What is Z-Wave used for?
Z-Wave is a technology used to power wireless communication between smart home products. Z-Wave builds a network between the devices, allowing them to be controlled, automated, and to provide environmental and security data.
Which is the best version of Z-Wave?
The best version and the latest version of Z-Wave currently available is Z-Wave Plus using Z-Wave 800 series technology. 700 series Z-Wave is the second best, while all other versions of Z-Wave have now reached the end of their lifecycle.
Is Z-Wave better than WiFi?
For smart home automation, Z-Wave is better than WiFi. All homes have experienced poor WiFi connections caused by weak signals - a smart home system requires better performance. Z-Wave offers superior signal strength and network reliability by communicating on an uncongested, sub-GHz frequency. Sub-GHz communication allows Z-Wave products to better communicate through walls and over a distance as great as 1.5 miles, something which WiFi cannot reliably compete with.
Is Z-Wave better than Zigbee?
Zigbee communicates on the same wireless frequency as WiFi: 2.4GHz. That means that it suffers from the same reliability problems as WiFi, including weak signals, a small wireless range, and missed automation instructions caused by network wireless congestion. In comparison to Zigbee, Z-Wave is a better technology for smart home automation.
What is the wireless range of Z-Wave 800 series?
All Z-Wave devices communicate with each other wirelessly. In their default installation mode, Z-Wave devices using Z-Wave Plus technology can communicate over a wireless distance up to 0.25 miles / 401 metres. When installed in Long Range mode, typically used for networks operating across outdoor space, Z-Wave products can wirelessly communicate over a distance as great as 1.5 miles / 2.4 kilometres.
How do different versions of Z-Wave compare?
Eight different versions of Z-Wave have now been released. If you're building or expanding a smart home system, there are only two, Z-Wave Plus versions which you should use: 700 series and 800 series. You can compare these Z-Wave versions at that link.
What wireless frequencies does Z-Wave use?
Z-Wave uses sub-Ghz, wireless frequencies for optimal wireless performance. For best performance, it uses slightly different frequencies in various countries and regions. We've compiled a full list of Z-Wave frequencies by country at that link.
How good is Z-Wave's security?
You don't want a situation where hackers can take control of your smart home. That's why the latest version of Z-Wave is built with multiple facets of technology: unique network keys, AES-128 bit encryption, ECDH key agreement, the Security 2 standard, and man-in-the-middle attack prevention. Z-Wave devices can also now be engineered with Secure Vault when engineered for the management of critical infrastructure.
When were different version of Z-Wave released?
Z-Wave is reliable technology that's been developed and used for decades. The first version was released in 1999. After that: 100 series was released in 2003, 200 series was released in 2005, 300 series was released in 2005, 400 series was released in 2008, 500 series and the first edition of Z-Wave Plus were both released in 2013, 700 series and version 2 of Z-Wave Plus were both released in 2019, and 800 series was released in 2022. Z-Wave 600 series was never publicly released.
Is Z-Wave good for outdoor use?
Yes - Z-Wave products can be developed to work outdoors and even be waterproofed. Products developed utilising Long Range technology found within Z-Wave Plus V2 chips can even work wirelessly over an outdoor range as great as 1.5 miles.
Is Z-Wave compatible with Matter?
No - Z-Wave operates on a sub-GHz wireless frequency, while Matter operates on the crowded 2.4GHz band (the same as WiFI). The differences don't stop there, with Matter offering fewer features in version 1 than Z-Wave presently offers. You can fully compare Matter versus Z-Wave in our dedicated guide.