Home automation systems use a number of communications protocols to allow different accessories to speak a common language. This language enables products from different brands to work together to make your life easier.
Here we review ten of the top protocols, they are Matter, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Powerline, Thread, Universal Powerline Bus (UPB), Insteon, and X10.
In Oct 2022 Matter protocol version 1.0 was released
This ground-breaking smart home Protocol (standard) has been developed and maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance.
For the first time, hundreds of smart home device developers and manufacturers have come together with the help of the CSA and have agreed to include the Matter protocol in their products which is great for you, the customer.
The manufacturers that will include Matter include but are not limited to Amazon, Huawei, Google, Schneider Electric, Samsung, LG, Apple, Haier, Amazon, and Texas Instruments.
Other Matter protocol participants
A number of home automation protocols, such as Wi-Fi and Z-Wave, have been in use for many years; these protocols allow devices from competing manufacturers using the same communication protocol to speak a common digital language so that they can all control and be controlled.
Using a common language is very important because you will likely want to incorporate smart devices from more than one manufacturer into your smart home. In addition, you will want to control those devices from a smart hub, app, or voice assistant; for that to happen, the devices must communicate with each other.
The Matter protocol provides for interoperability between smart home devices and platforms from competing manufacturers. The CSA has thousands of engineers, software developers, and over 200 technology organizations worldwide working on the Matter standard, providing a single interoperable smart home standard.
The CSA’s Product Security Working Group helps you stay safe and secure when using the Matter protocol.
I'll help you to select the best home automation protocol for your particular smart home project
With plenty of choice within the IoT market, it comes down to what you want to have in features and functionality for your smart home. I can help you understand each protocol and what they do and don’t do well.
Understanding the different protocols will allow you to choose devices, hubs, voice assistants, or apps to use in your smart home build while also ensuring you can expand if desired.
Ethernet – Home Automation Protocol
Home automation protocol Ethernet is a wired communications standard that allows large quantities of data to be sent very quickly. It is the leading communication method for internet traffic. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) maintains the Ethernet standard.
Ethernet technology
Ethernet communications travel over physical cables made up of twisted pairs of wires. The maximum distance of a cable is limited to 328 feet (100 meters), and data transfer speeds are 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). Low-voltage direct current (DC) power can also be supplied over Ethernet cables, which is helpful for home automation devices like cameras and doorbells.
Two prominent Ethernet cable types are used in residential applications: CAT5e and CAT6. Both cables are capable of 1 Gbps data transfer rates at a distance of up to 328 feet. However, CAT6 cables have a thicker gauge wire and include insulation techniques that limit interference and cross-talk issues. CAT6 cables are actually capable of 10 Gbps speeds, but only at distances up to 180 feet. CAT6 cables come at a cost premium of around 20% more than CAT5e.
CAT5e cables are acceptable for most residential applications, but you should install CAT6 if you can afford it — this will help future-proof the installation. Most people run a single Ethernet cable to each room that will have a TV or other media streaming device. However, suppose you are already installing cables; in that case, we recommend two cables to each TV plus a single cable to every location where you may want to install a security camera or doorbell.
An Ethernet network size is theoretically limitless, but you will have to connect many switches to make that happen. Note that switches take up physical space and generate heat, but home networks are usually small, with up to 30 connected devices, and heating is not usually an issue if you have good ventilation.
Benefits of Ethernet
The benefits of Ethernet cabling are easy to define: data transmission speed and communication distance. In addition, cables tend to be more secure since they are buried in walls and hard to access.
We recommend installing CAT6 Ethernet cables in every location you intend to establish a media streaming device since they carry lots of data, especially for high-definition video.
Limitations of Ethernet
Ethernet isn’t perfect. A major drawback is the cost of installing the cables if you don’t already have them. Opening a wall and snaking a cable through existing construction is costly and messy work — and sometimes a pathway isn’t available. Cable installation is fairly cheap if you are renovating and the walls are already open.
Ethernet also requires a central data closet for locating Ethernet switches. All wires need to return back to a central switch that controls the traffic on the network. The data closet can be a simple wall-mounted rack inside an existing coat closet, but you still need to set aside space and plan properly.
Ethernet Compatible Hubs
Ethernet isn’t required for all smart home hubs, but many include a port for more reliable internet connection. For example, the Wink, SmartThings, and Insteon hubs have an Ethernet connection.
