ZigBee vs Z-Wave: Everything You Need to Know here is a detailed review.
Z-Wave and Zigbee are two of the most widely used innovative home communication protocols. Both protocols are used in various smart devices, ranging from thermostats to light bulbs to controller hubs.
Both protocols offer low-cost, low-power, and robust communication between smart home devices. But there are many differences between these two technologies, making them suitable for different applications.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand these differences to choose the proper communication protocol for your IoT project of smart home devices.
This post will compare these two technologies, highlighting what they are, their fundamental differences, and their applications in IoT.
What are Zigbee and Z-Wave Anyway?
What is Zigbee?
Zigbee is an open-source communication protocol used for wireless communications between devices. In other words, signals from a Zigbee gadget can hop to another device in an open structure without connecting these devices via a central hub.
The Zigbee Alliance manages the Zigbee protocol, built on the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol standard. This standard offers affordable connectivity costs and power consumption, making it applicable in many use cases.
Like building automation, home automation, gaming, and medical care, among others. Besides low power usage and low cost.
Another unique feature of the Zigbee protocol is that it uses a 2.4 GHz frequency and supports 65,000+ devices.
What is Z-Wave?
Z-Wave is a closed standard protocol on mesh networks, facilitating wireless communication between intelligent devices.
This protocol by Sigma Design is supervised by a coalition of 400 companies that formed the Z-Wave Alliance.
Given that it only supports connections in a closed network, no one can access or alter the governing code of Z-Wave unless you are part of the closed network.
It also means that each Z-Wave gadget has a unique ID accessible via the Z-Wave remote. This closed mechanism of the Z-Wave protocol enables effective interoperability and security.
Z-Wave runs on radio frequency to communicate between devices, but due to its setup structure, Z-Wave supports fewer devices.
It currently supports communication with 232 gadgets using the 908 MHz frequency. The good thing is that communication between appliances is possible within 330 feet, making it appealing for several home automation applications.
Zigbee vs Z Wave: Main Differences
Look at the table below for a summarized comparison of Zigbee and Z-Wave, and then read on for a detailed analysis afterward.
| Category | Zigbee | Z-Wave | Winner |
| Type of protocol standard | Open | Closed | Zigbee |
| Network configuration | Wireless mesh network | Wireless mesh network | Equal |
| Compatibility | Compatible most of the time | Is compatible with other products | Z-Wave |
| Security | Supported by AES128 encryption technology | Uses AES128 encryption | Equal |
| WiFi interference | Can interfere but is negligible | Doesn’t interfere | Z-Wave |
| Power usage | Low | Low | Equal |
| Range | Indoors: can connect up to 30 ft (9 meters) Line of sight: can connect within 328 ft (100+ meters) | Indoors: can connect up to 246+ ft (75 meters) Line of sight: can connect within 984+ ft (300+ meters) | Z-Wave |
| Maximum data rate | 250 Kbps | 100 Kbps | Zigbee |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz | 908.42 MHz | Z-Wave |
| Number of products supported | Over 65,000 | 232 | Zigbee |
| Number of devices on the market | 3,500 | 3,200 | Zigbee |
| Number of products sold | 300 million | 100 million | Zigbee |
| Hub required | It requires | It requires | Equal |
Connectivity
Z-Wave supports mesh connections of up to 232 devices, making it suitable for smaller settings like smart homes and medium-sized offices.
Zigbee supports a larger mesh network of 65,000+ devices. This extensive connectivity makes Zigbee a convenient option for hospitals and large offices.
Range of signal
Devices can only communicate within a specified range of a defined protocol. The Z-Wave protocol provides a strong connection when gadgets are 100 ft indoors and 330 ft outside.
Since Z-Wave uses low frequencies, transmission through obstructions like walls is simplified.
Zigbee provides stable connections when gadgets are 40 ft apart indoors. At the high frequency of Zigbee, it might be difficult for signals to pass through thick walls.
That said, Zigbee offers faster speeds and more connections.
Power usage
Regarding power consumption, Zigbee vs Z Wave are low-power users, but Zigbee tends to be more efficient. The difference is not significant, though.
Security
Both communication protocols use AES 128 standard encryption, so they are secure. AES 128 is the standard benchmark for security used by government agencies and banks.
The only difference between these two is that Z-Wave added an extra layer of protection by making it mandatory for its devices to have Security 2 (S2).
Price
The good thing is that both Ziggbee and Z-Wave products are affordable. But when pitted against each other, Zigbee tends to be slightly cheaper, making it a better budget-friendly option.
Number of Hops
Zigbee permits limitless hops in a single transmission, which means that a signal can travel from one gadget to another countless times before it arrives at its final destination.
That is why Zigbee is ideal for large-scale networks. On the other hand, Z-Wave allows up to four hops in a single transmission.
The limited number of bounds before reaching the final destination means the protocol offers a better range of signals and a stronger connection.
