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    Z-Wave Plus

    Z-Wave

    Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol designed specifically for smart home automation. Its main advantage is interoperability—it allows devices from dozens of different manufacturers to communicate with each other seamlessly. If company A makes a sensor and company B makes a smart plug, as long as both are Z-Wave certified, you can connect and control them within the same system.

    Some of the most well-known companies manufacturing products under this standard include: FIBARO, Aeotec, Popp, D-Link, Danfoss, Samsung (SmartThings), and many more.

    Z-Wave Plus™ (Gen5 / 500 series)

    Z-Wave Plus™ is an advanced certification step for devices utilizing 5th generation chips (Z-Wave 500). This standard brought major improvements over classic Z-Wave, significantly enhancing user comfort and simplifying installation. A major benefit is its full backward compatibility with older Z-Wave devices, meaning old and new products can work together in the same network.

    Main improvements of Z-Wave Plus:

    • 50% improved battery life
    • 67% improved signal range
    • 250% more bandwidth for faster responses
    • New Plug-and-Play feature for easier remote device inclusion
    • Improved self-healing network capabilities (Explorer Frame)
    • Standardized method for Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates

    Z-Wave 700 and 800 Series (Gen7 / Gen8 / Long Range)

    The latest generations of this protocol push the boundaries of the Smart Home even further. The 700 Series introduced extreme energy efficiency (sensors can run for up to 10 years on a single coin cell battery) and extended range. The 800 Series adds support for Z-Wave Long Range (LR), enabling direct device communication at distances exceeding 1.5 miles (about 2.4 km) without the need for a mesh network. Both newer generations mandate the highest level of encryption, Security 2 (S2), for maximum protection against hackers.

    OTA (Over-The-Air) Updates

    A technology that allows smart devices to receive and install the latest firmware versions wirelessly, directly through your smart home hub (like Homey or FIBARO Home Center), without the need to uninstall the device or connect it to a computer via cables.