Best Z Wave Hub
Looking for the best Z-Wave hubs on the market? You’ve come to the right place.
These smart hubs can turn your regular home into a connected, automated environment.
Home automation companies keep pushing out new products that are easier to set up and use. The “smart home” trend is only getting bigger, and these gadgets genuinely make daily life more convenient.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to install and run a Z Wave hub.
Companies are making these products simple enough for anyone, not just people who tinker with technology for fun.
On top of automating lights and beefing up home security, Z-Wave hubs can actually help lower your electricity bill by monitoring and cutting down on energy waste.
We put this review together to help you figure out which Z-Wave hub works best for your situation. We’ll also break down the features and differences between each option.
What Should You Consider When Buying a Z Wave Hub?
Automation Rules
Most smart home users can get by with basic automation rules based on geolocation, scheduling, or sensor triggers.
But you’ll quickly realize that adding conditions to those triggers prevents a lot of annoying false activations.
Take a motion sensor that turns on your lights, for example. You probably don’t want the lights coming on in broad daylight. Add a condition tied to a light sensor and the automation gets way smarter.
The more flexible a hub’s rule system is, the better it’ll serve you over time as you figure out what works in your home.
Compatibility with Your Devices
Make sure the smart hub you pick works with the smart devices you already own.
If you’re starting from scratch, choose a hub that supports the types of devices you plan to add, like smart sensors, switches, or locks.
Number of Devices
Check how many smart devices the hub can handle. The good news is that Z-Wave works with a ton of smart home products on the market right now.
Range
Since Z Wave devices are wireless, coverage area matters. You need the signal to reach every device in your home.
Entry-level hubs typically cover up to 150 feet, while higher-end models can reach up to 500 feet. That should be plenty for most homes.
Voice Assistant Integration
Getting your Z-Wave hub to work with a voice assistant isn’t always straightforward out of the box.
Most manufacturers support it now because people want the convenience. Even so, the integration usually happens through a plugin, a skill for the hub’s software, a third-party accessory, or an online bridge service.
How well it works varies from hub to hub, but it’s improving across the board.
The List of Best Z Wave Hub Include:
| Best Z Wave Hub | Connectivity Protocol | Ports | Power Supply | Voice Assistant | Wireless | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeotec Smart Home Hub | SmartThings, ZigBee, and Z Wave | Ethernet and Micro SD | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa | Bluetooth and WiFi | 5.79 x 5.63 x 3.11 in. | 35.2 oz. |
| Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 Plus | SmartThings, Z Wave, and Z Wave Plus | None | USB | None | WiFi | 5 x 2 x 0.06 in. | 0.81 oz. |
| Ezlo Atom | Z Wave Plus | None | USB | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 0.5 x 1.57 x 2.5 in. | 5.6 oz. |
| Ezlo Plus Smart Home Hub | ZigBee and Z Wave | Ethernet and USB | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 7.6 x 6.7 x 2.8 in. | 14.39 oz. |
| Fibaro Home Center Lite | Z Wave | Ethernet and USB | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.3 in. | 8 oz. |
| HomeSeer HomeTroller Plus | IFTTT, ZigBee, and Z Wave | Ethernet, HDMI, and USB | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 8.03 x 5.2 x 2.32 in. | 23.35 oz. |
| Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub | Z Wave and Z Wave Plus | Ethernet | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 2.95 x 2.95 x 0.67 in. | 8.4 oz. |
| Kasa Smart All-in-One WiFi Router and Smart Home Hub | ZigBee and Z Wave | Ethernet, Micro SD, and USB | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 12.52 x 6.81 x 4.72 in. | 32.8 oz. |
| Nexia BR200 Home Starter Kit | Z Wave | Ethernet | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | WiFi | 7.13 x 7.64 x 3.39 in. | 24 oz. |
| Samsung SmartThings Hub (3rd Gen) | SmartThings and Z Wave | Ethernet and USB | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa | Bluetooth and WiFi | 5 x 5 x 1.2 in. | 8 oz. |
| Universal Devices ISY994i | IFTTT, Z Wave, and Z Wave Plus | Ethernet and Micro SD | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa | WiFi | 8 x 5 x 2 in. | 13.8 oz. |
| Wink Hub 2 | Lutron Clear Connect, ZigBee, and Z Wave | Ethernet | Corded Electric Power Supply | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Bluetooth LE and WiFi | 7.25 x 7.25 x 1.25 in. | 8 oz. |
1. Aeotec Smart Home Hub
The Aeotec Smart Home Hub supports Z Wave and also works as a SmartThings hub.
It lets you automate your daily routines, keep tabs on what’s happening around the house, and control your smart gadgets remotely.
Everything from air purifiers to smart lights can connect to the Aeotec Hub without a hassle.
You can also set up automations that save a good chunk of money on your electricity bill.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: SmartThings, ZigBee, and Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet and Micro SD
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa
- Wireless: Bluetooth and WiFi
- Dimensions: 5.79 x 5.63 x 3.11 inches
- Weight: 35.2 Ounces
2. Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 Plus
We put together a full guide on factory reset Google Home mini that pairs well with this.
The Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 Plus is one of the strongest performers on this list. It supports both Z Wave and Z Wave Plus devices.
