In-home automation, most devices like smart hubs support the use of Z-Wave as the communication medium.
All smart devices supporting Z-Wave will work with each other, even those of different brands.
More importantly, these devices should be certified by the Z-Wave Alliance, some of which include smart home controllers (or smart hubs) and other specific products like smart plugs, smart locks, smart thermostats, etc.
Overall the Z-Wave is essential in building an intelligent home for secure, comfortable, and safe living.
Z-Wave has become a common yet widely used wireless communication protocol in the market for various smart devices.
In fact, a Z-Wave Alliance is already created consisting of the different brands. Z-Wave is a communication protocol originally developed by Zensys, Inc in Denmark, launched in 2004.
Primarily, Z-Wave was created and used for home automation. Now, Z- wave has become a popularly used technology for smart devices for a great price.
We have rounded a much significant list of the best Z-Wave compatible devices to help make a smart decision:
The Best Z-Wave Devices: Complete List
Z-Wave Smart Hubs or Z-Wave Smart Controllers
At the center of a smart home, there is a device called a smart hub. This powerful device is the brain that drives the automation of home operations.
Smart hubs allow communication for all smart devices and facilitate the automation process. So, if you plan to build a smart home, you should consider buying a smart hub or a smart controller.
There are a lot of options for smart hubs which support the Z-Wave network. Here are some of our Z-wave compatible devices recommended for you:
Top Pick for the Best Z-Wave Hub: Samsung SmartThings Hub
The Samsung SmartThings Hub is one of the best smart home controllers in the market today. If you wish to get started with home automation, we recommend you definitely check out this fun device.
The Samsung SmartThings Hub is one of the best smart home controllers in the market today. If you wish to get started with home automation, we recommend you definitely check out this fun device.
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It can connect to more than 200 other smart devices such as smart lights, switches, and thermostats. Another good thing about this device is that it is easy to install and use at an affordable price.
Like most smart home controllers, this comes in with a free mobile app, i.e., SmartThings, that lets you control and manage operations from anywhere directly through your smartphone.
Lastly, if you want to find the best Z-Wave tool out there, you need to find the best Z-Wave hub or controller.
Best Alternate - Aeotec Smart Home Hub
Z-Wave Smart Lighting Devices
Smart lighting is one of the easiest things you can start with in-home automation. When we talk about its variants, it includes the following smart devices – smart light bulbs, smart light switches, and smart light dimmers.
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Oftentimes, smart light bulbs already have a dimmer feature. These smart devices can help make your home lighting management and experience much easier.
You can replace normal light bulbs inside the house with this smart light bulb. Z-Wave device is already dimmable bulbs which means you can control the brightness of these bulbs with great battery life.
Currently, the Govee Dimmable LED light bulb holds the top spot for the Z-Wave LED bulb. A 7-watt smart LED light bulb that shines like its 60W equivalent. Both these Z-Wave compatible devices save a lot of energy as well as your money.
Top Pick: Smart Lighting Bulb
If you don’t want to replace your current light bulb, you can replace your normal light switches instead. You can use a Smart Light Switch while still using your existing lights at home.
Currently, the GE In-Wall Smart Light Switch is the top-rated smart light switch in the Z-Wave market.
Z-Wave Smart Home Thermostats
With the advent of smart thermostats, you can now manage your HVAC system much more efficiently.
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The best thing with the Z-Wave smart home thermostats is that these devices are enabled to regulate temperature through motion-sensing inside the house.
You can also control your thermostats from your smartphone to adjust the heating and cooling levels.
Radio Thermostat CT100
The Radio Thermostat CT100 and GoControl Thermostat are the most efficient Z-Wave smart home thermostat sensors in the market.
Radio Thermostat CT100 is a seven-day programmable thermostat with a touchscreen display interface.
With the Z-Wave module, this device has an ultra-slim form factor with height, width, and thickness of 4.5″, 5.9″, and 7″ respectively. As a battery-powered device, it provides you the ease of installation.
Through Z-Wave, you can connect this device to a smart hub to control this thermostat remotely.
GoControl Z-Wave Battery-Powered Smart Thermostat
GoControl Smart Thermostat is another efficient thermostat that remotely offers control of your heating and cooling levels.
