These 6 Airbnb Amenities Print Money… Or do they?

Having the right Airbnb amenities checklist can be the single biggest factor separating a mediocre listing from a high-performing one.

After analyzing data from 1.7 million listings across America, James Svetec — co-author of Airbnb for Dummies and founder of BNB Mastery — uncovered exactly which amenities move the revenue needle, and by how much. The results are surprising, even for experienced hosts.

Watch the full video above or keep reading for the complete breakdown.

Why Amenities Matter More Than You Think

Most hosts think about amenities in terms of guest satisfaction. That's not wrong — but it's incomplete. The right amenities don't just make guests happy. They change how your listing ranks in search, how often it gets booked, and what nightly rate you can charge.

Data from 1.7 million U.S. listings makes this concrete. Properties with specific amenities consistently outperform comparable listings by thousands of dollars per month. Some of these gaps are enormous — and the cost to create them is often surprisingly small.

The goal of a smart Airbnb amenities checklist isn't to add everything possible. It's to prioritize the upgrades that deliver the highest return for your specific property, market, and target guest. Not every amenity belongs at every listing. But the data tells you exactly which ones are worth considering first.

For a broader look at how to research what's working in your specific area, check out this guide on how to find and use the best Airbnb amenities in your area.

Hot Tubs: A 10x Return on Investment

Hot tubs are one of the most talked-about Airbnb upgrades — and the data backs up the hype. The average Airbnb without a hot tub earns around $3,700 per month. Properties with hot tubs average $6,400 per month. That's a $2,700 monthly difference, or roughly $32,400 per year in additional revenue.

Now factor in the true annual cost. When you spread the purchase price over the hot tub's lifespan and add ongoing maintenance, chemicals, repairs, and higher electricity bills, the average comes to about $3,000 per year. That leaves approximately $29,000 in net profit annually — a roughly 10x ROI on every dollar spent.

Market Matters for Hot Tubs

Hot tubs don't perform equally everywhere. In colder markets like upstate New York, Colorado ski towns, or the Pacific Northwest, demand is strong year-round — guests actively filter for them. In warmer markets like Florida, Texas, or Arizona, the returns are lower because guests aren't typically prioritizing a hot soak in 85-degree weather.

• Best markets: Mountain destinations, ski towns, cold-weather retreats, rural cabins
• Lower-return markets: Year-round warm climates where pools dominate
• Average annual cost: ~$3,000 (purchase amortized + maintenance + chemicals)
• Average annual revenue uplift: ~$32,400
• Net annual profit from hot tub: ~$29,000

The takeaway: if your market is even slightly seasonal or cold-weather adjacent, a hot tub is likely one of the highest-leverage upgrades you can make.

Home Gym: The Overlooked Revenue Driver

This one surprises almost everyone. Only about 11% of U.S. Airbnb listings have a home gym — and that's a massive opportunity for hosts willing to add one.

Properties with a gym earn an average of $1,000 more per month, or $12,000 per year. The annual cost to maintain a basic gym setup is only around $650 when you factor in equipment cost spread over its lifespan and minimal maintenance.

That works out to an 18x ROI — for every dollar spent, hosts typically see over $18 in return.

A Real-World Example

One BNB Tribe member converted part of her basement entertainment room — just 8 by 10 feet — into a simple gym. She installed a compact treadmill, adjustable dumbbells, and a workout bench for under $2,000 total.

Within three months, her bookings increased, particularly from business travelers on extended stays who specifically cited the gym as their reason for choosing her listing over competitors.

She raised her nightly rate by $15 and saw higher occupancy. The result: that $2,000 investment paid for itself in about two months and now generates $12,000 in additional annual revenue.

• You don't need a large space. A dedicated corner works.
• Focus on versatile equipment: adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, a cardio machine if space allows.
• Feature it prominently in your listing photos and description — guests filter for this.
• Business and remote work travelers are especially drawn to gym access.

If you're looking for more targeted upgrades in this budget range, the post on the best $800 investment for your Airbnb covers several high-return options worth combining with a gym setup.

Cable TV: Old School, Surprisingly Profitable

Cable TV might seem like a relic in the age of Netflix and Disney+, but the numbers tell a different story. Listings without cable TV average around $3,900 per month, while those with it average $5,300 per month. That's a $1,400 monthly difference, or nearly $17,000 per year in additional revenue.

The annual cost for a decent cable package runs about $1,000 per year, producing a 1,680% ROI. That's not a typo.

