most out of their stay. That leads to happier guests and excellent reviews that can help you win more bookings. Besides, STR properties with smart home devices are often viewed as more luxurious options so you can set higher rates and increase your potential income.

With smart home tech, you can create a welcoming and technologically advanced environment for your guests and set your Airbnb business for success. And if you opt for vacation rental software like Hospitable, you can automate 90% of your routine tasks and scale faster.

A wide range of smart devices are available on the market, each serving a specific purpose, and choosing them wisely is important. The best practice is to select devices that are compatible with each other so they can work together to create a connected ecosystem. For example, you should look for a smart lock that integrates with a compatible smart doorbell and security system.

It's also essential to set your budget and consider the long-term benefits and potential cost savings that the devices can offer. Look for cost-effective smart devices that provide significant returns, for example, smart plugs, smart thermostats, and smart sensors that detect leaks or smoke. Such devices can help you save on utility costs and prevent potential damage.

Don't overwhelm your guests with complicated or unfamiliar smart devices to ensure a positive experience. Choose user-friendly and intuitive devices that are easy to operate. Then, your guests can effortlessly enjoy the benefits of smart technology without feeling confused.

The right smart home devices can help secure your Airbnb property, make it more comfortable for your guests, and simplify managing it from afar. Tools like SuiteOp allow you to connect to different smart devices through their integrations and manage them all at scale, improving your operational efficiency.

Smart Home Devices for Your Airbnb

Let's take a closer look at some smart home devices that you should consider when preparing your home for Airbnb to optimize different aspects of hosting.

Safety and security

Smart locks are a game-changer when running a vacation rental because they allow you to offer your guests a seamless self-check-in, making it easier to manage your business from anywhere. Guests will also appreciate that they can easily access your property without a physical key.

Smart locks are also one of the smartest ways to secure access to your home. You can assign a unique code to each guest valid only during their booking, eliminating the risk of lost or stolen keys. You can also assign access codes to cleaners and repair technicians.

If you opt for Hospitable, you can use its integrations with popular smart lock systems and automate messaging door codes to your guests. Hospitable will automatically create and send unique temporary door codes to the guests who booked your listing shortly before check-in. Then, you can be sure no one else can enter your property outside the specified time.

Video doorbells have built-in smart cameras so you can see when your guests enter or exit your rental from your smartphone. Video doorbells also have motion detectors, and they can automatically record a short clip when they detect someone approaching your home. You can receive notifications on your mobile device, monitor your Airbnb property live, or watch the recorded clips the next day.

Exterior video surveillance cameras are allowed on Airbnb if they don't monitor areas where guests have a greater expectation of privacy, for example, inside an enclosed outdoor shower. However, you must disclose the presence and general location of any outdoor cameras in your listing to let guests know what to expect during their stay before they book. Remember that the updated Airbnb camera policy bans installing indoor security cameras and recording devices.

Noise monitors installed in your Airbnb will help you detect and prevent noise disturbances before they happen and avoid problems with neighbors. Noise-monitoring devices use sensors to capture sound levels, but they don't record conversations. If they determine that noise levels exceed a certain threshold, they will send you an immediate alert so you can address the issue.  

Comprehensive monitoring solutions such as Minut or Alertify allow you to monitor not only noise levels but also occupancy and temperature in your Airbnb property.

Airbnb allows hosts to use noise monitors in common spaces of listings, but hosts must disclose the presence of noise decibel monitors under Safety devices in their listing. Remember that you are not allowed to install noise monitors in bedrooms, bathrooms, or sleeping areas.

Smart security systems can help ensure your guests' safety and peace of mind. They can include such features as motion sensors, door/window sensors, and video surveillance, allowing you to monitor and control your property remotely using a smartphone app. Comprehensive systems may offer additional features like sirens and doorbells and may have integrations with other smart devices.

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can help keep your guests and home safe. Such devices will notify you immediately via a mobile app when a fire breaks out on your property, or your batteries are about to die.

Smart water leak detectors can reduce the risk of water damage caused by undetected leaks by alerting you to water leak issues quickly before they become a disaster. Such devices can trigger an alarm and send you a smartphone notification. Then, you can act to get everything fixed and take measures to prevent severe damage.

Save money on utilities

Smart thermostats are eco-friendly devices that can give your guests more control over the temperature during their stay so they can feel more comfortable. And when your guests leave, you can turn off your thermostat using your smartphone. You can also change the temperature from your smartphone or create a schedule to automate your home's heating or cooling. With a smart thermostat, you can save 10-12% on energy bills on average.

Smart lighting is an innovative technology that uses sensors to detect movement or the presence of people in a room or the amount of daylight and automatically adjust the lighting. Smart bulbs with dimming capabilities allow guests to adjust the lighting intensity to their preference and create a cozy atmosphere.

Smart lighting also allows you to control your light remotely. You can set lighting schedules that align with your guests' daily routines or create home automation rules to turn lights on/off when your rental property is unoccupied between bookings. This way, you can improve energy efficiency and lower your electricity costs.

Smart plugs are plug socket adapters you can control from a distance via a smartphone app. They allow you to automate your wired devices and help you cut energy consumption, and reduce your electricity bill by setting timers and schedules for different plugs.

Make guest stays more convenient and enjoyable

Voice-activated assistants like Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant can fundamentally change the guest experience, setting your listing apart. They can act as the brain for your entire vacation rental property and connect to your other smart devices. They allow guests to ask questions and use voice commands to control their in-home experience, for example, turn off lights or adjust the room temperature.

Robotic vacuum cleaners can help keep your Airbnb property spotless and minimize the time and effort required for cleaning tasks. They work independently and hardly ever need human interaction. Most robot vacuum cleaners use a variety of sensors to ensure that the device can intelligently navigate your home and handle different housecleaning tasks.

Smart shades and automatic curtains may seem to be a frivolous luxury, but in fact, they make life more convenient. You can control them from your smartphone or using voice commands. Smart shades can be automated to open and close at set times, and some of them may have motion sensors that trigger them to open when someone walks into the room in the morning. 

Final Thought

Hopefully, our list of top smart home devices can help you transform your short-term rental property into the ideal Airbnb space. Investing in smart home devices for your Airbnb will help you stand out in the competitive vacation rental market and attract many tech-savvy guests who will appreciate your efforts and leave you great reviews.