Tado° which starter kit should I choose?

After presenting the sumptuous Tado° X thermostatic faucet, as well as the most successful Tado app, Now let’s get to the heart of the system. Today, I’m going to introduce you to the two Tado° controllers: the Wireless Smart Thermostat X and the Smart Thermostat X. These two controllers feature the Border Router Thread protocol.

So, which starter kit should you choose for your installation ?

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Introduction

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, if you want to check your boiler’s compatibility, Tado has created a tool available.(https://tado-rwknz.involve.me/productcompatibility-update-fa01a73abe00-ab546a5c19ba-copy-88cf43650695){: target=”_blank”} online. Let’s start with the Smart Thermostat X, the wired boiler controller using the com/No/Nc port.

Smart thermostat X

Smart Thermostat X

By Tado°

starter kit to control your Tado heating wired version

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The tado° smart starter X is a starter kit that comes with:

• a digital smart thermostat that integrates the wired boiler controller function with a digital room thermostat.
• a bridge that integrates the border router thread protocol to plug into a power outlet.

Let’s start by unpacking the thermostat. Inside the box, you’ll find clean and well-designed packaging. Well, no one cares about that, but I wanted to point it out. As with all tado° products, you’ll find a piece of cardboard under the lid with the Matter QR code and the authentication code. Be sure to keep it safe; it could be useful if the system crashes. But that shouldn’t happen.

Inside the box, you’ll find:

• the thermostat
• the wall mount with connectors
• wire marking stickers
• a set of screws, wall plugs, and double-sided stickers to attach the mount to the wall.

You will note that there are no paper instructions, just a short general instruction (not shown in the photo), but to get the full instructions: go to the Tado application: Settings > Rooms and Devices then click on the product concerned and go to Installation Instructions.

The tado° controller works with 3 AAA batteries which are supplied, it also acts as a temperature and humidity sensor, you will find on the back side the Matter integration QR code as well as the electrical connection picos.

Boiler Connection

The stickers provided are there to number the wires. By removing the small screw, you’ll find the space to connect your boiler’s communication cables.

First, there’s COM/NC/NO/P1/P2. All of these connections are available, but most conventional boilers operate with two wires: one for the COM port and the other for NO (normally open). P1 and P2 are provided for 3-wire boilers.

For maximum connection information, see the full list of connections, And especially since the instructions aren’t included, go to the Tado app: Settings > Rooms and Devices then click on the relevant product and go to Installation Instructions.

Then there’s a 2-wire connection for the Opentherm protocol, If your boiler works with it, you will need to connect it. See your boiler’s instructions, but you can also find this information in the installation instructions.

The tado X Bridge

This is the bridge that integrates the Thread connection protocol. It’s not necessarily necessary if you already have another Matter/Thread bridge/dongle, as these are open protocols with multi-brand communication. But if you don’t have a gateway, you absolutely must connect this bridge. It has one major drawback: it connects to a power outlet, so it will monopolize one of your sockets. Otherwise, the integration is perfect.

It comes with two UK/EU adapters.

On the front panel, there’s only one WPS button. This will make your life easier when connecting to your home Wi-Fi network. It also serves as a factory reset button.

When you plug it in, the light at the bottom, corresponding to the power connection, lights up. The light just above flashes, indicating that the bridge is ready to pair with the Matter environment. Once connected to the Tado° app, three lights will appear to let you know the bridge is in place.

Factory Reset

All tado products can be reset, which is useful if you encounter integration issues with the app.

Go to this page to find all the information.

Technical Specifications

Advantages of the Smart Thermostat X

• Product quality
• Batteries included
• Controls your boiler for savings
• Sensor and thermostat function (temperature and humidity)
• Matter/Thread protocol
• Central thermostat function
• Tado° guarantees all its products for 10 years

Disadvantages of the Smart Thermostat X

• The Thread bridge uses up a single outlet
• The thermostat display only works on batteries, not mains power
• The display only controls boilers with wired controls (Com/No)
• Doesn’t allow you to deactivate the thermostat function (only to turn it off)
• No printed instructions
• The price is €200

Wireless Smart Thermostat X

Wireless Smart Thermostat X

By Tado°

starter kit to control your boiler with original thermostat connected wirelessly Tado also works wired

Buy Now out of Amazon

The wireless starter kit has similar features to the Smart Thermostat X, but the approach is different.

In this pack, the Thread controller is bundled with the boiler controller (for boiler systems that communicate wirelessly between the thermostat and the boiler), but it also allows wired communication with the boiler, like the Smart Thermostat X. It differs from its counterpart thanks to the remote thermostatic sensor.

Inside the pack we find the controller and a remote thermostatic probe.

Wireless Bridge Module

The wireless bridge module pack is relatively well made. Inside the pack, you’ll find a controller with a detachable power cable, stickers, a set of screws and wall plugs, and a set of three cables to connect P1/P2 and P3.

On the top face two buttons are available, one concerns the wps function and the other allows you to activate the boiler or the boost function manually.

To access the connectors, simply unclip the case. Under the case, you’ll find the Matter pairing QR code and numerous LED indicators.

