The Best Smart Heating Systems Under £150 in the UK (2025 Guide)

December 8, 2025

Upgrading to a smart heating system is one of the most effective ways to take control of your energy bills and improve comfort, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For a budget of under £150, you can get a high-quality starter kit from a major brand that replaces your old thermostat with an intelligent, app-controlled one. This guide focuses on the best smart heating systems that deliver genuine value, helping you heat your home more efficiently without a significant upfront investment.

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What to Expect from a Smart Heating System Under £150

A budget of £150 is a sweet spot for smart heating. You can access reliable hardware and the core features that make these systems worthwhile. However, it's important to understand the trade-offs at this price point.

Core Features You Get

For under £150, you can expect a starter kit that delivers these essential smart features:

Full App Control: The main benefit is the ability to adjust your heating from anywhere using a smartphone app. You can turn the temperature up or down, boost the heat for an hour, or switch it off entirely, whether you're at work or on your way home.
Advanced Scheduling: Go far beyond a simple on/off timer. Smart apps allow you to create detailed schedules for every day of the week, ensuring you only use energy precisely when you need it.
A Modern Thermostat: You will get a well-designed, reliable central thermostat to replace your existing one. These are typically minimalist units that are simple to operate.
Voice Control: Nearly all systems in this price range are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to change the temperature with a simple voice command.

Features You Usually Miss Out On

To reach this accessible price, manufacturers make sensible compromises. Be aware that your system is unlikely to include:

Multi-Room Control: Starter kits under £150 are almost always single-zone systems. This means they control your entire home's heating based on the temperature in one location, just like a traditional thermostat. To heat rooms independently, you need to add Smart Radiator Valves (TRVs), which are sold separately. For a deeper look, see our guide on Smart Thermostat vs Smart TRVs: Do You Need Both?.
Control for Separate Hot Water Tanks: Most sub-£150 kits, like the Hive Mini, are designed specifically for homes with combi boilers, which produce hot water on demand. They do not have the ability to control a separate hot water cylinder, which is common in homes with system or conventional boilers.
Advanced Learning Algorithms: Premium features, like the Google Nest's ability to learn your routine automatically, are reserved for thermostats in a higher price bracket. Budget systems rely on you to program the schedule you want.

The Best Smart Heating Systems Under £150 Reviewed

In this price range, two systems consistently stand out for their reliability, feature sets, and backing from major brands: the Hive Thermostat Mini and the Tado° Wired Smart Thermostat. While both offer excellent app control, they have different strengths, particularly regarding their subscription models and smart home integration. For a detailed comparison of these two ecosystems, check out our Tado° vs Hive: Which Smart Heating System Is Best in 2025? article.

Hive Thermostat Mini: Best for Simplicity

Best for: Cost-conscious users with a combi boiler who want a simple, reliable "fit-and-forget" system from a major UK brand.
Key features: Sleek and compact design that blends in anywhere; simple and intuitive smartphone app for scheduling; backed by British Gas owner Centrica.
Performance/Results: Delivers rock-solid remote control and scheduling. The app is straightforward, making it easy to set schedules, boost the heat, and activate Holiday Mode.
Drawbacks: It is designed for combi boilers only and cannot control a separate hot water tank. The on-device controls are minimal, meaning you are almost entirely reliant on the app. Useful features like spending forecasts require the optional Hive Plus subscription (£3.99/month).
Ongoing cost/maintenance: The optional Hive Plus subscription is needed to unlock the system's full potential. Batteries in the thermostat will need replacing every 1-2 years.

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Tado° Wired Smart Thermostat V3+: Best for Data & Flexibility

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Best for: Users who want powerful automation features like geofencing and are interested in detailed energy usage reports to help them save more.
Key features: Geofencing to automatically turn the heating down when you leave; Weather Adaptation to pre-heat more efficiently on cold days; Open Window Detection; Apple HomeKit support.
Performance/Results: The "Auto-Assist" skill (which requires a subscription) makes the system truly smart, proactively managing your heating based on your location and the weather. The energy-saving reports in the app are detailed and genuinely useful for understanding consumption.
Drawbacks: The system's main selling point—fully automated geofencing and open window detection—is locked behind the £3.99/month Auto-Assist subscription. Without it, the app only sends you a notification prompting you to make the change manually.
Ongoing cost/maintenance: The Auto-Assist subscription is highly recommended to get the most value, adding a recurring cost.

