Sonoff TX Ultimate review

After the Sonoff switches in the TX range ( T0, T1, T2 and T3), the Chinese manufacturer released the TX Ultimate series in 2023, nothing to do with the rest of the range. A very, very well finished product with a range of exceptional options and customizations.

TX Ultimate

By Sonoff

Intelligent and ultra-customizable switch 1, 2 or 3 keys sound and light shell Ultimate TX T5-86

Buy Now out of Aliexpress Buy Now out of Domadoo Buy Now out of Itead

Unboxing the Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86

Exceptional European-level packaging 😀, inside you will find the wall switch in a blister with a protective film on the front of the switch. The first impression that emerges from this product is of exceptional quality, the product is very well finished and the top shell (white) has a satin feel. The LED strip under the switch is very well integrated. ps:domadoo provided me with a T5-2C-86 double switch

Opening the Sonoff switch TX Ultimate T5-86 is done without forcing, once the 4 screws have been removed you will have access to the printed circuit.

You can see that Sonoff has not skimped on the number of LEDs, UART access is offered in order to be able to upload customized firmware, on the right is a vibration module.

Commissioning the Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86

Good like the rest of the Wifi range if you want to use this product you will need to download the Ewelink application available on android and Apple Store.

The Ewelink application is very well done, integrating the modules is hassle-free, if this is your first Sonoff module, start by creating an account. You will see a little further down that it is possible to integrate it into home assistant thanks to HACS and SonoffLan but it will still be necessary to integrate it into the Ewelink app beforehand. There is, however, one drawback when using this application, which is the fact that you use a Chinese cloud to control the Sonoff range wifi modules.

When searching for Wifi, a blue light flashes on the top of the module then ends up turning off once connected to the network.

Characteristics of Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86

The switch will delight your eyes and ears, firstly the responsiveness of the keys is sensational and on the entire surface, very responsive, you just need to touch the key for it to it turns on, noise, vibration and led light will activate just that, negative point you will not be able to deactivate these options they are for the moment inseparable.

View of the switch with the Star shell installed, changing the shell is quite easy

Second point you can configure the LED display outside of the operation of the switches, and thus illuminate the module permanently. This option offers 8 different themes: (Night light, Party, Leisure, Color, Childhood, Wiper, Fairy, Starburst), you will definitely find lighting to suit you.

Below are the different LED lighting image themes available for this switch.

Available Sonoff functions TX Ultimate T5-86

No less than 6 functions are available with this switch:

• Set of 8 LED lights
• Vibes
• Sounds during physical activation
• light under the switch activated
• interchangeable shells
• Actions Slide Left or Right

Interchangeable Shells

Sonoff provides optional interchangeable shells, for the European version you have the choice between cartoon (cat/bear) or Star to spruce up your switch, the American version 120 offers a somewhat different Cartoon in my opinion more successful for a bedroom Boy.

European cartoon, with its packaging

Star case with its packaging.

Additional point, the Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86 is sold with a white shell but it is possible to interchange it, customization has almost no limits, the European version offers two shells as options Cartoon or Star, However, I regret the American version of the cartoon representing whale and coral, which is not available for the European version, the blue would correspond better to young boys.

Miscellaneous connection of Sonoff 3 buttons

With the Sonoff TX Ultimate T-3C-86 you can control the motor or hot water tank, below are the connection diagrams.

Only the 3 button version allows you to control a motor or water heater provided that the latest firmware Min:1.3.1 is installed on the switch.

Video Usage

Video of operation

Turn on the sound and watch the Sonoff working live TX Ultimate T5-86

Slide Video

A brief overview of how the Slide works live

Video Via Applications (Ewelink or SonoffLAN)

To complete an operation video via Ewelink or SonoffLAN app by Home Assistant.

Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86 and Home Assistant

The switch is controllable via HomeAssistant thanks to SonoffLAN and HACS integration, I wrote an article about this, read it and you will definitely succeed in the integration.

Good news The Sonoff TX-Ultimate works at 95% without the Cloud, in Lan mode everything is controllable except slide 1 and 2 In Auto or Cloud mode the Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86 works at 100%

In Auto or Cloud mode the left and right slide is recognized, in Lan mode this is not the case for the moment I posted a github issue on this subject

During the next update of the SonoffLAN plugin you will be able to easily control the themes via home assistant, to carry out these tests I updated the SonoffLAN lights.py file

Technical characteristics

Sonoff documentations TX Ultimate T5-86

TX Ultimate

By Sonoff

Intelligent and ultra-customizable switch 1, 2 or 3 keys sound and light shell Ultimate TX T5-86

Buy Now out of Aliexpress Buy Now out of Domadoo Buy Now out of Itead

Sonoff Purchase Info TX Ultimate T5-86

At domadoo

you can purchase TX Ultimate 1, 2 or 3 keys but no interchangeable shells

Sonoff TX Ultimate 1 touch at €32.99

Sonoff TX Ultimate 2 at €33.99

Sonoff TX Ultimate 3 button control switch and motor for €34.99

At Itead

it is possible to purchase customizable cases in addition:

Purchase of TX Ultimate from 1 to 4 keys

Purchase of shells from 1 to 4 keys

At Aliexpress

the sales page offers you all the options

Purchase of 1 to 4 keys with or without covers

Product advantages TX Ultimate T5-86

• manufacturing quality
• Interchangeable shells
• operating responsiveness
• sensitive touch on the entire surface
• ready for 2-way control
• voice control (Alexa and Google)
• perfect integration via the application
• Available in 4 keys on the manufacturer’s website
• the price around €30
• usable with Home Assistant (via SonoffLan and HACS)

the - of the product TX Ultimate T5-86

• Use of a Chinese cloud
• requires neutral to operate
• only the 3-button switch can be used with a motor (shutter type for example)
• deactivation impossible (sound, light and vibration)
• no backlight under the interchangeable shell

TX Ultimate

By Sonoff

Intelligent and ultra-customizable switch 1, 2 or 3 keys sound and light shell Ultimate TX T5-86

Buy Now out of Aliexpress Buy Now out of Domadoo Buy Now out of Itead

Conclusion

Once again Sonoff signs a quality product worthy of the great European manufacturers, you are looking for a modular switch that will amaze you then the Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86 is made for you , finally if the control by a Chinese Cloud doesn’t scare you 🤬. Despite the small negative points **I still decided to give the rating 5 stars because the Sonoff TX Ultimate T5-86 is of exceptional quality.