The second-generation Smart Thermostat X has been released with a more compact and modern design. It features a thinner housing, a matte white finish, and a circular touchscreen, making it more discreet than its predecessor. The new model includes a customizable button that lets users manually control heating or check humidity levels in their home. It also retains the cost-effective automation features that made the first generation popular, directly competing with the Netatmo Original. The new Tado X is available in two versions: a wired kit for 180 euros and a wireless version for 200 euros. It works with compatible boilers, heat pumps, and underfloor heating systems. One of the most notable upgrades is the removal of disposable batteries. Instead, the new model uses a rechargeable battery that can be charged via USB-C, offering a more sustainable and convenient option. The thermostat is 1.78 cm thick, making it one of the thinnest smart thermostats on the market. It continues to support the Matter and Thread protocols, ensuring compatibility with existing Tado X equipment. However, older V3+ models remain incompatible with the new version. Despite this, the Multi Home function allows users to manage both X and V3+ systems under a single account, though switching between them requires a subscription. The new model introduces AI Assist, a subscription-based service that costs 3.99 euros per month or 29.99 euros per year. This feature automates heating based on user behavior, such as cutting off heat when a window is open or preheating before someone arrives home. It also includes hydraulic balancing, a function now certified by TÜV, which helps distribute heat more evenly across a home. However, this requires additional X thermostat heads for each radiator, which are sold separately. The AI also learns the thermal behavior of rooms to adjust heating automatically. In comparison, the Netatmo Original costs 140 euros for the wired version and 150 euros for the wireless version, with no subscription required. It uses weather data and the thermal inertia of the home to anticipate heating needs. While Netatmo’s Eco-Assist sends alerts to users, Tado’s system automatically manages absences. The AI Assist subscription, while offering energy savings, adds nearly 150 euros over five years. This means users will need to rely on the energy savings from the system to justify the cost of the subscription.