How to choose Best Home Automation For your Apartment, Independent House or Villa?
If you are looking to transform your house into a smart home, then you need a best home automation systems that can help you choose right solution for your home.
Though there are various popular old technologies like Knx (wired), Z Wave (Wired), thanks to the Advanced and Improved wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, Zigbee and Bluetooth which made the home automation budget friendly. Here is a Quick Pros and Cons for Wi-Fi, Zigbee and Bluetooth.
ZIGBEE
PROS
- PDoes not use lots of energy- suits battery powered devices- more like sensors.
- PThe signal is strong. It can connect to devices up to 35 feet away.
- PThe devices are operated without internet using the GATEWAY/HUB
- PSupports up to 200 devices using a gateway, Ideal for Big Villas/Bungalows.
- PZigbee uses on Mesh Network. So, it can communicate to many devices even at a long distance.
CONS
- OIt needs a smart hub to control it. which turns out to be expensive
- OIt is more vulnerable to hackers (as an open protocol)
Z WAVE
PROS
- PDoes not use lots of energy- suits battery powered devices- more like sensors.
- PThe signal is strong. It can connect to devices up to 35 feet away.
- PThe devices are operated without internet using the GATEWAY/HUB
- PSupports up to 200 devices using a gateway, Ideal for Big Villas/Bungalows.
- PZigbee uses on Mesh Network. So, it can communicate to many devices even at a long distance.
CONS
- OIt needs a smart hub to control it. which turns out to be expensive
- OIt is more vulnerable to hackers (as an open protocol)
Bluetooth
PROS
- PDevices do not need to be controlled by a hub.
- PDoes not use lots of energy - suits battery powered devices.
- PIt can connect to devices up to 100m away
CONS
- OA limited number of devices can be connected
WIFI
PROS
- PThere is NO ADDITIONAL HUB.
- PLow Cost Solution for Beginners *
- PThere are vast range of Products **
- PVery Secured and less Vulnerable to Hacking
- PEach device is more independent
- PPlug & Play Installation
*You can even buy an online switch or a Smart Plug to start with.
** Starting from Touch Switches, Kinetic Switches, Door Locks, Video Door Phones, Indoor-Outdoor Cameras, Security Alarm Systems
CONS
- OIt can only connect to devices up to 50m away. For Long Range you might need a Repeater
- OLimited Devices connectivity to a single router- Up To 20-40 devices.
Conclusion
- For a Typical Apartment like 2,3,4 BHK its advisable to go with WIFI Solution.
- Incase you need to cover a long distance like a big Villa or Farm House you can opt for ZigBee.
- If you need to control Lighting and Fan speed without online you can choose WIFI+RF Smart Switches
- For Security Alarm Sensors you can opt for Wi-Fi +RF or Zigbee both of them will have a common gateway and have less power consumption when compared to Standalone Wi-Fi Sensors.
- Choose Zigbee or Z wave, which requires HUB in case you need to communicate more that 60+ devices.
