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Getting Started

The Apartment Smart Home Starter Kit

A hub, a doorbell, a camera, a lock and a plug — the five-device renter starter kit, each one chosen because it installs without drilling and comes off clean.

By Stephen V.Updated How we pick

If you want a smart home that actually covers your apartment — not just a single gadget — this is the shortlist. Five devices, one from each category that matters, chosen so they work together and, more importantly, so every one of them installs without a drill and leaves with you. A voice hub to tie it together, a doorbell for the front, a camera for inside, a lock that keeps your key, and a plug to make a lamp smart. That’s a complete renter setup with nothing screwed into a wall.

We picked one product per slot rather than ranking rivals, because a starter kit is about fit, not competition — each of these is the piece we’d hand a friend moving into their first place. They span Alexa voice control, a battery doorbell on an adhesive plate, a shelf camera that records for free, a retrofit lock that never changes your exterior hardware, and the one-second smart plug. You can buy the whole kit at once or add a piece at a time; either way, none of it costs you a hole or a deposit.

How this is funded:we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you when we’d skip one. Full disclosure.

The picks at a glance

Ranked on renter fit, no-fee recording and how cleanly each one comes off the wall. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We haven’t tested these — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductBest forLease-SafePrice
1
Amazon Echo Dot (newest model)

Amazon Echo Dot (newest model)

The easiest way to tie a renter smart home together. It's a good little speaker, it's the Alexa brain that controls your plugs, bulbs and cameras by voice, and it sits on a shelf and plugs in. The default first purchase.

The hubLease-Safe: Excellent
$49.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 25, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro

Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro

A battery doorbell with a head-to-toe 1:1 view, a plug-in chime in the box, and a price that undercuts Ring — our overall pick for an apartment because it mounts on adhesive and doesn't force a monthly fee to see a motion clip.

The doorbellLease-Safe: Good
$103.98 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 25, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
Wyze Cam v4 (2.5K)

Wyze Cam v4 (2.5K)

The best cheap camera for a renter, full stop. A 2.5K sensor, a magnetic base that sits on any shelf, and a microSD slot that records with no monthly fee. Under forty dollars and nothing about it touches your walls.

The cameraLease-Safe: Excellent
$39.99 · View on Amazon

$44.9811% off

Price as of July 25, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

The renter lock. It retrofits onto the inside of your existing deadbolt, so the outside of the door and your physical key don't change at all — your landlord never knows, and it comes off in ten minutes at move-out. Wi-Fi is built in, and there's no subscription.

The lockLease-Safe: Excellent
$109.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 25, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25

Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25

The best smart plug for a renter: it needs no hub, works with Alexa, Google and Apple Home, and is small enough not to block the second outlet. It just plugs in — the most no-drill upgrade there is.

The plugLease-Safe: Excellent
$17.99 · View on Amazon

$24.9928% off

Price as of July 25, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1The hubLease-Safe: Excellent

Amazon Echo Dot (newest model)

The easiest way to tie a renter smart home together. It's a good little speaker, it's the Alexa brain that controls your plugs, bulbs and cameras by voice, and it sits on a shelf and plugs in. The default first purchase.

What we like

  • Controls Alexa-compatible plugs, bulbs and cameras by voice
  • Doubles as a genuinely decent speaker
  • Cheap, freestanding, plug-in

Trade-offs

  • No built-in Zigbee/Thread radios (needs Wi-Fi/Matter devices)
  • Always-listening mic isn't for everyone
Installs byFreestanding on a shelf; plug-in
PowerPlug-in
SubscriptionNot required
Connectivity2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Matter
RoleAlexa voice hub + speaker
RadiosWi-Fi, Bluetooth, Matter

Lease-Safe: Excellent. Sits on any surface and plugs into an outlet — nothing installed, nothing modified.

Spec note. Amazon publishes Matter support on the newest Echo Dot; it controls Wi-Fi and Matter devices. It is not a Zigbee/Thread hub — devices needing those radios want a dedicated hub.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

#2The doorbellLease-Safe: Good

Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro

A battery doorbell with a head-to-toe 1:1 view, a plug-in chime in the box, and a price that undercuts Ring — our overall pick for an apartment because it mounts on adhesive and doesn't force a monthly fee to see a motion clip.

What we like

  • Rechargeable battery — no doorbell wiring required
  • Includes a plug-in chime, so you don't need an existing chime box
  • 1:1 head-to-toe aspect ratio shows packages on the ground

Trade-offs

  • Full event history and person detection want a Cam Plus subscription
  • The included bracket is screw-mount; a no-drill adhesive plate is a separate buy
Installs byScrew bracket in the box; pairs with a peel-and-stick no-drill plate
PowerRechargeable battery
SubscriptionNot required
Connectivity2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Video1:1 head-to-toe, HD
Chime includedYes (plug-in)

Lease-Safe: Good. Battery power means no wiring to touch, and the whole unit lifts off its bracket at move-out. Landlord-invisible if you use an adhesive plate instead of the included screws.

Spec note. Wyze publishes a 1:1 (head-to-toe) field of view and a rechargeable battery. The chime is included, which matters in a rental with no existing chime box.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

#3The cameraLease-Safe: Excellent

Wyze Cam v4 (2.5K)

The best cheap camera for a renter, full stop. A 2.5K sensor, a magnetic base that sits on any shelf, and a microSD slot that records with no monthly fee. Under forty dollars and nothing about it touches your walls.

