Will Z-Wave work with Alexa? When I went to my friend’s house and saw his Amazon Echo, I asked myself that question.
He just started automating his house, and we talked about many ways to take it to a whole new level. And for this to happen, the Z-Wave protocol needs to be given a chance.
You can’t connect a Z-Wave device directly to your Amazon Echo because the Alexa protocol only works with Wi-Fi. There is a way to connect it through a bridge, but both platforms will need to be synced up more for voice commands to control Z-Wave.
It’s cool that we can connect and control so many devices through one network.
And for those of you who enjoy the “vibes” that Alexa brings to a home, I’ll give you some pointers on how to properly configure your Echo environment.
Is Alexa compatible with Z-Wave: Z-Wave definition
Before I show you how easy it is to connect Z-Wave to Alexa, I want you to know what Z-Wave is and why it might be a good choice for your smart home.
Z-wave is a smart home network that lets you control any device that works with it to the fullest extent.
Since it’s all about automation, it has a 128-bit encryption code to keep outsiders from doing anything dangerous.
I really like that Z-Wave is a growing network.
When you keep adding devices to a Wi-Fi network, the connection usually slows down. Think about streaming 4K content to two or three TVs and your phone. The internet will go away quickly.
Using Z-Wave is the opposite of this.
Since it is a mesh network, each device you add makes it stronger and bigger.
That’s why there are so many of them in most Z-Wave smart homes.
You can connect up to 232 devices to the same network, helping it work at its best. That is, your devices will connect faster and your smart home network will be stronger.
Z-Wave has so many great features that I decided to break it down in this blog post so you can understand it better.
The best z-wave hub for Alexa
As you may have seen, there are a lot of different kinds of z-wave hubs on the market.
Some of them cost money every month, while others are free.
But there’s one little guy who meets all the requirements to be the best z-wave hub for Alexa.
In general, it’s best to make a smart home that works well.
The SmartThings Hub is the hub I recommend for use with Amazon Alexa.
This beautiful white little brain is in charge of making sure your house runs smoothly, and I use it.
I love how it works with so many different kinds of networks and lets me automate everything I want.
Now, Alexa is the best option because of a number of things:
- Wi-Fi signal strength: Hubs that cost less don’t have enough power to reach most devices in a large house. If you don’t put it in the right place, it won’t connect well. SmartThings are the best at picking up Wi-Fi signals.
- Integration: Not all hubs work with your iOS or Android device. This hub is for both Android and iOS phones, so it doesn’t matter what kind of phone you or your family has.
- Price: Compared to its quality, this hub’s price is reasonable for all the features it has. There are others in the $30 range that require a monthly fee, so I’d rather pay an extra $20 and forget about that.
- SmartThings App: With this app, you can control any Z-wave device and set up cool routines and schedules that you will love.
This is the best smart home hub for Amazon Alexa for so many reasons that I wrote a blog post about the SmartThings Hub. If you’re interested, I went over all of its features there.
Please click here to learn more about SmartThings Technology.
Is Alexa compatible with Z-Wave? How to connect it
You’ve decided to get the best Z-wave hub, so now it’s time to connect it.
Overall, the process is a lot like putting an app on your phone.
First, you need to download the SmartThings app and create a free account.
Now that it’s up and running, you’d need to add the Hub to the App.
And what do I do?
- Just tap “add device” on the home screen.
- You can tap into Smart Things, the Wi-Fi Hub, and the Smart Things Hub. In the next step, you will be asked about your internet connection. If your Smart Things Hub is close to your router, you should choose an ethernet connection and use a cable for it. You’ll have a stronger connection and a better user experience, but if that’s not the case, go with Wi-Fi.
- Next, follow the steps that the app gives you.
Pretty simple! Now you need to connect your Amazon Echo to the Hub.
No matter which one you have, this hub will help you with it.
Now, to add it, just follow these easy steps:
- Touch (+) on the home screen of the app.
- Choose: Voice Assistant
- Choose Amazon Alexa.
- To be able to use smart things
- Give permission.
- Once it’s done, it will start to find devices around you.
- Tap “discover devices.”
- It only takes a minute or less to find it. Don’t stress out too much.
- That’s all. Enjoy your high-tech home.
We’re ready to move on to the next step now that we’ve made Alexa work with Z-wave.
This is where the fun starts.
Because you should probably choose your next Z-Wave device to use with Alexa, right?
The Z-Wave Alliance says that there are 94 million different devices to choose from.
There are thermostats, dimming lights, locks, door sensors, fan controls, and energy meters.
It’s amazing! Everything in your house can be automated for a very low price.
The flood sensor is one in particular. The only sensor you don’t want to use is this one.
Because if it happens, it means that your house is in danger! But at the same time, it is a very useful tool to have around the house.
There are carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms that make your home safer.
Choose the one you like best, but the process of adding them to your smart Things Hub will be about the same in the long run:
- First, open the Smart Things app and tap the plus sign (+) on the home screen.
- Choose the company that made your gadget. If it doesn’t show up, just pick “Other” and then “Generic Z-wave device.”
- Click on “Start.”
- Find a place for the device.
- While you’re waiting, you need to follow the device’s instructions for pairing. Since there are so many different kinds, I recommend that you check the manual.
Congratulations! You’ve now connected your Amazon Alexa to the Hub.
And the Z-wave gadget you want.
It’s time to use your voice to take control!
If you have a z-wave lock, you can turn it on:
“Alexa, close the main door.”
So, are you interested in other cool z-wave gadgets? Look at this post.
They have a long list of decoded devices that you can look through.
Conclusion
The question of whether Alexa works with Z-Wave comes with a lot of background information for people who are just starting out.
When you first get into the Smart Home world, there are a lot of different terms and ways to set things up that can be confusing. I think this makes it harder to reach a wider audience.
Only guys and girls who love technology and a house full of gadgets are willing to learn this.
I wrote this post because of this. To help everyone who wants to learn how to start automating z-wave devices with Alexa and make the house they want without breaking the bank.
You can design a fully automated home for a few hundred dollars and enjoy the control and technology behind it.
If you need assistance with your automation, please contact me at nelson.barbosa@MyAutomatedPalace.com. I’ll lend you a hand!
