Minut Noise Monitor Review: Is It Worth It for Hosts in 2026?
The dreaded 2 AM call from a neighbor: "Your guests are throwing a rager." By the time the police arrive, the damage is done. Your reputation is torched, and your listing might be suspended.
Enter Minut, a privacy-safe noise monitoring device designed specifically for short-term rentals. I've installed these in all 12 of my units for over 2 years. This is my honest, long-term review.
🏆 The Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
Best For: All urban Airbnb hosts and remote property managers.
| Feature | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Rarely false alarms; distinguishes parties from TV |
| Battery | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Gen 3 lasts 9-12 months (real world tested) |
| App UX | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Clean, but notification settings can be tricky |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hardware is cheap ($100), subscription adds up |
Bottom Line: It's cheaper than a single party disaster. If you host remotely, it's mandatory.
🔍 How It Works (Privacy First)
Minut does not record audio. This is crucial for Airbnb compliance.
Instead, it monitors decibel levels (dB). Think of it like a thermometer for sound. It knows how loud it is, but not what is being said.
What it tracks:
- Noise levels (dB)
- Crowd detect (detects number of mobile devices in range via Bluetooth)
- Temperature & Humidity (AC monitoring)
- Motion (Did they check out?)
- Tobacco smoke (Gen 3 Pro feature)
📦 The Good
1. Privacy-Safe Monitoring
It's 100% compliant with Airbnb's strict surveillance policies. No cameras, no microphones. You can legally install this inside living rooms without disclosing "recording devices" (though you must disclose "noise monitors").
2. The Auto-Guest Connect
This is the killer feature. If noise exceeds your threshold (e.g., 75dB) for 10 minutes:
- Stage 1: Minut sensor flashes and plays a polite chime.
- Stage 2: Minut sends an automated SMS to the guest: "Hi, noise levels are a bit high. Please keep it down to avoid disturbing neighbors."
- Stage 3: Minut calls the guest automatically.
- Stage 4: Only then does it alert YOU.
Result: 90% of noise issues are solved without me ever getting involved.
3. Battery Life is insane
The Gen 3 really does last 9-12 months. I charge mine once a year during a slow week. It charges via USB-C in about 4 hours.
⚠️ The Bad
1. Subscription Cost
The hardware is affordable (~$100), but Minut makes money on the subscription.
- Standard: ~$10/month per unit (Monitoring only)
- Pro: ~$15/month per unit (Key features like Guest Connect and Smoke Detection)
For 1 property, it's fine. For 20 properties, it's a line item.
2. "Action Movie" False Positives
If you place the sensor too close to the TV, a loud action movie can trigger a warning. Fix: Install it on the ceiling in the center of the room, at least 10 feet from the TV speakers.
🆚 Minut vs. Competitors
| Feature | Minut Gen 3 | NoiseAware | Wyze / Generic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Cost | ~$100 | ~$199 | ~$30 |
| Subscription | Yes | Yes | No/Low |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Outlets only | Varies |
| Outdoor sensor | Yes (Weatherproof) | Yes | No |
| Ease of Install | 5 mins (Peel & stick) | 10 mins (Plug in) | Varies |
| Crowd Detect | Yes (Bluetooth) | No | No |
Why I chose Minut: It's wireless. NoiseAware requires sticking a sensor into an outlet, which guests can easily unplug (accidentally or on purpose). Minut sticks to the ceiling where guests can't reach.
🛠️ Installation & Setup (5 Minutes)
- Charge it fully via USB-C.
- Download App and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Mounting plate: Peel the 3M sticker and stick it to the ceiling.
- Snap it on: The device connects magnetically.
- Configure thresholds:
- Quiet Hours (10PM - 7AM): 70 dB threshold
- Daytime: 85 dB threshold
- Duration: 10 minutes (prevents alerts for a dropped pan)
💡 Pro Tips for Hosts
- Disclosure: You MUST verify you have a noise monitor in your Airbnb listing settings. It puts off party-throwers.
- Placement: Put one in the living room and one on the patio/deck (if you have neighbors close by).
- Integrations: Sync it with Airbnb or your PMS (Hostaway, Guesty) so it automatically gets guest phone numbers for alerts.
Real World Test
I tested this by hosting a dinner party. We got loud. At 10:15 PM, my phone buzzed: "Noise detected above 70dB at Downtown Condo." It worked. I received a text, and if I hadn't cleared it, the automated call system would have triggered.
Verdict
Is it worth the cost? Yes. One stopped party saves you thousands in damages and fines. It is an insurance policy that pays for itself the first time it triggers.
Related Tools: Compare with other Airbnb tools or see my PriceLabs review for pricing automation. For cleaning management, check out TurnoverBnB.