For the LEDs, starting from the left, you have:

• the power LED
• the three connection LEDs to the home Wi-Fi network
• the reset/boost/heating LED
• a relay LED (it must be connected either to inputs P1/2/3 or to the OpenTherm)
• an LED for the OpenTherm function

For the connection section, starting from the left, you have:

• the outlet connection (Neutral/Phase/Phase)
• a COM/NC/NO connection to connect to the boiler (same as the Smart Thermostat X)
• a P1/2/3 connection (I couldn’t find any connection information on this)
• an OpenTherm Modbus connection

Remote battery-powered temperature sensor

The temperature sensor supplied with the wireless kit is similar to the tado digital thermostat. However, since it only acts as a temperature sensor, you won’t find any boiler connections or OpenTherm connections.

It comes with:

• a wall mount
• screws and stickers
• 3 x AAA batteries
• Matter information card.

Sonde de temperature déporté tado

By Tado°

Tado Remote Temperature Sensor communicates directly with Tado thermostatic valves

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In the Tado° environment (via the app), the temperature sensor or even the thermostat** are important.

When you integrate them in the same room as one or more tado X thermostatic valves, it will no longer be the temperature of the valve that will be measured (as it can be inaccurate due to the proximity of the radiators), but the temperature measured by the sensor will be used.

And those without the need for automation.

Advantages of the Wireless Smart Thermostat X

• Product quality
• Batteries included with the remote sensor
• Tado° guarantees all its products for 10 years if stated on the website
• The temperature sensor can be installed wherever you like
• The controller can be connected to 230V power
• The controller is compatible with wired boilers and those that communicate wirelessly

Disadvantages of the Wireless Smart Thermostat X

• It cannot be operated on batteries
• The €200 price

Integration with Home Assistant

There are several ways to integrate Tado° thermostats, sensors, and valves into Home Assistant, notably using a Thread key external to the Tado bridge. However, if you want to keep the boost function without having to create an automation in HA and in particular the link between the temperature of the sensors or thermostats with the thermostatic valves I suggest you carry out the entire installation in the Tado application and then share the products with home assistant thanks to Matter.

To do this:

Go to the tado app then:

• Settings and Devices
• Select a device except the bridge
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Matter Device Pairing

Then the Matter interface appears on your smartphone:

• Click on the Home Assistant icon. If that doesn’t work, you can also select one of the other two integrations.

Then simply follow the steps.

Devices are now shared with Home Assistant

Below is an animated GIF of the thermostatic valve integration.

Below is an animated GIF showing the integration of the thermostat included in the Smart Thermostat X kit.

That’s it, in no time we’ve shared the Tado° devices in Home Assistant, thanks Matter.

Understanding the terms

When I ordered the products to test the environment, I’ll admit I was confused about which starter kit to choose. This is because of the terms used by Tado.

1. The Smart Thermostat Kit is advertised by Tado° as a wired thermostat, but this one works wirelessly (AAA battery included).
2. The Smart Thermostat X Wireless is advertised by Tado° as a wireless thermostat, but the module works on 230V mains power.

So what Tado° says isn’t wrong, because they’re talking about the connection between the original thermostat and the boiler. But you need to know that 😉

Now, which one should you choose?

By asking yourself the right questions, you can easily choose between the Smart Thermostat X starter kit or the Wireless Smart Thermostat X.

1. If the connection between the original thermostat and the boiler is wireless and if it is compatible with Tado°, then there’s no question about it: you’ll need to get the Wireless Smart Thermostat X.
2. If your original thermostat runs on batteries and you don’t have 230V nearby, you’ll need the Smart Thermostat X.
3. If your thermostat is not in a heated room (hallway, etc.), I recommend the Wireless Smart Thermostat X.
4. If you want to move the temperature sensor away from your boiler controller, I recommend the Wireless Smart Thermostat X.
5. If you want to connect the Thread controller to a 230V outlet, I recommend the Wireless Smart Thermostat X.
6. If the connection to your boiler is more complex, requiring wiring (P1, P2, and P3), I recommend the Wireless Smart Thermostat X.
7. If your original thermostat is in a heated room and can only run on batteries, I recommend the Smart Thermostat X.

As you can see, both kits can control your boiler using the ports. Com/No In most cases I recommend you get the Wireless Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit.

What’s the price?

• A Tado X Smart or Wireless starter kit costs €200, but if you’re patient, tado offers promotional offers ranging from 40% to 50% off, including on Amazon.
• A tado X thermostatic valve costs €100, and if you’re patient, tado offers promotional offers ranging from 40% to 50% off, including on Amazon.
• A thermostatic sensor costs €100

The prices are high, but Tado° has the merit of currently manufacturing the best products on the market, easy to install and use.

Wireless Smart Thermostat X

By Tado°

starter kit to control your boiler with original thermostat connected wirelessly Tado also works wired

Buy Now out of Amazon

Conclusion

Here’s a comparison to help you see things more clearly between the two starter kits offered by Tado°. It’s important to remember that the wireless kit offers the same functions as the Smart Thermostat Kit, but it also allows wireless connection to compatible boilers. If your controller is in an unheated room, as is often the case, then I recommend the wireless kit, provided you can plug it into the mains. In other cases, I recommend the Smart Thermostat X.