What does this mean? It means that your mesh network has the capability of covering an area more thoroughly than your WiFi network. This is because they use the devices connected to the network as nodes for signal transmission. Mesh networks use a similar technology to WiFi or Bluetooth (more on how they work in our guide) but can be more useful in a home situation. How do Zigbee and Z-Wave Work?īoth Zigbee and Z-Wave operate on the same general technology: mesh networks. To help you along your journey, let’s explore how these technologies work and what makes them different. Assessing your system and comparing it to the differences in protocols is a great start. But, if you plan on setting up a complete range of smart devices, it is good to understand these protocols.

If you already own a smart home device, like an Amazon Echo Show (on Amazon), you may have considered adding other smart products. Also, Zigbee and Z-wave run on different frequency bands, even though they both use a mesh network.

The difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave is that Zigbee uses open source technology which means any manufacturer can use it unlike Z-Wave, which operates under a unified standard. You might be asking yourself how? The answer is relatively simple, but it does require a bit of research, understanding, and insight into how they operate. While the two technologies sport similar functions, they are different. In the world of smart homes, two protocols reign supreme: Zigbee and Z-Wave.

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