8 easy and low-risk tech upgrades for renters
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Renting an apartment gives you a lot less flexibility when it comes to tech upgrades. You can't just replace the things you don't like without consulting your landlord, and even then, there's no guarantee that your request will be accepted. You also have to work around general limitations, like how much power you can draw without getting a huge electricity bill (or blowing a fuse.)
But as a professional geek who's going to be living in an apartment for several more years, I've found accessories and gadgets that upgrade my life while staying apartment friendly. Whether that be smart light bulbs I can control with my voice, a smart plug that lets me turn my appliances on and off from anywhere in the world, or a security camera that can follow people around, it's easy to squeeze a lot of upgrades into a small space.
You won't have the same level of freedom as you would if you owned your home, but your tech options are a lot less limited than you may think. None of these upgrades require any tools, more than a few minutes to set up, or regular maintenance. Once they're done, you'll find yourself saving time, money, or both, without having to ask permission.
Installing a cheap, motion-sensing security camera that can keep your place safe while being discreet
Brandt Ranj / Business Insider
Wyze Cam Pan, $37.99, available at Amazon
Home security systems used to involve a lot of wiring, and some still do. But if you're looking for an easy, inexpensive way to keep an eye on your place while you're gone, I recommend Wyze's Cam Pan.
Unlike its competition, the Cam Pan sits on a rotating stand, which can follow a subject around, covering more ground than a sedentary camera. I tested it recently, and its video quality, motion sensing abilities, and easy-to-use app all impressed me.
The camera will automatically begin recording when it senses motion, and store 12-second video clips in the cloud for 14 days, giving you plenty of time to review, share, and download them to your phone for safe keeping. Some people are put off of setting up a home security system because of its high cost, but Wyze's Cam Pan is so good and inexpensive, it's hard to justify not having one.
Using a printer that supports wireless printing, so you can keep it in a closet or under your bed
Amazon
HP OfficeJet 4650 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, $49.99, available at Amazon
I know that we live in an increasingly digital world, and the idea of keeping a printer in an apartment seems kind of crazy, but it's totally worth it.
HP's OfficeJet 4650 is the top pick in our best printers under $100 guide, and it has the one feature you need in apartment-friendly tech: it's wireless. Instead of taking up valuable real estate on your desk, you can stick this printer under your bed, in a closet, or any other out-of-the-way spot that's close enough to an outlet for its cord to reach.
The printer's Wi-Fi even lets you print to it directly from a phone or tablet, so you're set even if you've given up on keeping a traditional computer around. The OfficeJet 4650 is also a copier and scanner, for the times when taking a quick photo of an important document won't do. Printers always seem wasteful, but the next time you're running late and need a physical copy of a concert ticket or boarding pass, you'll be thankful to have one.
Getting smart plugs that let you control your old appliances from anywhere
Amazon
TP-Link Smart Plug Mini, $26.99, available at Amazon
Smart homes are becoming more popular, and it's easy to think you have to buy all new appliances to reap all of the benefits of building one. Thankfully, TP-Link's Smart Plug Mini makes that a nonissue.
All you have to do is stick it into an outlet and connect an appliance to the plug. Once it's plugged in, you can turn your appliance on and off, or set it on a schedule through TP-Link's Kasa app.
As a renter who pays for his own electricity, I know how detrimental it can be to accidentally leave a light on, or a gadget running. By plugging them into one of TP-Link's Smart Plugs, I can know for sure that I turned off my game console or unplugged my hair dryer.
The benefit of putting your tech on a set schedule through a smart plug also means you can do fun, futuristic things, like setting your coffee maker to turn on five minutes before your alarm, so it's already waiting for you when you wake up.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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