Are you looking for the best Z-wave devices for 2021? Read this extensive article below to pick the most suitable product for your routine use.
Home automation means the use of smart hubs such as Z-wave as a communication medium. If you are also looking for a convenient way to make your home smart, it is time you invest your money in a high-quality Z-wave device.
Since Z-wave has become the most widespread and commonly used communication podium, many brands and manufacturers are consistently launching different products to suit your demands.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best Z-wave devices 2021, to help you make a well-informed decision.
Our Top Picks
1. Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5
The Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 is one of the most affordable products you can find in the market. The USB works very well with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
It also supports the Raspberry 2020 upgraded version to make a new Z-wave hub for efficient controlling of Z-wave devices. It might look small but is jam-packed with powerful features.
The size of the USB is only 1.1 x 0.4 x 3.5 inches. It shows that the device is very small and compact but can single-handedly control up to 232 different Z-wave integrated tools in the house.
It has a perfect wireless range of 150 meters or 492 feet to communicate with other Z-wave enabled products. Some other noticeable features of Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 includes 250% more communication bandwidth, over-the-air firmware updates, and AES-128 bit encrypted security and compunction.
With the help of this best Z-wave hub 2021, you can make your own gateway with localized hosting. This gateway will be cloud-free and have all the security/advanced features that your house needs.
You can customize your personal Z-wave network and communicate with more than 230 other gadgets that come from different brands or manufacturers. The best thing about Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 is its compatibility with home automation software such as Home Seer, Home Assistant, Indigo 7, OpenHab, and OpenHab2, etc.
The Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 has three modes i.e. standalone/inclusion mode, removal mode, and serial API mode.
The product comes in attractive and sleek packaging. The front portion of the box has all the main features and highlights for better client understanding.
The USB is a self-powered adapter with remote network creation capacity. It can work independently without any external power or host system like a computer.
In general, it is the most complete product and a great candidate for being the best Z-wave device out there. It has more improvements and advancements than the predecessor models while still having the best qualities of Z-sticks idolized in the past few years.
Pros
- A reliable product
- Minimalistic design
- Compact and powerful
Cons
- Only works with Z-wave enabled devices
2. Ecolink Z-wave DWZWAVE2.5-ECO
The Ecolink Z-wave DWZWAVE2.5-ECO is a Z-wave integrated device. It is designed and manufactured for smooth integration into a Z-wave home automation networking system.
The best part of this device is that it can sense the opening of any door or window of your house and will immediately alert the system in case of an emergency situation or intrusion.
Another benefit of Ecolink Z-wave DWZWAVE2.5-ECO that many buyers cherish is the duo color design, with its unique colors and construction, the sensor can easily blend into the décor of your house and give it a clean look. The Z-wave technology in this sensor is made for monitoring, controlling, and status reading applications within your house.
It specializes in wireless control while still bringing inexpensive and easy-to-use smart items to billions of people worldwide.
This best Z-wave device is natively compatible with SmartThings. Before using, know that it works very well with most of the brands related to Z-wave home security hubs including Vera Edge, Vera Plus, Home Seer, Vera Lite, and Piper NV.
With Ecolink Z-wave DWZWAVE2.5-ECO, you can now protect your loved ones and house with a single product. It serves as an ideal security device for your doors, windows, and any other close structure in the house with two moving parts.
It works well for sofas, cabinets, and drawers of your house as well. when linked to any Z-wave gateway controller, it will give you the open/close status of the house while you are away.
Here, a sensor body is linked to the window frame/door with a small adjacent magnet. When someone opens up the door/window, magnets and sensors separate and triggers the device.
For more safety, you can activate its Z-wave siren and enjoy stronger connectivity. Some other benefits of Ecolink Z-wave DWZWAVE2.5-ECO have improved battery life and long working range.
Pros
- Low power and highly reliable
- Easy installation
- Compatible with SmartThings
Cons
- Cannot be wired within the house
3. Vera Control VeraPlus-US
For the last two years, Vera is Control is striving very hard to become the most prominent name and market leader in the world of smart home technology. Their Vera Control VeraPlus is the latest product in the vast product line of Vera Z-wave controller devices.
It is an upgraded version of Vera Edge but with wider compatibly, more smart devices, and improved performance.
It is a straight-up choice for people who are already using Vera products and needs further improvement to get excited. The Vera Control VeraPlus is a multi-compatible protocol device.
It can support all of your smart home radio protocol standards such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee devices, and Z-wave devices, etc. The inside of the unit feels like a Wi-Fi router with a flashing bank of different LED lights.
The use of silicon in the construction is also an upgrade.
Its 7.71 x 5 x 1.33 inches box features a prompt CPU, memory with 128MB of NAND flash, 800MHz MIPS SoC, and 256MB memory of DDR3 RAM. The cluster of radios in the device supports all the latest standards.
