Tapo Smart IR IoT Hub H110: The Universal Remote That Also Rings

The Tapo Smart IR IoT Hub H110 is a small hub that turns infrared-controlled devices — TVs, air conditioners, fans, set-top boxes and more — into app- and voice-controlled gadgets, and adds a doorbell chime on top. It suits renters and apartment dwellers who want one place to manage a scatter of remotes without replacing any hardware. This review covers what the hub actually does, how it is built, where it falls short, and who should skip it. Buyers who want a quick verdict can jump to the Bottom Line.

Features and Specifications

Type: Smart IR and IoT hub with built-in chime
Device Support: TVs, air conditioners and 18+ device types
Brand Compatibility: 8,000+ infrared brands
Control: Voice and app control
Automation: Custom schedules and automations
Certification: Matter-certified
Model: H110

The headline figure is the brand library: 8,000+ infrared brands is broad enough to cover most mainstream TVs, split-system air conditioners, fans and audio gear sold over the past couple of decades. That matters because IR hubs live or die on their code database — a hub that cannot find the right code for a decade-old air conditioner is a paperweight.

The "18+ device types" line is the second pillar. It signals the hub is not just a TV remote replacement but a general-purpose IR blaster that can fire commands at anything with a receiver window. The Matter certification is the third: it means the hub can slot into a Matter-compatible smart home ecosystem rather than locking buyers into one app.

Build and Placement

The H110 is a compact, plug-in style hub — the kind of device that sits on a shelf or sideboard and points at the room. Its job is line-of-sight infrared, so placement matters more than the hardware itself. A hub tucked behind a TV or inside a closed cabinet will struggle to reach the devices it is meant to control.

Buyers should think of it as a small appliance that needs a clear view of the room, ideally at roughly the height of the devices it commands. The built-in chime is the practical bonus: it pairs with Tapo doorbells and cameras to give a audible alert inside the home, which is useful in apartments where a phone notification is easy to miss.

Trade-off: An IR hub is only as good as its line of sight — furniture, cabinet doors and even sharp angles can block commands, so buyers in rooms with awkward layouts may need to experiment with placement before the setup feels reliable.

Control, Schedules and Automations

App and voice control are the core of the experience. The hub relays commands from the Tapo app or a voice assistant to the IR device, so a phone becomes the remote for the TV, the AC and the fan. For buyers tired of hunting for three different remotes, that consolidation is the main selling point.

Schedules and automations are where the hub earns its keep beyond simple remote replacement. A schedule can turn the air conditioner on before the household gets home, or switch the TV off at a set time. Automations can chain IR commands with other smart devices, which is the sort of thing that sounds gimmicky until a routine actually removes a daily chore.

The caveat is that IR is one-way. The hub sends commands but does not receive confirmation from the device, so the app cannot always know whether the TV is actually on. Buyers expecting the tight state-tracking of a smart plug will find IR control looser by nature.

Trade-off: Infrared is a one-way protocol, so the hub cannot verify that a device obeyed a command — automations work best when they send discrete commands rather than relying on accurate on/off state.

Matter and Ecosystem Fit

Matter certification is the forward-looking part of the H110. It lets the hub integrate with Matter-compatible platforms, which reduces the risk of buying into a dead-end app. For buyers building a mixed smart home — a few Tapo devices here, another brand there — that interoperability is worth more than any single feature.

The hub also acts as a bridge for other Tapo IoT devices, giving the app a single dashboard for IR gear and connected accessories alike. That is convenient for households already using Tapo cameras or sensors, and less compelling for buyers starting from zero with another ecosystem.

The built-in chime rounds out the package. It is a small feature, but it turns the hub into a useful accessory for anyone with a Tapo doorbell rather than a single-purpose IR blaster.

Trade-off: The hub’s value leans on the Tapo app and ecosystem — buyers heavily invested in a rival platform may find the integration less seamless than the Matter label suggests.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

The H110 suits renters and apartment dwellers who cannot rewire or replace appliances but want app and voice control over the devices already in the room. It also suits households with a Tapo doorbell that want a chime without buying a separate unit.

It is not for buyers who want to control devices that use RF remotes, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi rather than infrared — those need a different class of hub. Nor is it for anyone expecting two-way state reporting from their TV or AC.

FAQ

1. What is the Tapo Smart IR IoT Hub H110?
   It is a smart hub that sends infrared commands to TVs, air conditioners and other IR devices, controllable by app and voice, with built-in schedules, automations and a doorbell chime.

2. Does the H110 work with any TV or air conditioner?
   It supports 8,000+ infrared brands across 18+ device types, which covers most mainstream IR-controlled gear. Devices using RF or Bluetooth remotes are not supported.

3. Do I need a Tapo account to use it?
   Yes — setup and control run through the Tapo app, which is also where schedules and automations are configured.

4. What does Matter certification mean for buyers?
   It means the hub can integrate with Matter-compatible smart home platforms, reducing dependence on a single app ecosystem.

5. Can the H110 tell whether my TV is on or off?
   No. Infrared is one-way, so the hub sends commands but does not receive confirmation from the device.

6. Does it work with voice assistants?
   Yes — the product name lists voice and app control, so commands can be issued by voice as well as through the app.

7. What is the built-in chime for?
   It provides an audible alert, typically paired with Tapo doorbells and cameras, so alerts are heard inside the home rather than only on a phone.

8. Where should the hub be placed?
   It needs a clear line of sight to the devices it controls, so an open shelf facing the room works better than a spot behind a TV or inside a cabinet.

9. Can it run schedules automatically?
   Yes — custom schedules and automations are part of the feature set, allowing IR devices to switch on or off at set times.

10. Who should skip this hub?
    Buyers whose devices use RF, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi remotes, or who need two-way state reporting, should look at a different type of controller.

Bottom Line

The Tapo Smart IR IoT Hub H110 is a sensible, low-risk way to bring infrared devices under app and voice control without replacing hardware. Its broad brand library, Matter certification and built-in chime make it more than a one-trick remote replacement, and the schedule and automation support gives it lasting value. Buyers with IR-controlled TVs, air conditioners and fans — especially those already in the Tapo ecosystem — will get the most from it; those needing RF or two-way control should look elsewhere.

Check the current price of the Tapo Smart IR IoT Hub H110 on Amazon