If you’ve experienced having an unsolicited party at your short-term rental, or if you’re aware of the risk but have no way of knowing what’s going on at your properties because you manage them remotely, you’ll understand the value of a solution like NoiseAware.
NoiseAware tracks noise and occupancy levels in vacation rental properties and is a popular short-term rental security solution. However, it may not be exactly the right fit for your needs.
That’s why we’re breaking down the top three alternatives to NoiseAware—so you can find a tool that reassures you your properties are always safe. We’ll also give you an overview of what exactly NoiseAware does, outline why you may want to consider alternatives, and explain what to look for in a short-term rental (STR) protection solution.
NoiseAware is a privacy-safe noise and occupancy solution that helps property managers monitor their units remotely. It services homeowners and hosts, as well as property managers (both big and small). NoiseAware’s core features include the following:
Additionally, you get access to a centralized dashboard where you can access real-time information and instant alerts, as well as historical data of any noise events you had in the past.
The device has monitors for indoor and outdoor use (though if you want to use an outdoor monitor, you need to have an indoor one as well). NoiseAware never records guests’ conversations when tracking noise levels, meaning it always upholds their privacy.
The indoor devices require wired installation, as they’re not operated by batteries, while the outdoor devices are battery-operated and can run for about three to six months.
Whether you’re switching from NoiseAware or just exploring different noise monitoring solutions for vacation rentals, there could be a number of reasons why an alternative might suit you better.
If you’re switching from NoiseAware, it may be because you’ve experienced connectivity issues in the past. For example, some user reviews have pointed to problems like “sensors disconnecting” or “connectivity issues with devices.” So you may be looking for a monitor with minimal downtime issues.
Some users have pointed out that common noises, like the wind, can set off their outdoor sensors. Or, you may just want to monitor noise outdoors without having to have a separate indoor device, too—which is required for NoiseAware’s outdoor sensors.
And while NoiseAware monitors noise and occupancy levels, it’s not an all-in-one solution. So you may want a device that has other functionality, like temperature and humidity tracking, cigarette detection, and a security alarm.
While your primary concern may be preventing noise complaints, your NoiseAware alternative should offer a wider range of capabilities that centralize your home protection processes and simplify your managerial tasks.
When choosing between solutions, here are a few characteristics you should consider:
Ultimately, you want a device that provides you peace of mind, assures your homeowners their property is safe, and gives your guests a better experience.
Here are three alternatives to NoiseAware to help you keep tabs on your properties, no matter where you are.
Like NoiseAware, Minut comes with noise and occupancy monitoring to help you protect your properties. But what sets it apart is that it also offers so much more, from automated guest messaging features to cigarette detection and mold risk analysis.
Minut is highly customizable, allowing you to set your own designated decibel thresholds for noise monitoring or minimum and maximum temperature thresholds with the temperature and humidity tracking feature.
You can access the Minut dashboard via web or mobile app, where you can monitor data across all your properties. Here you can also view historical data, from noise issues to cigarette smoke events, to protect yourself in the case of a guest dispute.
“Minut noise sensors are essential for us providing a safe short-term rental experience for property partners, neighbors, and guests.”
-Yvette, Director of Strategic Product Initiatives at Kasa
When alerted of high noise or occupancy levels, you can automate a guest message to address the issue. But if you don’t want to have to deal with the problem yourself, Minut offers Call Assist and Guard Assist, meaning one of our trained team members will communicate with your guests on your behalf.
But what about when you don’t have any guests? You still want to make sure your units are safe, which is why Minut also has features that help you protect a vacant STR property, like motion and window break detection, as well as a security alarm.
Additionally, Minut integrates with Airbnb, as well as over 20 popular PMSs, and you can create automated workflows with the tool’s Zapier integration. Plus, it connects to smart locks for short-term rentals, as well as smart thermostats, letting you remotely share access codes with guests and track temperature levels at your properties.
“The peace of mind it offers is priceless.”
-Terry, Co-Founder of Antwerp Apartments
Roomonitor is a secure solution for monitoring noise in vacation rentals while protecting guest privacy. You’re automatically notified when noise levels pass your customized threshold for a specified duration, helping you prevent large gatherings of people that can cause damage to your units and harm neighbor relationships.
Roomonitor lets you view noise levels across all your properties on the tool’s manager dashboard (accessible via mobile or desktop), and you can access historical noise data in the case of a guest dispute.
It’s easy to install and connects to your property’s WiFi to provide you with ongoing insights into what’s happening across your portfolio. If high noise levels are detected, one of two things will happen: Either the Roomonitor team analyzes the noise incident and addresses it themselves, or you receive a notification so you can directly reach out to your guests.
Party Squasher is a smart occupancy monitoring system. Unlike NoiseAware, it doesn’t track noise levels in your property—rather, it helps you keep tabs on your units by tracking the number of mobile devices in use in and around your home (much like NoiseAware’s Crowd Control feature).
Several times a minute, the sensor reports how many mobile phones it detects, and you can track this data and monitor occupancy on your phone. Plus, you can receive SMS or email alerts if the number of devices exceeds your predetermined threshold, as well as if the sensor is unplugged.
Party Squasher has two plan options: Standard and Pro. The Standard plan includes a privacy-friendly sensor that doesn’t collect guests’ personal data, along with a mobile app for monitoring your properties and the ability to set custom thresholds for your units. The Pro plan comes with all of that plus a web dashboard equipped for monitoring hundreds of properties and the ability to connect Party Squasher to your other short-term rental software.
Vacation rental technology that keeps your properties safe is an investment that will pay itself off in the long run. But what’s even better is an all-in-one solution that not only tracks noise and occupancy but also monitors other aspects of your units, like smoking activity and temperature and humidity levels.
So when choosing between these NoiseAware alternatives, keep in mind both the specific needs of your business and how these tools will help you simplify your operations and automate manual tasks.
By doing that, you can enjoy not only greater peace of mind but also get more time back in your day–when you consolidate all your property security processes into one solution, you don’t have to constantly be switching between tabs. That means more time to focus on improving the guest experience, attracting more owners, and growing your property portfolio.
NoiseAware is a smart home device that, much like the Minut sensor, tracks noise levels while protecting guest privacy. It helps vacation rental property managers and owners keep their properties safe, and it never records guest conversations. NoiseAware also monitors occupancy within a short-term rental, as does the Minut device.
NoiseAware and Minut are both smart home devices for short-term rentals that track noise and occupancy levels. The main difference between the two is the features they offer. In addition to noise and occupancy monitoring, Minut also comes with features like:
When deciding between noise monitoring alternatives to NoiseAware, you want to ensure you’re choosing an all-in-one device that encompasses multiple aspects of property protection. Minut, for example, helps you monitor noise and occupancy levels at your properties, but it can also detect other risks like cigarette smoke and mold.
You also want a device that connects to your other short-term rental software. Minut integrates with Airbnb and Zapier, as well as over 20 PMSs.