It doesn’t have native Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant support, so you’ll need third-party apps for voice control.
On the bright side, it delivers a range of up to 490 feet. That’s impressive.
You also get a solid one-year warranty, which adds some peace of mind.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: SmartThings, Z Wave, and Z Wave Plus
- Ports: None
- Power Supply: USB
- Voice Assistant Integration: None
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 5 x 2 x 0.06 inches
- Weight: 0.81 Ounces
3. Fibaro Home Center Lite
The Fibaro Home Center Lite is a great choice for a lot of users. It doesn’t support Z Wave Plus devices, but it’s still packed with features.
It works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which is a nice bonus.
Performance is solid, though there’s no official range rating listed for this model.
Fibaro backs this hub with a 2-year warranty, so they clearly stand behind the build quality.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet and USB
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches
- Weight: 8 Ounces
4. HomeSeer HomeTroller Plus
The HomeSeer HomeTroller Plus lets you control dozens of smart devices and turn your house into a proper smart home.
As HomeSeer’s flagship hub, the HomeTroller Plus processes all automation locally. That means it keeps working even if your internet goes down.
It comes with the free HomeSeer app for Android and iOS, plus free plugins for Philips Hue, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and more.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: IFTTT, ZigBee, and Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet, HDMI, and USB
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 8.03 x 5.2 x 2.32 inches
- Weight: 23.35 Ounces
5. Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub
The Hubitat Elevation is a high-performance hub that’s also pretty flexible in terms of device support.
It works with both Z Wave and Z Wave Plus devices, and it supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Range tops out at about 150 feet, which should work fine for an apartment or smaller home.
The warranty is only 90 days, which is on the short side. But the build quality feels solid enough that it shouldn’t be a concern.
Our smart switch walkthrough covers this from a different angle.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: Z Wave and Z Wave Plus
- Ports: Ethernet
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 2.95 x 2.95 x 0.67 inches
- Weight: 8.4 Ounces
6. Kasa Smart All-in-One WiFi Router and Smart Home Hub
The TP-Link Kasa Smart SR20 pulls double duty as both a Gigabit WiFi router and a smart home hub. It lets you connect your ZigBee and Z-Wave devices to the same WiFi network.
The Kasa SR20 and its companion app (available on Android and iOS) tie everything together. You can manage internet access, set up automations, and control your home from wherever you are.
Whether you’re at work or on the couch, the Kasa app puts your entire smart home at your fingertips.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: ZigBee and Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet, Micro SD, and USB
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 12.52 x 6.81 x 4.72 inches
- Weight: 32.8 Ounces
7. Nexia BR200 Home Starter Kit
The Nexia BR200 Home Starter Kit is a strong performer for people who want reliable Z Wave connectivity.
It only works with Z Wave devices, though. No Z Wave Plus, and no voice assistant support for Alexa or Google Assistant.
On the plus side, the range hits up to 200 feet, and it comes with a 1-year warranty.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: None
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 7.13 x 7.64 x 3.39 inches
- Weight: 24 Ounces
8. Samsung SmartThings Hub (3rd Gen)
The Samsung SmartThings Hub (3rd Gen) might be the best Z-Wave hub you can buy. It works with an enormous number of smart home devices.
Protocol support is wide. You get Bluetooth, Cloud-to-Cloud, ZigBee, and Z Wave all in one box.
The SmartThings mobile app makes managing everything straightforward and quick.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: SmartThings and Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet and USB
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa
- Wireless: Bluetooth and WiFi
- Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 8 Ounces
9. Universal Devices ISY994i
The Universal Devices ISY994i is a premium option for buyers who don’t mind spending more for top-tier performance.
It supports both Z Wave and Z Wave Plus devices, which you’d expect at this price point.
Range is excellent, though no specific number is listed. It comes with a one-year warranty.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: IFTTT, Z Wave, and Z Wave Plus
- Ports: Ethernet and Micro SD
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa
- Wireless: WiFi
- Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 inches
- Weight: 13.8 Ounces
10. Wink Hub 2
The Wink Hub 2 connects a wide range of smart devices under one roof.
Beyond Z Wave, it supports Bluetooth LE, Lutron Clear Connect, and ZigBee. The industrial design is clean and modern.
It offers auto-discovery for new smart devices and a quicker setup process than many competitors.
If you’re upgrading from the original Wink Hub, the smartphone app makes migrating your existing setup easy.
Technical Specifications
- Connectivity Protocol: Lutron Clear Connect, ZigBee, and Z Wave
- Ports: Ethernet
- Power Supply: Corded Electric Power Supply
- Voice Assistant Integration: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Wireless: Bluetooth LE and WiFi
- Dimensions: 7.25 x 7.25 x 1.25 inches
- Weight: 8 Ounces
Final Thought
If you’re building a home automation system, a Z Wave smart hub is the backbone you need.
Even if you only automate a few things at first, a hub gives you one place to control all your devices. Start small and build from there.
Choosing between smart home ecosystems? Our Google Home vs Alexa comparison breaks down features, device support, and pricing.
Not sure which protocol to pick? Our Z-Wave vs Zigbee comparison breaks it down.
New to Zigbee? Our Zigbee explainer covers the basics.