Small Change, Big Convenience: The Latest Hive Thermostat Kit Upgrade

For those looking to smarten up their home heating, the Hive Thermostat Kit has long been a popular choice. We're excited to announce that a new version of the Hive Thermostat Kit has been released in 2025, bringing with it a subtle but significant upgrade to enhance your smart home experience.

If you're familiar with the previous Hive Thermostat Kit, you'll be pleased to know that the core components – the reliable thermostat and the receiver that connects to your boiler  – remain the same high-quality models. You'll still get the user-friendly SLT3c thermostat, known for its wireless control and compatibility with both combi and conventional boilers.

This latest update focuses on the heart of your Hive system: the Hub. While the thermostat and receiver haven't changed this time around, the Hub has been upgraded to the newest generation. This might seem like a minor tweak, especially when you consider the last major overhaul in August 2023. That previous upgrade saw a significant evolution from the Hive Active Heating 2 to the current touchscreen-equipped thermostat. This jump brought a sleek new design with a touchscreen interface, a more compact size, and enhanced features compared to the older model with its physical buttons and dial.

Although Hive haven't officially named the versions of the kits, this was sometimes referred to as the Hive v2 kit, and the current version as the Hive v3 Kit. Since the upgrade is only to hub, we wouldn't call this the V4 and instead have addressed the Nano Hubs directly.

Hive Nano 3 Hub vs. Hive Nano 2.5 Hub: What's the Difference?

Connectivity:

The most significant upgrade is the addition of integrated Wi-Fi connectivity in the Nano 3 Hub. The previous Nano 2.5 Hub primarily relied on a wired Ethernet connection to your router. This new Wi-Fi capability offers greater flexibility in positioning your hub within your home.

Processing Power:

The Hive Nano 3 Hub is equipped with a dual-core processor, which suggests improved performance and responsiveness, especially when managing multiple Hive devices.

Smart Home Integration:

While both hubs work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Nano 3 Hub also offers seamless integration with Apple HomeKit, expanding your voice control options.

Release Timeline:

The Hive Hub Nano 2.5 was released around August 2023, while the upgraded Nano 3 Hub became available in the new Hive Thermostat Kit around January 2025.

Dimensions:

The Nano 3 Hub has slightly different dimensions, measuring approximately 99mm x 103mm x 30mm, compared to the Nano 2.5's approximate size of 96.1mm x 96.6mm x 27.3mm.

Our take- Is the Upgrade Worth It?

The latest Hive Thermostat Kit with the Nano 3 Hub is undoubtedly the way to go, offering the most up-to-date technology and enhanced connectivity. It would be worthwhile purchasing this especially if you plan to enhance your Hive ecosystem in future with more devices such as thermostatic radiator valves.

For existing Hive users with the Nano 2.5 Hub, the upgrade might be less critical unless you specifically need the flexibility of Wi-Fi connectivity or are keen to integrate with Apple HomeKit. The dual-core processor also promises a smoother experience, which could be beneficial for homes with a larger number of connected Hive devices.

If you've survived up until now, it might not be worth forking out the extra money for the new hub, especially if you're not looking to expand further.

Ultimately, the decision to upgrade depends on your individual needs and the current setup of your smart home. However, the inclusion of Wi-Fi in the new Hive Nano 3 Hub marks a welcome improvement, offering greater convenience and flexibility for your smart heating system. 

A key point to consider is that you might still be able to buy the kit with a Nano Hub 2.5 at a lower price than the full price of the Hive Nano Hub 3!