This thermostat can be connected to a Z-Wave hub and its integrated app so you can manage your HVAC system from anywhere.
Z-Wave Energy Monitoring Devices
With all of your appliances running together, it becomes complex for you to keep track of the energy consumption at home.
But fortunately, advanced devices are now available to help you monitor energy consumption for each appliance at home.
Such devices include a smart plug with a built-in energy monitoring module, a smart control switch, an energy consumption meter, a smart power strip, and a plug-in appliance module.
These devices give you real-time energy consumption status so you can control the energy usage. Its biggest benefit is that it uses energy much efficiently and saves heavily on bills.
Smart Plug with Monitoring: Aeon Labs Z-Wave Switch 6
Aeon Labs Smart Switch 6 is a smart plug. Apart from giving you the ability to control remotely any appliance plugged into this device, it helps you monitor electricity usage.
Product Highlights
These light switches have a built-in energy monitoring module that sends the real-time electricity consumption of the appliance plugged in.
Then through your smartphones or computers, you will know how much each appliance is costing you.
Not only it converts your existing light switches to become a Z-Wave switch, but it also helps you monitor electricity consumption.
This device sends energy consumption data to the smart hubs, which enable you to keep track of your electricity usage for the appliances connected to it.
Such sensors let you monitor how much electricity your entire home is using so you can manage power consumption accordingly and save on bills.
Aeon Labs Smart Energy Power Strip multiplies the features six times with its 6 outlets.
Moreover, you can monitor the energy usage for each channel with electricity usage data sent to your Z-Wave hub sensors.
To manage the outlets, you can control 4 of these outlets in 2 groups using other smart devices. However, the other 2 outlets are constantly turned on unless you power down the strip.
Z-Wave Water, Rapid Temperature Change, and Flood Sensors
Although there are less likely to occur, we can’t be sure of future contingencies always. The same goes for water leakage, rapid temperature change, and floods.
Here are some smart devices compatible with Z-Wave which will help you detect water leakage, rapid temperature drop or rise, or detect motion possible for floods.
Aeotec Water Sensor
Aeon Labs Water Sensor helps your automation system know when there’s a presence or absence of water. The detected motion means the presence of water, which then means there is water leakage.
This smart water sensor can detect both presence or absence of water of as little as 0.03% of an inch with measured accuracy.
This water sensor with Z-Wave uses a battery for power and can send radio signals to 6 other devices for its readings.
Dome Home Automation Water Valve
Dome Home Automation Water Valve is a wireless water shutoff controller for your home automation systems. With no plumbing required, this offers an easy installation setup and configuration and is compatible with Z-Wave.
This is used for water shutoff, which sends alerts when a leak is detected. However, you need to add water leak sensors to detect leakage and prevent water leak damage.
Nevertheless, the ability to shut off water valves remotely, with or without water leakage, using a mobile application is a huge time saver during calamities.
Fibaro Flood, Water & Temperature Sensor
Z-Wave Fibaro Wireless Water and Temperature Alarm Device report to your home automation system when water is detected or when temperatures change below or beyond the temperature limits you set.
Powered by two alkaline batteries, this wireless device informs you of water and temperature threats.
You can place this device where water leakage is common or where the rapid temperature change is possible.
Z-Wave Smart Plugs and Outlets
Plugs and outlets are most commonly seen in homes. This provides an easy interface with just a simple manual plugging system that works for so many years.
But now, there is an even better and easier way of doing this. Even if the plugging systems work just as fine, this is still a great upgrade for smart homes.
GE Z-Wave In-Wall Smart Outlet
The GE Z-Wave In-Wall Smart Outlet can help you greatly as it gives you one Z-Wave-enabled outlet. Connect this In-Wall outlet to your smart hub, and then you’re good to go.
With this Z-Wave setup, you have wireless on/off control on the Z-Wave controlled outlet (with the Z-Wave logo). Like a normal outlet, the other outlet is an always-on, pass-through outlet.
Z-Wave Security Cameras
Security cameras provide a vital role in keeping your home safe. Although the usual camera still works, a new era of smart home devices and technology has given a necessary upgrade to our home’s electronic security system.
Right now, we still couldn’t table out a good security camera for Z-Wave with low price camera that is also Z-Wave certified. We’ll update as soon as we find a Z-Wave security camera that is just as efficient.
