Ollie Green · November 12, 2018 · 6 min read If you are an Airbnb host, you can help to automate tasks and add extra levels of security by using smart locks, cameras, and other smart home equipment.
In this article, we have picked out some of the best smart home gadgets you can use in your Airbnb home to monitor your location and manage check-ins and check-outs remotely.
The Best Remote Smart Locks
If you want to manage an Airbnb location remotely, a smart lock is one of the best investments you can make. With a smart lock, you can give a different access code to each guest, or ensure that only the guest staying at your property can get in and out.
Below, we have picked out two of the best remote smart locks that offer a different experience.
August Smart Lock (HomeKit Enabled) – $229
We’ll start with the August 2.0 Smart Lock because it’s very easy to install, so long as it is compatible with your deadbolt. With just a screwdriver and 10 to 15 minutes of your time, you can have the August Smart Lock installed.
The main reason the August Smart Lock is so easy is because it just latches onto your existing deadbolt, instead of completely replacing it. Once the August 2.0 Smart Lock is installed, you’ll need to go into the August app and create temporary virtual keys for your guests.
Your guests must also download the August app and they will need to have their Bluetooth on to be able to unlock the door. If you also treat your Airbnb listing as your home from time to time, you can take advantage of a number of other features, such as HomeKit and Siri integration.
When living remotely, you can combine the August Smart Lock with the August Doorbell Cam for $199, which will give you remote camera surveillance of your front porch.
Schlage Connect Camelot Smart Lock – $139.99
In today’s world, it’s rare that somebody won’t have a Bluetooth enabled smartphone, but that is the one main concern for those interested in the August 2.0 Smart Lock.
Thankfully, the Schlage Connect Camelot Smart Lock removes that problem by keeping the experience on the guest’s end to a simple digital combination lock that you can manage remotely.
Besides giving you the ability to unlock and lock the door remotely via your smartphone, the Schlage Connect Camelot lets you store up to 30 different door codes for you to give to your guests.
It’s very simple for you to create a new code, give it to your guest for the duration of their stay, and then delete the code once they leave.
Once again, the Schlage Connect Camelot Smart Lock is fairly easy to install – you only need a screwdriver and a little time. You won’t need to take the door off the hinges or replace the deadbolt.
This particular door lock from Schlage can also be paired up with Amazon Alexa.
Airbnb Surveillance
Whilst you must respect your guest’s privacy and agree not to install cameras in the areas your guests are staying, you can still install a camera overlooking your front door. This is more than enough to keep track of who comes and goes.
As an Airbnb host, you set the rules on who can stay and it’s under your discretion to allow or disallow guests to bring over friends. So, with a camera, you can keep an eye on things and if somebody shows up that shouldn’t, you’ll know about it.
We’ve picked two options below. One feature-packed premium option from Nest and a more affordable option for an Airbnb host with multiple Airbnb listings.
Nest Outdoor Security Camera – $159
Nest is truly killing the smart home game, so it should come as no surprise that they have a great outdoor smart security camera.
This camera is weather-proof so you don’t need to worry about it getting wet. The mounting tool included with the Nest camera makes it very easy to install in almost all locations. You can check everything that happens through the Nest app and you can also pay for the $5/month Nest Aware subscription to get 24/7 1080p HD recording.
Once installed, you’ll get notifications when Nest picks up movement or loud noise, so you’ll always get to keep an eye on any particularly unruly guests.
Yi Home Camera 4 Pack – $95.99
Yi is another competitor in the smart home security camera market, but they offer cameras at a much more affordable price. The YI home camera 4 pack costs just under $100, but you get a total of 4 camera to use across multiple locations.
Yi also has a supported app that will give you remote viewing access to your cameras and alerts when motion is picked up. The camera quality isn’t as great as the Nest camera, but when you only care to keep an eye on who leaves and enters, the 720P video stream offered by Yi is more than enough.
Smart Thermostats For Airbnb Hosts
One thing you should always consider before choosing the price of your Airbnb listing is the potential electricity cost your guests may build up. The biggest cost will most likely be heating and air conditioning. These smart thermostats will help to reduce your bills when a guest is staying in your home.
Nest Thermostat E – $169
With the Nest Thermostat E, you can remotely manage your air conditioning and heating, making sure that your guests don’t use electricity when they aren’t even in the home.
If you don’t want to constantly check up on your guests, the Nest Auto Away feature can be used to automatically adjust the temperature when guests leave your home.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is a more popular product, but as this learns an individual family’s usage patterns over time to better manage the heating and air conditioning in your home, it’s not as useful for Airbnb hosts. With new guests entering your house regularly, the cheaper Nest Thermostat E makes more economical sense.
ecobee4 Smart Thermostat – $211
The ecobee4 Smart Thermostat is an alternative option for those that want to give their guests easy temperature controls.
Paired with Amazon Alexa, your guests can control the smart thermostat with their voice. The ecobee4 also has the ability to notice when your guests leave the home and adjust the indoor temperature accordingly.
You can purchase extra room sensors so that the temperature is adjusted for each room – especially useful if you have multiple guests staying in a multi-bedroom home.
Remote control is also very easy with the included ecobee Android and iOS apps.
Summary
Thank you for reading our guide to some of the best smart locks, cameras, and other smart home equipment designed for Airbnb hosts.
It should be noted that any surveillance equipment must be mentioned in your Airbnb listing, but most guests will be happy to know there is a camera outside keeping not only your home, but their own belongings, safer from potential thefts. Enjoy!
