Why do we only sell Z-Wave?

---

What is Z-Wave?

Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol that is used for home automation devices. Z-Wave networks are mesh networks, which means that each device in the network can repeat a signal to other listening devices until the final device is reached. This makes the network both reliable, and allows it to span a great distance. Z-Wave networks each have a central hub device which issues all of the commands and is the destination for all sensor signals. These hubs can have different features such as internet access so you can access your devices from anywhere, smart phone access, trigger actions from sensors, communication with voice control systems like google home or Alexa, and sometimes they can communicate with and control non Z-Wave devices as well.

Z-Wave devices are created by the many manufacturers of the Z-Wave alliance. The Z-Wave alliance is a group of over 700 companies involved in the manufacture, retail, and installation of Z-Wave compatible products.

Head-to-Head comparison

After analyzing all available technologies, it's obvious to us that Z-Wave is a top performer in nearly every category that is important for home automation, and of the technologies that are close, Z-Wave is the best in the most important categories. The combination of a mesh network on a low bandwidth carrier signal creates the most reliable solution possible.

We've ranked each technology from 1 to 5 for each important feature of home automation. Hover over the chart below for more details on each technology.

We've ranked each technology from 1 to 5 for each important feature of home automation. Tap on the chart below for more details on each technology.

Hard Wired Devices  Critical Centralized Control 5 5 2 5 Ease of Installation 5 5 4 1 Reliability 5 4 2 5 Maximum distance 5 4 1 5 Moderate Maximum Number of Devices 4 5 5 5 Security 5 5 5 5 Nice-To-Have Power Usage 4 4 1 5 Total 33 32 20 31