Tado Smart Air Conditioner and Heater Controller, Wi-Fi, Compatible with iOS and Android, Works with Alexa

If you aren't good with gadgets or get frustrated if they don't setup seamlessly then this isn't the right device for you. I am a home automation enthusiast and needed this specific unit for my NYC apt ac/heating unit that has a remote. It's a Simonaire but has the same remote settings as fridigaire.So I needed this unit because the competitors don't support frigidsire and don't have a manual setup i.e. Setting up each button press from the remote manually so the device can "record" them (or so I was told / researched). Also this device is the only one that connects to IFFT so I can use voice commands from alexa. If You don't have these same requirements or aren't savvy with this stuff then don't get this device or be warned - setup is a nightmare.Had to set this up like 4 times. Keep that remote close when recording and if the server or device and app get out of sync, start the recording over again for the entire heat or cooling cycle. For my purposes I did not record low and high settings (I never use these cause I have auto). So in the end I did cool and high auto only and only for the temperature range I realistically use. Cut down on the setup a little but again I had to do this 4 times to figure this out and actually get it working.The hardware control is retarded. Like just put buttons cause the touch controls is a mess and not logical. Needs an entirely new software for the current hardware.I'd like to see integration with wink hubs. Otherwise now I can set timers schedules and geofencing and control ac heating with Alexa!. Hoping updates will make this more reliable.

I bought two of these and I also have Sensibo Sky controllers so I can compare both.For the Tado controller, it was difficult to pair it with my AC remote. My remote has separate on/off switches so I think this was the source of the problem. Once I paired it, it would turn my aircon off when I wanted to turn it on and vice versa. I had to unpair it and pair it again over and over until it worked. Once set it up, it also needed to update the software. That's fine with me but I was surprised that the app said it would take up to 60 minutes to update. In the end, the update took about 15 minutes to download for me. All in all, it took about an hour to install, which I think is way too long for a simple device. The Sensibo is more straightforward but I did have an issue with one of the devices they sent. It was faulty and would not hold a signal to my wifi. But as long as you get a working unit, it's pretty fast to set up.Also, the touch capability on the Tado unit is pretty useless. It never registers touches consistently and is not worth attempting. The Sensibo doesn't have one and that's fine with me. Better than having one that doesn't even work.All of this would be fine if the device actually worked in the end. At the moment, when I turn the AC on (either through the app or Google Assistant), there's a delay that takes anywhere from 2 seconds to not turning on at all. Turning off the device is fast though. Again, I suspect it may be because my AC has separate on/off buttons. The Sensibo is blisteringly fast and after about two months of usage, has been consistent in its operation.Oh, and the range of the IR signal on the Tado device is really weak. It has to be set up directly in front of the AC. This is compared to the Sensibo, which can be installed at an angle to the side of the AC. This might not be an issue for you but it is for me because opposite my AC is a floor to ceiling window with no power outlets.All in all, Tado gets 1 out of 5 stars. Sensibo gets 3 out 5 because I got a faulty unit which I can't return because I don't live in the US. The Sensibo wins by default, but honestly I wish there was something better out there.

I’m not a tech freak whatsoever, but still wanted to turn my air conditioner into a smart device so I decided to give this German product a shot. I checked out their website before and I checked if my air conditioner is supported by their system. It is really well explained. You can choose your AC brand and it tells you if it is already in the database. Also you need to have a look at you remote. Unfortunately it does not work with all air conditioners...But good to know in advance. So before buying it, have a look at their homepage. I also read through the reviews here on Amazon and since there are a few complaints about the installation, I decided not to set the system up all by myself. Seemed like it is a little tricky. So I contacted their customer support and asked them to help me. They gladly did and guided me through. I probably would have been able to do it myself, but wanted to make sure it works. And guess what: it does! I love the app. It is really simple but has so many handy functions and features. Now i dont have to use my old remote anymore. I just use my phone which I always have on me. And as I said, I’m not a tech freak but I do enjoy the comfort of the A/C control. I use the auto-off/on function when I leave the house. And I also use the schedule for days when I am at home or I just change the settings of the AC manually in the app. To sum it up: great product, nice customer support. I have nothing but good things to say about this product.