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Buying Guide: Key Checks for a Sub-£150 System

Choosing the right budget system involves more than just comparing features. A few practical checks will ensure the thermostat you buy is compatible with your home and that there are no surprise costs down the line.

Boiler Compatibility: The Combi vs. System Boiler Check

This is the most critical check. The vast majority of smart thermostat starter kits under £150 are designed for homes with a combi boiler.

Combi Boilers: These are the most common type in UK homes. They heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a hot tap, so there is no separate hot water storage cylinder. If you don't have a water tank (usually in an airing cupboard), you almost certainly have a combi boiler. Both the Hive Mini and Tado Wired kits are perfect for these systems.
System or Conventional Boilers: These systems have a separate hot water cylinder that stores a large amount of hot water. They require a smart thermostat with an additional channel to control the hot water schedule independently. The kits in this guide do not include this functionality, and you would need to look at more expensive options, which we cover in our main Smart Thermostats & Radiator Valves in the UK: Complete 2025 Buying Guide.

Wired vs. Wireless: Installation Considerations

At this price point, you are typically buying a wired smart thermostat. This means it is designed to replace an existing wall-mounted thermostat using the same mains or low-voltage wiring. For a competent DIYer, this can be a straightforward job. However, as it involves handling mains electricity, we always recommend budgeting for a professional installer (£50 - £100) for safety and peace of mind.

Wireless thermostats, which can be placed anywhere in a room, are usually bundled in more expensive kits that push you over the £150 budget.

Hidden Costs: Factoring in Subscriptions and Installation

The initial purchase price isn't the whole story. Be sure to consider the total cost of ownership:

Subscriptions: As mentioned, both Hive and Tado° lock their most advanced features behind a £3.99/month subscription. For Tado°, this enables the fully automated geofencing, which is a core part of its value. For Hive, it adds useful insights and savings tracking. You need to decide if these recurring costs fit your budget.
Professional Installation: Unless you are completely confident in your DIY skills, factor in the one-off cost of having the system fitted by a qualified heating engineer or electrician.

Smart Home Integration (Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit)

Both Hive and Tado° work seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control your heating with voice commands regardless of which you choose.

The key difference is Apple HomeKit. If you are an Apple user and want to control your heating via Siri or the Home app, Tado° is the clear winner as it offers native HomeKit support. Hive does not.

Verdict: Is a Budget Smart Heating System Worth It?

Absolutely. For homeowners with a combi boiler, a smart heating system under £150 is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make. It provides the core benefits of smart heating—remote app control and detailed scheduling—which are the primary tools for reducing energy waste. You no longer need to heat an empty house or come home to a cold one.

Your choice between the top contenders comes down to priorities. The Hive Thermostat Mini is the ideal choice for those who value simplicity and a trusted UK brand, offering a straightforward, no-fuss experience. The Tado° Wired Smart Thermostat is better for tech-savvy users who want the most advanced automation and are willing to pay the monthly subscription for proactive features like geofencing.

While these systems won't offer the granular multi-room control of more expensive kits, they provide a powerful and affordable entry point into smarter, more efficient home heating. If you have a larger home and think you'll need room-by-room control, it may be worth exploring options in the next price bracket, which we cover in our guide to the Best Smart Heating Systems Under £250 (UK).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you get a good smart heating system for under £150?

Yes. Brands like Hive and Tado° offer excellent starter kits for under £150. These include a high-quality smart thermostat and hub, providing full app-based scheduling and remote control for homes with combi boilers.

What is the cheapest way to get smart heating in the UK?

While a TRV-only starter kit can be cheaper, the most effective budget entry point for whole-home control is a system like the Hive Thermostat Mini. It provides the central "brain" needed to properly manage your boiler based on your schedule.

Do I need a subscription for budget smart heating?

No, a subscription is not mandatory for core functionality. Both Hive and Tado° allow you to set schedules and control the temperature remotely without any monthly fees. However, their most advanced features (automated geofencing for Tado°, cost-tracking for Hive) do require an optional subscription of around £3.99 per month.

Will a smart thermostat save me money?

Yes, a smart thermostat can lead to significant savings by making it easy to ensure you only heat your home when necessary. By preventing the heating from running when you're out, you directly reduce wasted energy. The exact savings depend on your previous habits and home insulation. You can learn more in our article, How Smart Heating Actually Saves Money (and Is It Worth It?).

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