More than a Decade with Home Automation:
Why I Switched from Z-Wave to Zigbee
Over ten years ago, I embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of home automation. The inspiration for the project was the CEO of my current company. My choice of technology at the time? Z-Wave. A pioneering force in smart home automation, Z-Wave seemed to be the perfect solution for my needs. But like any evolving technology, it had its fair share of peaks and valleys.
The base plan was simple:
- Decrease the bills for electricity and heating
- Make it working
At the end of the day – the simple and straight plan was more curvy than expected.
A Rocky Road with Z-Wave
In the initial years, Z-Wave delivered on its promise. I integrated multisensors, heater valves, door and window sensors, and electrical plugs into my smart home system, making everyday tasks more seamless and convenient.
However, as the years rolled by, issues started to surface. Some of the Z-Wave devices I’d come to rely on began to fail. Though wear and tear is expected with any technology, the rate at which my Z-Wave devices deteriorated was a concern. To add salt to the wound, the replacement costs were notably higher—often multiple times more expensive than competitor products on the market. It wasn’t sustainable.
Enter Zigbee
Given the challenges I faced with Z-Wave, I began to explore alternatives and that’s when I discovered Zigbee. Before making the switch, I delved deep into comparing both technologies, primarily based on my experience and the devices I’d integrated into my system. Here’s what I found:
1. Cost-Effectiveness:
Zigbee devices were generally more affordable than their Z-Wave counterparts. For someone who had spent quite a sum replacing failing Z-Wave devices, this was a significant plus.
2. Mesh Networking:
Both Z-Wave and Zigbee use mesh networking. But, in my experience, Zigbee’s mesh seemed more reliable. This meant fewer connection drops and better overall device performance.
3. Interoperability:
Zigbee boasts a high level of compatibility. My multisensors, heater valves, door and window sensors, and electrical plugs integrated smoothly with the Zigbee ecosystem, making the transition process painless.
4. Frequency Bands:
Z-Wave operates mainly on the 908.42 MHz frequency in the US, while Zigbee typically operates on the crowded 2.4 GHz frequency. However, Zigbee’s adaptive approach and ability to jump between channels within its frequency helped reduce interference, giving it an edge in performance.
5. Open Standard:
Zigbee operates on an open standard, which means more manufacturers can produce compatible devices, leading to a wider variety of products and innovations.
The Verdict
Considering the failing devices, the high replacement costs of Z-Wave products, and the clear advantages Zigbee offered in my use-case, the decision to switch was a no-brainer.
Today, my home automation system is predominantly Zigbee-powered. It’s reliable, cost-effective, and flexible. While Z-Wave served me well in the initial years, Zigbee seems to be the future of my smart home journey.
For anyone just starting out or looking to switch, I’d highly recommend giving Zigbee a shot. It’s been a game-changer for me, and I believe it can be for you too.
Nevertheless it is more than 5 years when I started the migration to Z-Wave. And some of the ten years old Z-Wave devices – just doesn’t want to die. We say in my country for such situation “The malignancy of inanimate objects”. Therefore as the migration is not finished – I still use both standards and have two USB sticks to control both networks.
And all the magic happens in one instance of HomeAssistant. With this tool I can ease say that I am limited with my imagination. And how to start with HomeAssistant is described in this post.