8 Smart Home Upgrades for Monitoring Your Property While Traveling

Traveling should be about discovery and relaxation, but a lingering worry about the safety of your house can easily spoil a trip. Modernizing your property with smart technology provides the ultimate peace of mind by letting you monitor, control, and protect your home from anywhere in the world. Having the right tools ensures your home looks active and stays safe without requiring complex installations or constant troubleshooting.

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How to Keep Your Home Secure and Active While Away

Leaving a house completely dark and silent for weeks is an open invitation to trouble. True home security isn’t just about locking the front door; it is about creating the illusion of activity and maintaining visibility over daily occurrences. When a property looks occupied, it becomes a much less attractive target for opportunists.

Integrating smart devices allows for a proactive security approach rather than a reactive one. Instead of relying on a neighbor to check for leaks or hoping the porch lights turn on, automated schedules and real-time alerts put control directly into your hands. This shift from passive locks to active, responsive systems is the key to worry-free travel.

Smart Lock – Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt

Traditional brass keys are easy to lose and impossible to share remotely when a neighbor needs to check on a plant or a contractor needs access. A smart lock solves this vulnerability by turning access digital, allowing remote entry management from any smartphone.

The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the premier choice because it connects directly to your home network without requiring an extra, confusing bridge or hub. It features a robust ANSI Grade 1 rating—the highest residential security rating available—and a built-in alarm that triggers if someone attempts to force entry. The clean, illuminated touchscreen keypad is highly responsive and easy to read in direct sunlight.

• Runs on four AA batteries that typically last about six months with average use.
• Requires a stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network to utilize remote features.
• Fits standard pre-drilled doors, making mechanical installation a simple screwdriver job.

This lock is ideal for homeowners who want uncompromising physical security and the convenience of sending temporary guest codes via an app. It is less suited for those with weak front-door Wi-Fi signals or those who prefer a completely mechanical lock without smart integration.

Video Doorbell – Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

The front porch is the most critical checkpoint of any home. A video doorbell acts as a digital gatekeeper, letting you screen visitors, track deliveries, and deter potential intruders before they ever touch your door.

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus excels by offering Head-to-Toe HD Video and an expanded field of view, meaning packages left right against your door are actually visible. It operates on a rechargeable battery pack, removing the need to mess with existing doorbell wiring during installation. The two-way talk feature is crisp and clear, allowing you to speak to delivery drivers or guests as if you were home.

• Battery recharging requires removing the faceplate with a security screw every few months.
• Accessing recorded video history and saving footage requires a paid Ring Protect subscription.
• Features highly customizable motion detection zones to prevent false alerts from street traffic.

This doorbell is perfect for anyone wanting a straightforward, wire-free installation that covers the entire front porch area. It is not the best fit for those who dislike recurring subscription fees or prefer a permanently wired solution that never needs recharging.

Indoor Security Camera – Google Nest Cam

Google Nest Cam Indoor (Wired, 3rd Gen) - Security Camera with 2K Video and Gemini, Night Vision, 2-Way Audio, Works with Google Home - 2025 Model - Snow

Once the perimeter is secure, having a set of eyes inside the home offers the ultimate reassurance. Indoor cameras allow you to verify that a pet sitter arrived on time, check that interior doors are shut, or visually confirm that an alarm was simply a false trigger.

The Google Nest Cam (wired) stands out for its intelligent alerts that can differentiate between people, animals, and general motion. It features a sleek, unobtrusive design that sits quietly on a shelf or mounts to a wall without drawing unwanted attention. The camera provides 1080p HDR video with clear night vision, ensuring high-quality footage regardless of the lighting conditions.

• Requires a continuous power source, limiting placement to areas near electrical outlets.
• Offers three hours of free event video history, with longer storage requiring a Nest Aware subscription.
• Features a physical privacy indicator light so you know exactly when the camera is active.

This camera is excellent for homeowners who want smart, reliable object detection and seamless integration with the Google Home ecosystem. It is not suitable for spaces without nearby power outlets or for users who demand local, offline storage options.

Smart Plug – TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug EP10

A dark, silent home is a clear signal that no one is around. Smart plugs are the easiest, most cost-effective way to automate standard lamps, radios, or holiday lights, creating a convincing illusion of daily activity.

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug EP10 is incredibly reliable and compact, designed so that two plugs can fit into a standard wall outlet simultaneously. It supports scheduling, timers, and an ingenious “Away Mode” that turns connected lights on and off at random intervals to mimic natural human behavior. The Kasa app is intuitive, fast, and does not require a smart home hub to operate.

• Only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, which is standard for most smart home accessories.
• Max load limit is 15 amps, which is plenty for lamps but not meant for heavy-duty appliances.
• Schedules run locally on the device, meaning they still function even if the home internet temporarily goes down.

This plug is ideal for anyone looking to easily automate lighting or small appliances without a complex setup or high cost. It is not designed for outdoor use or for controlling heavy, high-wattage machinery.

Water Leak Detector – Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor

While security threats get the most attention, water damage is actually one of the most common and expensive disasters that can strike an empty home. A water leak detector watches over high-risk areas to catch small drips before they become catastrophic floods.

The Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor is a compact, battery-powered disc that sits flat on the floor near water-using appliances. It alerts you instantly via smartphone if it detects moisture or a sudden drop in temperature. Its ability to monitor for freezing conditions helps prevent burst pipes during cold winter trips.