It includes Bluetooth 4.0 plus BLE, Z-wave plus, ZigBee HA 1.2, and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n, and other smart home products. Thanks to the UI7 user-interface, it delivers a refitted way to manage compatible gadgets, make scenes, and work effectively with the latest android/IOS generation apps for your smartphones.
To set up a complex set of scenes, you can even use a PC web interface to work through challenging menu tasks. The Vera Control VeraPlus features improved home automation applications with updated UI.
These apps are overhauled to work with better login times, pin code and Touch ID support. The user can use his phone, tablet, or computer to set up the device and work.
There are easy wizards if you want to add new devices, memory, processor power, and protocols.
Pros
- Z-wave plus device
- Modern and stylish design
- Simple to install
Cons
- Stability problems
4. UltraPro Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch
Honeywell is one of the most prominent brands when it comes to consumer home products. This brand offers a wide range of unique and innovative household products along with their convenient accessories to make your life more comfortable.
Their UltraPro Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch is a smart solution for your daily routine.
This product can control, automate and schedule the lights of your house with its smart paddle switch option. Installing this smart switch would mean you taking full charge of your house and its lighting even if you are far away or traveling.
Simply use your mobile device and a Z-wave compatibility hub and you are good to go!
With this smart switch, you have the ability to control your house lighting manually just like a typical switch today. Just tap the switch up to turn on the lights or down to turn them off.
This way, even if the hub is unavailable, you have access to make sure anyone else can use the lights without any problems.
It gives you smart control of the lights from your smartphone, tablet, computer, laptop or a Z-wave enabled remote. Automating the lights with this product will make your life easy and give you cut costs, energy efficiency, and home safety.
You can schedule lights for your morning routine, signal to get ready for bed, turn on/off at sunrise/sunset, or when you are away from the house.
The UltraPro Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch comes with an integrated signal repeater as well as a range extender. This feature helps improve your Z-wave network. Every smart control can repeat the signal up to 150-feet.
The best thing about this product is that it is a Z-wave device compatible with Alexa. It also works with Google Assistant, and Echo voice control systems.
Pros
- Manual control
- Voce control option
- Control from anywhere
Cons
- Installation is a bit challenging
5. GE Z-Wave Plus 40-Amp Indoor/Outdoor Metal Box Smart Switch
This best professional Z-wave device is wireless lighting and hard-wire appliance control device. It can easily transform your house into a smart home thanks to its 40 amp smart switch.
When linked to a suitable Z-wave network, this heavy-duty switch is more than capable of enabling wireless control of off/on function for hard-wired applications and large load. It can control your water heaters, spas, landscape lighting, and pool pumps, etc.
It requires a Z-wave certified hub for efficient working. Its energy monitoring capacity allows you to have remote monitoring of kilo-watt and watt-hours. Other notable features of GE Z-Wave Plus that many buyers appreciate include its weather-proof housing for better use (in wet and damp conditions), S2 security, lockable/ tamper-resistant metal case.
It is SmartStart supported with compatible gateways and is perfect to be used with larger load devices of up to 11,000 watts.
With GE Z-Wave Plus, you get to enjoy wireless control from your smartphone, PC, tablet, and Z-wave enabled remote. You can use it to control the house whether you are in it or far away.
The 40 amp switch functions like a Z-wave signal repeater to improve, extend and strengthen the Z-wave home network system.
Thanks to its ultimate flexibility, you can use GE Z-Wave Plus remotely and control the on/off function. The user can even schedule and customize scenes for hard-wired applications/ large load devices, despite your location in the house.
It is compatible with all CFL, LED, large load devices, halogen incandescent bulbs in the house. Moreover, the unit has energy monitoring ability to reduce energy consumption and save more money.
Pros
- Weatherproof device
- Multiple configurations
- Easy to access wiring
Cons
- Cannot be disabled through software control
Frequently Asked Questions
What Devices Use Z-Wave?
Z-wave is a wireless communication protocol that a lot of people commonly use in smart home networks. It is a practice that allows different smart devices of your house to connect with each other and exchange data as well as control commands.
Every residential or professional device including security systems, lighting, locks, windows, doors, thermostats, pools, and heaters can use Z-wave for remote working.
Are All Z-Wave Devices Compatible?
Yes. Almost all the Z-wave devices are compatible with each other. You can buy Z-wave products from any brand or manufacturer from the market and be sure that they will work well with other smart gadgets of your house.
What Is The Best Z-Wave Hub?
There are many brands producing quality Z-wave hubs. A lot of them are dedicated to their intended purpose while others are more integrated into smart home solutions.
The best Z-wave hub in the market will have the best ease of use, good hands-on working, the flexibility of going forward, and compatibility with other smart home protocols in the house.
Is Z-Wave The Best?
Z-wave is usually considered the most reliable option in the market. It has a better signal range, more operating frequency, and standard encryption.
When using Z-wave, know that nobody can gain control of your smart house by hacking the system.