When we were first given smart home automation devices and shown how much convenience they could bring to our homes, many of us did not quite realize how far this would go. Now smart air conditioner controllers are quite popular because they are easy to setup, result in cost savings, allow for voice control and look quite beautiful. In this buying guide, we are going to explore ten of the best smart air conditioner controllers that come with remote climate monitoring capabilities, allow for settings to be changed from an easy to use mobile application and save energy on AC bills. Which of these smart air conditioner controllers is the best? We will go through each smart air conditioner controller and bring out the features present in each and this will help you make a judgment as to which smart air conditioner controller best suits your unique needs. In addition, we will include details about which smart air conditioner controller to go for if you are buying on a budget.
Alternatively, just skip to the best smart air conditioner controller on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Best Smart Air Conditioner Controller Comparison Table
List of 8 Best Smart Air Conditioner Controllers
1. Sensibo Sky (International) – Air Conditioner Controller
This is a clever little device that can be used to make your air conditioner smart. This smart air conditioner controller is available in storm grey. It looks rather minimalistic and weighs just 2.46 ounces. The device comes with an application that is compatible with both the Android and iOS platforms. This device allows for you to control the climate of your home from anywhere. It is able to control your air conditioner from anywhere. If it is rather hot and you would like to cool down your house because, maybe, your dog does not like hot weather, you can easily do so through the use of this device. It allows for you to also monitor and control the humidity of your home remotely. It allows for you to turn the air conditioner on when you are on your way home. This allows for you to arrive home to a perfect climate. If you left someone at home, the device can easily turn off the air conditioner when he or she leaves. This saves energy – the manufacturer claims that you can save up to 40% in energy costs. This feature also makes you enjoy peace of mind. This device allows for you to use your phone’s location to automatically turn the air conditioner on. This is a fully automatic process and you do not need to do anything at all. It has the climate react feature in which you set your comfort zone (which is a range of temperatures e.g. 22-26 degrees Celsius). You can then set triggers to change the climate in your room based on temperature, humidity and comfort parameters. This allows for you to protect your home from extreme conditions. It also works with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home and Apple Siri shortcuts. This allows for you to use voice control. Due to all these features, we have chosen this as the best smart air conditioner controller.
This device does have a few drawbacks. It is not easy to set up and integrate with your air conditioner or home automation hub. The interface is also highly complicated.
2. Konke Smart Home Hub WiFi+IR Switch
This device is a very small and portable smart air conditioner controller. It weighs only 4.8 ounces and is so small that it can fit into any small space. It comes with a mobile application which can be used for both iOS and Android devices. This application is easy to install and has a decent user interface. The application allows for you to control your hub from anywhere in the world. This means that you can control your air conditioning unit from wherever you are. It uses infrared to communicate with your air conditioning unit. The infrared beams that are transmitted by this device are quite powerful and will be able to communicate with your air conditioning unit with ease. In addition, this device can be used to control other devices that use Infra-Red. Such devices include: television sets, TV boxes as well as fans. This allows for you to save on batteries as you will be able to use the application that comes with this air conditioner controller to control your devices instead of using remotes. It is very easy to set up. All you need to do is connect it to your Wi-Fi network, open the application and use the very simple and easy to follow instructions in the user manual. It works great with the Google Home Assistant as well as with Amazon’s Alexa. This allows for you to control this device with your voice. It also allows for you to set timers and alarms, dim smart lights and more. This is the best budget smart air conditioner controller.
This product does have a few drawbacks. You need to create custom templates for most appliances. The quality of the product could have been better.
