Protocols & Hubs
Before we go into the various product lines, let’s first talk about the technology behind them called, “protocols”. Think of protocols as the languages your smart devices use to talk to each other along with your hub (or controller).
Similar to how Wi-Fi works to connect devices together, protocols like Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter over Thread are designed specifically for smart home devices.
These protocols are optimized for low power consumption and consistent performance and create their own communication pathways (often called mesh networks), where each device acts like a relay to strengthen the connection.
Then there's the hub, which acts as a translator, ensuring all the devices speak the same language while giving you centralized control. Common hub platforms include: Amazon Echo, Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant, Hubitat, and Samsung SmartThings.
Which protocol?
Great question - we offer three different protocol lines: Z-Wave (Red Series), Zigbee (Blue Series) and Matter over Thread (White Series). Let's break them down a bit below.
Z-Wave
Z-Wave has been around for years (1999 to be exact), quietly running thousands of devices worldwide. Operating on a low-frequency band (so it won’t fight with your Wi-Fi), Z-Wave is known for its long range, security (S2 encryption), and reliability. Each device strengthens the network by repeating the Z-Wave signal from one device to another, making it perfect for larger homes or setups with lots of devices.
Why Choose Z-Wave: If you value security, long-range, reliability and a rich history of development.
Compatible Hubs: Samsung SmartThings, Hubitat, HomeSeer, Homey and Home Assistant (with a Z-Wave Dongle)
Incompatible Hubs: Amazon Echo, Apple Home, Google Home, and Philips Hue
ZIGBEE
Zigbee is one of the most popular protocols in the smart home world, and for good reason. It’s fast, reliable, versatile and designed to keep up with the demands of modern smart homes. Zigbee operates on the 2.4GHz frequency (the same as Wi-Fi), but it’s smart enough to dodge interference by hopping between channels, ensuring smooth communication between devices. Zigbee also works as a mesh network and has one of our favorite features, "Zigbee Bindings", which allows your Zigbee devices to talk to each other even when your hub is offline.
Why Choose Z-Wave: If you value speed, flexibility, reliability and a vast selection of smart home products (even outside of Inovelli).
Compatible Hubs: Samsung SmartThings, Hubitat, HomeSeer, Homey, Home Assistant (with a Z-Wave Dongle) and Amazon Echo
Incompatible Hubs: Apple Home, Google Home, and Philips Hue*
While Philips Hue uses Zigbee, Inovelli devices do not work with their hub.
MATTER (OVER THREAD)
Matter is a universal language designed to unify your smart devices, and solves one of the biggest headaches in smart home setups: compatibility. With Matter, you can mix and match devices from different brands and control them seamlessly through your favorite platform.
We use Thread as the backbone for our Matter devices. Unlike Wi-Fi, Thread creates a lightning-fast, low-power mesh network dedicated solely to your smart devices. Each device in the network strengthens the connection, ensuring stable communication even if one device drops off.
Why Choose Matter (Over Thread): If you value the latest and greatest, simplicity, and compatibility with 100's of brands.
Compatible Hubs: Samsung SmartThings, Hubitat*, Homey, Home Assistant*, Amazon Echo, Apple Home, and Google Home
Incompatible Hubs: Philips Hue**
Hubitat and Home Assistant require a separate Border Router. Philips Hue does support Matter, but Inovelli devices will not connect to their hub.
Summary
Choose Z-Wave (Red Series) if you value security, need long-range, enjoy tons of features and customization, and want a reliable protocol that has been around since 1999. Choose Zigbee (Blue Series) if you value speed, enjoy tons of features and customization, and want your house to be smart, but maintain its, "non-smart" reliability (e.g., if your hub goes offline, Zigbee still works). Choose Matter over Thread (White Series) if you like the latest technology, value compatibility with other brands, and don't mind sacrificing some of the bells and whistles the Red & Blue Series offer.