The Best Heatmiser Thermostats for Water Underfloor Heating: 2026 Buyer’s Guide

The thermostat choice that shapes how wet underfloor heating feels every day

Water underfloor heating has a particular rhythm, it warms slowly, holds heat well, and rewards steady, well managed control. The thermostat you choose decides whether that rhythm feels effortless or frustrating. Pick the right controller and each room lands where you want it, when you want it, without constant knob twiddling.

Heatmiser thermostats have become a familiar sight on wet underfloor heating projects because they map neatly onto how hydronic systems are built. Manifold actuators want clear on and off calls, boilers and heat pumps need tidy switching, and homeowners want control that makes sense after the installer leaves.

This buyer's guide focuses on three Heatmiser favourites for water based systems, neoStat, neoAir, and the Slimline range. The aim is simple, help you choose the best fit for your home, your wiring, and the way you like to live.

Quick note on scope: this guide is written for water underfloor heating using a manifold with thermal actuators and a wiring centre such as the UH8, the same principles apply whether you run a boiler, heat pump, or mixed system, as long as the control side is set up correctly.

How Heatmiser control fits a wet underfloor heating system

A wet underfloor heating system is usually split into zones, often one per room or per area. Each zone has an actuator on the manifold, and that actuator opens when the thermostat asks for heat. A wiring centre like the Heatmiser UH8 handles the heavy lifting. It takes calls from thermostats, powers actuators, and can switch outputs for a pump, a valve, and the boiler through a volt free connection.

From a practical standpoint, this is why the thermostat choice matters.

• Wired thermostats such as neoStat and Slimline typically sit on a permanent supply and send a direct call for heat to the wiring centre.
• Wireless thermostats such as neoAir send that call by radio to a receiver or wireless wiring centre.
• Smart control adds app based remote changes, quick schedule edits, and whole home features such as global away, while keeping the underlying zoning logic intact.

Understanding professional thermostat installation strategies explains this wiring centre first approach clearly, and it mirrors what most professionals prefer on site because it keeps the system serviceable and predictable.

The best Heatmiser thermostats for water underfloor heating in 2026

Choosing between neoStat, neoAir, and Slimline usually comes down to three factors.

1. Do you want app control from day one, or is local control enough.
2. Do you have wiring to each thermostat position, or would wireless save time and disruption.
3. Do you want a clean, minimal interface, or richer smart features and ecosystem integration.

Heatmiser neoStat: the smart all rounder for wired zones

neoStat is the option many people land on when they want smart control but also want the reassurance of a wired thermostat on the wall.

Why it works well with wet underfloor heating
- It is designed to integrate with the Heatmiser Neo system when paired with a neoHub, so each zone stays independent, while the app can control the whole home.
- It suits the standard wiring centre layout used on water manifolds, where each room thermostat has a simple call for heat.
- Installers like it because it fits a familiar workflow, terminate wiring, test zone calls, confirm boiler and pump outputs, then hand over app access.

Day to day wins people notice
- Zoning that makes sense. Bedrooms can sit cooler overnight while living areas come up earlier, without you having to manage that room by room.
- Scheduling that matches UFH behaviour. Wet floors often prefer gentle set points and longer runs. A good schedule leans into that.
- Remote tweaks. A quick change in the neoApp can save a long drive home to a cold house.

Heatmiser neoAir: the clean wireless choice for retrofits and tricky cabling

neoAir is battery powered and communicates wirelessly, usually with a receiver such as an RF Switch or a wireless wiring centre like the UH8 RF. It is a strong choice when pulling new cable to every room would mean disruption.

Why it suits water underfloor heating
- It keeps the familiar zoning model, one thermostat per zone, one actuator per loop group.
- It supports smart control through the Neo ecosystem when used with a neoHub.
- It often speeds up upgrades, replace older stats, pair devices, then commission zones.

Where neoAir shines in real homes
- Renovations with finished walls. Wireless avoids chasing plaster for thermostat drops.
- Open plan zones that might get adjusted. Wireless thermostats make future changes easier if you alter room layouts.
- Phased upgrades. It can be simpler to modernise the control first, then revisit the heat source later.

