Apple's New Smart Home Lineup: Which Devices Make Sense for Renters

The report’s author, a homeowner with a mix of smart home ecosystems including Apple Home, wrote from experience as a former renter and said landlord and lease restrictions require creative smart home setups. ZDNet identified two Apple Home Collection cameras as good for renters. The LG Indoor Cam costs $200 and is a pan-and-tilt security camera with a privacy feature that the Apple Home app triggers automatically when the user comes home. Apple does not specify exactly what triggers the action, but ZDNet said it is likely based on an iPhone’s location and proximity. The camera looks like a tabletop lamp rather than a typical pan-and-tilt camera, can be placed without wall mounting, supports AI video search and, with built-in storage, can keep recording during Wi-Fi outages. ZDNet noted that cheaper indoor cameras with privacy features exist, including the $60 Anker Eufy E220, the $140 Anker Eufy S350 and the $99 Aqara Camera Hub G3.

The LG Outdoor Cam also works for renters, ZDNet said, because it is a plug-in camera. Unlike the Floodlight Cam, it does not need hardwiring or replacing existing light fixtures. It costs $300 and supports 2.5K resolution, color and infrared night vision, detection of people, pets, packages and vehicles, person recognition, and AI-powered video search and descriptions. It can be set up as a bullet camera or tilted downward. Like Eufy and Reolink cameras, it can record without Wi-Fi. More affordable options include the $60 Tapo MagCam and the Blink Outdoor 4, both battery-powered and easier to install in rentals.

ZDNet listed five other Apple Home Collection products as less ideal for most renters unless lease terms are flexible. It advised checking a lease before installation. The LG Video Doorbell Wired costs $250 and has two cameras for people and packages plus integrations across Apple devices. ZDNet said it suits busy homes and frequent online shoppers, but wired installation replaces an existing doorbell. Alternatives include the Anker Eufy E340 at $120 and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus at $180.

The LG Floodlight Cam costs $400 and offers motion-activated floodlights, wired installation and color night vision. ZDNet said it is best for homeowners monitoring driveways and dark entrances, but the wired installation replaces an existing light fixture. Alternatives listed were the Tapo C615F at $100 and the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera at $100.

The LG Smart Deadbolt costs $350 and can automatically unlock with ultra-wideband, detect door position and support guest access. ZDNet said it suits families and keyless-entry users, but it must replace an existing deadbolt and changes the look of the door. Alternatives include the Nuki Smart Lock at $199 and the Aqara Retrofit U200 at $150.

The LG and Schneider Smart Thermostat costs $200 each and uses data from other Apple devices to adjust HVAC automatically without manual schedules. ZDNet said it is for Apple Home users seeking automatic climate control, but it must replace an existing thermostat. Alternatives include the Sensibo Sky at $99 and Sensibo Air Pro at $134. The LG and Schneider Temperature Sensor costs $40 each; ZDNet said placing them in multiple rooms helps the smart thermostat make informed HVAC adjustments. They work with LG and Schneider Smart Thermostats, and the SwitchBot Hub 2 is listed as a $60 alternative.

ZDNet also addressed Apple’s target audience for the Home Collection. The report said Apple is appealing to loyalists, meaning people who have already invested in the Apple ecosystem are the ones Apple wants to buy the Home Collection from.

Editor's Summary Apple's new smart home lineup and nine-device Home Collection range from $40 sensors to $400 cameras, with two LG cameras positioned as renter-friendly because they can be plugged in or placed without permanent installation. Five other devices require wiring, fixture replacement or deadbolt changes, making them less suitable for many renters. ZDNet said the collection targets Apple ecosystem loyalists.