3. Cielo Breez Plus Smart AC Controller
This is a compact device from Cielo Breez. This device comes with a large LED display which helps you read the information from a distance with ease. It is 14.4 ounces in weight and comes in the color black. It can be either wall mounted or used on a flat surface with a table stand. Both accessories needed for both options are included in the packaging. The device is easy to install and operate. You can use hardwiring (12 or 24V), or you can use the power adapter that is included in the box. You can choose to either use it locally or use it remotely. In order to do so, you need to register your device using your Wi-Fi network. After that you can control your connected air conditioner without Wi-Fi. This allows for you to locally control the functions of your air conditioner such as power on, power off, fan speed, swing position and modes of operation. It comes with a mobile application. This application can be used with both Android and iOS devices. It also allows for you to use a computer as it comes with a web interface. All these applications and interfaces allow for you to remotely control the air conditioner. You can set up weekly schedules that suit your lifestyle. You can also configure location based controls for automated operation. It allows for you to set triggers that are based on either the temperature or the humidity. These triggers allow for you to automate the operation of your air controller. Voice control is supported by this device. All you need to do is connect either Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home to it and you will be able to use voice commands. You can control your mini split, portable and window air conditioners that have an infra-red remote control. In addition to all this, the manufacturer claims that the device saves up to 25% on your air conditioner’s energy bills.
This device has the main drawback that it does not support the Apple HomeKit.
4. Cielo Breez Eco Smart AC Controller
This is another device from Cielo Breez. This is a minimalistic device which only has a big button. This will make it blend in with whatever color or style of décor that you have in your home. It is compatible with a wide range of air conditioning devices. It is compatible with mini split, portable as well as window air conditioners that have an Infra-Red (IR) remote control. The device is easy to install and set up. It comes with all required accessories. These include a wall mounting kit as well as a power supply adaptor. It also comes with a table stand which is convenient to those who prefer to place the device on either a desk or a table. It comes with a mobile application. This can be used on both the Android and iOS platforms. It also has a web portal which allows you to control the device using your computer. All these platforms and applications can be used to provide precise temperature and humidity indications, as well as to remotely control your air conditioner. It provides a live air filter status which helps you to ensure that the air that is getting into your home is clean. It allows you to create zones which help allow effective and efficient heating and cooling. It also allows for you to set schedules. It comes with the Geofencing feature which allows for the air conditioner to automatically come on when you are near the home. It has a special “timeline” feature in which you get a complete timeline of the actions you performed. This feature is available in the Cielo Home applications. The smart air conditioner controller automatically detects your remote control and is rather easy to configure. The manufacturer claims that the smart air conditioner controller allows for you to save up to 25% on energy bills of your air conditioners.
This device does have the main drawback that some customers found the user interface to be quite complicated.
5. Ambi Climate 2 Smart Air Conditioner Controller
This is a smart air conditioner from Ambi Climate. This device has a modern look, and will certainly make your room look up-to-date. It is compatible with a wide variety of air conditioners. It can be used with window air conditioners, portable air conditioners as well as wall mounted air conditioners. It comes with a mobile application which is available for both android and iOS devices. This allows for you to monitor the conditions in your home remotely. You can also remotely control the temperature and humidity using your mobile app. It allows for multi user geo-location. This allows for the device to automatically turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house. It can also automatically turn on the air conditioner when you are about to reach your home. You can set rules and timers. These allow you to keep your home within your desired temperature or humidity thresholds. The smart air conditioner controller uses artificial intelligence. It intelligently learns from your feedback and analyses online data in order to automatically adjust your air conditioner unit to allow for better comfort and energy savings. The smart air conditioner controller is integrated with Alexa, Siri and Google Home for easy voice control of your air conditioner unit. It also supports the use of the popular service IFTTT. All this adds convenience to your life. This device also comes with a 2 year manufacturer warranty. This is the best smart air conditioner controller in the Artificial Intelligence category.
This device does have a few drawbacks. It is only compatible with air conditioners with an LCD screen remote.
6. AirPatrol WiFi V3 – Smart Air Conditioner Controller
This smart air controller comes in a beautiful white design. It is unobtrusive and will blend with your décor. This smart air controller is very easy to set up. It is pre-programmed and you just need to plug it near your air conditioner, install the free mobile application and pair up your devices. The mobile application is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. The mobile application allows for you to set schedules that suit your lifestyle. It allows for you to change the air conditioner mode, temperature, and fan speed or swing. You get notifications about the current humidity and temperature. This device comes with a micro USB cable as well as a USB power plug. This means that if you lose the micro USB cable, you can easily use another compatible USB cable. The device turns off your air conditioner when the desired temperature is reached. It can also turn of the air conditioning unit as soon as you leave the house. This results in it being able to save up to 25% in energy costs. It works with Alexa, Google Home as well as IFTTT. This means that you can easily create custom actions for this device to take and you can also control it using your voice. The manufacturer takes great pride in his product and offers a 2 year warranty. When it comes to controllers with the longest warranty, this is the best smart air conditioner controller.
