For many renters, myself included,
home security isn't always the top priority.
You might live in an apartment far above the street,
or have a security staff in your apartment building,
or maybe you just think home security equipment's
way out of your price range. It's not.
Actually, according to the FBI,
in 2019, burglaries costs people over $3 billion
in property damage. Yikes.
The good news is that there are dozens
of affordable devices out there that can prevent burglary
or scare anyone off in the act.
We picked a handful of security devices
that cost less than $50 and won't damage your apartment.
And, if you stick around until after this list,
you can see a few extra picks that cost less than $100.
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Rentals come in all shapes and sizes,
but for this video we're going to focus
on small apartments and studios.
If you use something to secure your place,
let us know what it is.
You don't have to give us the key code or anything,
but we'd love to know what you're working with
and what you do to keep burglars out.
Plus, it helps us give better advice
to people out there like you.
And if you liked this video, hit the "like" button below
to get more renter-friendly videos like this one.
Trust me, there's more coming.
So let's get started.
First up is the defender security door lock.
This tough little metal reinforces your door
from the inside. And at around $15,
it's the cheapest item on our list.
It does require some minor drilling,
but it's easy to camouflage and remove
because you installed it into the doorframe.
If you have a flimsy door or a puny lock without a deadbolt,
this could be a really good addition to your house.
Users claim they couldn't kick or force their way in
even when the deadbolt was unlocked.
That said, you do have to lock it from the inside.
So it's not really that helpful
for when you leave your apartment.
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Smart plugs might not be the first thing
that comes to mind when security's mentioned,
but they're a really clever way
to make your house seem occupied.
They plug into outlets like any normal plug,
but the big difference is they're smart,
which basically means they work with your phone.
Devices like lamps, stereos, and the TV can all turn on
with one press of a button.
If your apartment is totally closed off,
they're not quite as helpful,
but they are really convenient.
Plus, you can get a pack of four from Gosund for about $30.
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When it comes to renter friendly stuff,
Wyze is where it's at.
This company makes things like cameras, outlets,
and of course, these light bulbs that cost only $8.
A little more if you want the fancy color ones.
I personally own two of them and I'm a big fan
because I don't have to get out of bed
to turn out the lights.
That's more of a laziness thing than security,
but it's pretty dang convenient.
Smart bulbs as a security device
work similarly to smart outlets.
They make your home seen occupied,
which is way less appealing to burglars.
Also, did I mention how convenient they are?
Watch our channel for an upcoming review
on Wyze's security system.
It's available for pre-order now,
and it costs less than any system we've really seen.
It's only about a $5 a month
for pro monitoring, and it's perfect
for small apartments and studios.
But you'll have to subscribe to catch that video
when it comes out.
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Eufy is another budget-friendly brand we have on our list,
and their contact sensors cost only $30 a piece.
Usually, these devices come tied to a full-fledged
security system, red tape, contracts,
extra devices that you might not need. The whole works.
But with something like Eufy,
you can order these contact sensors a la carte.
So if you don't need a ton of stuff in your small apartment
this is a really good deal.
Contact sensors stick to your windows or your doors.
So you can tell when someone enters or exits your home.
It's a really good solution for when you're out of the house
but you will need to be on your Wi-Fi
to get any alerts like this.
So if you only need one sensor
because you only have one entrance to your home,
Eufy is a really great brand to check out.
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The Blink Mini is a pint-sized camera that looks right
at home on a table or shelf.
It only costs around $35,
but it comes with all the fixings you'd expect
in an indoor camera.
HD video, motion detection, two-way talk and night vision.
And that's our list for under $50.
Stick around; we have a few more for the high rollers
who can spend up to $100 on home security gadgets.
The best part about these are,
like the others, won't mess up your rental
or risk your security deposit.
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This is the Blink Mini's big sibling.
It has many of the same features like HD video,
two-way talk, motion settings, the works.
But, because it's battery powered,
you can place it anywhere in your house.
If you live in an older place like I do,
you might have fewer outlets or fewer working outlets,
and you might have to plan where you plug stuff in.
This camera costs around $80.
So it's not exactly affordable for everybody,
but it's a good investment if you want to keep
an eye on your stuff while you're away.
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Finally, Wyze appears on our list once again
with its deadbolt.
For around $100, this gadget slides
over your existing deadbolts.
No tools needed.
You don't even have to be an electrician
to figure this one out.
Once it's up and running,
you can lock and unlock your door with your phone.
It can also sense when your phone is near,
so you can train it to unlock while you're climbing
the stairs with an arm full of groceries.
Home security doesn't have cost you a fortune
or your deposit.
Check out our link in the description to see our best home
security systems for renters.
Most of them starting around $200.
We have lists, comparisons and best ofs,
for all kinds of research you might need.
Whether you're moving into an apartment for the first time
or you're a total rental pro.
And, finally, explore our YouTube channel
to see more renter-centric videos.
We have videos on doorbells for renters
and Alexa Guard, which is a device you might already have
that has a built-in security system with it.
That's it for us.
Stay safe.
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