Z-wave, ZigBee and Wi-Fi are all protocols used for wireless innovative home technologies. However, they are incompatible, so you need to decide which of these suits your needs the best. Most of these technologies are used in smart home products like smart plugs. This article will guide you and provide you with all the information you need to choose the proper smart home automation technology for you.

Z-Wave

Z-wave technology was developed in the early 2000s by the Danish company Zensys. It’s a low-power mesh network technology that operates on the 800-900 MHz band. Line of sight range is often specified in excess of 100′, but walls, floors, ceilings, appliances and smart door locks will tend to reduce that significantly. Even so, line-powered Z-Wave innovative products function as repeaters that generally overcomes any device range issues with devices like the touch button switch.

A Z-Wave network consists of internet of things (IoT) devices and a primary controller, also known as a smart home hub which is used in devices like a digital door lock, which is the only device in a Z-Wave network that is usually connected to the internet. When a Z-Wave hub receives a command from an intelligent home application on a user's smartphone, tablet or computer, it routes the command to its destination device across networks of up to 232 devices -- including the hub. This is compatible with various  smart lighting devices. Using source-routed mesh network technology, Z-Wave signals can hop through other Z-Wave devices like smart light bulbs to reach the device a user intends to control. Each Z-Wave network accommodates a maximum of four hops. Some of the best home automation systems in India use this protocol.

 

Availability

Some of the top home automation companies in Noida use this. The Z-Wave protocol operates on the low-frequency 908.42 bands in the U.S. and the 868.42 MHz band in Europe. Though interference with other home electronics, such as cordless phones, is possible, the protocol avoids interference with the 2.4 GHz band where Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operate. Various home automation companies still keep this in use. 

Z-Wave offers transmission rates of small data packets using throughput rates of 9.6 kbps, 40 kbps or 100 kbps. The Z-Wave PHY and MAC layers are based on the ITU-T G.9959 global radio standard, and the protocol uses GFSK modulation and Manchester encoding. It also includes AES 128 encryption, IPv6 and multichannel operation.

Regarding identification and authorization, each Z-Wave network is identified by a network ID, and each end device is identified with a node ID. The unique network ID prevents, for example, one Z-Wave-equipped house from controlling devices in another similarly equipped house.

Communication between devices like the wifi smart bulb ranges from 98 to 328 feet; the 500 Series has a range of 130 feet and the 700 Series 328 feet. Because walls and other dense building materials limit the range, the general deployment best practice is to place Z-Wave devices 50 feet or fewer apart for maximum signal strength. This works with various smart home devices including the wifi light bulb.

 

Using a Z-Wave repeater -- an additional Z-Wave device between other devices like the smart touch switch -- or using line-powered -- not battery-powered -- devices like the smart lock in the network can also strengthen the signal and help it reach its destination. The maximum range with four hops is estimated to be 600 feet.

Z-Wave is used in a wide range of smart home devices including the fingerprint door lock. Its low power consumption allows it to be used in various battery-powered devices. Here are some of the more popular product categories:

• Smart light switches
• Modular touch switches
• Smart Bulbs
• Smart LED bulbs
• Thermostats
• Home automation sensors
• Universal remote control
• Smart door lock
• Garage Door Controllers
• Water Valves

 

 

Integration capabilities

Since the inception of Z-Wave devices like the wifi touch switch, all products have undergone an interoperability certification procedure. This process has been to ensure product compatibility throughout the entire Z-Wave ecosystem, and it’s been largely very successful. Widespread interoperability played a significant role in helping Z-Wave achieve the highest industry adoption rate. In this writing, there are more than 3,000 Z-Wave certified products worldwide. Some of the best smart locks like google smart lock use this.

That said, it’s worth noting that the certification process wasn’t perfect in the early years ct and wasn’t enforced consistently from product to product. While those problems have largely been ironed out, the biggest challenge going forward lies with the hub makers. As the technology itself continues to evolve, hub makers need to keep pace by adding the latest features like a universal remote control.  

 

ZigBee

This technology was developed and standardised by the Zigbee Alliance in 2003. Like Z-Wave, it is also a low-power ‘mesh network’ technology. However, most devices operate on the much higher 2.4 GHz band. As with Z-Wave, line of sight range is often specified in excess of 100′, but walls, floors, ceilings, appliances and furniture will tend to reduce that significantly. Even so, line-powered Zigbee innovative products function as repeaters that generally overcome any hub-to-product range issues. Some of the best home automation companies in Delhi including home automation companies in Bangalore, use this.

The Zigbee 3.0 protocol is designed to communicate data through noisy RF environments daily in commercial and industrial market applications. Version 3.0 builds on the existing Zigbee connectivity standard but unifies the market-specific application profiles to allow all devices to be wirelessly connected in the same network, irrespective of their market designation and function.

Furthermore, a Zigbee 3.0 certification scheme ensures the interoperability of products from different device manufacturers. Connecting Zigbee 3.0 networks to the IP domain opens up wireless monitoring and control from radio devices such as smartphones and tablets on a LAN or WAN, including the Internet. It brings the actual Internet of Things to fruition.

Zigbee has flourished in the commercial automation space but has been slower to ramp up in the consumer smart home market. As with Z-Wave, its low power consumption allows it to be used in a variety of battery-powered devices too. Here are some of the more popular applications:

• Smart bulbs
• Smart strip lights
• Smart LED bulbs
• Wi-fi Smart bulbs
• Home automation sensors
• IR blaster
• Universal remote control
• Smart locks

 

 

Wi-Fi

WiFi is a 2.4 GHz network communication standard that’s been adapted to work with smart home devices. Unlike Z-Wave and Zigbee, it is not a mesh network technology, so intelligent devices don’t repeat signals, and each device must be within direct range of the router to work. Kamonk utilises Wi-Fi protocol for all of its smart devices.

Devices connected using WiFi protocol only require a single access point. You can easily set up your devices anywhere you want without unsightly cords and cables. On the other hand, wired systems will require complex planning to run physical wires to numerous locations, especially in areas that are far away from the main router and outlets.

WiFi is the only technology that’s supported by all three smart speaker platforms Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. As such, Kamonk’s WiFi enabled smart devices do not need additional hubs, and all of our smart devices can be remotely controlled using voice and the mobile application.

The landscape of WiFi smart home devices is comprised of multiple ecosystems. Kamonk’s products integrate and work seamlessly with each other, and you can create unlimited smart scenes and automate processes using the mobile application. We also offer the best IR blaster and the best universal remote.

WiFi works with a wide range of smart home devices. Popular products include:

• Wifi bulb
• Wifi light
• Touch light switch
• Touch switch
• AV Controllers
• Irrigation Controllers
• Home automation sensors
• Smart Door Locks
• Smart Strip Light
• smart led bulb
• smart bulb

 

Conclusion

We recommend using the Wi-Fi protocol as it is the best way to transition to a more intelligent home; WiFi is the simplest and least expensive way. It’s a technology that does not require a hub. Just install the device, download the app and off you go! With Kamonk devices, you have various options like smart scheduling, creating smart scenes, geofencing features and Voice control, just to name a few. Our smart devices are sure to usher in a wave of comfort and luxury to your day-to-day lives.