Tado Smart Thermostat V3+ Review: A Masterclass in Multi-Room Control?

In the battle for smart home supremacy, three names usually dominate the conversation in the UK and Europe: Nest, Hive, and Tado. While Nest is known for learning your habits and Hive is known for its British Gas reliability, Tado has carved out a niche as the king of location-based heating and granular multi-room control.

The Tado Smart Thermostat V3+ promises to pay for itself within the first year by cutting your heating bills by up to 31%. But with a shift towards a subscription model for some automated features, is it still the best choice for the cost-conscious homeowner? We put the V3+ Starter Kit through its paces.

What is Tado V3+?

The Tado V3+ is a smart heating system designed to replace your existing wired thermostat. It connects to your boiler via a Bridge (which plugs into your router) and allows you to control your home’s temperature from your smartphone, voice assistant (Alexa, Google, Siri), or manually on the unit itself.

Its primary selling point isn’t just “smart scheduling”—it’s the intelligent use of Geolocation. Tado knows when the last person leaves the house and turns the heating down. It knows when you are around the corner on your way home and starts warming the house up. It essentially ensures you never heat an empty home.

Tado Wireless Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+

Everything you need to get started. Includes the Wireless Receiver, Temperature Sensor, and Internet Bridge. Compatible with 95% of heating systems.

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Design & Installation

Aesthetically, Tado takes a very different approach to the heavy, industrial feel of Hive or the circular glass of Nest. The V3+ thermostat is a stark white square made of matte plastic. It features a matrix LED display that is invisible when not in use.

To check the temperature manually, you press the single button on the front, and white LEDs shine through the plastic casing to show the current temp and settings. It is incredibly minimalist. Some might find it “plain,” but it blends seamlessly into modern white walls.

Installation

Installation is generally DIY-friendly, provided you are replacing an existing wired thermostat. The Tado app provides excellent, tailored instructions based on the specific make and model of your current boiler controller. However, if you have a complex system or lack confidence with mains wiring, a professional installation is recommended.

Key Features: Geofencing & Open Window Detection

The V3+ software is where Tado flexes its muscles. The user interface is clean, intuitive, and data-rich.

Geolocation

This is the core of the Tado experience. Unlike standard timers, Tado tracks the location of all residents (who have the app installed). When the radius is breached, the heating mode switches to “Away” (Eco). As you approach home, it switches back to “Home.”

Open Window Detection

The thermostat monitors temperature and humidity drops. If it detects a sudden drop (like a window opening), it shuts off the heating in that room to prevent energy waste.

Air Comfort Skill

Unique to Tado, this feature advises you on the air quality of your home. It tracks humidity and pollen levels, suggesting when to open windows to improve indoor air health.

The Controversy: “Auto-Assist” Subscription

This is the most important part of the V3+ review. In older versions of Tado (V2, V3), the Geofencing automation was free. With the V3+, Tado introduced a subscription model called Auto-Assist (approx £2.99/month).

Without the subscription: Tado will send you a notification on your phone saying “You have left home, would you like to turn off the heating?” You have to manually tap the button in the app.

With the subscription: Tado does it automatically in the background. It also automates the Open Window detection.

Is it a dealbreaker? For some, yes. However, many users find the manual confirmation fine, or they opt for the subscription purely for the convenience. It’s worth noting that even without the sub, Tado is still smarter than a basic programmable thermostat.

Smart Radiator Thermostats: The Real Power

Where Tado arguably beats both Hive and Nest is in its multi-room control. Tado’s Smart Radiator Thermostats (TRVs) are sleek, quiet, and integrate perfectly with the main system.

By replacing your old plastic radiator valves with Tado ones, you can control the temperature of every single room individually. Want the baby’s room at 21°C but the guest room off? Easy. The app handles this zoning effortlessly, ensuring the boiler only fires up when a specific room actually needs heat.

Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat (Vertical)

The secret to true efficiency. Upgrade your radiators to control every room independently. Detects open windows and adjusts automatically.

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Tado vs. The Rest

Choosing a smart thermostat locks you into an ecosystem, so comparison is vital.

Tado vs. Hive

Hive is the other big player in the UK. Hive has a better ecosystem for other smart devices (lights, plugs, sensors) and doesn’t charge a subscription for its geolocation alerts. However, Tado’s radiator valves are generally considered faster to react and quieter. For a detailed head-to-head battle, read our full Hive vs Tado comparison guide.

Tado vs. Nest

Nest is famous for its “learning” algorithm. If you want a thermostat you never have to touch, Nest is great. If you want granular control and better multi-room support, Tado wins. If you are considering Hive, don’t miss our Hive Active Heating review to see how its design differs from Tado’s minimalist approach.

Final Verdict

Should you buy it? If your priority is saving money through precise, room-by-room heating control, Tado V3+ is the best system on the market. Despite the annoying subscription model for automation, the hardware ecosystem is robust, reliable, and incredibly efficient at managing heat distribution.

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