TCL launches new VoxIN smart air conditioners in Australia

TCL has launched its VoxIN air conditioner series in Australia, expanding its home appliance line in the local market.

Aimed at household cooling and heating, the range includes four models from 2.6kW to 7.2kW, with prices starting at AUD $959.

The series includes offline voice control, allowing users to operate the units without an internet connection. TCL positions the feature as a simpler alternative to app-based control for some settings.

According to the company, the units also use built-in artificial intelligence to learn daily usage patterns and preferred room temperatures. This is intended to tailor operation to individual households while reducing unnecessary energy use.

Another feature is an "I Feel" temperature control setting, which measures room temperature from the remote control rather than the wall-mounted indoor unit. TCL says this is designed to cool the area where a person is sitting, rather than relying only on the temperature around the main unit.

The system also includes airflow and motion-sensing functions that can direct air towards occupants or away from them. Additional settings include a sleep mode that adjusts temperature, fan speed and display brightness overnight.

TCL has also included an arrive-and-leave-home mode that switches the unit on as a user approaches home and turns it off when they leave. Users can also track energy consumption through the TCL Home app with a real-time usage chart.

Energy focus

Energy consumption is a central part of the launch, as higher electricity costs remain a concern for Australian households. TCL says the VoxIN series uses inverter technology, an eco mode and what it calls T-AI energy management to reduce cooling output after the desired temperature is reached.

The company says the range can deliver energy savings of 37% compared with models without AI energy-saving functions, but it did not provide details of the models used for comparison in the announcement.

Hawke Zhang, Managing Director, TCL Electronics Australia, said the product was developed around everyday household use.

"The VoxIN Series is designed around how Australians actually live," Zhang said.

He said the offline voice feature is intended to simplify operation in the home.

"Summer should be about relaxing, not struggling with complicated settings or waiting around for apps to connect. With offline voice control, you can simply ask for what you need, and the system responds with instant comfort," Zhang said.

Broader push

The launch adds to TCL's broader effort to expand its consumer electronics and appliance presence in Australia. Better known for televisions and other connected devices, the company says the new air conditioner range forms part of a wider home ecosystem strategy.

Zhang said household energy costs were a major factor in the product's positioning.

"We understand that Aussie households are watching their electricity bills closely, especially during the hottest months of the year," Zhang said.

"With the VoxIN Series, you don't have to compromise between staying cool and keeping energy costs down. By combining smart T-AI energy management with targeted cooling features like 'I Feel' control, the system ensures that power is only being used where and when you need it.

"This is an incredibly exciting addition to TCL's whole home ecosystem in Australia. It represents a huge step forward in how we bring advanced but super user-friendly technology to market. By expanding our local appliance portfolio with standout features like offline voice control and sleep mode, we're continuing to provide reliable home solutions for Australian families," Zhang said.

The range enters a competitive segment of the Australian market, where manufacturers are increasingly focusing on smart controls and lower power use as key selling points. For TCL, the VoxIN launch adds a new entry to that market at a starting price of AUD $959.