Why Cable Still Works

The reason cable outperforms expectations comes down to a few factors guests don't often articulate but definitely feel:

• Not everyone wants to log into their streaming accounts on someone else's TV. Privacy concerns and setup friction are real barriers.
• Local channels and live sports are still primarily cable-only. A guest watching their team play on a Sunday afternoon isn't going to get that from Netflix.
• Zero friction convenience. Guests turn on the TV and it works. No app, no login, no buffering issues on a slow connection.

Even James Svetec admits he underestimated this one — he's never added it to his own listings but says seeing these numbers changed his mind immediately. For a listing targeting families, sports fans, or older guests, cable TV is an easy, low-cost addition that pays back many times over.

Pools: Worth It — With Caveats

Pools have historically been viewed skeptically by STR educators because of high installation and ongoing costs. The data makes a strong counter-argument — but with important caveats attached.

Properties with pools earn roughly $2,000 more per month than comparable listings without one, or $24,000 per year. The average annual cost — factoring in maintenance, chemicals, cleaning, repairs, and installation amortized over the pool's lifespan — runs about $4,600 per year. That leaves approximately $19,400 in annual profit, which works out to a 5.22x ROI on every dollar invested.

When Pools Make Sense (and When They Don't)

One BNB Tribe member learned the market-dependence lesson the hard way. She invested in a property with a pool expecting it to be a major selling point.

Bookings did increase — but the pool had to close for nearly half the year due to winter weather, and the maintenance costs and headaches during peak season proved overwhelming. The ROI didn't pencil out the way the national averages suggested.

Contrast that with a similar property in Florida or Arizona, where a pool operates year-round and guests practically expect it. In those markets, pools can outperform the national average significantly.

• Strong pool markets: Florida, Arizona, Southern California, Gulf Coast destinations
• Challenging pool markets: Northern states, mountain regions, anywhere with a short summer season
• Budget option: Consider a cowboy pool or stock tank pool — dramatically lower installation and maintenance cost while still delivering solid returns

For hosts operating in markets with seasonal swings, pairing a pool with other year-round amenities can help smooth out the revenue curve. See more on this topic in the guide on keeping your Airbnb profitable off-season.

High-Speed Wireless Internet: Now a Non-Negotiable

High-speed wireless internet used to be a premium amenity that set listings apart. In 2026, it's essentially a baseline requirement. That shift matters — because the difference between having it and not having it is still enormous in dollar terms.

Out of the 1.7 million listings analyzed, only about 100,000 specified not having wireless internet. That's a small minority, but they're leaving serious money on the table. Listings with high-speed internet earn approximately $10,800 more per year than those without it, at an annual cost of around $720. That's a 1,500% ROI.

Good Internet vs. "Internet"

The distinction between having internet and having good internet matters more than ever. Guests are working remotely, video conferencing, streaming in 4K, and connecting multiple devices simultaneously. A slow or unreliable connection generates bad reviews and cancellations.

• Invest in a quality router capable of handling multiple simultaneous connections
• Add mesh network extenders for larger properties or properties with dead zones
• List your actual internet speed in the listing description
• Market explicitly to remote workers — mention the speed and reliability in your headline if it's a differentiator in your market

If your current setup is average, upgrading to a gigabit plan with quality hardware is one of the cheapest, fastest wins available to any host. Pair it with a dedicated workspace and you've created a compelling offering for the growing remote-work traveler segment.

EV Chargers: The Highest ROI Amenity on the List

Here's the one that legitimately defies belief. EV chargers provide a 6,400% return on investment — meaning for every dollar invested, hosts get approximately $64 back. That's not a rounding error. It's the data from 1.7 million listings.

Properties with an EV charger earn roughly $1,600 more per month than listings without one, totaling $19,200 in additional annual revenue. The average annual cost, spread over the charger's expected lifespan, is about $300 per year.

Let that ratio sink in: $300 in annualized cost generating $19,200 in revenue.

Why the ROI Is So Extreme

Two forces are colliding to create this opportunity. First, demand for EV charging is growing fast as more travelers drive electric vehicles. Second, supply is nearly nonexistent on Airbnb — out of 1.7 million listings analyzed, only about 100,000 had EV chargers. That's less than 6% of the market.

Add an EV charger and you immediately stand out from 94% of your competition. For EV drivers — who tend to be higher-income travelers with strong brand preferences — finding a listing with a charger isn't a nice-to-have. It's often a hard filter.

