Matter vs Z-Wave: What You Need to Know

Smart home devices are becoming more popular and diverse, but they also face a challenge of interoperability. Different devices use different protocols to communicate with each other and with the hub or controller, which can lead to compatibility issues, security risks, and performance problems. To address this challenge, there are two existing standards that are widely used in the smart home industry: Matter and Z-Wave. Through this blog post, you will get to know what these standards are, how they differ, and what they mean for smart home users and developers.

What is Matter?

Matter protocol aims to create a unified and secure connectivity standard for smart home devices. It is developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance, which includes major tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, consumer companies like Samsung, Whirlpool and LG as well as semiconductor companies like Silicon Labs, just to name a few. Matter is based on the Internet Protocol (IP), which means that it can use existing Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Thread technologies to connect devices. Matter also supports Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) for device setup and commissioning.

Matter is designed to be simple, reliable, and secure. It defines a common application layer that specifies how devices should interact with each other and with the cloud, regardless of the underlying network layer. It also provides end-to-end encryption, device certification, and easy onboarding. Matter is compatible with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, and it supports a wide range of device types, such as lights, locks, cameras, thermostats, and more.

What is Z-Wave?

Z-Wave is a low-power, mesh network protocol that operates on the 800-900 MHz frequency band. It is developed by the Z-Wave Alliance, which includes over 300 companies that produce Z-Wave certified devices. Z-Wave is widely used in smart home devices, especially for security, lighting, climate control and access control.

Z-Wave is designed to be reliable, scalable, secure and backward compatible. It uses a mesh network topology, which means that each device can act as a repeater and extend the range of the network. It also uses encryption and device authentication to prevent unauthorized access and hacking. A Z-Wave network can handle a maximum of 232 devices (nodes) including the primary controller.

How Do Matter and Z-Wave Differ?

Matter and Z-Wave are both popular standards for smart home connectivity, but they have some key differences. Here are some of the main aspects that distinguish them:

• Application layer: Matter is an IP-based application layer protocol that can uses lower layers from other technologies such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Thread. Z-Wave is complete protocol covering physical layer to application layer Its a non-IP MESH protocol that uses sub-GHz ISM bands.
• Device types: Matter supports a broader range of device types than Z-Wave, including cameras, speakers, TVs, and more. Z-Wave focuses on low bandwidth devices that require low power and reliable communication, such as security systems, sensors, switches, and locks.
• Security: Matter provides end-to-end encryption, device certification, and cloud integration, which can enhance the security and privacy of smart home devices. Z-Wave also offers encryption and device authentication, but it does not have a built-in cloud service.
• Compatibility: Matter is compatible with popular voice assistants and other IP-based devices, which can make it easier to integrate with existing smart home ecosystems. Z-Wave requires a Z-Wave specific gateway or hub, but has a large number of compatible devices that work together.

Z-Wave LR: The Next Generation of Z-Wave

As the smart home market grows and evolves, so does the need for more advanced and versatile solutions. That's why the Z-Wave Alliance, the consortium of companies that support and promote Z-Wave, has announced a new standard called Z-Wave Long Range (Z-Wave LR).

Z-Wave LR is an extension of the existing Z-Wave protocol, that aims to address some of the limitations and challenges of the current technology. Z-Wave LR can offer several benefits and advantages over the standard Z-Wave, such as:

• Longer range: Z-Wave LR can support up to four times the range of standard Z-Wave, reaching up to one kilometer in line of sight. This means that Z-Wave LR devices can cover larger areas and distances, such as outdoor spaces, multi-story buildings, or rural properties.
• Larger network size: Z-Wave LR can support up to 4,000 nodes per network, compared to the 232 nodes limit of standard Z-Wave. This means that Z-Wave LR can accommodate more devices and sensors, enabling more complex and diverse smart home scenarios.
• Backward compatibility: Z-Wave LR can work with existing Z-Wave hubs and devices, as long as they are updated to the latest firmware and software. This means that Z-Wave LR can leverage the existing Z-Wave ecosystem and infrastructure, without requiring users to replace or discard their current devices.

Z-Wave LR is not meant to replace the standard Z-Wave, but rather to complement it and expand its capabilities. Z-Wave LR can be used for devices that require longer range or larger network size while standard Z-Wave can still be used for devices that require mesh networking. Since Z-Wave and Z-Wave LR are in the 800-900 MHz band, they can also coexist with other 2.4 GHz protocols, such as Matter and Wi-Fi without causing interference, even for Z-Wave LR with it's high output power and long range.