GE Z-Wave Plug-in Appliance Module
GE Z-Wave Plug-in Appliance Module
GE Z-Wave Smart Switch for Large Appliances is created for your large appliances, including water heaters, spas, pool pumps, and more. With this, you can turn on or off these appliances from anywhere.
It is weather-resistant and is made for rough outdoor conditions. Not only that, this has an energy monitoring feature to help you manage power usage.
Compatible with most common Z-Wave smart hubs. With a 40 Ampere rating, GE Z-Wave is made just for your heavy appliances.
GE Z-Wave Plug-in Outdoor Smart Switch
Specially built for outdoor, the GE Z-Wave Plug-in Outdoor Smart Switch protocol enables you to have wireless switching control of your outdoor lighting and appliances.
The housing is weather and impact resistant to withstand damp and wet conditions. More so, a protective cover prevents this device from damage due to dust and dirt.
Connect this with your smart hub, and you have a wireless switch outside your home. This device has one Z-Wave-enabled network.
GE Z-Wave Plug-in Smart Dimmer
Z-Wave Alarms, Smoke, and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
No one would ever want any of these to happen, but unexpected things at home like fire or home intrusions happen to some, as we hear in the news.
But with the advent of home automation technology, motion sensors, smoke, and carbon monoxide sensors are now readily available.
With easy installation, today’s alarm systems are the fastest smart home devices.
Here are some of the devices that can alert you in the event of some mishappening.
First Alert Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm is built for smoke and carbon monoxide detection. As soon as any of these is detected, a notification is sent to you.
It doesn’t just detect any smoke but also has a photoelectric smoke sensor that eliminates false alarms during cooking.
There is a test and silence button, so you can check anytime if it’s working fine. There are two variants of this – one is battery-powered, and the other is hardwired.
Designed to alert, Google Smart Nest or Alexa will definitely let you know if you intrude on a security system.
Packed with a loud siren and strobe light, this smart device will give a loud alert as well as strobe flashes, along with great battery life.
These can be configured. This design will support wall-mounting and has a backup if the AC power connection is off. If connected to a smart hub, you can remotely turn the alarm on/off.
This Z-Wave device also has an anti-tamper protocol, so you’ll know if there’s a breach.
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Z-Wave Fan Control Smart Switch
An electric fan is one of the most common appliances in a home.
Here are some smart devices which can help you have wireless control of your electric fans.
Replace your existing switch with GE Z-Wave In-Wall Smart Fan Control, so you manage your mobile app when to turn on/off your fans, table, or regular.
What’s different about this one is that you can also control the speed of the fan. This has a three-speed control feature.
Z-Wave Smart Garage Door Openers
Anytime you need the garage door to open, you can just do it through a smart home automation system with the help of this one.
These devices not only help you close and open the door yourself without getting out of your car but also adds security to your home.
GoControl/Linear Z-Wave GD00Z-4 Garage Door Opener remotely opens or closes a sectional garage door. Compatible with any automatic garage door opener, this Z-Wave appliance also offers an easy installation setup.
For support, you just need to pair this device to your smart hub, mount the unit, connect the wires, and plugin.
To meet UL 325-2010 safety requirements, this device is a controller for both audio and visual warnings before remotely performing door movements.
FortrezZ MIMOlite Motor Control is a Z-Wave module with 1 input and 1 output. Not only can you use this device in automating your garage, but other applications will support this Z-Wave device.
Z-Wave Smart Door Locks
Security is one of the most important things to consider in your house.
With this, it is known that entry points of your house need security and one of which is the doors at home. This is the very reason why door locks are invented.
With the advent of the smart home era, smart door locks are also one of the best smart devices to implement at home.
Here are the smart door locks you can install and use at home.
Schlage Connect Century Touchscreen Deadbolt with Built-In Alarm is indeed a smart door lock. Connect with your home automation system, and this device allows you to lock or unlock your door through your smartphone remotely.
With BHMA/ANSI Grade 1 certification, this smart device is backed by the highest residential rating. With this, this smart device gives a high level of security at your doors.
Aside from this, you can also go keyless with this device since it has a touchscreen support feature for your codes.
