tado° X Smart Thermostat Review

The tado° X smart thermostat system is the latest generation of tado° heating controls, designed to give homeowners detailed control over their central heating, radiators, hot water, and even heat pumps.

With support for Matter smart-home connectivity, Thread networking, OpenTherm modulation, and rechargeable smart radiator valves, the tado° X system is built for modern homes that want room-by-room heating control.

Here at Boilers2go, this 2026 tado° X guide explains how the system works, what’s included in the range, compatibility with UK boilers, installation basics, and how smart zoning can improve heating efficiency.

Because smart thermostats aren’t just about apps — they’re about controlling heat where and when you need it.

Why tado° X heating controls matter

Traditional thermostats control the whole central-heating system from one location. Smart heating systems like tado° X allow room-by-room temperature control, helping reduce heating in unused spaces.

The system can control:

• boilers (combi and system)

• radiators via smart valves

• hot-water cylinders

• underfloor heating

• air-source heat pumps

When used with OpenTherm-compatible boilers, tado° X can adjust boiler output gradually to maintain steady room temperatures and improve efficiency.

With zoning, scheduling, and geofencing combined, many households see noticeable reductions in heating waste — especially in larger homes.

tado° X thermostat and control range

The tado° X system is designed as a modular heating-control platform, allowing homeowners to expand control across the home.

Wireless Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit

The Wireless Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit replaces an existing wireless thermostat and allows control of central heating and hot water.

It includes:

• touchscreen thermostat

• wireless receiver/programmer

• built-in Thread router

• OpenTherm or relay boiler control

This is the typical starting point for smart-heating upgrades in UK homes.

Wired Smart Thermostat X

The Wired Smart Thermostat X is designed to replace wired room thermostats or control systems such as underfloor heating.

Additional thermostats can be added to control different rooms independently.

Smart Radiator Thermostat X

The Smart Radiator Thermostat X allows individual radiators to be controlled separately, creating heating zones across the home.

Unlike earlier models, the valves use USB-C rechargeable batteries, typically lasting a full heating season.

These valves connect through a Thread mesh network, improving reliability across larger properties.

Programmer X and Bridge X

The Programmer X provides hot-water control when needed, while the Bridge X extends Wi-Fi connectivity if the router is far from the heating system.

Heat Pump Optimiser X

For homes with air-source heat pumps, the Heat Pump Optimiser X allows scheduling and smart temperature control designed for low-temperature heating systems.

Smart-home compatibility and app control

One of the biggest changes with tado° X is Matter-over-Thread connectivity, allowing integration with:

• Apple Home

• Google Home

• Alexa

• Siri

The tado° app allows homeowners to manage heating schedules, room temperatures, and energy usage from anywhere.

Features include:

• geofencing

• room-by-room schedules

• window-open detection

• quick heating adjustments

• energy-usage reporting

Some automation features are available through the AI Assist subscription, though the system works fully without it.

Installing the tado° X system

Installing the tado° X starter kit is often straightforward, especially when replacing an existing thermostat.

The receiver connects to the boiler’s control terminals, and the thermostat mounts onto a standard wall plate. Setup is completed through the app using QR-code pairing.

Smart radiator valves simply replace existing radiator valve heads and pair automatically with the system.

More complex installations — particularly those involving hot-water cylinders or heat pumps — are usually best handled by a professional installer.

tado° X vs Nest and Hive (2026)

Nest and Hive remain popular smart thermostats across UK homes, particularly for simple app-based heating control.

The tado° X system stands out for room-by-room zoning and Matter smart-home compatibility, as well as OpenTherm modulation support.

Nest focuses more on learning behaviour automatically, while Hive integrates well with wider smart-home devices. tado° sits somewhere in between, offering detailed control of individual rooms.

For larger homes or households wanting precise radiator-level control, tado° X is often the most flexible option.

Energy savings with tado° X

Smart zoning and scheduling typically reduce wasted heating rather than dramatically changing boiler efficiency.

Many households see around 10–20% reductions in heating use when moving from a single thermostat to room-by-room smart heating control.

OpenTherm modulation, geofencing, and automated scheduling all contribute to these savings.

The biggest improvements usually come from heating only the rooms that are actually being used.

Compatibility with UK heating systems

The tado° X system works with most UK heating setups, including:

• combi boilers

• system boilers

• hot-water cylinders

• radiator systems

• underfloor heating

• heat pumps

OpenTherm compatibility allows the system to work particularly well with many modern boilers from brands like Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Baxi, Ideal, and Viessmann.

Programming tips for smart heating

Smart heating systems work best when schedules match how the home is used.

For most UK households:

• Living spaces work well around 20–22°C

• Bedrooms are usually slightly cooler

• Geofencing should be adjusted to household routines

• Radiator zoning reduces heating waste

• Holiday mode prevents unnecessary heating

Once configured, the system largely runs automatically.

Quick tado° X guide

• If you want smart heating control, the Wireless Smart Thermostat X starter kit is the best place to start.
• If you want room-by-room heating, Smart Radiator Thermostat X valves are the key upgrade.
• If you have a heat pump, the Heat Pump Optimiser X is designed for low-temperature heating systems.

The tado° X system is designed to give homeowners full control over their central heating system, especially in larger homes where zoning makes the biggest difference.