Z-Wave LR can open up new possibilities and opportunities for smart home users and developers, who can benefit from its enhanced features and performance.

What are the Applications of Matter and Z-Wave?

Matter and Z-Wave have different applications and use cases, depending on the needs and preferences of smart home users and developers. Here are some examples of how they can be used:

• Matter can be used to create a seamless and secure smart home experience, where devices from different brands and platforms can work together and be controlled by voice or app. Matter can also enable new features and functionalities, such as video streaming, multi-room audio, and smart display.
• Z-Wave can be used to create a reliable and scalable smart home network, where devices can communicate with each other and with the hub without interference or latency. Z-Wave can also enable automation and customization, such as scenes, schedules, and triggers.
• While they serve similar applications, Matter is really focused on multiple ecosystem support as devices from the key ecosystems support Matter but Z-Wave is focused on longer range and reliable communication using sub-GHz technology and interoperate within the Z-Wave ecosystem.

Applications of Z-Wave LR

Z-Wave LR can be applied to various smart home scenarios and devices, such as:

• Outdoor and perimeter security: Z-Wave LR can enable wireless connectivity for sensors, door locks, and lighting, without the need for repeaters or extenders. Z-Wave LR can also cover larger areas, such as gardens, driveways, or backyards, and provide more reliable communication in harsh weather conditions.
• Multi-dwelling units and large homes: Z-Wave LR can overcome the obstacles and interference caused by walls, floors, and ceilings, and provide seamless connectivity for smart home devices across different levels and rooms of a large home or building. Z-Wave LR can also support more devices in a single network, up to 4,000 nodes, allowing users to add more smart home features and functionalities to their homes as well as allowing multi-dwelling property managers cover a building or complex on a single network.
• Battery-operated and low-power devices: Z-Wave LR can reduce the power consumption and extend the battery life of smart home devices, such as sensors, thermostats, or smoke detectors, by using a more efficient modulation scheme and a lower duty cycle. Z-Wave LR can also enable more frequent and timely updates from these devices, improving their responsiveness and accuracy.

Z-Wave LR and Matter are two different technologies that have different goals and use cases. Z-Wave LR is a low-power, long-range wireless protocol that is designed for smart home devices that communicate with a central hub or gateway. Matter is a cross-platform, interoperable standard that is designed for smart home devices that communicate with each other and with the cloud. Z-Wave LR and Matter can coexist and complement each other in a smart home ecosystem, depending on the needs and preferences of the users.

Therefore, it is not fair to say that Z-Wave LR is better than Matter or vice versa, as they have different strengths and limitations. Z-Wave LR can offer more reliable and secure communication for battery-operated and low-power devices that are located far from the hub or gateway, such as outdoor and perimeter security devices or multi-story and large homes. Matter can offer more flexibility and compatibility for devices that support multiple protocols and platforms, such as voice assistants, smart speakers, or smart TVs. Both technologies can enhance the user experience and functionality of smart home devices, and users can choose the best option for their specific needs.

A key goal of Matter is the ability to easily add smart devices in consumers’ homes without having to decipher which platform the product is compatible with. With the advent of Matter into the smart home space, a common question is, “Can my existing devices that use other technologies work with Matter devices?” The challenge is that in order to work together, smart home devices need to speak the same language; however, there are multiple existing languages in the smart home. While Matter natively supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread, its goal is to simplify smart homes, including those that already have devices using other networking technologies, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave. To enable this, Matter bridges allow devices using other protocols (i.e., other languages) to work alongside Matter devices by translating between them. Bridges can be built into a variety of hardware devices like hubs, TVs, routers, or smart speakers, providing a seamless user experience across existing non-Matter and Matter devices.

Conclusion

Matter and Z-Wave are two existing standards for smart home connectivity, that offer different benefits and challenges. Matter is a unified and secure IP-based protocol that can support a wide range of device types and voice assistants. Z-Wave is a reliable and scalable sub-GHz non-IP protocol that can support devices that require low power and reliable communication. Both standards have their own applications and use cases, and they can coexist and complement each other in the smart home industry. As smart home users and developers, it is important to understand the difference between these standards and how they can affect the future of smart home devices.