Heatmiser Slimline (V4): simple, reliable control for wet UFH

The Slimline range has long been a staple for straightforward programmable control. It is often chosen where homeowners want clear buttons, clear schedules, and no reliance on an app.

Why it remains a strong option
- It is built around solid scheduling, typically with 5/2 day or 7 day programming.
- A remote floor sensor is commonly supplied or supported depending on model, which helps when you want a floor temperature limit.
- It integrates neatly into standard wiring centre layouts on wet systems.

Who Slimline tends to suit
- Homes where app control is not a priority.
- Holiday lets where the aim is intuitive wall control and consistent comfort.
- Projects where simplicity supports long term handover, especially for multi occupant properties.

neoStat vs neoAir vs Slimline: quick comparison for water based systems

Best for a wired smart installation

• neoStat

Best for smart control without running new cables

• neoAir

Best for straightforward local scheduling

• Slimline V4

Best if you are planning a larger multi zone smart home

• neoStat or neoAir, paired with neoHub, since the Neo system is designed to scale to many zones.

How smart zoning, scheduling, and remote adjustment play out in real homes

Smart features can sound abstract until you map them onto actual routines.

Zoning that supports the way rooms are used

Underfloor heating works best when each space has its own target temperature and its own pace. Zoning gives you that control.

• A kitchen can stay a touch warmer during breakfast and dinner windows.
• A home office can run comfortable hours on weekdays only.
• A guest room can sit at a lower background temperature, then be boosted when needed.

The payoff is comfort where you want it, and less heat pushed into rooms that are barely used.

Scheduling that respects thermal mass

Wet UFH systems in screed or thick floors have thermal mass. Fast temperature swings are rarely the goal, steady control is.

Effective schedules often look like this.

• A modest preheat period to reach comfort.
• A stable daytime set point.
• A gentle setback overnight rather than a deep drop.

That style of scheduling pairs well with Heatmiser controls because you can tune each zone's plan, then leave it alone.

Remote adjustment when plans change

Remote changes are not about micromanaging. They are about those moments when real life moves.

• Staying out later than planned, reduce the set point for living zones.
• Heading home early, bring the main area up a little sooner.
• Going away, set an away mode so the system holds a safe background temperature.

A neoHub is the bridge that makes those remote controls possible for Neo devices, and it also opens up smart home integrations such as voice assistants, depending on the setup you choose.

Why professionals keep specifying Heatmiser on wet underfloor heating

Professional preferences often come down to reliability and repeatability.

• Clear system architecture. A wiring centre approach is easy to understand and fault find.
• Scalable zoning. Larger homes can be managed zone by zone without creating a control puzzle.
• A consistent product family. Wired and wireless options live in the same ecosystem, so upgrades stay coherent.

That consistency matters when a project grows from a small extension into a full refit, or when a homeowner wants to add smart control after moving in.

Recommended Heatmiser products from ThermRite

ThermRite's supplier range and knowledge base are especially useful when you are matching thermostats to manifolds, wiring centres, and the number of zones.

Recommended starting points for complete system integration include professional pre-assembled circulation packs that work seamlessly with proper thermostat control, ensuring optimal performance across multi-zone wet underfloor heating systems.

Meaningful wrap up and next step

Heatmiser makes the decision refreshingly practical. Choose neoStat when you want wired smart control that feels built in, choose neoAir when wireless saves time and disruption, choose Slimline V4 when you want dependable scheduling with a clean interface.

Your next step is to map your home into zones, count how many thermostats you need, then decide whether wired or wireless makes the most sense for the property. ThermRite's knowledge base has clear guidance on pairing thermostats with wiring centres and hubs, and their product pages make it easy to select the correct variant for your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a floor probe with water underfloor heating?

A floor probe is often used as a floor temperature limit rather than the main control sensor, especially in rooms with sensitive floor finishes. Many wet UFH zones run comfortably using air temperature control, then use a probe to cap maximum floor temperature if required by the floor manufacturer or design.

What do I need to control Heatmiser Neo thermostats from my phone?

Phone control typically requires a neoHub connected to your router, plus compatible Neo thermostats such as neoStat or neoAir. Once set up in the neoApp, each zone can be scheduled and adjusted remotely.

