If you’re buying an entire smart heating system, it’ll take some time to recoup the cost of the tech but a smart radiator valve is a much smaller investment. Each one will allow you to control a single room, which means you can schedule heating so that it’s warm when it needs to be and no heat is wasted the rest of the time.
Being able to see the temperature clearly on your phone screen or on the device itself, instead of crawling around trying to decipher the lines on a standard radiator valve, gives you much more control over the heat output. Plus, many smart TRVs allow you to use voice control, via your Alexa or Google Assistant.
They’re also a great option for people in rented accommodation, or those who don’t want to get a full smart home heating system installed.
There’s one thing to bear in mind: some valves will still require you to buy the company’s smart home hub or smart thermostat to work properly.
To make your life easy and minimise the number of apps you need to use, you should choose something that’s compatible with your existing smart home ecosystem. Or, if you don’t have one yet, choose a brand that has other smart products (like home security and lighting items) that you might like to use in conjunction with your smart TRVs.
When buying, look out for bundled products, as purchasing together can be a money saver.
Smart radiator valve reviews
HomeKit compatible Easy to use
For iPhones only You need a hub to unlock all of its features
However, to unlock the full potential Eve Thermo, you really need an Apple hub or product – such as an iPad – that can be used as one. The Thermo is fully HomeKit-compatible and can be used in conjunction with other Apple and Eve items.
We could see this being very useful for people in rented accommodation who want some of the convenience of smart home technology without installing a full smart home heating system.
App experience isn't great
Website works well
The app experience lets it down a bit, but the full website more than makes up for those frustrations. Devolo’s additional accessories can turn a dumb home smart, and it can be a gradual process as all accessories are sold separately.
Reliable Voice assistant-compatible
Bulky Hub required
This is undeniably a better buy for people who are already invested in Lightwave’s ecosystem of smart light switches and plug sockets, or are considering the investment, but if you don’t fancy the rest of the Lightwave range you can probably do better elsewhere.
Emma is Home Tech Editor at Tech Advisor. She covers everything from kitchen appliances to smart home devices, from floor care to personal care to air care technology. She’s particularly interested in environmentally conscious brands and products that save people time and money.
