If you have a Daikin ducted system and want app control, the two realistic options are Daikin's own Airbase adapter (BRP15B61) and a Faikin module with the right cable. Both wire into the indoor unit. The differences are price, zone control and how the control actually works.
Quick answer: the Airbase is the official adapter for Daikin ducted and SkyAir systems, sells for roughly AUD $259 to $370 in Australia, and its app includes zone on/off control on compatible systems. Faikin costs AUD $97.90 with a cable, GST included, and gives local control with MQTT and Home Assistant, with no cloud dependency. Faikin controls the unit and leaves zoning to your zone controller, by design; most Faikin owners run both through Home Assistant, which orchestrates the unit and the zones together. If you want one simple Daikin app and no smart home platform, buy the Airbase. If you run Home Assistant, Faikin plus your existing zone control is cheaper and more capable.
What each one does
Daikin Airbase BRP15B61 is Daikin's WiFi adapter for ducted and SkyAir cassette systems (FDYQ, FBA, FCA and similar model lines). It connects to the Daikin Airbase app, controls up to 10 systems, and on compatible ducted systems lets you switch zones on and off from the app. Home Assistant supports it locally through the built-in Daikin integration, though owner reports on reliability are mixed.
Faikin is an independent module running open source firmware. With the correct cable it connects to the data port on many Daikin ducted and split indoor units, then gives you a local web interface, MQTT, and Home Assistant auto-discovery. It reads and controls the unit: power, mode, set point, fan. Zoning stays with your zone controller, which is separate hardware with its own controls. Many Australian zone systems (SmarterZones, iZone, MyAir and others) have their own Home Assistant integrations, and Home Assistant then orchestrates both halves together.
Side by side
| Faikin (module + cable kit) | Daikin Airbase BRP15B61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AUD $97.90 incl. GST, free shipping | AUD $259-$370 at Australian retailers |
| Made by | Independent, open source firmware | Daikin (genuine accessory) |
| Zone control | Via Home Assistant with your zone controller's integration | Zone on/off in the Airbase app on compatible systems |
| App | Local web interface, any browser | Daikin Airbase app |
| Cloud required | No | Local on the same WiFi; remote access via Daikin servers |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Home Assistant | Yes, local via MQTT auto-discovery | Yes, via built-in Daikin integration (mixed owner reports) |
| Coverage | Many ducted and split models, cable-dependent | Specific ducted/SkyAir model lines |
Prices checked 10 June 2026.
Where the Airbase is the better buy
Households that want one simple app and no smart home platform. The Airbase puts unit control and zone on/off in the same Daikin app with nothing else to set up. It is also the genuine part: installers fit them routinely, there is no warranty discussion, and the app, while basic, is supported by Daikin Australia.
Where Faikin is the better buy
Smart home integration. The Airbase app is functional but closed; Faikin gives you the unit in Home Assistant with no cloud account, working schedules, presence-based automation, and state you can trust because it is read from the unit. It is also AUD $160 to $270 cheaper. Home Assistant is not essential: anything that speaks MQTT works, including openHAB, Node-RED, Domoticz, ioBroker, Homey and Hubitat, and an MQTT bridge adds HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home. The new Faikin P1P2 model has native HomeKit and Matter support with no bridge needed, and it is built for exactly this class of system: ducted, cassette and commercial units.
The common ducted setup is Home Assistant as the orchestrator: Faikin controls the unit, your existing zone system controls the dampers through its own integration, and automations tie the two together. Owners who want finer control add an inexpensive temperature sensor in each zone and drive the set point from a weighted average of the zones that are open. That is more intelligent zoning than the Airbase app offers, which is limited to switching zones on and off.
Before ordering, search your indoor unit model number in the compatibility database to confirm the right cable. Ducted model numbers are on the unit itself, usually in the roof space, or on your installation paperwork. If the kit does not fit, return it for a full refund.
FAQ
Can I run both at once?
Generally no. They typically occupy the same communication port on the indoor unit, so plan on one or the other.
Does the Airbase work with Home Assistant?
Yes, through the built-in Daikin integration on the local network. Some owners report it works well; others report dropouts and slow state updates. Faikin's MQTT link is local and does not depend on Daikin's firmware behaviour.
Does Faikin control zones on a ducted system?
Not directly, by design: zone dampers belong to your zone controller, which is separate hardware regardless of which WiFi adapter you choose. Pair Faikin with your zone system's Home Assistant integration and automate both together. With a temperature sensor in each zone you can run weighted-average thermostat control across the open zones, which goes well beyond the on/off zoning in the Airbase app.
Which Daikin ducted units does Faikin support?
Many, but not all, and the cable type varies. The compatibility database is the authoritative list; search your indoor unit model number there.
Faikin is an independent product and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Daikin Industries Ltd. Daikin, Airbase and related marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Competitor pricing and features were checked on 10 June 2026 and may change.
