Why I Prefer Zigbee Over Wi-Fi Smart Devices

When I first started tinkering on what eventually became my smart home system, I loaded up on Wi-Fi devices because they were cheap, easy to set up, and could be addressed with a local IP (like 192.168.1.120). While I don't regret it, I have since built out my home significantly with Zigbee devices and choose Wi-Fi only when there is no better choice. Here’s why Zigbee is the better choice for most smart home setups.

Zigbee Leaves Your Wi-Fi Bandwidth Alone

Every Wi-Fi smart plug, bulb, and sensor fights for bandwidth on your router, especially if you have a lot of devices. Your Wi-Fi router wasn’t built to handle 50+ smart home devices along with your phones, laptops, and TVs. While some Zigbee and Wi-Fi channels overlap, Zigbee still operates on a separate low-power network, reducing congestion and keeping your Wi-Fi free for what actually needs it.

Zigbee Mesh = Better Coverage

Unlike Wi-Fi devices that all depend on your router’s range, Zigbee devices talk to each other in a mesh network. Every powered Zigbee device (like smart plugs, wired switches or smart bulbs) acts as a repeater, strengthening the network. This means better coverage, fewer dead zones, and a more reliable connection—especially in larger homes. You can have a tiny, battery powered motion sensor all the way in your garage as long as you plug a few smart plugs in on the way there.

Zigbee Devices Are More Reliable

Because Zigbee devices operate locally, they don’t slow down when your internet connection gets spotty. Many Wi-Fi smart home devices rely on cloud services, which means if the company’s server goes down (or if they decide to discontinue a product), your device becomes a fancy paperweight. Granted, some wifi devices also support local control (we approve!), but Zigbee is local by design, making automations and controls much more dependable.

Power Efficiency: Zigbee Wins for Battery-Powered Devices

If you’ve ever had a Wi-Fi smart sensor, you know the pain of constantly changing batteries. Wi-Fi is power-hungry, which makes it a terrible choice for small battery-powered devices like motion sensors and door contacts. To save power, battery-powered Wi-Fi devices usually enter a deep-sleep mode, requiring longer wake-up times when an event happens – unacceptable for turning on a light when you enter a room. Zigbee, designed for low power use, allows these devices to last months or even years on a single battery and with very low latency. 

Security & Privacy Advantages

Most Wi-Fi smart home devices require an internet connection, cloud accounts, and apps that may collect data. That’s a privacy nightmare. Zigbee devices don’t rely on cloud services, meaning no third parties are spying on your smart home setup. Plus, local control means faster response times and better security.

The Downsides of Zigbee (And Why I Still Prefer It)

To be fair, Zigbee isn’t perfect. It requires a hub or dongle to connect to, which is an extra step in setup and may prevent beginners from dipping their toes in the water. Some brands have different Zigbee implementations that don’t always play nicely together. But with Home Assistant and a good Zigbee coordinator, these issues are minimal compared to the headaches Wi-Fi devices bring.

If you want a smart home that’s fast, reliable, local by design, and doesn’t slow down your Wi-Fi, Zigbee is the way to go for many sensors. Yes, it takes a little extra effort to set up, but the benefits far outweigh the downsides. My smart home is running on 50+ Zigbee devices, and they are literally set-it-and-forget-it. It's the first protocol I look for when deciding on a new device purchase.