To automate your home, you need the best Z-Wave hub as an essential piece of equipment. Here are the five best Z-Wave hubs available in the market.
- Aeotec Smart Home Hub – Versatile Z-wave Hub
- Dusun DSGW-091 RK3308 Linux Debian Gateway – Overall Best Modular Z-wave Gateway Hub
- Evvr Z-wave Hub – The most user-friendly Z-wave Hub
- Fibaro Home Center 3 Lite – Reliable Z-wave Hub
- EzloPlus Smart Home Hub – Best Value Z-wave Hub
This article evaluates each hub based on specific criteria, including compatibility with Z-Wave devices, ease of setup and use, automation and customisation features, voice control compatibility, price, and value for money.
Top Z-wave Hubs Available Today in 2023
Many Z-wave hubs with distinct technical specifications and unique performance are available globally. Choosing the best Z-wave hub can make all the difference. This section provides brief information about the top 5 Z-wave Hubs.
Aeotec Smart Home Hub
The Smart Home Hub is compatible with various wireless communication protocols, including Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee, WiFi, Thread, and Matter. The Z-Wave range is up to 100ft indoors. The device is voice-controlled through Google Home and Alexa. A 528MHz ARM Cortex-A7 CPU powers it and has 256MB DDR memory.
Why is it listed in the best Z-wave Hubs? It is compatible with many devices, voice-controlled, offers multiple connection protocols, and can be easily set up in just two steps.
Dusun Pi Zero Z-Wave Gateway Hub
The DSGW-091 Linux Z-wave Gateway Hub has a Quad-core Cortex-A35 processor of up to 1.3GHz, 512MB RAM, and 4GB eMMC storage. It supports wireless communication protocols, including WiFi, Z-WAVE, Zigbee3.0, Bluetooth 5.2, and Lora.
The device can be powered through USB 5V type C or PoE power supply and has one WAN/LAN variable network port. It features Ethernet for data transmission. The Z-wave hub has indicator LEDs for power, a Zigbee/Z-WAVE signal, a Wi-Fi connection, and a reset button to restore the device to factory settings.
Why is it listed in the best Z-wave Hubs? It provides reliable connectivity for a wide range of wireless IoT devices. Its modular architecture allows customers to customize many hub features, and it’s like giving an off-the-shelf solution that meets their exact needs.
Evvr Z-wave Hub
The Evvr Home Automation Controller is a smart home hub that supports Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and IP cameras. The Z-wave hub features a quad-core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex CPU. It also has 256MB RAM, 512MB storage, a PoE input, RJ45, and RS485 ports.
The Z-wave hub is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. It supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet and can be accessed remotely through a web UI or iOS/Android app. It also has plugins and apps, a graphical/wizard/block scene editor, and advanced scripting capabilities.
Why is it listed in the best Z-wave Hubs? It offers a wide range of connection options, ensures smooth control over all smart devices, comes with a highly user-friendly UI, and a one-step advanced data encryption security.
Fibaro Home Center 3 Lite
The Fibaro Home Center 3 Lite is a Z-Wave gateway that supports over 2,000 Z-Wave devices. It has a Single-Core ARM Cortex A7 processor. It also provides 512MB RAM and 4GB eMMC Flash memory. The radio protocol used is Z-Wave 700 series, with a Wi-Fi network interface. It supports a 5V USB micro-B power supply.
Why is it listed in the best Z-wave Hubs? It is a versatile device that supports smart assistants, has a 2-year warranty, and offers reliable network strength and peace of mind.
EzloPlus Smart Home Hub
The Ezlo Plus Smart Home Hub is a multi-protocol smart home hub that supports Z-Wave Plus 700 Series, Zigbee 3.0 and 1.2, and Wi-Fi. It strengthens its performance capabilities with a Quad-Core Cortex-A7 ARM CPU, 4GB EMMC flash memory, and 512MB DDR3 RAM.
Why is it listed in the best Z-wave Hubs? It supports various devices and popular voice assistants, has a 3-year extended warranty, and offers consistent performance in range.
