Both make a Daikin air conditioner controllable from your phone. They do it in completely different ways, and the right pick depends on whether you want a quick stick-on gadget or proper local control.
Quick answer: Sensibo Sky is an infrared blaster that mimics your remote. It installs in minutes, works with almost any brand, and relies on Sensibo's cloud servers. Faikin is a module that plugs into the data port inside your Daikin indoor unit. It costs less, talks to the unit directly in both directions, runs entirely on your local network, and has no subscription. If you rent or do not want to open the unit, buy the Sensibo. If you want reliable two-way control and Home Assistant integration without a cloud dependency, buy the Faikin.
How they connect
This is the fundamental difference, and it explains almost everything else in this comparison.
Sensibo Sky sits on a shelf or wall near the indoor unit and fires the same infrared codes your handheld remote sends. Communication is one way. The Sensibo never hears back from the air conditioner, so if someone adjusts the unit with the original remote, the app's idea of the current state can drift from reality. It has its own temperature and humidity sensor to partly compensate.
Faikin plugs into the wired data port (S21 on most Daikin splits) inside the indoor unit. It speaks the same serial protocol Daikin's own WiFi adapters use, so communication is two way: it reads the actual mode, set point, fan speed and the unit's own temperature sensors, and any change made by remote shows up correctly in the app and in Home Assistant.
Side by side
| Faikin (module + cable kit) | Sensibo Sky | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AUD $97.90 incl. GST, free shipping ($89 outside Australia, plus any local taxes) | AUD $199 RRP, often discounted to $119-$159 |
| Connection | Wired to the unit's data port | Infrared, line of sight |
| Communication | Two way, reads real unit state | One way, sends remote codes |
| Cloud required | No, fully local | Yes, control goes via Sensibo's servers |
| Subscription | None | Free tier; some automation features need Sensibo Plus (paid) |
| Works if internet is down | Yes, on your local network | No remote control; limited local function |
| Home Assistant | Yes, local via MQTT auto-discovery | Yes, via Sensibo's cloud integration |
| Install | Open the indoor unit front panel, plug in cable | Stick it up, plug in USB power |
| Other AC brands | Daikin only | Most brands with an IR remote |
| Firmware | Open source (ESP32-Faikout project) | Proprietary |
Prices checked 10 June 2026.
Where Sensibo Sky is the better buy
Renters, and anyone who will not open the indoor unit. Installation is genuinely a five minute job with no tools. It also works across brands, so if you have a Daikin in one room and a Fujitsu in another, one ecosystem covers both. The app is polished, and Sensibo is an established company with wide retail availability in Australia.
The trade-offs: you depend on Sensibo's cloud for control, the state shown in the app can be wrong if the original remote gets used, and several automation features (combining Climate React with schedules or geofencing, usage tracking, anti-mould, AC health check) sit behind the paid Sensibo Plus subscription.
Where Faikin is the better buy
Anyone running Home Assistant or another MQTT-capable platform, anyone who wants their air conditioner to keep working when the internet or a vendor's servers do not, and anyone who objects to subscriptions on hardware they own. At AUD $97.90 including GST for the module and cable it is less than half the Sensibo's RRP. The firmware is open source, control is local, and because it reads the unit's real state you can automate against actual conditions rather than guesses. Home Assistant is the common pairing but not a requirement: anything that speaks MQTT works, including openHAB, Node-RED, Domoticz, ioBroker, Homey and Hubitat, and an MQTT bridge connects Faikin to HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home. The new Faikin P1P2 model goes further with native HomeKit and Matter, no bridge needed, though it suits ducted, cassette and commercial systems rather than wall-mounted splits.
The trade-offs: you need to take the front panel off the indoor unit and plug in a cable, which takes most people 15 to 30 minutes. You also need the correct cable for your model. Check your indoor unit model number against the compatibility database before ordering; if the kit turns out not to fit, return it for a full refund.
FAQ
Does Sensibo Sky work without internet?
Not usefully. Control runs through Sensibo's cloud, so no internet means no app control.
Does Faikin work without internet?
Yes. The web interface, MQTT and Home Assistant all run on your local network. Internet is only needed if you want access from outside the house.
Can both work with Google Home and Alexa?
Sensibo has native Alexa, Google and Siri support. The standard Faikin reaches HomeKit, Alexa and Google through Home Assistant or an MQTT bridge; the new Faikin P1P2 (for ducted, cassette and commercial systems) has native HomeKit and Matter.
Will installing a Faikin void my Daikin warranty?
The module plugs into the same accessory port Daikin's own adapters use and the install is fully reversible. If your unit is under warranty and you are unsure, ask your installer first. Always isolate mains power before opening the unit.
Faikin is an independent product and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Daikin Industries Ltd or Sensibo. Daikin, Sensibo and related marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Competitor pricing and features were checked on 10 June 2026 and may change.
