Looking to upgrade your home heating thermostat to a smart thermostat? Choosing between Tado smart thermostat and Hive smart thermostat can be challenging, they’re both popular options with unique smart features. Wondering which one truly fits your lifestyle? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll break down the key features, pricing, and performance of Tado vs Hive to help you decide which smart thermostat system is the right choice for you.
Read on to discover which smart thermostat may be better option for you!
Hive vs Tado smart thermostats; main features compared:
Value for Money Tado Smart Thermostat |
Ease of Use Hive Smart Thermostat | |
|---|---|---|
| Hub Required | Yes | Yes |
| Price | From £135 | From £145 |
| Room By Room Control | Yes* | Yes* |
| Geolocation | Yes (manual)** | Yes (manual)** |
| Energy Usage Reports | Yes | Basic |
| Set Schedules | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Subscription Services | Optional | Optional |
| Frost Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Open window detection | Yes | No |
| Holiday mode | Yes | Yes |
| Smart learning features | No | No |
*requires smart valves to be purchased separately
** Message to inform you, does not automatically adjust heating, unless you’ve paid for the subscription
Tado vs Hive detailed comparison
Room-by-Room Control
Tado: Smart radiator valves can be purchased and installed in each individual room, allowing you to control temperature room by room to save money on heating bill.
Hive: Also provides room-by-room control. You can purchase Hive Radiator Valves and install in each room, allowing you to set different temperatures in different rooms.
Geolocation Tado vs Hive
Tado and Hive both offer geolocation feature, sending you push notifications to turn down or turn off the heating to avoid heating empty home. If you have Tado subscription which is optional, then it can automatically adjust the heating for you.
Energy Reports
Both hive and tado thermostats provide energy reports. However, with hive you only get basic energy reports, unless you subscribe to hive active heating, which then provides you more detailed reports.
Tado smart thermostat provides you more detailed energy reports, showing you how much energy you’re saving over time and offering insights into your heating patterns.
Smart Scheduling
Both the smart thermostat allows users to set up schedules, which can be adjusted based on the day of the week and the time, with flexible temperature settings. However it is worth noting that unlike Google Nest, which offers smart scheduling features which can learn your habits and automatically adjust schedules, Hive and Nest both only offer normal scheduling.
Voice Assistant Compatibility
Both of the smart thermostats are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, providing seamless integration with popular voice assistants. Smart hub is required.
Subscription Services
Tado: Offers an optional subscription service called Tado Auto-Assist, which includes automated geolocation and open window detection. Without a subscription, these features are limited or must be manually controlled.
Hive: Does not require a subscription for any of its normal features. However, hive plus subscription is required for detailed energy insights.
Compatibility with Heating Systems
Both thermostats are compatible with most standard heating systems, including combi boilers, heat pumps, and underfloor heating. If you are unsure always double check with the manufacturer.
Pricing Tado vs Hive – Which smart thermostat is more cost effective?
Tado may be slightly cheaper than Hive thermostat. However, it largely depends on which additional device you choose to buy. For example, for better room by room beating control, you may decide to buy smart thermostats.
Remote Access and App Control
Hive and Tado both provides full remote access via the Tado app, allowing users to control heating form anywhere, adjust temperature settings, and monitor usage. We have found Hive app to be extremely user friendly and easy to use. You can set schedules, boost heating, change heating modes, check energy usage.
Open Window Detection
Tado smart thermostat can detect open windows and notify you to turn down the heating to save money. If you have tado subscription then it can automatically temporarily turn down the heating to prevent energy waste. This feature is part of the Tado Auto-Assist subscription service, though it provides notifications for free.
Hive does not have a specific open window detection feature, though manual controls allow users to turn off heating if they suspect an open window is causing heat loss.
Frost Protection
Tado: Automatically activates frost protection when the temperature drops too low, preventing pipes from freezing and maintaining a minimum temperature.
Hive: Also offers frost protection, turning on the heating if the temperature falls below a certain level, even if the heating is off, which helps to prevent damage during cold weather.
Heating Boost Mode
Tado: Provides a boost option. When you press the boost button, it will override the heating schedule and turn on heating for 30 minutes.
Hive also offers a boost function, enabling you to turn the heating on for one hour by pressing the button. You can increase the duration of boost by pressing the button again.
Holiday Mode – Save Energy
Both Hive and Tado thermostats allows users to set Holiday Mode to reduce heating while they’re away, saving energy without turning the system off completely. If you forget to turn the holiday mode on before leaving the house, you can always activate it last minute through the app.
Weather Adaptation
Tado: Integrates with local weather data to adjust the heating based on current and future forecast. This helps maintain comfort and reduce unnecessary energy use.
Hive: Does not have an automatic weather adaptation feature, though you can manually adjust the heating temperature based on the weather forecast.
Smart Radiator Thermostats (Multi-Zone Control)
Both the smart thermostats support additional smart thermostats, allowing for multi-zone heating. This feature lets you set different temperatures in different floors and control them independently.
Integration with Other Smart Home Ecosystems
Tado: Integrates with popular smart home systems including IFTTT, which allows users to create custom automations
Hive: Works well within the Hive system but it can also connects with IFTTT for additional automation options.
Battery Life and Maintenance
Both the thermostats have similar battery life and can send you replacement alerts through the app.
Heat On Demand
Tado: Includes a Heat On Demand feature as part of its overall automation suite.
Both Tado and Hive are reliable smart heating systems. Tado is great for users who value features like geolocation, open window detection, and detailed energy reports. Hive offers a strong, reliable and user-friendly and easy to use option.