Wi-Fi – one of the common home automation protocols
A common home automation protocol since Wi-Fi is so common in homes today, it makes sense that home automation accessories take advantage of its availability. While it is important that your hub devices include Wi-Fi, it isn’t the best protocol for all smart home accessories.
Wi-Fi is a wireless communication standard developed and maintained by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The standard allows interoperability and communications among different devices
Wi-Fi technology
Wi-Fi communications travel across radio waves in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum. Compatible devices include a receiver and transmitter plus connected antennae. The theoretical range is relatively far, but for practical home usage, the maximum range is around 60 feet.
Of course, many things can affect the range, including physical barriers, interference, transmitter power, and antenna quality. Nevertheless, communications throughput is quite high; speeds range from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps. In addition, Wi-Fi is capable of streaming high-definition audio and video.
Wi-Fi has a theoretical limit of 256 connected devices. Network congestion may become a problem before 256 devices connect, especially if some of those devices demand large amounts of bandwidth. You may have experienced this if multiple people in your home try to stream high-definition video at the same time.
Benefits of Wi-Fi home automation protocols
The main benefits of Wi-Fi are transmission speed, range, and the overall availability of the technology. As mentioned earlier, most people already have a Wi-Fi router in their homes, and adding a router is way less expensive than running Ethernet cables around the house. In addition, Wi-Fi provides easy and fairly reliable access to the internet anywhere in your home.
Limitations of Wi-Fi
From a home automation standpoint, there are a few drawbacks. First, Wi-Fi is susceptible to interference since there are so many devices competing for bandwidth — phones, tablets, watches, scales, streaming media devices, smart thermostats, and many others all want to communicate over Wi-Fi. The bands become even more congested as we add more devices to our homes.
Another problem is the power consumption of Wi-Fi devices. Wide range and high speeds require a lot of power to operate. While power usage doesn’t affect your utility bills very much, power consumption is a problem for sensors and other home automation devices that need to run on batteries.
Plug-in items can easily use Wi-Fi, but we don’t want to plug in every smart home accessory, especially very small items. Let’s discuss range as a limitation; this may seem odd since we also talked about range as a benefit.
However, Wi-Fi range can be limited in larger homes or those made from dense materials like concrete blocks. If this is the case for you, you have probably already installed additional Wi-Fi routers to create a Mesh Network.
Wi-fi security
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Finally, security is something to consider. While Wi-Fi has plenty of security features to help keep your wireless network safe, they must be set up and maintained over time. Wi-Fi isn’t a security risk, but the network can be compromised when people disable or fail to enable proper security measures. So always ensure your network is secure and check for router software updates.
The Wi-Fi Alliance understands their technology’s limitations and is developing new Wi-Fi standards to make it more beneficial for home automation. Wi-Fi 6 includes new features that improve range and power efficiency while maintaining good data throughput.
The new Wi-Fi HaLow is directed at the smart home market and is being developed to lower power consumption even further while increasing the communication range. In addition, Wi-Fi will become more reliable for smart homes when these new versions are released. However, you must purchase a new router to utilize the technologies.
Wi-Fi Compatible Hubs
All of the hubs we have reviewed include Wi-Fi for easy wireless connectivity.
Z-Wave home automation protocols
Z-Wave is a wireless communications protocol that was developed specifically for the home automation market in 2001 by the Danish company Zensys. The Z-Wave Alliance maintains the current standard. Z-Wave is one of the more popular low-power wireless home automation protocols for connecting smart home devices and accessories.
Z-Wave technology
The wireless system operates on the 908 and 916 MHz radio bands in North America. Each device can send and receive commands or pass commands along to other devices. This creates an ad-hoc network, also known as a Mesh Network
The mesh network effectively increases the range of each device. If an accessory is out of range of a particular device but within range of others, the message can be passed between those in-range devices until it reaches the destination device. This is a definite advantage over non-mesh Wi-Fi networks.
Data transmission speeds vary between 40 and 100 Kbps, which is slower than Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Thread. However, the slow speed usually isn’t noticeable since Z-Wave is used to send commands rather than stream large amounts of data.
While the open-air transmission range is 328 feet (100 meters), the more realistic indoor range is around 80 feet. The Z-Wave Alliance recommends that devices be spaced approximately 30 feet apart for the most reliable communications.
