SMSCom 6.5-Amp Plug-In Smart Fan Speed Controller — Temperature-Controlled Extraction Without the Hassle
Best for: Growers who want to control grow room temperature without wiring headaches or premium pricing
Our thoughts
This is proper value for money. A straightforward fan speed controller that does exactly what it's designed to do — manual control out of the box, or add the optional temperature sensor and it handles climate management on its own. Plug and play, no faffing about, and SMSCom's 5-year warranty backs it up.
The SMSCom 6.5-Amp Plug-In Smart Fan Speed Controller is a cost-effective way to manage extraction fan speed and keep your grow room at the right temperature. No complicated wiring. No installation drama. Just plug your extractor fan into the front socket, plug the controller into the wall, and you're ready to go.
Use it as a simple manual fan dimmer with 60 different speed settings, or pair it with the optional temperature sensor to let it manage your climate automatically. Either way, it's a solid piece of kit that takes the guesswork out of seasonal temperature swings and keeps your growing environment stable.
How it compares
This sits in the value automation bracket — affordable thermostat control without the premium price tag.
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vs SMSCom Hybrid Mk2: Hybrid is silent (transformer-based), this one hums slightly (pulse width modulation). You save money and get automation; you trade silent operation.
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vs SMSCom Twin Mk2: Twin manages both intake and exhaust fans with balanced pressure control. This one controls a single fan. Pick Twin if you need dual-fan automation.
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vs Control Freak 5-Amp: Similar feature set, but this handles bigger fans (6.5A vs 5A). Control Freak is cheaper; this gives you more power headroom.
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vs WiFi-enabled controllers: No app, no smart home integration. You get on-device controls instead, which means no monthly fees and no tech faffing.
Bottom line: you're getting practical temperature automation at a price that makes sense for small-to-medium setups.
Usage guidance
Manual mode (no sensor)
Turn the front dial to increase or decrease fan speed across 60 different settings. Useful when you want seasonal control — run the fan faster in summer to drop temperature, slower in winter to keep heat in. Simple.
Thermostat mode (with optional temperature sensor)
Plug the temperature probe into the socket on top of the unit. The front dial now sets your minimum fan speed (keeps constant ventilation running). The second dial sets your maximum temperature threshold. When your grow room hits that temperature, the controller automatically ramps the fan up to full speed until things cool down, then backs it off again. After 5-10 minutes of initial run-time, it learns the exact speed your fan needs to stay balanced.
Important compatibility notes
Use this controller with duct extraction fans (inline extractor fans). Do not use it with circulation fans — they have their own speed controls and you'll fry one or both. Also not compatible with Isomax fans.
Why fan speed control matters
Running your extractor at full speed all year is wasteful and loud. But if you slow it too much, you lose CO2 exchange and humidity control suffers. A controller lets you dial in the sweet spot — enough fresh air for plant growth, enough temperature stability to avoid stress, and less noise and energy waste.
Technical specifications
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Maximum power rating: 1500 Watts (6.5 Amps)
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Control type: 60 different speed settings (manual mode)
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Speed regulation: Pulse width modulation (PWM) technology
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Installation: Plug into mains socket, plug fan into front socket — no wiring required
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Optional temperature sensor: Connects via jack socket on top of unit; enables automatic thermostat mode
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Thermostat cycle: 5-10 minute learning period, then autonomous speed adjustment to maintain set temperature
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Warranty: 5-year manufacturer's warranty (1-year direct replacement + 4-year repair cover)
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Note: May produce audible humming due to PWM technology — not suitable for noise-sensitive spaces
Who this is for
- Budget-conscious growers wanting temperature automation without premium pricing
- Small-to-medium grow spaces (tents, cupboards, small rooms) with single extraction fans
- Growers uncomfortable with electrical wiring who need a plug-and-play solution
- Seasonal growers who need to adjust fan speed between summer and winter
- Anyone running tight on installation space (compact, unobtrusive design)
- Growers upgrading from manual control who want basic automation without complexity
Not recommended for noise-sensitive environments (bedrooms adjacent to grow space) or setups requiring silent operation.
Our take
This is a no-nonsense controller that does the job it's designed for. Proper kit at a much lower price than you'd expect to pay for thermostat automation. The plug-and-play design means no faffing about with electrics, and SMSCom's 5-year warranty tells you they stand behind it.
If you want to stop fighting seasonal temperature swings and need reliable climate management without overcomplicating things, this is well worth picking up. Does exactly what it should, day in, day out.
