Broadlink RM 4 PRO or Mirabella Genio Wi-Fi Smart IR Controller?

Lceroau on 22/12/2020 - 12:50
Last edited 22/12/2020 - 13:31 by 1 other user

Hey All,

I am looking at getting an IR controller to control primarily my Aircon but probably TV and a few other things as-well.

I have narrowed my choice down to the Broadlink RM 4 Pro available on Amazon and the Mirabella smart controller from Kmart. They both seem like they do the job I want too and both with Echo/Alex devices which I use at home, I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with either of them or even better both of them and can provide some feedback about them. Price wise they'll end up costing me roughly the same.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Forfiet on 22/12/2020 - 12:59
    +1

    They both probably work fine…. The Broadlink most likely has larger community support if you are intending to integrate it with a larger Home Automation system outside just Google or Apple homekit(say openhab.etc)

  • shagaroo on 22/12/2020 - 13:33
    +1

    May I ask where you are looking at buying the RM4 Pro from and how much you found it for? Thanks

    • ceroau on 22/12/2020 - 14:07
      +1

      It's on Amazon au from the broadlink store on there, if you type "Broadlink RM4 pro S Universal IR/RF Remote" it's for $47.5

  • spackbace on 22/12/2020 - 13:33
    +1

    For the a/c side of things, I gotta say I liked the sound of the Sensibo after hearing about the advantages it offers over the Broadlink

    • JimmyF on 22/12/2020 - 13:50
      +1

      $30 Mirabella Genio IR puker that works with any IR device vs $130 IR puker that only controls the AC? Hmmm ok.

      • spackbace on 22/12/2020 - 13:58

        Depends on overall usage, and cost vs annoyance factor. If you care about last temperature on the a/c, rather than just temp up/down buttons, etc etc.

  • JimmyF on 22/12/2020 - 13:49
    +1

    I've had a broadlink rm mini 3 and it kept becoming non responsive after days to weeks and needing a reboot. I replaced it with the Mirabella Genio product from kmart and it works great, no issues works all the time.

    Its also a Tuya device, so you can add it into Smart life app instead of using the Mirabella Genio app.

    Anyhow, YMMV with the RM4 Pro but if you get a device that isn't stable like my mini 3 was, its a PIA. As you want to turn the AC on before you get home, but you find out its gone offline. I use to power cycle the mini 3 before I went out if there was a remote chance I wanted to use it remotely so it was online.

    Also I found the app on the broadlink was pretty average compared to the smart life tuya app.

    • ceroau on 22/12/2020 - 14:11

      Thanks for your feedback, might just start out with the Mirabella and see how I go, if I need better integration down the road like RF might revisit the broadlink.

      • No on 22/12/2020 - 14:20
        +2

        I got three rm mini 3's and 1 rm2 pro. All have been rock solid, isn't it annoying when you want to buy stuff and everyone says different things!

        • Master Bates on 22/12/2020 - 14:40
          +1

          No

        • Bluey123 on 22/12/2020 - 15:56

          Took me a while but I managed to set-up the rm mini worked fin then I added my gf account to the app and everything stuffed up and had so much difficulty getting it work again. i use google home. But that's my experience.

          Now it only works with tv to change channels and volume, can't get the air con to work so I gave up on that. Didn't know there was an alternative. Might try mirabella out.

          • No on 22/12/2020 - 22:28
            +1

            @Bluey123: Yeah, the app is rubbish. I am using them with homeassistant which might explain why I am having much more luck than others.

            Good hardware, rubbish application.. which is quite typical of a Chinese home automation product.

        • JimmyF on 22/12/2020 - 16:37

          All have been rock solid

          Well I did say YMMV, mine wasn't a happy product, could have been bad hardware. I ended up changing it out and the Mirabella Genio device has been stable ever since.

          Hardware/stable issues aside, the Smart Life app is a much nicer interface to use.

    • Master Bates on 22/12/2020 - 16:11
      +1

      I have the Mirabella Genio. Seconding the use of the Tuya app over the Mirabella Genio app.

      The device works well integrated with Alexa, to control an air conditioner, 3 different TVs (used at different times) and an amplifier.

      If you can't find the device listed in the app, you can teach it using the original device remote. This worked great with the latest TV it is controlling.

  • c0nfus3d on 22/01/2021 - 11:51

    Can you use these universal controllers with an IR remote so that they can also work as IR blaster? I have Harmony universal remote that I would like to continue using, but sometimes I need to point it in right direction to control via IR. I wonder if using this Universal remote can also accept IR signals from Logitech IR remote and send them to relevant devices or is it only App based and would not work with IR remotes?

    Also, would you need to 'teach' each and every command to them or can they also auto learn based on device database they may have? For Logitech, I just select the device model and it auto learns all commands.

    These questions apply to both Xioami and Broadlink if someone could shed some light. Thanks.

  • CauseNEffect on 17/01/2023 - 15:36
    +1

    I am interested in the comparison between mirabella, broadlink and sensibo myself. If anyone has an new additional info that is relevant that would be great. Thanks.

    • unity1 on 18/02/2023 - 10:02

      I'm going to try the Genio. I have 2 RM4 minis. Tried for hours to set up using my iphone and kept failing at the last step. Grabbed a spare iphone laying around and was able to get both units connected first time.

      Now trying to move one of the RM4 minis to another house and having no luck getting it connected again trying various devices, both ios and android.

      The RM4 mini unit that is connected is working brilliantly though.

      • CauseNEffect on 21/02/2023 - 14:35

        I got the broadlink pro. Unpacked and installed in under 5 mins comtrolling my ac. Latest Android.

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