Every smart device has to "talk" to the others somehow. The way it does so is called a protocol or communication standard. Think of it as a language: two devices that speak the same language understand each other directly, while devices with different languages need an interpreter.
In the home, that interpreter is the hub. That is why the choice of hub matters more than the choice of any single standard.
The standards in plain language
Zigbee
A low-power wireless standard designed specifically for sensors, switches and bulbs. It forms a mesh network: mains-powered devices pass the signal on to the next ones, so the network gets stronger as you add devices. Battery sensors usually last a long time. There is a huge range of devices from many manufacturers, at affordable prices.
Z-Wave
Also wireless, low-power and mesh, but it runs at a lower frequency than Wi-Fi (around 868 MHz in Europe). That means less interference and often better penetration through walls. Devices go through compatibility certification. The range is smaller than Zigbee's and prices are usually a little higher.
Matter and Thread
Matter is a newer standard backed by the major companies in the field, including Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung. Its aim is for a device to work with all the major ecosystems, with local control. Matter can run over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Thread. Thread is a low-power wireless mesh network, similar in spirit to Zigbee, that needs a "border router" to connect to the rest of the home network.
Matter is still evolving: each new version adds device categories, and support varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is a good choice for the future, but it does not yet cover every need.
KNX
A wired open standard with decades of history and wide use in homes and commercial buildings. Devices connect over a dedicated bus cable run through the walls, and are programmed with the standard's official software. Many manufacturers make compatible equipment. It is especially reliable and long-lived, but it requires cabling, so it suits new builds and major renovations above all.
What about Wi-Fi?
Many inexpensive smart devices connect directly to the home Wi-Fi. They are easy to install, but often depend on the manufacturer's cloud and load the network when there are many of them. We use Wi-Fi mainly for devices that need the bandwidth or power anyway, and we prefer models that can be controlled locally, such as Shelly relays behind existing switches.
Comparison at a glance
| Zigbee | Z-Wave | Matter / Thread | KNX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless, mesh | Wireless, mesh | Wireless (Thread, Wi-Fi) or Ethernet | Wired, bus cable |
| Needs new wiring | No | No | No | Yes |
| Battery use | Low | Low | Low on Thread | Not applicable |
| Device range | Very large | Moderate | Growing | Large, professional equipment |
| Local control | Yes, via hub | Yes, via hub | Yes, by design | Yes |
| Best suited to | Sensors, bulbs, switches in existing homes | Homes with thick walls, locks, shutters | New devices, voice assistants | New builds, villas |
The table is a general guide. Each device has its own characteristics, and in practice what matters is how they work together in your home.
When we use each one
- Existing flat or house: mostly Zigbee for sensors and lighting, Shelly relays behind the switches you already have, and Z-Wave where we need better range through walls.
- New devices and voice control: Matter where the equipment supports it properly, so it works smoothly with Google, Alexa or Siri.
- New build or major renovation: KNX for lighting, shutters and climate, designed on the drawings with your architect and electrician. Often with wireless sensors where cabling makes no sense.
- Cameras, audio, network: Ethernet and PoE where possible, Wi-Fi mesh for the rest.
In practice
Most homes we work on combine two or three standards. You do not need to think about it: in the design we note which standard each device uses and why.
Why the NIX Hub keeps you free
The NIX Hub is built on Home Assistant, an open-source platform with a very large community that supports Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, Thread, KNX and thousands of device and service integrations. That means three things for you:
- You are not locked to one brand. We can choose the best device for each job, not the one that "fits" the rest of an ecosystem.
- Everything in one app. Zigbee lights, a Z-Wave lock, a Matter bulb and KNX shutters appear together and take part in the same scenes.
- The system can grow. If a better device, or a new standard, appears in a few years, it joins the same hub without replacing what you already have.
The NIX Hub also runs locally, inside your home. You can read more about why that matters in the guide on local control, and about the hub itself on the NIX Hub page.
If you buy devices yourself
If you already own smart devices or plan to buy some, prefer models with Zigbee, Z-Wave or Matter and check whether they support local control. Where you can, avoid devices that only work through the manufacturer's own app. During the survey we check which of your existing devices can join the hub.