Speed
As indicated earlier in this Zigbee vs Z Wave guide, the Zigbee protocol sends signals with a 2.4 GHz or 915 MHz frequency. So, communication speed is relatively faster at 40–250 kbps.
On the contrary, the Z-Wave protocol sends signals at a frequency of 908.42 MHz. It indicates a speed of about 9.6–100 kbps, which is relatively slower than Zigbee.
Interoperability
Interoperability is the ability of a device to connect and exchange data with other gadgets. It is one of the areas where Z-Wave and Zigbee differ.
Z-Wave products are interoperable with themselves through the Z-Wave controller. Zigbee devices can be interoperable only if they are version Zigbee 3.0.
Before the release of Zigbee 3.0, there were different communication protocols under the Zigbee Alliance, so most of the devices were not interoperable.
Zigbee 3.0 address this shortcoming, so all Zigbee products from various manufacturers are now interoperable.
Contrarily, every Z-Wave device can connect to every Z-Wave controller. What it means is that gadgets are interoperable with themselves and the protocol.
Z-Wave puts a stronger emphasis on the compatibility of products from the same manufacturer.
Reliability
No mesh network architecture can function well without a reliable protocol. In this case, reliability is the absence of or minimal dodgy signals during transmission.
In most cases, you will experience missing signals when there is congestion or interference with the signal from other waves with the same frequency.
Zigbee runs on a 2.4 GHz frequency in the UK and a 915 MHz frequency in the US, thus providing a stable balance between signal quality and range.
Z-Wave, on the other hand, uses a 908.42 MHZ frequency, which offers a more extended range and more robust signal penetration. But it does so at the expense of signal quality.
Z-Wave performs better in spacious places with minimal obstructions, while Zigbee offers better connectivity in areas with high interference, like densely populated areas.
Zigbee vs Z Wave: Why Would You Choose Each of Them?
| Why Would You Choose Zigbee? | Why Would You Choose Z-Wave? |
| More flexible in its profile development | Offers longer ranges than Zigbee |
| Offer options when choosing a supplier because different manufacturers produce Zigbee modules and chips. | It runs at a low frequency, so it doesn’t interfere with other wireless signals. |
| Support more connected devices. | It is more accessible to set up and more user-friendly. |
| Lower power consumption | It offers an additional security layer. |
| Offer secure communication. |
Zigbee vs Z Wave: Brands Supporting Z-Wave and Zigbee
Here are some of the big brands that are using the Zigbee protocol:
- Wink hub
- Philips Hue
- ADT Security Hub
- Samsung SmartThings
- Ikea Tradfri
- GE Appliances
- Sengled smart lights
- Somfy blinds and drapery motors
- Belkin WeMo Link
- Honeywell thermostats
- LG SmartThinq
- Amazon Echo Plus
- Yale smart locks
According to the Z-Wave online platform, several brands are already developing products on this protocol. These brands include:
- Logitech Home Harmony Hub Extender
- GE Appliances
- Samsung SmartThings
- Wink hub
- LG SmartThinq
- Honeywell thermostats
- Kwikset smart locks
- Somfy
- Hogar Milo (with Google Assistant for voice controls)
- August smart locks
- ADT Security Hub
- Yale smart locks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Zigbee and Z-Wave work together?
The simple answer is yes. These two protocols can cooperate in a home automation setup despite their differences. So, if you prefer a hybrid system, you can use gateways.
This way, you can combine the strengths of these communication protocols.
How secure are Zigbee and Z-Wave protocols?
As mentioned earlier, these technologies use the AES 128 encryption standard to secure device communication. It is almost impossible for unauthorized users to interfere with or penetrate your system.
On top of this, both communication protocols are low-power users, which helps to lower the risk of interference.
How do Zigbee and Z-Wave work?
Both protocols enable your smart home devices to connect and communicate with each other. Usually, intelligent gadgets need to connect to the internet to receive signals and commands from
apps.
Receiving and relaying instructions may be challenging if your device is not near the router. So, most intelligent devices use either Zigbee or Z-Wave to ensure that your devices have a solid wireless connection via a mesh network.
Instead of transmitting signals directly from the router to a smart home device, Z-Wave and Zigbee send a radio signal to the nearest gadget and then hop to the next smart device until it reaches the final destination. So, the intended device gets the information even if it is far from the hub.
Zigbee vs Z Wave: Which Is Better?
The answer to this question lies in your specific needs since each system performs better in different use cases.
Zigbee may be ideal if you are looking for an open-source, widely available, and highly compatible system.
Z-Wave, too, is a good option if you are looking for a standardized, stable, and easy-to-setup system. With that said, these two protocols are competing in different aspects.
Historically speaking, Zigbee vs Z Wave has been a tight competition, often favoring Z-Wave because of its ease of use and better interoperability.
But recent improvements in Zigbee have seen it come out on top. It is hard to ignore its robust connectivity and the market share it has won.
If you are setting up a smart home or office with over 40 smart devices, we recommend sticking to one protocol, either Zigbee or Z-Wave. This way, your mesh network will remain solid and reliable.
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