Can I run a towel rail alongside underfloor heating on the same project?

Yes. Towel rails are commonly controlled as their own heating zone, either via a separate thermostat and valve arrangement, or through a dedicated time and temperature control depending on the design. The key is to keep the controls clear so the towel rail does not interfere with underfloor heating zone calls.

How many zones can a Neo system handle?

A single neoHub can control a large number of zones, often up to 32 Neo devices, which suits multi room homes and projects with detailed zoning.

Will a UH8 wiring centre work with multi zone wet underfloor heating?

Yes. A wiring centre such as the UH8 is designed for multi zone wet UFH, it switches manifold actuators by zone and can provide outputs for an underfloor heating pump, a valve, and boiler demand through a volt free connection, depending on system design.

A few setup details that make buying the right model easier

Small specification details can decide whether a thermostat feels like a perfect fit or a slight compromise, especially once you start mixing zones, finishes, and control methods.

Wired or wireless: what your walls are telling you

• Wired options like neoStat and Slimline tend to be ideal when cabling already exists to each thermostat position, or when you are renovating and walls are open. The result is a simple, robust signal path.
• Wireless neoAir is often chosen when thermostat wiring would be disruptive, the thermostat runs on batteries and talks to an RF receiver or a wireless wiring centre.

A good rule is to treat wiring as a design asset. If it is easy to get a cable there, wired control can be refreshingly straightforward. If getting a cable there means redecorating half the home, wireless control keeps the project sensible.

neoHub: when it matters, and what it unlocks

Heatmiser's Neo ecosystem revolves around the neoHub, which connects compatible thermostats to the neoApp and can also support smart home platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, depending on hub version and configuration.

neoHub tends to be worth it when.

• You want remote access to change temperatures and schedules.
• You want global actions, such as setting multiple zones into away mode.
• You want a single view of the house, rather than walking room to room.

Where Slimline still earns its place

App control is appealing, yet many homes do not need it. Slimline remains popular because it keeps everyday control local and predictable, while still giving you proper programming. On a wet system that runs best with steady set points, good programming is the feature that carries the most weight.

Buyer tips that save time once the system is live

Match thermostat choice to the floor build up

Wet underfloor heating can sit in screed, low profile panels, or suspended floors with spreader plates. Each behaves a little differently. A thermostat with strong scheduling tools helps you shape comfort around that behaviour.

• Heavier floors often like earlier preheat and smaller setbacks.
• Lighter builds respond faster, so schedules can be tighter.

Use a floor probe when a temperature cap matters

A floor probe can act as a safety limit for finishes that have a maximum recommended surface temperature. Many people use air sensing for comfort, then cap the floor to protect timber, vinyl, or other sensitive surfaces.

Plan zones with intent, not just room boundaries

Zoning decisions become visible every day. It is worth asking a few practical questions.

• Do you want one open plan area as a single zone, or would separate dining and living control feel better.
• Do south facing rooms overheat from solar gain, which can justify their own zone.
• Do you want bathrooms on a different schedule so the floor feels warm at the right times.

These are small choices that often matter more than the difference between two thermostat models.

1. Best Heatmiser thermostat for a new build wet underfloor heating system

neoStat is often a strong fit here because wiring can be planned cleanly, and smart control through neoHub gives a polished handover.

1. Best Heatmiser thermostat for a retrofit water underfloor heating upgrade

neoAir usually leads for retrofits where pulling new thermostat cables would create extra building work.

1. Best Heatmiser thermostat for landlords and holiday lets with wet UFH

Slimline V4 can be a practical choice when you want clear local control with solid programming, without relying on app logins or a home network.

How to buy confidently through ThermRite

The simplest purchasing route is to treat the controls as a matched set.

• Pick the thermostat family, neoStat, neoAir, or Slimline.
• Confirm how many heating zones you need.
• Choose the right hub and wiring centre or receivers for that control style.

Maximising system efficiency through optimised control becomes straightforward when components are properly matched, and their product pages cover the key selection points, such as which thermostats pair with which wiring centres and hubs.