Netatmo has launched the Original Thermostat Head, priced at 60 euros, as a more advanced and quieter version of its previous thermostat head. Available since September 24, the new head joins the Original Thermostat introduced in January. It includes features like individual radiator programming, heating anticipation, open window detection, locking, and activity tracking. The device comes with a quieter motor, an adjustable LED screen, and up to 18 months of battery life using two AA batteries. It also includes six adapters for installation on most radiators already equipped with a thermostat head. However, existing Netatmo users may face compatibility issues, as the company is moving away from its old radio protocol to a newer Zigbee standard. The new thermostat head requires professional installation, involving the replacement of the manual valve. A single system can support up to 24 heads, and the device can be used alongside the Original Thermostat or function independently in multi-family homes. A package combining the head and the Thermo Hub is available for 120 euros. Netatmo has transitioned to a Zigbee architecture without providing a bridge for its old system, making the new heads incompatible with older thermostats and valves. This change may require existing customers to maintain two separate gateways and installations, complicating the upgrade process. Netatmo aims to centralize heating control through the Thermo Hub, which supports the Matter standard. This allows integration with major home automation platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant. The Home+Control app also connects with Legrand devices, such as lighting and roller shutters. For homes with multiple heating circuits, an Additional Thermostat priced at 100 euros can control each area separately. A Zigbee repeater, available for 20 euros, helps improve coverage in larger homes. Competitors like Aqara have already released similar products, such as the W600, which supports Zigbee and Thread protocols and can work with Matter without a hub, provided a compatible controller is used. Aqara’s product claims up to two years of battery life. While Netatmo’s solution is more integrated for managing boilers, radiators, and heating zones from a single app, its new thermostat head is designed in France but not manufactured in Europe, unlike the Original Thermostat. At 60 euros, it makes room-by-room heating more accessible to new users, but existing customers may face higher costs due to the transition. Zigbee is a low-power wireless communication protocol used in connected heating systems, relying on a mesh network for reliable communication. While switching to Zigbee can improve interoperability and component availability, the new equipment cannot directly communicate with older devices, resulting in two separate networks. Matter, a home automation standard, allows devices from different brands to work together across various ecosystems. It uses technologies like Wi-Fi and Thread and can connect through a bridge that translates Zigbee devices to Matter. A gateway (or hub) manages the Zigbee network, pairs devices, and connects to the home's IP network and apps, while a Zigbee repeater extends coverage by relaying signals, improving range and stability. Both are often used together for reliable communication throughout the home.