• Requires the Ring Alarm Base Station to function; it cannot connect directly to standard Wi-Fi.
• Must be placed on a completely flat surface where water is likely to pool first.
• The battery is a standard CR123A 3V lithium battery, which typically lasts up to three years.

This sensor is a must-have for homeowners who already use a Ring alarm system and want to protect utility rooms, kitchens, or basements from water damage. It is not suitable for those who do not own—or do not wish to buy—a Ring Base Station.

Smart Thermostat – Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Managing your home’s climate while away saves money and protects your property’s structural integrity. A smart thermostat ensures pipes don’t freeze in the winter and high humidity doesn’t cause mold growth in the summer.

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium stands out with its included SmartSensor, which measures temperature and occupancy in rooms that matter most, not just the hallway where the thermostat sits. It features a zinc metal body, a crisp touchscreen, and a built-in air quality monitor. The system automatically switches to eco-modes when it detects the house is empty, maximizing your energy savings.

• Requires a C-wire (common wire) for power, though a Power Extender Kit is included for homes without one.
• Saves an average of 26% on heating and cooling costs annually when properly configured.
• Integrates seamlessly with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

This thermostat is best for homeowners looking to lower energy bills and monitor their home’s climate and air quality remotely. It is not recommended for older homes with highly complex, proprietary HVAC systems that lack standard wiring compatibility.

Outdoor Security Camera – Arlo Pro 5S 2K

Deterring trouble starts at the property line. Outdoor cameras provide a visible deterrent to trespassers while giving you a clear view of your driveway, backyard, or side gates from anywhere in the world.

The Arlo Pro 5S 2K is a top-tier outdoor camera offering exceptional 2K HDR video with color night vision, allowing you to clearly read license plates or identify faces. It features a built-in spotlight and siren that can be triggered manually or automatically by motion. Because it operates on dual-band Wi-Fi, it maintains a strong connection even when mounted far from the main router.

• Requires a rechargeable battery, which can be supplemented with an optional Arlo solar panel for continuous power.
• Requires an Arlo Secure subscription to access cloud storage and smart notifications (like distinguishing people from vehicles).
• Features a magnetic mount that makes removal for charging incredibly easy.

This camera is ideal for those who need high-resolution, wire-free surveillance of large outdoor spaces. It is not the best choice for budget-conscious buyers who want to avoid recurring subscription costs for video storage.

Smart Smoke Detector – Google Nest Protect

A traditional smoke detector is useless if no one is home to hear it. A smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector ensures that emergency alerts are sent straight to your phone, allowing you to call emergency services before it is too late.

The Google Nest Protect is the industry standard because it uses a Split-Spectrum Sensor to detect both fast-burning and slow, smoldering fires. It speaks to you in a calm, human voice to warn you of danger before the loud alarm sounds, and it tells you exactly which room the threat is in. It also tests its own batteries and sensors automatically over 400 times a day.

• Available in both battery-powered and hardwired (120V) versions to fit your home’s setup.
• Connects directly to Wi-Fi and links with other Nest Protect units to sound alarms simultaneously across the house.
• Features a Pathlight function that lights your way in the dark when you walk underneath it.

This device is perfect for homeowners seeking comprehensive fire and CO safety with real-time remote alerts. It is not ideal for those on a tight budget who only want basic, non-connected alarm functions.

How to Connect Your Devices Without Tech Headaches

Setting up smart devices does not require an engineering degree, but it does require a methodical approach. The most common pitfall is attempting to connect devices to a weak or overcrowded Wi-Fi network. Before buying any equipment, test your signal strength at the exact spot where the device will live by using your smartphone to stream a video.

To avoid configuration headaches, create a dedicated smart home network. Most modern routers offer a guest network option; setting your smart devices up on this secondary channel keeps your main computer network clean and secure. Take your time, set up one device at a time, and name each piece clearly in its respective app so you always know which camera or plug you are controlling.

Simple Settings to Protect Your Home Digital Privacy

Integrating smart technology into your home shouldn’t mean compromising your digital security. The first and most critical rule is to change default manufacturer passwords immediately upon setup. Use unique, complex passwords for every single smart home account, and write them down in a secure physical book or a digital password manager.

Always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your device accounts. This security setting sends a temporary code to your phone whenever someone tries to log in, preventing unauthorized access even if your password is leaked. Additionally, check the privacy settings in your apps to disable unnecessary data collection and limit voice-recording storage.

A Practical Checklist Before You Lock Up and Leave

A smart home is only as reliable as its power and internet connections. Before heading out the door, take ten minutes to verify that all device batteries are fully charged and that your router is running smoothly. Perform a quick manual test of your smart lock and cameras from your phone while still standing in the driveway to confirm everything is communicating properly.

Beyond the digital checklist, ensure physical elements are in order to prevent false alarms. Secure loose outdoor furniture that could blow around and trigger motion sensors, and clear away hanging decorations near indoor cameras. Finally, double-check that your main water valve is shut off if your system allows it, leaving your smart leak detectors on active duty to monitor any remaining system pressure.

With the right smart upgrades in place, leaving your home empty no longer feels like a gamble. These tools work quietly in the background, keeping you informed and in control from anywhere in the world. Enjoy your travels with the absolute certainty that your home is safe, secure, and ready for your return.