This device does have the main drawback that the application does not seem to support the use of special characters.
7. ZESTYI Wifi Smart IR Remote Voice Control AC
This is a black, minimalistic smart air conditioner controller from ZESTYI. This device is just 4.8 ounces in weight and is rather small. It can easily fit in places where there is very limited space. This device comes with a mobile application which can be used on mobile devices. It is rather easy to install and use. All you need to do is to power the device, connect it to your local Wi-Fi network, download the application and follow the simple instructions present in the user manual. It has an indicator light that is used for indications such as whether it has connected to a wireless network, when it is in learning mode, and when it has either sent or received a signal. It has an infrared signal coverage of 360 degrees. This means that it will definitely beam signals to your air conditioner no matter where you position it. It allows for remote control through the mobile application. This allows for you to enter the settings that you want straight from your phone. It has a DIY learning function that integrates all your infrared controlled devices into its mobile application and allows for you to control them using the application. It allows for voice control as it is compatible with Alexa and the Google assistant. It can also be used to control your TV, fan, and TV box. The manufacturer offers a 12 month warranty which is a bonus.
This device does have few drawbacks. It does not have a web portal which means you cannot use your PC to control it. In addition, it lacks advanced features that other smart air conditioner controllers have such as timelines and climate react features.
8. Atomi Smart WiFi Air Conditioner Controller
This is a device that supports various types of air conditioners. It can be used with window, or free standing air conditioners. It weighs only 12 ounces and comes with an adaptor. It comes with a mobile application. This application allows for you to gain remote control of your air conditioner. You will be able to control the temperature, mode, fan speed, and turn your air conditioner on and off from any part of the world. You can also set weekly schedules that suit your lifestyle. It is also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant. This allows for you to use your voice to control this smart device. It uses powerful Infra-Red signals to control your air conditioner, and the connection between this device and the air conditioner is rock solid. It is relatively easy to set up and use. All you need to do is to plug the device in, connect it to your Wi-Fi network and follow the simple instructions. It works with units that have an LCD display on their remote as well as units that do not have an LCD display on their remote. Since this device uses Infra-Red signals, it allows for easy connection to the local Wi-Fi network without the need for a hub. It comes with the Atomi smart guarantee in which the manufacturer claims that you will be “treated like family” if you have any issues with this smart air conditioner controller.
This device does have a few drawbacks. The application does not seem to work very well. In addition, the design does not look very good.
Best Smart Air Conditioner Controller Brands
The best smart air controller brands are Sensibo, Cielo Breez and Ambi.
Sensibo makes clever little devices that can be used to make your air conditioner smart. It results in energy savings of up to 40%. Cielo Breez is a well reputable company in the air conditioning sector. It comes with a mobile application. Ambi creates very nice looking devices. The device that reviews has a modern look and will certainly make your room look up-to-date. It uses artificial intelligence and will intelligently learn from your feedback. Best Smart Air Conditioner Controller
Best Smart Air Conditioner Controller
The best smart air conditioner controller is the Sensibo Sky (International) – Air Conditioner Controller. This is a smart air conditioner controller that comes in storm grey. It is minimalistic and lightweight. It allows for you to control the climate of your home from anywhere through the use of its mobile application. It turns off the air conditioner when there is nobody at home.
Here are the key features we liked about this device:
- Mobile App
- Saves up to 40% in energy costs
- Geofencing
- Voice control
- Remote climate monitoring
Best Budget Smart Air Conditioner Controller
The best budget smart air conditioner controller is the Konke Smart Home Hub WiFi+IR Switch. This is a small and portable smart air conditioner controller. This device is small but feature packed. It comes with a mobile application that is available for both Android and iOS devices. It can control devices that use Infra-Red.