Since Z-Wave acts as a mesh network commands hop from device to device with a total outer limit of 600 feet. This allows effective communication across the largest homes. Z Wave networks can have 232 devices connected, which is plenty for most home automation systems.
Benefits of Z-Wave home automation protocols
There are a few benefits that have made Z-Wave so popular. First, the mesh network provides a more reliable network across long distances. In addition, the network runs on the 908 and 916 MHz radio bands, which are less congested, so there is much less interference than other options.
The newest Z-Wave standards require strong encryption for the device to receive certification. Finally, the radios use a very small amount of power, so they can run on batteries, eliminating the need for a wired connection.
Z-Wave limitations
The biggest limitation is slow transmission speeds, which limit Z-Wave to sending command and control functions. As a result, it isn’t the right technology for streaming high-quality audio and video. In fact, you won’t find any Z-Wave security cameras due to the slow transmission speeds.
Z-Wave compatible hubs
Both the Wink Hub and the SmartThings Hub can control Z-Wave devices.
Zigbee home automation protocols
Zigbee is similar to Z-Wave in that it is a wireless mesh network developed for low-speed, low-bandwidth, short-distance communications. It has become popular among home automation manufacturers and is also used in healthcare devices. The Zigbee standard was originally released in 2003 and is maintained by the Zigbee Alliance.
Zigbee technology
Zigbee radios operate primarily on the 2.4 GHz band, but some devices in North America also use the 915 MHz band. Each device can send and receive commands and pass information to other compatible devices. This forms an ad-hoc mesh network that helps increase the communications range to cover an entire house.
Data transmission speeds are not suitable for streaming media, but at 250 kbps over 2.4 GHz radios, they are still very robust for sending and receiving commands.
Open-air, line-of-sight transmission ranges are around 328 feet (100 meters); however, the practical range within homes is around 30 feet. Since the devices create a mesh network, communications can hop between devices to greatly increase the 30-foot limit.
The theoretical network size is large, at around 65,000 devices. We imagine you won’t be able to exceed that in your home, no Matter how many devices you install. In practice, Zigbee networks can handle thousands of devices.
Benefits of Zigbee
The two biggest benefits of Zigbee are the mesh network described above and the radio’s low-power requirements allow Zigbee devices to run on batteries
Limitations of a Zigbee network
The technology used in Zigbee has a low bit rate; therefore, the transmission rate of this technology is also low.
Zigbee is prone to network interferences because it uses the 2.4 GHz band, which many other wireless devices operate on.
Zigbee compatible hubs
The following hubs, with links to our review, include Zigbee radios: Amazon Echo Plus and Echo Show and the Samsung SmartThings Hub.
Bluetooth Smart Home Protocol
Many smart home devices include Bluetooth connectivity for close-range communications. Bluetooth provides faster wireless data transmission than Z-Wave or Zigbee, but at shorter distances. Most smartphones include Bluetooth, making it a great way to connect smart home accessories to your phone or tablet. Bluetooth is best known for local audio streaming to headphones or speakers but is capable of much more.
Bluetooth technology was developed in the early 1990s, and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group developed and maintains the standard. Bluetooth Low Energy, which is becoming more common in the home automation industry, was released in 2006.
Bluetooth technology
Bluetooth is a wireless radio protocol that uses the 2.4 GHz band. The system runs as a Master/Slave setup, where one device operates as the master and up to seven devices operate as slaves. Devices can change roles, but there can only be one master at a time.
The protocol uses a relatively low amount of power to operate, which means accessories can run on a battery. However, its range is limited due to its low power usage.
Bluetooth provides faster data transfer speeds than many home automation protocols but slower than Wi-Fi. Bluetooth 1 provides bandwidths of around 1 Mbps, while Bluetooth 3.0 and 4.0 provide data transfer rates of approximately 24 Mbps. These rates are fast enough for high-quality audio transmission.
Range varies widely based on the class of radio in your device. Class 3 radios can communicate at a distance of about 3 feet or less. The more common Class 2 radios have a range between 15 and 30 feet, depending on the environment. Finally, commercial quality Class 1 radios transmit up to 100 feet, but they are uncommon in consumer devices.
