tado° Wireless Smart Thermostat X — Starter Kit including Programmer with Hot Water Control and OpenTherm review
Most UK homes — including heat pumps and cylinder systems — that want hot water control without buying a hub.
By Tom Calder
The most complete package here for the money: OpenTherm or relay control, hot water control included via the bundled Programmer X, and no separate hub or bridge to buy because the Programmer is itself the Thread border router. It is also the one the manufacturer describes as genuinely self-installable, with in-app instructions tailored to your system, though the Programmer still wires in at the boiler — which is why tado sells professional fitting at £140. Note that the Matter and Thread support is smart-home connectivity, not any form of safety approval.
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- Hot water control included via the bundled Programmer X
- No hub or Bridge X to buy — the Programmer X is the Thread border router
- Suits heat pumps as well as most gas boilers, over relay or OpenTherm
- Optional AI Assist subscription at £3.99 a month is an ongoing cost that is easy to miss at checkout
- Still a wired job at the boiler end despite the DIY framing — tado charges £140 inc VAT for professional fitting
- Amazon sells a near-identically named kit with a Bridge X and stand instead of the Programmer X, so it is easy to buy the wrong bundle
Who shouldn't buy this
you want room-by-room control out of the box — the Drayton Wiser kit includes two radiator valves for £20 more.
Key specs
| Works with | Most gas boilers and heat pumps via relay or OpenTherm |
| Control | OpenTherm or relay; hot water control included; no hub needed |
| Zoning | Single zone; add tado° Radiator Thermostats X for per-room |
| Fitting | Most DIY-friendly here, still wired; pro fitting £140 inc VAT |
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