Here are the key things we liked about this device:
- Portable
- Easy to set up
- Works with a variety of home devices
- Voice control
- Eliminates the need for multiple remotes
How Much Do Smart Air Conditioner Controllers Cost?
These devices are not too expensive. They definitely will not cost you an arm and a leg. The high-end devices cost around 130 USDs. These devices are usually well-built, the manufacturers offer amazing customer support, they have advanced features such as Artificial Intelligence and they often have voice control features. An example of this device is the Ambi Climate 2 Smart Air Conditioner Controller
Midrange devices cost between 30 and 105 USDs. These devices usually have the features you would require in a smart air conditioner controller, but do not have the advanced features that the higher end devices have. An example of such a device is the Sensibo Sky (International) – Air Conditioner Controller
The low-end devices cost less than 30 USDs. These devices are usually made from lower-quality materials, they support IR devices and lack advanced features. An example of this device is the Konke Smart Home Hub WiFi+IR Switch.
Types of Smart Air Conditioner Controllers
Multi-Purpose IR Remote Smart Air Conditioner Controllers
These are smart air conditioner controllers that are able to control air conditioning units as well as other devices that use the Infra-Red technology. These devices usually have limited features and they usually come at a low price point.
Dedicated IR-Remote Smart Air Conditioner Controllers
These are the smart air conditioner controllers that are able to control air conditioning units only. They are not multipurpose devices and are not able to control all devices that use the Infra-Red technology. This means that you cannot use these devices to control your television, as well as other devices that use Infra-Red. These devices usually come with advanced features such as voice control, and others even have features such as Artificial Intelligence.
Why Do You Need A Smart Air Conditioner Controller?
Remote Control
The smart air conditioner controllers usually come with mobile applications. These mobile applications allow you to control your air conditioner from wherever you are. This means that you can control the fan speed, temperature, humidity, and other parameters you may want to manipulate.
Convenience
The smart air conditioner controllers frequently have features that make your life easier. The first feature is Geofencing. In Geofencing, the location of your mobile device is tracked. This allows for the smart air conditioner controller to know your location relative to your house. When it detects that you are coming home, it automatically changes the temperature and humidity to suit your unique needs.
Energy Saving
These smart devices can save on the energy bill. They can be programmed to automatically switch off the air conditioning unit when there is nobody in the house. This drastically reduces the heating and cooling bill, and some manufacturers claim that your bill will be reduced by up to 45%.
Voice Control
Nowadays, we have voice assistants in our homes. An example of such assistants are the Google Assistant as well as Amazon’s Alexa. The smart air conditioner controllers are compatible with these assistants and this allows for you to use your voice to control your air conditioning unit.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Smart Air Conditioner Controller
Warranty
When buying electronic products, this is the first thing that you need to look for. It is best to go for products that have the longest warranties. This usually reflects the confidence that the manufacturer has in his or her product. As a general rule of the thumb, the longer the warranty, the longer the device is expected to last.
Design
Electronic products such as smart air conditioner controllers are frequently plugged into your living room, or whichever room has your air conditioning unit. This means that you will need a device that is able to blend in with your home’s décor. Try to get a device that is well designed and will suit very many home décor styles – just in case you choose to change your décor later on.
Mobile Application
You need a device that comes with a mobile application. Most of us own and use mobile phones on a daily basis. It would make a lot of sense to buy a smart air conditioner controller that is able to support the mobile device that you use. This will make it easy to change any of the settings as well as to monitor the temperature and humidity of your home.
Voice Control
Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Voice Assistant are very popular voice assistants that are there to simplify our lives. You need to look for a device that supports your favourite voice assistant. This will allow you to control the air conditioning unit just by using your voice. This is real convenience.
Infra-Red
If you have multiple devices that use Infra-Red you could consider going for a device that supports a wide range of Infra-Red devices. This will allow for you to get rid of the many remotes that you have in your home and just use the mobile application on your phone together with the multi-function smart air conditioner controller.
Geofencing
Geofencing is a feature that will allow for your smart air conditioner controller to monitor the location of your mobile device. This allows for it to automatically determine when you are near your home then it will automatically turn on the air conditioning unit. It also allows for the air conditioning unit to be turned off when the device sees that there is nobody at home.
