Alexa to turn off the lights is a great feeling. As more smart home devices are added, network congestion might cause these smart lights and plugs to respond slowly.
Alexa “talks” wireless exclusively. Unfortunately, Z-Wave, the preferred home automation protocol, is not supported because of its fast speeds and low interference with other connected devices. In other words, you can’t set up a two-way conversation between your Echo and a Z-Wave light switch or socket.
However, a smart home hub may be an intermediary between your Z-Wave gadgets and Alexa. What a new dimension of capability you’ve just unlocked! It’s easy to imagine how convenient it would be to command your automation and smart home gadgets just by speaking to your speaker.
It’s a giant leap forward in the direction of a fully connected, user-friendly smart home with enhanced safety, comfort, and ease of use. Thankfully, many existing hubs already have built-in support for Alexa, simplifying setup.
Table of Contents
Alexa Z Wave Hub: What Exactly Is It?
Like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, Z-Wave is a wireless technology. Unlike Wi-Fi, which requires all devices to link to a single point of access (your router), Z-Wave gadgets may communicate with one another directly, creating a decentralized network.
The network’s reach and stability improve with each additional node. Z-Wave connections between devices range around 100 meters, which is significantly greater than Bluetooth connections.
That’s on par with the Wi-Fi signal’s reach. Z-Wave avoids interference from cordless phones, microwaves, baby monitors, and other household devices since it works at a lower frequency than Wi-Fi and Zigbee.
Z-Wave is great for battery-operated smart home technology since its linked devices consume significantly less power than Wi-Fi devices.
Is Z Wave compatible with Alexa?
There is currently no Amazon Alexa smart speaker that supports Z-Wave connectivity. Instead of Bluetooth or wired connections, Echo devices utilize Wi-Fi to manage most smart home equipment.
Newer Alexa devices, such as the fourth-generation Echo, include Zigbee controllers but still lack Z-Wave.
Even though Alexa does not currently support Z-Wave out of the box, you can still include Z-Wave gadgets into your existing Alexa skills. Any third-party Z-Wave hub, such as SmartThings or Hubitat, will do to create the necessary link.
How To Link Amazon Alexa To Smart Devices
- Download the SmartThings app for Android or iOS and register for an account if you haven’t already.
- Install the Alexa mobile app and set up Alexa.
You may set up a SmartThings-Alexa connection in either app. Using the SmartThings app, you may connect them in the following ways:
- From the main screen, tap the plus sign (+) and then Voice Assistant.
- Tap Amazon Alexa. The Amazon App will launch immediately.
- Select the Enable button to connect to SmartThings.
- Tap Authorize to see “Alexa is linked to SmartThings.”
- Select “X” to dismiss the current window and start the discovery process for your device.
After granting Alexa access to your SmartThings setup, she will need to “Discover” your devices, scenarios, and routines. Because of safety concerns, Alexa can only be used with routines controlling lights, switches, and thermostats.
Using the Alexa app, you can now easily locate your SmartThings installation by following these steps:
- After closing the “Alexa is linked to SmartThings” notice, the Alexa app will prompt you to explore devices.
- Select Discover Devices
- Await the conclusion of the device found.
Setting Up Amazon Alexa Wave Hub
1. HABITAT
Be sure the Hubitat system is operational first. You’ll additionally have to download the Alexa app and get Alexa set up.
- Navigate to the Apps section on the left side of the Hubitat online interface.
- Pick the option to +Add an Internal App.
- Open the Amazon Echo app
- Select the Alexa-controlled devices.
- Click Done
2. Amazon Echo App
- Select the Devices icon in the app’s lower right corner.
- To add a new device, tap the addition (+) icon in the app’s top right corner.
- Tap Device
- Select the “Other” option
- Select the Discover Devices option.
- Alexa will try to find your Hubitat devices. Repeat the method if Alexa doesn’t locate all of the desired gadgets the first time.
Connect Alexa to Hubitat and use your voice to operate the connected devices. Hubitat’s unique selling point is that it lets you decide which Z-Wave gadgets should be connected to your smart speaker (and so controlled through the cloud) and which should remain completely independent and out of reach.
Set Up Your Amazon Echo To Trigger Your Alarm
Since Amazon owns both Alexa and Ring, the two should work together without a hitch. However, it is important to know that Ring will support not just the Z-Wave products on its official listings but also individual Z-Wave switches from other companies, such as Zooz switches.
However, Ring may not work with or provide full functionality for sensors and multi-channel devices from other companies. To use voice commands to directly manage your Ring-connected devices, follow these steps to add the Ring skill to the Alexa app:
- Get the Alexa app if you haven’t already
- Tap the three horizontal bars in Alexa’s upper left corner.
- Tap Games & Skills
- Type “Ring” into the search box.
- Click the Enable switch.
- Go to your Ring account and log in. In doing so, your Alexa and Ring accounts will be linked.
- After you sign in, you’ll see a message asking you to “discover devices.” Select the gadget you want to learn more about by clicking Discover Devices.
- Once you’ve linked your Ring devices, Alexa should be able to talk to all of them.
Note: If you would like to further customize your Ring products, please read our article on how to How to Change Your Ring Doorbell Sound.
Alexa Z Wave Hub FAQs
Q1. Can Alexa Control Z-Wave?
Ans: A Z-Wave compatible hub is required to link your Z-Wave gadget to a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Home. Hub companies like Wink, Iris, and SmartThings can now link your Z-Wave device to Alexa.
Through a SmartThings hub, Google Home devices can communicate with Z-Wave home automation systems.
Q2. Are Wi-Fi and Z-Wave the Same?
Ans: Most of us know of Wi-Fi, a wireless networking technology that uses either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies to provide internet access to wirelessly connected devices.
Z-Wave, used primarily for home automation, operates at a much lower frequency (between 800 and 900 MHz).
Q3. Do you need the Internet to use the Z-Wave?
Ans: Networks with only the bare minimum of components can function without internet access. There is no way for a Z-Wave Gateway to communicate with other Z-Wave devices unless you link it to the internet.
Q4. Can we use Echo Dot as a Hub?
Ans: The Amazon Echo Dot may be a hub for all your smart home gadgets, allowing you to manage things like lighting, temperature, outlets, and music. The Dot is a great entry point into the realm of smart home automation. We have an article which explains How to Put Echo Dot in Pairing Mode.
Conclusion
You must know many details about the Alexa Z Wave Hub. Following this guide, you will learn how to link your Alexa Z Wave Hub to your Smart TV.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Alexa Z Wave Hub. For more information, stay tuned!