Protocols
Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi: protocols are the languages your devices use to talk to each other. Learn what each one does well, and which to build on, in plain English.
- Matter
- Thread
- Zigbee
- Z-Wave
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
Matter
The common language new gear speaks. Runs over Wi-Fi, Thread and Ethernet, but never over Zigbee.
5 articles Visit hub Thread
Low-power mesh for battery devices. Needs a border router, which you may already own.
6 articles Visit hub Zigbee
The biggest and cheapest catalogue in Australia. Needs a hub, and it is the safe first mesh.
7 articles Visit hub Z-Wave
Sub-GHz range through brick. Australia has its own band, so imported gear will not join.
3 articles Visit hub Wi-Fi
Already in the house and needs no hub. Best for mains-powered gear you want to reach from anywhere.
4 articles Visit hub Bluetooth
The radio in your phone. Setup, proximity and standalone devices, rarely what a device runs on.
2 articles Visit hub Start here
What is each protocol?
One plain-English explainer per protocol. Read the one on the box in front of you.
What is Zigbee?
Zigbee is the low-power wireless mesh behind Philips Hue, Aqara and most smart sensors. Here is how it works, why it needs a hub, and where it sits next to Matter.
What is Z-Wave?
Z-Wave is a low-power wireless mesh for smart locks and sensors, like Zigbee but on a quieter sub-GHz band. In Australia it runs at 919.8 and 921.4 MHz, so buy region-matched gear.
What is Matter in a smart home?
Matter is the universal standard that lets smart home devices from different brands work together on one network, controlled from whichever app you prefer.
What is Thread (and Matter over Thread)?
Thread is a low-power wireless mesh for smart home devices. It is the network Matter runs on, and it needs a border router, which is built into many hubs you may already own.
What is Wi-Fi?
Most smart home devices use Wi-Fi, but not all, and many keep working without the internet. Here is what needs Wi-Fi, what does not, and how to keep your network happy.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is the wireless in every phone, and in the smart home its main job is setup. Here is how BLE works, why it is the onboarding front door, and where it fits.
The library
Everything protocols
Explainers, head-to-heads and the occasional news piece when a spec version actually changes something. Filter by the word on your box.
Explainer Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison Explainer Buying guide Explainer Explainer Explainer Explainer Explainer Explainer
What is a Thread border router (and do you need one)?
A Thread border router joins your Thread devices to your home network. Nothing on Thread works without one, and there's a fair chance you already own one.
Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi for smart home devices
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are rarely rivals. Most smart home devices set up over Bluetooth, then run on Wi-Fi. Here is when Bluetooth on its own is enough, and when it will let you down.
Matter vs Zigbee: which should you buy?
Zigbee is a radio and a mesh. Matter is an application layer that runs over Wi-Fi, Thread and Ethernet, never over Zigbee. You don't have to pick one, and you probably won't.
Thread vs Wi-Fi: which to buy for each device
Thread and Wi-Fi both carry Matter. For anything plugged into the wall the choice barely matters. For anything on batteries, it is years versus months.
Zigbee vs Thread: which one should you buy?
Zigbee and Thread use the same radio. The real difference is that a Thread device joins Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa directly, while a Zigbee device gets there through a bridge.
Zigbee vs Z-Wave: which to buy in Australia
Zigbee for most Australian homes: cheaper, far more of it sold here, same radio worldwide. Z-Wave reaches further through walls, but Australia is its own band and the gear is thin.
Wi-Fi vs Zigbee
Wi-Fi suits cameras and plugs. Zigbee suits battery sensors, buttons and lots of lights. How they differ on power, device count, range and cost, and why most homes run both.
Does Google Home have Zigbee?
No Google or Nest device has ever spoken Zigbee, though several carry the radio chip Zigbee and Thread share. Here is where that confusion starts, and what to do if you already own Zigbee gear.
Which Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant?
Home Assistant needs a USB radio for Zigbee, Thread or Z-Wave. Which adapter to buy, why one dongle cannot run two protocols, and the USB 3.0 problem that quietly ruins your range.
What is Wi-Fi?
Most smart home devices use Wi-Fi, but not all, and many keep working without the internet. Here is what needs Wi-Fi, what does not, and how to keep your network happy.
What is Z-Wave?
Z-Wave is a low-power wireless mesh for smart locks and sensors, like Zigbee but on a quieter sub-GHz band. In Australia it runs at 919.8 and 921.4 MHz, so buy region-matched gear.
What is Matter in a smart home?
Matter is the universal standard that lets smart home devices from different brands work together on one network, controlled from whichever app you prefer.
What is Thread (and Matter over Thread)?
Thread is a low-power wireless mesh for smart home devices. It is the network Matter runs on, and it needs a border router, which is built into many hubs you may already own.
What is Zigbee?
Zigbee is the low-power wireless mesh behind Philips Hue, Aqara and most smart sensors. Here is how it works, why it needs a hub, and where it sits next to Matter.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is the wireless in every phone, and in the smart home its main job is setup. Here is how BLE works, why it is the onboarding front door, and where it fits.