What is a Smart Air Conditioner Controller?
A smart air conditioner controller is a device that is used to give a “dumb” air conditioner smart capabilities. It connect to your air conditioner using Infra-Red technology. This allows for you to add smart controls to the device.
How a Smart Air Conditioner Controller Works
A smart air conditioner controller uses the Infra-Red technology to communicate with the air conditioner. In Infra-Red technology, there is a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends out pulses of light in the Infra-Red portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. These pulses of light represent specific binary codes. These binary codes correspond to commands such as +, -, Power On, Power Off. The receiver then decodes the pulses of light into binary data that the device’s microprocessor can understand. The microprocessor then immediately executes the corresponding command. These smart air conditioner controllers act as both transmitters and receivers. They receive external signals from your mobile device, and these signals are transmitted to the air conditioning unit. When you need to get information from the air conditioning unit such as the current temperature, humidity or fan speed, you send an instruction through the mobile application to the smart air conditioner controller. It then passes on the information request to the air conditioning unit which, in turn, provides the data in the form of an Infra-Red signal. This signal is then detected by the smart air conditioner controller and is transmitted to your mobile application.
The smart air conditioner controller needs an internet connection to communicate with your mobile application in your mobile device. It uses Wi-Fi technology (frequently the 2.4 GHz band). It is set up to connect to your Wi-Fi network. It is through this network that signals are sent to and from your mobile application. These signals include parameters such as the temperature, humidity and fan speed, as well as commands such as to turn the air conditioning unit off. When the parameters are critically out of range, or if there is a major fault, the smart air conditioner controller sends a push notification to your device. This immediately alerts you, the owner that there is something wrong and you are able to immediately take action.
These smart air conditioner controllers sometimes come equipped with advanced technologies such as Geofencing and voice control. In Geofencing, the smart air conditioner controller simply tracks the location of your mobile device. When it detects that all the mobile devices associated with it are far away from home, it can then automatically turn off the air conditioning unit to conserve electricity. When it detects you approaching home, it can then automatically turn on the air conditioning unit to allow you to get home to the perfect climate. In voice control, the smart air conditioner controller sends and receives commands from dedicated voice control devices such as the Amazon Echo. These commands can then be used to change settings on the controller, or to retrieve information such as the current temperature.
Smart Air Conditioner Controller FAQs
Does The Smart Air Conditioner Controller Work With Alexa?
Most smart air conditioner controllers work with assistants such as the Google Voice Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa. This allows for you to use your voice to control the air conditioning unit.
Do Smart Air Conditioner Controllers Work With The Apple HomeKit?
Well, most of these devices are not compatible with the Apple HomeKit. If you have the Apple HomeKit, then you will have to look for a compatible smart air conditioner controller.
How Easy Is It To Setup and Install These Devices?
These devices are rather easy to setup and install. Most of them just need you to plug them in using the adapter that is included in the package. After that you download the application that comes with the device and follow the simple instructions. Any tech enthusiast will be able to easily setup and install the device.
Do The Units Work With a 5 GHz Wi-Fi Router?
Most devices use the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The 5 GHz frequency band is usually used by devices such as computers. You need to check if your smart air conditioner controller uses the 5 GHz frequency band before you purchase it.
Can You Control Two Air Conditioners Using One Unit?
Air conditioners are usually in different rooms. This means that using one unit would be challenging, if not impossible. If there are two air conditioners in the same room, installed near to each other and with the same remote model then this may be possible, but most manufacturers do not really advise anyone to do this. It is best to have one device for each air conditioner unit.
How Do You Reset The Unit?
To reset the smart air conditioner controller, try looking for a pin hole. This must have the text written “RESET’ just above it. Turn the device on, insert a pin into the device and press the inner reset button. A simple press and release will reset the device.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the top 10 best smart air conditioner controllers. We have given a thorough analysis of each. We also gave a comprehensive guide for buying the best smart air conditioner controller for you as well as a list of FAQs.
Check out the best smart air conditioner controller on Amazon.