What we like

  • Records to microSD with no subscription
  • Sits on a magnetic base — no wall mounting needed
  • 2.5K resolution at a budget price

Trade-offs

  • Smart AI events (person/package) want a Cam Plus plan
  • Best mounted indoors or under cover for outdoor use
Installs byMagnetic base — freestanding on a shelf, or screw/adhesive mount
PowerPlug-in (USB)
SubscriptionNot required
Connectivity2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Resolution2.5K
StoragemicroSD (local, no fee)

Lease-Safe: Excellent. It stands on a magnetic base on any flat surface, so you can run it with zero holes. Local microSD recording means it never depends on a subscription you'd cancel at move-out.

Spec note. Wyze publishes 2.5K resolution and local microSD recording. The magnetic base is the reason it's so renter-friendly — no mounting hardware needed at all.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

#4The lockLease-Safe: Excellent

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

The renter lock. It retrofits onto the inside of your existing deadbolt, so the outside of the door and your physical key don't change at all — your landlord never knows, and it comes off in ten minutes at move-out. Wi-Fi is built in, and there's no subscription.

What we like

  • Fits over your existing deadbolt — exterior and key unchanged
  • No drilling, fully reversible in minutes
  • Wi-Fi built in; no subscription for remote access

Trade-offs

  • Needs a compatible single-cylinder deadbolt (most, but check yours)
  • A keypad for code entry is a separate accessory
Installs byRetrofits over the interior of an existing single-cylinder deadbolt
PowerAA batteries
SubscriptionNot required
ConnectivityBluetooth + 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (built in)
InstallRetrofit (interior only)
Keeps your keyYes

Lease-Safe: Excellent. It replaces only the interior thumbturn of the deadbolt you already have — no new holes, the exterior and your key stay exactly as they were, and it unscrews back to stock in minutes. This is the gold standard for a rental.

Spec note. August publishes a retrofit design that mounts on the interior of an existing deadbolt and keeps the original exterior hardware and keyway. Confirm your deadbolt is on the compatibility list before buying.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

#5The plugLease-Safe: Excellent

Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25

The best smart plug for a renter: it needs no hub, works with Alexa, Google and Apple Home, and is small enough not to block the second outlet. It just plugs in — the most no-drill upgrade there is.

What we like

  • No hub required — connects straight to Wi-Fi
  • Works with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home (HomeKit)
  • Compact — won't block the outlet beside it

Trade-offs

  • 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
  • One outlet per plug
Installs byPlug-in (no install)
PowerPlug-in
SubscriptionNot required
Connectivity2.4GHz Wi-Fi (no hub)
Hub neededNo
EcosystemsAlexa, Google, Apple Home

Lease-Safe: Excellent. It plugs into an outlet and does nothing to the wall. Take it with you in a second at move-out. Nothing is more deposit-safe.

Spec note. Kasa publishes HomeKit support and hub-free 2.4GHz Wi-Fi operation. The mini form factor is specifically to avoid blocking the second socket.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

Why these five

Each pick is the renter-friendliest option in its category. The Echo Dot is the glue — a shelf speaker that controls the rest by voice and needs nothing but an outlet. The Wyze doorbell runs on a rechargeable battery and rides an adhesive plate, so there’s no wiring and no hole. The Wyze Cam v4 stands on a magnetic base and records to a microSD card with no monthly fee. The August lock is the standout: it retrofits over the insideof your existing deadbolt, so the exterior and your physical key never change and your landlord never knows. And the Kasa plug just plugs in, works with Alexa, Google and Apple Home, and makes any lamp or fan smart. Not one of them is an alteration — every piece is reversible in minutes.

Add them in this order

You don’t have to buy all five at once. Start with the plug, because it’s the cheapest and gives you the fastest win, then add the Echo Dot so you have voice control before you scale up. The doorbell and camera come next, since they’re the devices you’ll actually check every day, and the lock last, once you’ve confirmed your deadbolt is on the compatibility list. If you want to weigh the hub against other options first, see our best hubs for renters guide, and the smart locks for rentersroundup covers the alternatives to the August if your deadbolt doesn’t fit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set up this whole kit without drilling?

Yes — that's the point of these specific picks. The plug and hub just plug in, the camera sits on a shelf, the doorbell rides an adhesive plate, and the lock retrofits over the interior of your existing deadbolt. Nothing here needs a drill, a screw into the wall, or any wiring you'd have to restore.

Do these five devices work together?

They do. The Echo Dot acts as the voice hub and can control the plug, and pull up compatible camera and doorbell feeds by voice. Each device also works on its own app, so you're never locked into one screen — the Echo just makes running them by voice easier.

Which piece should a renter buy first?

The smart plug, for the price and the instant payoff, followed by the Echo Dot for voice control. The doorbell and camera are the devices you'll interact with daily, and the lock is worth confirming your deadbolt compatibility before you order. You can build the kit one piece at a time.

Will any of this cost me my deposit at move-out?

It shouldn't. Every device in this kit is reversible — plug-in, adhesive, shelf-standing, or a retrofit that keeps your original hardware. The habit that protects your deposit is saving any original parts (your deadbolt thumbturn stays on the door; keep the box) and resetting accounts and Wi-Fi when you leave.

Sources

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