Sonoff TRVFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 47 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment38%
PROS 37%
CONS 63%

Rank based on 47 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable Zigbee TRV for Home Assistant/Zigbee2MQTT/ZHA setups
  • You're fine with mostly on/off valve control rather than fine-grained positioning
  • You want long battery life, including support for rechargeable batteries

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need precise proportional valve position control (PID/PI regulation)
  • You're sensitive to motor noise, especially in bedrooms
  • You need built-in OpenTherm or boiler-firing integration

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Honeywell Home T9
Helpful installation videosRoom sensor priority switchingHome automation integrationSensor pairing failuresNo Apple HomeKit supportHardware and display defects
Honeywell Home T9
Helpful installation videos
Room sensor priority switching
Home automation integration
Sensor pairing failures
No Apple HomeKit support
Hardware and display defects
2Mid
Honeywell RTH8580WF
Fixable Connector IssuesCommunity Setup Guidance HelpfulAdjustable Temperature GraphsFrequent WiFi Connection Lost ErrorsLoose Internal HardwareConfusing Initial Setup
Honeywell RTH8580WF
Fixable Connector Issues
Community Setup Guidance Helpful
Adjustable Temperature Graphs
Frequent WiFi Connection Lost Errors
Loose Internal Hardware
Confusing Initial Setup
3Budget
Sonoff TRVZB
Strong Home Assistant / Zigbee integrationAffordable price and valueQuiet operation for some usersOnly on/off valve control, no position modulationNoise complaints from many unitsNo external sensor pairing or temperature offset
Sonoff TRVZB
Strong Home Assistant / Zigbee integration
Affordable price and value
Quiet operation for some users
Only on/off valve control, no position modulation
Noise complaints from many units
No external sensor pairing or temperature offset
4Mid
Honeywell RTH9585WF
Easy DIY installation with video guidanceGood value at discount pricingConvenient WiFi and app controlConfusing wiring for non-standard setupsC-wire dependency causes installation headachesFan won't shut off properly
Honeywell RTH9585WF
Easy DIY installation with video guidance
Good value at discount pricing
Convenient WiFi and app control
Confusing wiring for non-standard setups
C-wire dependency causes installation headaches
Fan won't shut off properly
5Mid
Honeywell Lyric T5
Straightforward Wi-Fi thermostat installationApp-based remote temperature controlAutomatic heat/cool changeover availableDifficulty setting up Wi-Fi and finding CRC codeInconsistent HVAC controlWi-Fi connectivity and 'offline' issues
Honeywell Lyric T5
Straightforward Wi-Fi thermostat installation
App-based remote temperature control
Automatic heat/cool changeover available
Difficulty setting up Wi-Fi and finding CRC code
Inconsistent HVAC control
Wi-Fi connectivity and 'offline' issues
6
Honeywell RTH6580WF
Factory reset recovers stuck unitsHelps catch tampering or misconfigurationSimple once configured correctlyLockout and other settings hard to locateConfusing system-type configurationWi-Fi and screen reliability issues
Honeywell RTH6580WF
Factory reset recovers stuck units
Helps catch tampering or misconfiguration
Simple once configured correctly
Lockout and other settings hard to locate
Confusing system-type configuration
Wi-Fi and screen reliability issues
7Mid
Honeywell Home T4 Pro
Effective once properly configuredAdjustable via ISU advanced settings7-day programmable schedulingConfusing setup and poor manualCycling and fan running issuesTemperature control and sensor problems
Honeywell Home T4 Pro
Effective once properly configured
Adjustable via ISU advanced settings
7-day programmable scheduling
Confusing setup and poor manual
Cycling and fan running issues
Temperature control and sensor problems
8Premium
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Easy InstallationGood Value with DiscountsAttractive, Well-Built DesignWiring and Compatibility ConfusionUnreliable Software and SchedulingDiscontinued Support for Older Generations
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Easy Installation
Good Value with Discounts
Attractive, Well-Built Design
Wiring and Compatibility Confusion
Unreliable Software and Scheduling
Discontinued Support for Older Generations
You are here
9Budget
Sonoff TRV
Affordable priceEasy Home Assistant/Zigbee integrationAdaptive mode improves quiet operation and efficiencyOn/off-only valve controlMotor noise during operationConnectivity and pairing issues
Sonoff TRV
Affordable price
Easy Home Assistant/Zigbee integration
Adaptive mode improves quiet operation and efficiency
On/off-only valve control
Motor noise during operation
Connectivity and pairing issues
10Mid
Honeywell Home T3
Helpful once understoodFlexible scheduling conceptReset resolves some display/mode glitchesConfusing wiring for heat pump/aux systemsConfusing programming/schedule logicShort-cycling behavior
Honeywell Home T3
Helpful once understood
Flexible scheduling concept
Reset resolves some display/mode glitches
Confusing wiring for heat pump/aux systems
Confusing programming/schedule logic
Short-cycling behavior

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Valve control is mostly binary, not proportional. Many commenters report the valve only fully opens or fully closes, with no meaningful in-between steps, calling this a major flaw for stable room temperature. Some newer firmware adds 'valve opening/closing degree' parameters allowing rough tuning like 50%, but users still say true PID or percentage-based control (5% precision) is what's really needed for efficient, stable heating, especially when paired with heat pumps or boilers that need accurate 'heating' status.

Motor noise is a common complaint, though adaptive mode helps. Multiple buyers who expected silent operation found a noticeable buzzing sound when the valve opens or closes, comparable to other TRVs like Shelly or Danfoss Living, and worry it's too loud for bedrooms. However, one user notes that adaptive mode makes the unit quieter since the motor performs only tiny incremental movements instead of full swings, suggesting firmware updates have improved the noise situation over time for some users.

Battery life and Home Assistant integration are strong points. Long-term users report good battery performance, with one set retaining 76-90% capacity after over a year, and another running rechargeable USB-C batteries through an entire heating season without a recharge. Integration via Zigbee2MQTT, ZHA, and eWeLink is generally described as easy and reliable, with users praising its price point for feature-rich Home Assistant setups, despite occasional pairing or mesh-drop issues reported by a few.

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