Z-Wave is among the most popular smart control technologies currently leading the industry. If you’ve got any home automation device installed in your home, chances are high that it’s compatible with Z-Wave. The company prides itself on its rich assortment of items, counting more than 2,100 certified products from 600 companies. Those who wish to ‘smarten up’ their home should start with a Z-Wave smart hub that acts as the central base, then integrate specified accessories of your choice into the system, such as smart lighting, water control, home security and so on. And best of all, once connected, every individual smart device is controlled through the same interface.
How Home Security Systems Work With Z-Wave
Home security and home automation are two halves of the same coin. Both of them are based on the same technology: there is a central hub which ties together all the different peripherals, allowing homeowners to conveniently manage them. But without the proper integration, you would need one base station for your alarms and one for the home automation electronics.
When a home security company advertises ‘Z-Wave integration’, it is highlighting that their central unit is capable of handling a selected range of Z-Wave products alongside their sensors and detectors. This is an extremely useful function, enabling the option to use your smartphone as a remote controller. Just a few taps on your screen and the security system is armed; touch a button and your smart lock opens the front door; and you don’t need to leave your car in order to close the garage door anymore. But the list of attractive features doesn’t end here: your base hub sends notifications each time the motion sensors pick up something and you can access the live video stream of your surveillance system.
Best Z-Wave Home Security Systems
We highly recommend subscribing to a home security service that features Z-Wave integration. Even if you ignore all these handy benefits at the moment and choose to go only with the alarms, later down the line you might change your mind and it’ll be handy to have this function already waiting for you.
GetSafe
GetSafe is a home security system based around customization. The starter kit features a smart hub, an entry sensor, a motion detector, and a siren, but there are no restrictions on adding more components. This is where Z-Wave comes into the picture. Most of the GetSafe compatible products are lighting related (dims, adapters, light bulbs) but you’ll also find garage openers and intelligent thermostats. The company is also highly flexible with its monitoring plans. Customers can choose between the smartphone-based personal monitoring or the professional protection serviced by the company’s home monitoring team. Switching between the two is free regardless of whether you have a subscription or not.
ADT Pulse
Convenience is the name of the game here. ADT Pulse’s products are not only compatible with Z-Wave home automation solutions, but you can bring Amazon’s Alexa into the mix too. Several Z-Wave favorites are featured on ADT’s list, and there is even an option to link non-smart items to the network by simply plugging them into a smart converter. Homeowners can arm themselves with Z-Wave cameras (indoor or outdoor), Wi-Fi extenders, thermostats, light switches, lamp modules, deadbolts and garage door openers. However, a high-tier subscription plan is required to unlock the power of home-automation.
Piper
Piper is an all-in-one wireless home security hub that incorporates a siren, a camera with 180 degree angle, two-way audio and motion detection. The unit can be further accessorized by integrating Z-Wave products. The current selection includes a door/window sensor, a water sensor, and two smart switches (a Europlug and a UK plug), but they are on a quest to constantly update their inventory. It’s worth noting that you don’t need to pay any monthly monitoring fees with Piper. They only charge for the equipment and users perform self-monitoring with the help of the smartphone app.
Smart Lighting
Having smart lights set up in your home might not seem like an extremely beneficial addition, but it’s smart functions are surprisingly multi-faceted. On one hand, you’ll have better control over your electricity consumption, but on the other hand, lighting can be scheduled remotely, even from your workplace. This creates a diversion, fooling burglars on the lookout by giving the impression that the building is still occupied. The category includes several home automation solutions, such as light bulbs, smart switches and appliance controls. Smart light bulbs come in many shapes and forms; some of them are able to switch between different colors, while others house a hidden motion detector or start to flash red when an alarm is triggered. Appliance controls or smart switches extend your reach to other electronics in your home. They are often compatible with Alexa, as well; therefore you can take away your phone and govern the surroundings via voice commands.
Smart Water Control
People often overlook the benefits of installing smart water controls in their house, not realizing the role it plays in avoiding horrendous property damages and high water bills. Just take a look at the popular combo of a water sensor and a Z-Wave certified water valve by Dome. Let’s assume a water leak happens because of extreme cold while you are away skiing. The water sensor reports the situation in an early stage because as little as 0.5 ounces of water is enough to trigger it. You’ll receive the notification message on your smartphone, and while still at the ski resort just issue a command to the smart valve to shut off the water, saving yourself from an expensive flooding. As a side note, the valve control can be installed in a DIY manner, therefore you don’t need to call a handyman to install it.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are one of the most popular home automation devices. They are easy to set up, and the feature list is quite impressive. Nest thermostats are now compatible with Amazon’s voice control assistant; all you need to do is say the desired temperature and Alexa sets it. But even without voice commands smart thermostats are capable of learning the family’s favored settings and program themselves accordingly. Since they connect seamlessly to your Wi-Fi, smartphone control is no problem. During a hot summer, just set the device from your phone before leaving your workplace and the thermostat will wait your arrival with a cool atmosphere.
Best Home Security Systems of 2024
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Editor's Choice 2024
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Z-Wave Certification
To become part of the so-called Z-Wave alliance, all Z-Wave products must undergo a thorough testing in order to check whether or not their compatibility and quality matches the existing ecosystem. The certification is a testament that all products work together regardless of their brand and each version is backwards compatible. In order to earn this certification, a device must pass a number of technical and software tests. Without high-standard interoperability, home security companies were unable to mold the technology with their home stations. If an expansion of the home automation network is due, make sure to only opt for certified Z-Wave products to ensure full compatibility.