Kwikset 910 Z-Wave SmartCode Electronic Deadbolt features a one-button locking. As expected from every smart device, you can remotely lock and unlock the door. Aside from that, you now have the power and convenience of keyless entries.
However, this needs to connect to a smart hub or controller, just like most smart devices. It has a Smart-key technology for backup purposes, so you can use the keyway to open the door.
This smart door lock can have 30 custom user codes. You can monitor who’s getting in through your door.
Schlage Keypad Z-Wave Lever is a smart door lock which you can operate remotely through Z-Wave technology and the internet. For security certification, this door lock is Grade 2 ANSI/BHMA-certified.
For installation, this offers easy installation setup in minutes and doesn’t require any wiring. With up to 19 private 4-digit codes, you can give access to any member of your family and know who’s getting into your home.
Schlage Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt Kit is a set with the same features as the Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt above. You can purchase this set instead of buying one deadbolt at a time, according to your protocol.
Z-Wave Devices for Windows Coverings
To add convenience to you, smart devices can help you automate your windows coverings and blinds.
These smart devices for your windows coverings will enable you to control your blinds remotely using your smartphone.
However, these need some setup to do, and you also need to have your smart hub get connected to this device.
Somfy ZRTSI RTS 16 Channel Z-Wave to RTS Plug-in Interface is a wall module that you can connect to your smart hub.
This device will receive commands from your smart hub, which then converts those commands to Radio Technology Somfy (RTS) commands to manage up to 16 RTS motors or a group of motors.
You need to integrate your RTS devices, such as RTS motors, into this RTS Interface through the help of its digital menu.
This interface has one base node and 16 virtual nodes, which is for the 16 RTS channels. To power this device, you need to plug this into a 110 volts AC outlet.
Z-Wave Smart USB Sticks
Small as they are, but these smart UBS sticks helps power their host to enable control of other Z-Wave devices. These devices help add control over your home automation network.
Aeotec by Aeon Labs Z Stick is a Z-Wave USB dongle. So, what does this device do? When connected to a host device, it becomes a Z-Wave communication device.
In short, this enables the host processor to control up to 232 Z-Wave devices. This device has an internal battery and can be upgraded through the USB port, which also serves as a charging point.
Z-Wave Smart Accessories
Smart Accessories are smart devices that include smart remote controls, smart USB sticks, and others.
Since we already have a separate entry for smart USB sticks, we’ll just add up here as a good example a smart remote control.
Aeon Labs Z-Wave Minimote is a smart remote controller which you can use to control Z-Wave devices. Though it looks like a simple, smart device, this has a full range of controller capabilities. The four-button easily accessible is for your scenes.
It has Z-Wave network installation buttons. This device is powered by a Lithium battery which ensures great battery life.
Z-Wave devises Buying Guide.
Before you buy the set of Z-Wave devices you want to use to build your smart home, check this guide.
This will help you get better directed towards the kind and model of devices you should purchase. We hope this guide will help you get the best Z-Wave device to make your smart home.
Z-Wave Alliance Certification
Through this, you are sure that your device will work with another certified Z-Wave device, even with different brands. It may simply mean compatibility, but this is interoperability at work.
It means smart devices of different brands can still communicate with each other.
And more important, read the manual first because there are some cases manufacturers will place that their device is not compatible with some controllers.
Check for Smart Device Packages
There are smart device packages and kits with attractive features that already include several of these smart devices.
So, instead of buying these devices one by one, you can buy them in the set. Most likely, this may cost cheaper to you and save you some money.
Plan Out What Smart Devices To Buy
As a guiding start, list down all things you want to automate at home. Write all the things you need to replace and things you need to buy.
Know that you may need to include the costs of the replacement works of removing existing manual electrical devices already in your house. Analyze the market accordingly.
Choosing the best Z-Wave controller device that fits your needs
To achieve home automation, you need to buy and set up different smart devices.
Therefore, if you’re considering Z-Wave controller devices as the enabler for your smart home with the most advanced features at an affordable price range.
Choosing the best smart devices is extremely important. It will directly impact the kind of home automation experience you will have and the price you’re going to pay for it in the market.
Note that there are plenty of Z-Wave devices out there. It pays off to choose the best Z-Wave devices. And importantly, consider those which are certified by the Z-Wave Alliance.