Smart home upgrades are a great investment if you want to make your life easier and more seamless, but they can also do wonders for your property value. However, there are some tech features buyers want—and a few they’d be happier without.

We checked in with a few real estate pros to find out which ones are worth installing, especially if you’re hoping to increase your home’s worth in 2026.

The Home Tech Feature Buyers are Looking For in 2026

Above all else, our experts agree that smart lighting is the most in-demand home tech feature at the moment.

“More and more buyers ask whether the home’s lighting is smart device-ready and compatible,” says real estate agent Jules Garcia, who admits he’s also caved to this trend. “It’s great to walk into my home, simply say, ‘evening light mode,’ and specific lights in my home auto-adjust to provide a lighting atmosphere that’s just right.”

Fellow real estate agent Aaron Tetzlaff agrees.

“Having adjustable, programmable smart lighting often gets overlooked, but it enhances the overall feel and quality of your home,” he says.

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Cloud-Connected Security Devices

Beyond smart lighting, smart security systems are another home tech feature that’s highly in demand.

“These security systems allow buyers and owners to control their security with live video and audio, and even speak with delivery people remotely,” Garcia says.

Remote Locking Options

Much like smart security systems, Tetzlaff says remote locking and unlocking devices are appreciated—especially on second homes or investment properties.

“They’re a bit bulky right now, but they can save you or your renters in a pinch if you get locked out of the house,” he says.

These features are satellite-operated and tend to require a subscription, but Tetzlaff points out that the cost for a year’s subscription is still likely to be less than the call-out fee for a locksmith during the high season.

In-Home Saunas

Miami-based real estate agent Chris Wands says he’s seen a huge rise in demand for in-home infrared saunas and smart steam rooms.

“Health tech used to be a luxury add-on, but now it’s a core part of the home search,” he says.

In fact, Wands predicts that the coming year will only bring an increase of home wellness technology.

“2026 is shaping up to be the year buyers want a fully tech-enabled sanctuary—one that protects them, restores them, and quietly optimizes their lives in the background,” he says.

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Smart Refrigerators

As great as smart refrigerators might sound on paper, the reality never really lived up to the vision, says Garcia.

“The idea of a fridge that auto-tracks your food and lets you know when you’re out is cool, but it doesn’t work in practice for most,” he says.

Wands agrees, and it mostly comes down to these appliances’ inability to integrate well with the rest of the home’s system.

“If the fridge tech can’t evolve with the rest of the space, it becomes more of a hassle than a selling point,” he says.

Screens in Every Room

While in-home smart assistants have become ubiquitous, Garcia says he warns against built-in screens and smart tablets that are ported into every room.

“These wall-built-in units, even just a few years old, are already unusable due to the speed of tech innovation and changes in device dimensions,” he says.

Built-In Speakers

Much like the built-in screens, Garcia has noticed that many buyers are just as unimpressed by built-in speaker systems.

“Some home sellers push the listing agents to factor these into the listing valuation, and most buyers are unimpressed,” he says.

In fact, Garcia has noticed that the vast majority of buyers end up removing this feature once they move in.

Smart Theaters and Media Rooms

Unless you’re a true movie lover, Garcia says you really don’t need to install a smart theater or a dedicated media room.

“Even in ultra-luxury homes with a surplus of rooms, most purchasers are looking for spaces for all friends and family to get together and interact,” he says.

Needlessly Complicated Systems

If you’ve installed a full home smart system that has too many bells and whistles, Tetzlaff warns you might put off potential buyers.

“If sellers are looking to put in home tech, keep it simple and useful,” he says. “If it has multiple menu panels on a touch screen, I’d stay away from it.”

Real Estate Agents Agree : This is The Home Tech Feature Buyers Want Most in 2026 by Ashley Chalmers | the Spruce