James Svetec notes that when he travels and rents an EV, he searches exclusively for listings with chargers because using a public charging station mid-trip is a significant inconvenience.

• You don't need a Tesla Wall Connector. A standard Level 2 charger compatible with all EVs is sufficient.
• Some EV setups allow you to charge guests directly for electricity used — turning an expense into a secondary revenue stream.
• Feature the charger prominently in your listing title and photos. EV drivers search specifically for this.
• Installation cost for a Level 2 charger typically runs $500–$1,500 depending on your electrical setup.

This is one of the clearest examples of a first-mover advantage in the STR space right now. Supply is still extremely low. For hosts looking to differentiate without spending a fortune, an EV charger deserves a spot at the top of any Airbnb amenities checklist.

For more ways to stand out from competing listings, the post on how to beat the competition on Airbnb offers a broader strategic framework worth reading alongside this data.

Building Your Airbnb Amenities Checklist Strategically

The point isn't to add every amenity on this list. It's to build a prioritized Airbnb amenities checklist based on your specific property, market, and target guest. Here's how to think through that process.

Step 1: Match Amenities to Your Market

Location shapes ROI dramatically. A hot tub in Asheville or Park City will outperform the national average. A pool in Phoenix will outperform one in Minnesota. Before spending anything, research what guests in your market are actually searching for. Look at your top-performing competitors and see which amenities appear consistently in their listings.

Step 2: Know Your Target Guest

Different guest types prioritize different amenities:

• Business and remote workers: High-speed internet, dedicated workspace, gym
• Families: Pool, cable TV, games and entertainment
• Couples on romantic getaways: Hot tub, privacy features, ambiance
• Adventure travelers: EV charger, outdoor amenities, gear storage

Understanding your guests' demographics before investing in amenities can save thousands in misdirected spending.

Step 3: Prioritize by ROI and Budget

Not every host has the capital for a hot tub or pool on day one. A rational sequencing strategy:

1. Immediate wins (low cost, high ROI): High-speed internet upgrade, EV charger installation, cable TV
2. Medium investment: Home gym setup ($1,500–$2,500)
3. Larger investment: Hot tub ($4,000–$10,000+), Pool (varies widely)

Start with the low-cost, high-ROI options first. Reinvest the additional revenue into bigger amenities over time.

Step 4: Combine Amenities for Compounding Returns

Individual amenities add revenue. Combinations of amenities can create a compounding effect that attracts a specific guest type at a premium price point. High-speed internet paired with a dedicated workspace and gym creates the ideal remote worker listing.

A hot tub combined with a fire pit and outdoor entertainment area creates a premium couples getaway. Think in packages, not individual items.

Inside the BNB Tribe community, members get access to an ROI calculator that helps determine exactly which amenities will deliver the best return for their specific property and market — rather than relying on general averages. Weekly calls and a library of tools make it significantly easier to make data-driven decisions like these.

For more on how amenities fit into overall listing optimization, the guide on must-have amenities that drive guest bookings covers additional options worth considering.

Step 5: Showcase What You Have

Adding an amenity without properly marketing it is one of the most common host mistakes. Every amenity on this list needs to appear in your listing photos, your title (where relevant), and your description. A home gym that's buried in bullet point 12 of your amenities list won't attract remote workers. Lead with your strongest differentiators.

Pair strong amenities with smart pricing for maximum impact — the post on Airbnb pricing hacks is a practical companion resource for hosts looking to capture the full value of their upgrades.

The Bottom Line on Airbnb Amenities

A well-built Airbnb amenities checklist isn't about spending the most money. It's about spending it in the right places. The data from 1.7 million listings is clear: EV chargers, home gyms, hot tubs, cable TV, pools, and high-speed internet all deliver measurable, significant returns — some of them extraordinary.

The key is matching the right amenities to your market and your guests, then sequencing investments in order of ROI.

Start with what's cheapest and highest-return: upgrade your internet, install an EV charger, add cable TV. Then build toward larger investments as the revenue grows. Every dollar you put into the right amenity has a documented track record of coming back many times over.

The hosts who treat amenity selection as a data problem — not a decorating decision — are the ones consistently outperforming their local competition in 2026 and beyond.

The BNB Tribe community gives hosts access to the ROI calculator mentioned throughout this post, along with weekly coaching calls, expert webinars, and a network of hosts who are actively doing this work.

If you want to make smarter decisions about where to invest next in your listing, it's a practical place to start — and at $49 per month, the tools alone tend to pay for the membership quickly.