Radios carry the signal
Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread and Bluetooth are different roads. Each trades off range, speed and battery life differently.
Think of it as: the road a message travels on.
Smart home guides
Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Bluetooth and Matter
Why some devices won’t talk to each other, and which kind to buy next. The smart home languages, explained in plain English.
The short version: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread and Bluetooth are radios: different ways of carrying a signal. Matter isn’t a radio at all. It’s a common language that runs over Wi-Fi or Thread so devices from different brands understand each other. Use Wi-Fi for cameras and anything powered, Zigbee or Thread for battery sensors, and choose Matter-certified devices for new purchases. A hub with the right radios ties them all together.
Matter is the language
Matter is a shared language that runs over Wi-Fi, Thread or Ethernet. A Matter device works with your hub and with Apple, Google and Alexa at the same time.
Think of it as: the language spoken on the road.
Your hub translates
A hub with the right radios talks to every road and every language, so one app and one set of automations run the whole house.
Think of it as: the interpreter who speaks them all.
The six side by side
How each one compares on range, power and what it needs to work. Bands and frequencies are for Australia.
| Radio band | Mesh? | Battery life | What you need | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 2.4, 5 and 6GHz | No. Devices connect to your access points | Poor. Most need mains power | Your Wi-Fi network | Cameras, doorbells, speakers, plugs and appliances |
| Zigbee | 2.4GHz | Yes. Mains-powered devices pass messages along | Excellent. Years on a coin cell | A Zigbee coordinator (dongle) | Sensors, buttons, bulbs and plugs. Huge range, low prices |
| Z-Wave | 919.8 and 921.4MHz in Australia | Yes | Excellent | A Z-Wave stick, ANZ frequency | Locks, relays and switches. Fewer models sold here |
| Thread | 2.4GHz | Yes, and it heals itself | Excellent | A Thread border router | Newer Matter sensors, locks and blinds |
| Bluetooth | 2.4GHz | Rarely in homes | Good | A phone nearby, or a Bluetooth proxy | Setup, plant and temperature sensors, some locks |
| Matter | Not a radio. Runs over Wi-Fi, Thread or Ethernet | Uses Thread’s mesh | Depends on the radio underneath | A Matter controller: your hub, or Apple, Google or Alexa | New purchases that need to work across brands and apps |
Which should you buy?
Choose by device type, not by brand. Here’s what we recommend for most homes.
Sensors and buttons
Choose: Zigbee, or Thread for newer Matter models.
Why: they run for years on a small battery, and every mains-powered Zigbee device strengthens the mesh.
Avoid: Wi-Fi sensors. They flatten batteries quickly and crowd your Wi-Fi.
Lights, plugs and blinds
Choose: Matter-certified where you can, over Thread or Wi-Fi. Zigbee is a good, cheaper alternative.
Why: Matter works with your hub and with Apple, Google and Alexa at the same time.
Watch for: Wi-Fi models that only work through the maker’s cloud app.
Cameras and doorbells
Choose: wired PoE cameras where you can run a cable, Wi-Fi where you can’t.
Why: video needs bandwidth that low-power radios can’t carry, and a cable never drops out.
Note: Matter added camera support in late 2025, but compatible products are only starting to appear.
What your hub needs
A Zigbee and Thread coordinator
One small radio that lets your hub talk directly to Zigbee and Thread devices, with no brand bridges. We supply the SONOFF Dongle Max, configured, which connects by USB or by network cable so it can sit in the middle of the house.
A Z-Wave stick, only if you need one
Z-Wave uses its own frequency, so it needs a separate stick. Most new homes can skip it. If you already own Z-Wave locks or switches, choose a stick made for Australia and New Zealand.
A network built for it
Wi-Fi devices need strong coverage on 2.4GHz, and smart devices belong in their own zone, away from your laptops and phones. Matter and Thread also need that zone set up correctly to work reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matter replacing Zigbee?
Not any time soon. Zigbee has thousands of affordable, proven devices, and a good hub runs Zigbee and Matter side by side. Matter’s advantage is that one device works with every ecosystem, so it’s the better choice for new purchases where a Matter version exists. You don’t need to replace Zigbee devices that already work.
Why does my smart plug only connect to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi?
Most small Wi-Fi devices only have a 2.4GHz radio, because it reaches further through walls and costs less. If your router combines 2.4 and 5GHz under one name, some devices fail to join. We set up a dedicated network name for smart devices on 2.4GHz, in their own zone, which fixes this and keeps them away from your personal devices.
Do Zigbee and Wi-Fi interfere with each other?
They can, because both use 2.4GHz. The fix is to choose channels that don’t overlap: we set Zigbee to a channel that sits between the busy Wi-Fi channels and plan both together. See Bands and Channels for how Wi-Fi channels work.
Can I use Z-Wave devices bought overseas?
Usually not. Z-Wave uses different frequencies in different countries. In Australia it’s 919.8 and 921.4MHz, so US and European devices won’t talk to an Australian network. Always check the box says ANZ or Australia before buying.
What is a Thread border router, and do I already have one?
A border router connects Thread devices to the rest of your network. Many recent smart speakers and streaming boxes from Apple, Google and Amazon include one, and our Zigbee and Thread coordinator can act as one for your hub. Problems usually start when several border routers from different brands each build their own Thread network, which we sort out during setup.
Do I still need a separate bridge for each brand?
Usually not. With a Zigbee coordinator and Matter support on your hub, most bulbs, sensors and plugs pair directly. A few brands still work best through their own bridge, such as Philips Hue, and that’s fine: the hub connects to the bridge and everything still appears in one app.
Got devices that won’t play nicely?
Tell us what you have and what you want it to do. We’ll tell you what will work together, what needs a different radio, and what to buy next.