tado° Smart Thermostat X review: Thread-based smart heating, now in a second generation

tado° is one of Europe's best-known smart heating brands, and the Smart Thermostat X is the central thermostat in its current X range. The first generation launched in 2024 and moved tado° to Thread and Matter. In September 2026 tado° released the Smart Thermostat X (2nd gen), which has a slimmer matte-white design, a touch-sensitive light ring, a display that shows temperature and humidity, and a rechargeable battery. Both generations are on sale, and all X devices work together.

This tado° Smart Thermostat X review is based on tado°'s specifications, published coverage of the X system and owner feedback. The 2nd gen is only a few weeks old, so long-term reports are still limited. We explain what it does, what it costs to run and who should buy it.

Design: what changed in the 2nd gen

The 2nd gen is thin and designed to blend into the wall, with a matte-white finish. You adjust the temperature by touching the light ring, and an LED matrix display shows the current temperature and humidity. tado° says the rechargeable battery lasts all winter, so you charge it occasionally instead of replacing batteries. A quick-action button covers common tasks. The original Smart Thermostat X is still sold in matt black for people who prefer that look.

There are two versions. The Wired model replaces an existing wired room thermostat or controls underfloor heating zones. The Wireless model talks to a Wireless Receiver wired to your boiler, so it works whether you already have a wireless thermostat or none at all.

Compatibility: boilers, heat pumps and underfloor heating

tado° says the X range works with about 95% of heating systems. The Smart Thermostat X supports boilers controlled by Relay or OpenTherm, which covers most gas boilers, as well as heat pumps and water-based underfloor heating. A free Control Mode setting in the app tells tado° which system you have, and it adjusts how it heats. Boilers react quickly, underfloor heating is slow and needs careful control to avoid overshooting, and heat pumps run best when kept steady.

For heat pumps, you can add the Heat Pump Optimizer X, which feeds real room temperatures to the heat pump. tado° offers an online compatibility checker, and it is worth using before you buy.

Thread, Matter and the Bridge X

The X range uses Thread, a low-power mesh network, and supports Matter, so tado° devices can appear in Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and other Matter platforms. To reach the internet you need a Thread border router. If you already have one, such as some smart speakers and hubs, you don't need tado°'s Bridge X. Otherwise, starter kits include it.

One catch for existing owners: the Internet Bridge from tado°'s older V3+ system does not work with X devices. If you are upgrading from V3+, plan to move fully to the X range rather than mixing the two.

App features and the AI Assist subscription

The free tado° app covers the essentials: remote control, per-room Smart Schedules, Quick Actions to switch everything off or boost heat, and system Control Modes. Schedules are stored on the device, so they keep running if your internet goes down, and you can even install the system offline.

Some of tado°'s best-known features now need AI Assist, which costs €3.99 a month or €29.99 a year. These include geofencing that lowers the heating when everyone leaves, pre-heating before you get home, Energy IQ cost and usage reports, advanced open-window detection, air-quality tips, fault detection, Holiday Mode and multi-home management. tado° says AI Assist can save up to 55% more energy than the free app, based on its own modelling. Rival smart thermostats include some of these features for free, so factor the subscription into the total cost.

Energy savings: what to expect

tado° says its users save 22% on heating energy on average, based on internal customer data, and offers a refund if you're not happy with your savings in the first 12 months. The biggest gains come from pairing the thermostat with Smart Radiator Thermostat X units, which let each room request heat on its own. That stops the common problem of a warm living room and a cold bathroom. Actual savings depend on your home, your habits and how inefficient your old controls were.

Is the tado° Smart Thermostat X worth it?

For European homes, it's one of the most flexible smart thermostats available, especially if you plan to add radiator thermostats for room-by-room control or have a heat pump. The move to Thread and Matter makes it more future-proof than older Wi-Fi models, and starter kits are mid-range in price.

The subscription is the main drawback. If you want geofencing and detailed energy reports, budget for AI Assist. If you'll only use schedules and remote control, the free app does the job. The 2nd gen is the one to buy for its display and rechargeable battery, while the 1st gen is a cheaper alternative if you find it discounted.

• Buy it if: you want room-level control of a European boiler, heat pump or underfloor system
• Skip it if: you want every automation included without a subscription

Key specs

Versions

Wired and Wireless (with Wireless Receiver); 1st and 2nd gen on sale

Heating systems

Boilers (Relay/OpenTherm), heat pumps, water-based underfloor heating

Connectivity

Thread; Matter; Bridge X or third-party Thread border router

Power (2nd gen)

Rechargeable battery, rated to last the whole winter

Display (2nd gen)

LED matrix showing temperature and humidity, touch light ring

Voice control

Apple Home (Siri), Alexa, Google, via Matter or integrations

Subscription

Optional AI Assist, €3.99 per month or €29.99 per year

Released

1st gen 2024; 2nd gen September 2026

Alternatives to consider

• Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen): A learning thermostat with built-in presence features and no required subscription, with better US availability.
• Netatmo Smart Thermostat: A simple European thermostat with free app features and optional radiator valves.
• Hive Thermostat: A popular UK option with an easy app and optional heating add-ons.

Frequently asked questions

The tado° Smart Thermostat X is a strong choice for European homes that want smarter, room-by-room heating. It works with boilers, heat pumps and underfloor heating, and Thread and Matter help future-proof it. The 2nd gen adds a nicer design, a humidity display and a rechargeable battery. Just go in knowing that geofencing and energy reports cost extra through AI Assist, and that the new model is too recent for long-term reliability data.

How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.