Comparative analysis
The following is a brief table of the critical attributes of the best 5 Z-wave Hubs, offering a short review of their essential features.
| Device | Aeotec Smart Home Hub | Dusun RK3308 Linux Gateway | Evvr Z-wave Hub | Fibaro Home Center 3 Lite | EzloPlus Smart Home Hub |
| Wireless protocols | Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee, WiFi, Thread, Matter | WiFi, Z-WAVE, Zigbee3.0, Bluetooth 5.2, Lora | Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth, IP cameras | Z-Wave 700 series | Z-Wave Plus 700 Series, Zigbee 3.0 and 1.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Voice control | Google Home, Alexa | N/A | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | N/A | N/A |
| Processor | 528MHz ARM Cortex-A7 | Quad-core Cortex-A35 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex | Single-Core ARM Cortex A7 | Quad-Core Cortex-A7 ARM |
| RAM | 256MB DDR | 512MB RAM | 256MB DDR3 RAM | 512MB DDR3L RAM | 512MB DDR3 RAM |
| Storage | N/A | 4GB eMMC storage | 512MB Flash storage | 4GB eMMC Flash memory | 4GB EMMC flash memory |
| Power source | 100-240VAC 50/60 Hz | USB 5V type C or PoE | PoE input | 5V USB micro B power supply | AC 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz |
The table compares the technical specifications and features of the top 5 Z-wave hubs available in 2023. This information helps to make an informed decision when choosing a Z-wave hub. For instance, the best-value Z-wave gateway might lack security or voice control features.
Hence, it is recommended to carefully select the best Z-wave gateway that perfectly suits the application requirements.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Z-Wave Hub
Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol designed for smart home automation systems. Z-Wave is one of the most used wireless protocols in the smart home industry, with over 3000 certified products.
The Z-wave hub must meet the working standard of a Z-wave network. It works on the principle of Mesh Network topology operating on the 908.42MHz frequency band.
The crucial factors include compatibility with Z-Wave devices, security features, range, and third-party integration. These factors can significantly impact the overall functionality and usability of the hub in a smart home system.
Some vital factors to consider when choosing a Z-Wave hub are available below.
Compatibility
Ensure the Z-Wave hub is compatible with various Z-Wave devices from numerous producers.
Protocol support
Look for a hub that supports multiple smart home protocols like Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi for flexibility in device selection.
You may also be interested in Zigbee Vs Z-Wave: Which is Better for Home Automation
Security
Features such as encryption, authentication, and authorization provide robust protection to prevent unauthorized access to your smart home devices.
Range
Check the range of the Z-Wave hub to ensure it covers your entire home or property, especially if you have a larger home or multiple floors.
Connectivity
Find a hub that supports wired and wireless connectivity options for greater flexibility.
Automation capabilities
Consider the automation capabilities of the hub, such as scheduling, scene creation, and integration with other most popular home automation system.
Integration with other platforms
Consider if the Z-Wave hub supports voice control with popular virtual assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. It shall be capable of connecting with other home automation platforms such as IFTTT, SmartThings, and HomeKit.
Application support
Check the availability and quality of the mobile app for the Z-Wave hub.
Firmware updates
Check the frequency and ease of firmware updates for the Z-Wave hub to ensure it stays updated with security patches and new features.
Price
Consider the cost of the hub and any additional subscription fees or costs associated with using the hub or accessing its features.
Support and warranty
Ensure the Z-Wave hub has adequate support and warranty options to ensure peace of mind and quick resolution of any issues.
Conclusion
Based on the provided information, the Dusun DSGW-091 Debian Gateway is the best Z-wave hub due to its high processing power, multiple wireless communication protocols support, reliable connectivity for a wide range of wireless IoT devices, modular architecture that allows for the customization of features, and its off-the-shelf solution that meets the exact customer needs.
The Dusun Pi Zero provides a robust and flexible solution for smart home automation needs.
The Aeotec Smart Home Hub is also a good option, as it is compatible with a wide range of devices, offers multiple connection protocols, and can be easily set up in just two steps.
Best Z-wave hub FAQs
I live in a 2000 sq feet 3-floor house. How many Z-wave hubs should I use?
The number of Z-wave hubs required for 2000 sq feet, 3-floor house depends on several factors. However, a single Z-wave hub should generally be sufficient to cover a 2000 sq feet house, even if it has multiple floors. If the Z-wave signals are weak in some regions of the house, consider adding a Z-wave range extender or repeater to boost the signal strength.
What would be the ideal location and position of the z-wave hub in a house for the best coverage?
The ideal location is usually the center of the home on the ground floor, away from potential sources of interference. Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the hub is positioned in an open area and not behind walls or inside a cabinet, which can impede the signal range and reduce coverage.
If my internet goes down, will I still be able to control my smart home through the Z-wave hub?
Yes, you should still be able to control your smart home devices through your Z-wave hub, even if your internet goes down. You may need to be connected to the same local network as your Z-wave hub to access it.