The Bluetooth SIG released Bluetooth mesh in 2017; like Z-Wave and Zigbee, Bluetooth Mesh allows devices to pass messages between each other in hops, extending the overall network range. We expect this to make Bluetooth a more common smart home protocol.
Benefits of Bluetooth
The biggest benefit of Bluetooth technology is its pairing method, which makes it incredibly easy for devices to discover and connect to each other. Each device has a profile that advertises what it is capable of, such as audio, hands-free, etc, and other devices can see nearby Bluetooth capable device “advertisements” so they can initiate a connection if requested; this process is fast and easy.
Bluetooth also uses very low amounts of power so accessories can be small and battery operated. This is ideal for smart home sensors and other small devices that don’t need high bandwidth. Bluetooth technology is inexpensive and widely adopted in phones, tablets, speakers, etc. Bluetooth is also used to set up devices that will use a different protocol to communicate with the network, such as Wi-Fi or Z-Wave.
Limitations of Bluetooth
Bluetooth isn’t perfect. It operates in the very busy 2.4 GHz frequency range, which makes it susceptible to interference from other wireless devices. In addition, the short range of communications makes it hard to use across an entire home, although Bluetooth mesh looks like a promising solution to this issue. Finally, the bandwidth doesn’t allow for video transmissions, so the technology is best used for audio streaming or issuing commands among different accessories.
Bluetooth compatible hubs
Most of the smart hubs on the market include Bluetooth radios, but you should check our reviews to confirm before you buy.
Thread Networking Protocol
Thread is a new IOT communications protocol managed by the Thread Group. Several major electronics companies are part of the working group, including Samsung, Google/Nest, Apple, Qualcomm, Tyco, and many others. The low power, IP-based, wireless mesh system allows battery-operated devices to communicate with each other and the cloud, Matter also uses the thread protocol.
Thread Technology
Thread operates using the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless standard for low-rate wireless personal area networks, which is specifically set up for connecting devices together into a low-power, low-bandwidth mesh network.
The radios run in the 2.4 GHz frequency range in North America. All devices run on an IP network, which means that your IOT devices connect to each other and can also connect to the internet. This is similar to Wi-Fi but in a low-power, low-bandwidth package designed for home automation.
The practical range for low-power 2.4 GHz radios inside the home is around 30 feet. However, since Thread is a mesh network and devices can pass messages to each other, the overall network range is around 100 feet.
Thread is meant for IOT devices and accessories to pass commands and messages, so high bandwidth isn’t required. Data transmission is around 250 Mbps, which is perfectly fine for smart home accessories. You won’t want to stream media over Thread, but that isn’t its purpose.
Benefits of Thread home automation protocols
Thread has many of the same benefits as Z-Wave and Zigbee, namely, low power usage and mesh communications. Both of these are ideal for home automation accessories. However, the Thread Group touts the connectivity over the IP protocol as the main benefit.
Our phones, tablets, and laptops use IP so Thread can seamlessly connect to existing devices. This means you can generate a Thread network with existing devices, so you don’t have to purchase a new hub. In addition, IP has security standards that have been tested over decades, so you know it will be safe.
Limitations of Thread
The biggest problem with Thread is that it is so new, and there aren’t many accessories that include the technology. However, we think that will change soon since many big names in the home automation space back the group. In the meantime, there isn’t much use for a Thread network.
Thread compatible hubs
Many popular hubs currently incorporate Thread, but we expect that number to increase in the coming years.
Insteon Smart Protocol
Insteon is the most unique protocol on this list because it incorporates wireless and power-line technologies into a single network. This allows you to install accessories anywhere in your home as long as you have an outlet or a wireless signal.
Insteon technology
Insteon communicates to accessories over the 915 MHz wireless radio band on a peer-to-peer network. In addition to wireless, Insteon also connects over a home’s existing electrical wires (called power-line communications). This creates a beneficial redundancy in the system.
The data rate on an Insteon network is around 180 bits/sec, but faster bursts are possible. Unfortunately, this means the network is incapable of streaming media and is restricted to passing home automation commands and messages.
Insteon’s wireless range maxes out at 150 feet without obstructions. The practical range in a building is around 30 feet with an extension up to approximately 100 feet via the mesh network. Wireless range is usually not a problem for Insteon since it also includes power-line communications to any outlet, socket, or switch in your home.
