What is Zigbee/Z-Wave and Do You Need It?
When you hear “Zigbee” or “Z-Wave,” don’t panic — they’re just special languages your smart devices use to talk to each other.
Instead of crowding your Wi-Fi with every light bulb and smart plug, Zigbee and Z-Wave create their own private, low-power network just for your devices. This keeps your Wi-Fi free for streaming, gaming, and video calls, while your smart home stays fast and reliable.
You’ll usually need a hub to use them — something like an Aqara Hub M2, a Fibaro Home Centre, or a Philips Hue Bridge. The hub acts as the translator between Zigbee/Z-Wave devices and your phone or voice assistant.
Do you need it?
If you want lots of devices (lights, locks, sensors, switches), Zigbee or Z-Wave can make your setup much more stable.
If you’re just starting out with a few smart bulbs or plugs, you can stick to Wi-Fi devices.
In short, Zigbee and Z-Wave are like dedicated highways for your smart home traffic — smoother, faster, and less congested than Wi-Fi.
But Don’t Dismiss Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi has levelled up too. Mesh Wi-Fi systems (like Google Nest Wi-Fi, Eero, or TP-Link Deco) create a strong, house-wide signal so even Wi-Fi smart devices stay fast and reliable.