Sensibo Air Review: The Easiest Way to Smart-ify Your AC
If you have a "dumb" AC unit with a remote, this little device is the upgrade you didn't know you needed.
I live in an apartment with mini-split units. They work great, but the remotes feel like they were designed in the 90s. I was tired of either leaving the AC on all day (wasting money) or coming home to a sauna.
The infrared bridge
The Sensibo Air acts as a bridge between your WiFi and your AC's infrared receiver. You point it at your unit, it learns the codes from your existing remote, and then you can effectively retire the plastic remote to a drawer. It's the easiest way to add smart features to an older unit without a permanent installation.
Remote control and verification
The primary reason I use the Sensibo is for pure remote control. Being able to turn the AC on or off from my phone without hunting for a plastic remote is a massive quality-of-life upgrade.
There is one nuanced frustration: because most AC units are "offline" devices that only receive infrared signals, the Sensibo doesn't always have a 100% accurate way to verify the AC actually turned off. It "fires and forgets" the signal. While I've never actually had a problem with it failing, that lack of a status heartbeat is something to be aware of if you're an absolute control enthusiast.
✅ The Good
- Works with almost any AC that uses a remote
- Native HomeKit, Alexa, and Google support
- Geofencing turns the AC off when you leave
- Genuine energy savings through smart cycling
❌ The Bad
- Expensive for what is essentially an IR blaster
- The app pushes an unnecessary subscription
- Requires line-of-sight to the AC unit
The bottom line: Should you buy it?
If you are a renter or have mini-splits/window units, the Sensibo Air is the single best upgrade you can make to your home comfort. The convenience of changing the temperature from bed without hunting for a plastic remote is worth the price alone.
How I Test My Gear
I own and use every product listed here. No "review units" that I send back after a week.
I continuously use and re-evaluate products. When I find something better or stop using a product, I update my recommendations.
Tested in a real home environment with limited space and budget constraints.
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