Shopping list · Checked against Airbnb’s pages Nov 5, 2026
Airbnb starter kit: what to buy before your first guest.
Short answer. Start with the five essentials Airbnb asks every host to provide: toilet paper, soap, one towel and one pillow per guest, and linens for each bed. Add the safety items, then the amenities guests can filter their search by, such as a hair dryer, a coffee maker and a crib. Buy linen and consumables in bulk; everything else you buy once.
The kit: 24 items in four groups
The five essentials Airbnb asks for
How many sets you needAirbnb asks every host to provide toilet paper, soap for hands and body, one towel and one pillow per guest, and linens for each guest bed, with more for larger groups and longer stays. A listing that claims the essentials without them risks penalties, up to removal.
- Toilet paperThe first essential on Airbnb’s list. Bulk packs keep the per-stay cost low.Check on Amazon: Toilet paper (opens in a new tab)
- Hand soap refillSoap for hands is an essential. A refill jug fills the dispensers between stays.Check on Amazon: Hand soap refill (opens in a new tab)
- Shampoo and body wash refillSoap for the body is an essential; a refillable shower dispenser covers it.Check on Amazon: Shampoo and body wash refill (opens in a new tab)
- Bath towel setsOne towel per guest is an essential, and Airbnb asks for more on longer stays.Check on Amazon: Bath towel sets (opens in a new tab)
- Bed pillowsOne pillow per guest is an essential. Count your maximum guests, not your beds.Check on Amazon: Bed pillows (opens in a new tab)
- Sheet setsLinens for each guest bed are an essential. White sets stay interchangeable.Check on Amazon: Sheet sets (opens in a new tab)
- Mattress protectorsWaterproof protectors keep each bed’s linens the only thing you replace.Check on Amazon: Mattress protectors (opens in a new tab)
Safety items
Where each one goesAirbnb recommends smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms where fuel-burning appliances are used, and optionally a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Our safety checklist says where each one goes.
- Smoke alarmsIn every sleeping area and on every level, interconnected if you can.Check on Amazon: Smoke alarms (opens in a new tab)
- Carbon monoxide alarmsOn every level and outside sleeping areas, with a battery backup.Check on Amazon: Carbon monoxide alarms (opens in a new tab)
- Fire extinguisherA multipurpose “A-B-C” unit a guest can reach and lift.Check on Amazon: Fire extinguisher (opens in a new tab)
- First aid kitStocked to the American Red Cross list and checked each month.Check on Amazon: First aid kit (opens in a new tab)
Amenities guests can filter by
Guests can filter Airbnb searches by amenity. Each of these is one of those filters, so a listing without it drops out of those searches.
- Hair dryerA bathroom filter on Airbnb.Check on Amazon: Hair dryer (opens in a new tab)
- HangersA bedroom and laundry filter on Airbnb.Check on Amazon: Hangers (opens in a new tab)
- IronListed among the popular filters and under bedroom and laundry.Check on Amazon: Iron (opens in a new tab)
- Coffee makerA kitchen and dining filter on Airbnb.Check on Amazon: Coffee maker (opens in a new tab)
- Cooking basicsThe “cooking basics” filter: pots, pans and utensils guests can cook with.Check on Amazon: Cooking basics (opens in a new tab)
- Dishes and silverwareA kitchen and dining filter; buy for your maximum guest count.Check on Amazon: Dishes and silverware (opens in a new tab)
- Travel cribThe “crib” filter is how families with babies narrow their search.Check on Amazon: Travel crib (opens in a new tab)
- High chairA family filter on Airbnb.Check on Amazon: High chair (opens in a new tab)
What guests searched for most in 2025
Smart locks for self check-inAirbnb’s 2025 ranking of the amenities guests searched for most puts wifi third, self check-in eighth and a TV ninth. These items make them work well.
- Mesh wifi systemWifi ranks third. A mesh system extends the signal to far rooms and to a Wi-Fi lock.Check on Amazon: Mesh wifi system (opens in a new tab)
- Key lockboxSelf check-in ranks eighth; a lockbox is the backup when a smart lock fails.Check on Amazon: Key lockbox (opens in a new tab)
- Streaming stickA TV ranks ninth. Guests can sign in to their own streaming accounts.Check on Amazon: Streaming stick (opens in a new tab)
- Laptop standAirbnb suggests ergonomic support such as a laptop stand for guests who work.Check on Amazon: Laptop stand (opens in a new tab)
- Universal chargerAirbnb lists a universal charger among the office supplies remote workers need.Check on Amazon: Universal charger (opens in a new tab)
Sources (7) · official pages, each with the date we checked it
Questions new hosts ask
What does Airbnb require a host to provide?
Airbnb strongly encourages five essentials in every listing: toilet paper, soap for hands and body, one towel per guest, one pillow per guest and linens for each guest bed. A listing that selects the essentials amenity without providing them may be penalized, including removal from Airbnb.
Which amenities do guests search for most?
Airbnb’s ranking for 2025 lists a pool, free parking, wifi, air conditioning or heating, a kitchen, a hot tub, a washer or dryer, self check-in, a TV and a BBQ grill, in that order.
Do I have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?
Airbnb recommends both, with carbon monoxide alarms wherever fuel-burning appliances are used, and lists a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit as optional. State and local rules can require more, so check yours.
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