You may need an additional device to bridge between electrical phases, but you can easily tap into the Insteon network anywhere there is a power supply in your home.
Benefits of Insteon home automation protocols
The biggest benefit of Insteon is the redundancy the system provides. If wireless is down or there is some sort of interference, the system easily changes to power-line communications and vice-versa. Unfortunately, if the power goes out, you lose both forms of communication, but you’ll also lose power to your accessories, so nothing works anyway.
Another benefit is that you don’t have to run new cables since the Insteon protocol includes power-line connectivity. It uses your existing electrical wires to pass messages. There is no need to open walls or snake wires through existing construction.
Limitations of Insteon
While Insteon makes hundreds of different accessories for their network, one big drawback is the lack of third-party options. Some do exist, but for the most part, you are locked into the Insteon ecosystem. If the company goes out of business, then you won’t have much opportunity to grow or upgrade.
Insteon compatible hubs
Insteon makes its own hubs and associated smart home accessories. Please read our review of the Insteon Hub for more information.
X10 Smart Home Protocols
X10 is a wired home automation protocol that uses your existing electrical wires to send and receive commands — it is a power-line technology. The protocol was developed in 1975 by Pico Electronics and remains in use today, although the technology has not advanced to keep up with newer systems.
X10 Technology
Commands are sent across existing AC electrical wiring in bursts, which are small packets of data that provide identifiers and commands. Early X10 devices were one-way communicators, so they could only receive commands. More advanced and expensive accessories can receive commands and also respond with a status message.
You can only install 16 accessories per house code, but there are 16 house codes available, so the theoretical system limit is 256 accessories. You will have to install a filter to keep commands from other homes on the power grid from controlling your devices.
The Benefits of X 10 protocol
X10 is easily added to existing homes without the need for additional communications wiring. In addition, it is more reliable than wireless technology and can communicate to any location with an electrical outlet, socket, or switch. The technology is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install, so if you just want a few simple lights controlled, then X10 may be an option.
Radio transmitters have been developed for X10 so you can have remote control from within your home. In addition, some X10 controllers connect to the internet to give you control from outside your home.
Limitations of X10 Protocol
The X10 protocol has yet to keep up with other technological advances, so some drawbacks exist. First, internet-based control requires more advanced setups and isn’t as easy to use as newer technology.
In addition, X10 occasionally experiences interference from noise on the AC wave. While X10 can work across multiple electrical phases, extra components are required for this.
X10 Compatible Hubs
We recommend only purchasing an X10 controller if you already have X10 accessories and need to replace your current controller. If you are starting a home automation system from scratch, we suggest looking at the other home automation protocols above because they offer more advanced features.
Simple local controllers that are relatively inexpensive can be purchased on Amazon. If you already have a local X10 system and want to add remote/internet control, check out the Universal Devices ISY994ix, but remember that this requires some advanced setup.
Universal Powerline Bus (UPB)
UPB is an acronym for Universal Power-line Bus, a home automation protocol that sends communications over existing AC electrical cables in your home. California-based Powerline Control Systems developed UPB. The company sells commercial and residential lighting control systems.
UPB technology
The wired system communicates via pulses within the alternating current on standard electrical wiring. It is similar to the X10 technology but is considered to be more efficient and reliable. The intent was for UPB to replace X10, but the technology hasn’t caught on, and there aren’t many devices on the market.
Benefits of UPB
The main benefit of UPB is that it can easily be added to a home without needing new wiring. In addition, it is very reliable (up to 99%) and reaches anywhere in the home that has a power outlet, light, or switch. Devices communicate peer-to-peer, so a central controller isn’t necessary. The technology can also be set up to work on both phases of an electrical system.
Limitations of UPB
Unfortunately, there are several significant disadvantages to UPB. First, it is very complicated to set up a wireless controller that connects to UPB, so remote or phone-based control is not available. In addition, there aren’t a lot of product options available. While the power-line reliability is positive, we cannot recommend UPB in an era where more advanced protocols are available.
UPB Compatible Hubs
All lighting control devices communicate peer-to-peer, so a central hub isn’t required. If you are interested in UPB for lighting control in your home, check out Pulseworx by Powerline Control Systems.
That’s about it…I hope you will now have an understanding of the most common home automation protocols available and you can compare their features, advantages, and disadvantages, then decide on the best home automation protocol for your project.
