$100 Smart Home Starter Kit for Renters: Budget-Friendly Setup Guide
How We Test
Every device is installed in a real apartment with no drilling allowed. We live with it for at least two weeks, then remove it and check the wall. We score install ease, removability, portability and whether a landlord would object — then we publish the score, good or bad.
You don't need to spend hundreds to get a smart home. With $100, you can automate your lighting, control devices with your voice, and start building a smart home that moves with you.
This guide shows you exactly what to buy, how to set it up, and what to add next.
The $100 Starter Kit
| Item | Product | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Plug (2-pack) | TP-Link Kasa KP125M | $25 | Control any device remotely |
| Smart Bulb (2-pack) | TP-Link Kasa KL125 | $20 | Voice-controlled lighting |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) | $50 | Control everything with voice |
| Total | $95 |
What you can do with this kit:
- Turn lights on/off with voice ("Alexa, turn off the lights")
- Control any plugged-in device remotely (lamps, fans, coffee makers)
- Set schedules (lights on at sunset, off at bedtime)
- Create routines (morning: lights on + coffee maker on)
- Monitor energy usage (smart plug tracks consumption)
What's in the Box
TP-Link Kasa KP125M Smart Plug (2-Pack) — $25
Renter Score: 10/10 | Affiliate: Check price on Amazon →
Plug into any outlet. Connect to Wi-Fi. Control from anywhere. Energy monitoring included. Works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit (via Matter).
Setup time: 2 minutes per plug No tools needed. No drilling. No wiring.
TP-Link Kasa KL125 Smart Bulb (2-Pack) — $20
Renter Score: 10/10 | Affiliate: Check price on Amazon →
Screw into existing fixtures. 800 lumens, 16 million colors, dimmable. Works with Alexa and Google Home. No hub needed.
Setup time: 2 minutes per bulb No tools needed. No drilling. No wiring.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) — $50
Renter Score: 10/10 | Affiliate: Check price on Amazon →
Voice assistant that controls everything. Built-in speaker, temperature sensor, motion detection. Works with Alexa. Compact (3.5" diameter).
Setup time: 5 minutes No tools needed. No drilling. No wiring.
Setup Guide (15 Minutes Total)
Step 1: Set Up the Echo Dot (5 min)
- Plug in Echo Dot
- Download Alexa app on your phone
- Follow app instructions to connect
- Connect to your Wi-Fi
- Test: "Alexa, what's the weather?"
Step 2: Set Up Smart Plugs (4 min)
- Plug smart plug into outlet
- Download Kasa app
- Follow app instructions to connect
- Name each plug (e.g., "Living Room Lamp", "Coffee Maker")
- Test: "Alexa, turn on Living Room Lamp"
Step 3: Set Up Smart Bulbs (4 min)
- Screw bulb into existing fixture
- Turn on the light switch
- Download Kasa app (same app as plugs)
- Follow app instructions to connect
- Name each bulb (e.g., "Bedroom Light", "Desk Lamp")
- Test: "Alexa, turn on Bedroom Light"
Step 4: Create Routines (2 min)
- Open Alexa app → Routines
- Create "Good Morning" routine:
- Trigger: 7:00 AM
- Actions: Turn on Bedroom Light, Turn on Coffee Maker
- Create "Good Night" routine:
- Trigger: 10:00 PM
- Actions: Turn off all lights, Turn off all plugs
What You Can Do (Day 1)
- Voice control: "Alexa, turn off the lights"
- Remote control: Turn devices on/off from your phone (anywhere)
- Schedules: Lights on at sunset, off at bedtime
- Routines: Morning coffee + lights, movie night dimming
- Energy monitoring: Track which devices use the most power
- Groups: "Alexa, turn off bedroom" (controls all bedroom devices)
What to Add Next ($50-100 More)
Next Purchase: Smart Lock ($89-129)
- Wyze Lock ($89) — budget, screwdriver install
- SwitchBot Lock Pro ($129) — adhesive, zero tools
- Why: Keyless entry, auto-lock, guest access
Next Purchase: Smart Lighting ($25-80)
- Philips Hue Dimmer Switch ($25) — peel-and-stick wall switch
- Govee LED Strip ($25) — accent lighting behind TV
- Philips Hue Starter Kit ($130) — full color lighting
- Why: Better ambiance, voice-controlled scenes
Next Purchase: Security Camera ($25-35)
- TP-Link Tapo C120 ($25) — budget indoor camera
- Eufy Indoor Cam C120 ($35) — better quality
- Why: Pet monitoring, package alerts, peace of mind
Next Purchase: Smart Blinds ($89)
- SwitchBot Curtain 3 ($89) — clips onto existing rod
- Why: Wake up to natural light, automate privacy
Upgrade Path
| Budget | Add | Total Investment | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | Starter kit (plugs, bulbs, Echo) | $100 | Voice control, scheduling, remote access |
| $200 | + Smart lock | $200 | Keyless entry, auto-lock |
| $350 | + Security camera + lighting | $350 | Monitoring, ambiance |
| $500 | + Smart blinds + thermostat | $500 | Full automation |
Renter Readiness Score Explained
We score every device across 5 dimensions:
| Dimension | Score | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Install Ease | 0-3 | 3 = plug-in only, 0 = drilling/wiring |
| Removability | 0-3 | 3 = zero trace, 0 = permanent damage |
| No-Drill | 0-2 | 2 = zero holes, 0 = requires holes |
| Portability | 0-1 | 1 = fits in a box, 0 = awkward/heavy |
| Lease Compliance | 0-1 | 1 = no landlord permission, 0 = permission required |
Max score: 10/10
All items in this starter kit score 10/10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a smart home for under $100? Yes. The $100 starter kit (smart plug + smart bulb + Echo Dot) gives you voice control, scheduling, and remote access for $95.
Do smart plugs work with any device? Yes. Smart plugs work with any device that plugs into a standard outlet: lamps, fans, coffee makers, space heaters, etc.
Can I use smart bulbs in any fixture? Yes, as long as the bulb type matches (E26, E27, GU10, etc.). Most standard fixtures use E26 (US) or E27 (EU).
Do I need a hub? No. The Kasa smart plug and bulb connect directly to Wi-Fi. The Echo Dot acts as the voice control hub.
Can I take everything when I move? Yes. Unplug the plugs, unscrew the bulbs, pack the Echo Dot. Reinstall at your new place in 15 minutes.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've tested and believe in.
Last updated: October 2026
Affiliate Disclosure
We earn a commission from Amazon and other retailers when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our rankings: we recommend the same devices whether or not a program pays us. Read the full policy.