Your cart is empty.
Menu
The field of connected objects and home automation can seem very complicated for some people, hence the importance of doing research and being informed before making such a purchase. Among the questions that consumers ask themselves, one of them comes up frequently: What is the difference between Zigbee and Wi-Fi communication protocols? Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of each protocol.
Smart devices, like thermostats, switches, and smart plugs, communicate with other objects using a communication protocol. Zigbee is one of the most popular. It is a wireless protocol that uses a secure, low-power mesh network architecture. This is an essential detail for optimizing devices’ energy consumption.
Products using the Zigbee communication protocol require a gateway to receive commands from mobile devices and user interfaces. This gateway saves all your connected objects’ setpoints and programmings so that your home remains smart and functional, even during an Internet outage. The Zigbee communication protocol offers unparalleled stability, which allows the creation of a large park of connected devices. It can be made up of different types of smart products such as those offered by Sinopé Technologies: gateway, thermostats, switches, dimmers, electrical outlets, load controller, and more.
The Zigbee communication protocol has several advantages, hence its growing popularity. These benefits include the local programming of devices, the ability to have a vast network, low energy consumption, compatibility and interoperability between different products, and dynamic communication between devices.
For its part, the Wi-Fi communication protocol is by far the most widely used across the world. Already well established in our homes, Wi-Fi connected devices can be easily controlled with your mobile phone or tablet. Not requiring the additional use of a gateway, it is a good option for home automation newbies or for consumers who are not looking to build an advanced ecosystem with extensive functionality.
Mainly focused on developing Zigbee and previously Mi-Wi devices, Sinopé Technologies launched in September 2020 its smart Wi-Fi thermostat for electric heating. The company’s range of Wi-Fi products now includes a smart self-closing water valve and several types of thermostats: electric heating thermostat, floor heating thermostat, and low-voltage thermostat. Unlike their Zigbee versions, the Wi-Fi thermostats are compatible with Apple HomeKit, a major asset for Apple fans.
Note that it is possible to equip your smart home with multiple types of Wi-Fi devices. However, to ensure network stability, it may be necessary to use a more powerful router or even a signal repeater.
It may be relevant to know that Zigbee and Wi-Fi thermostats have pretty much the same settings but do not have exactly the same features.
| Differences between Sinopé Wi-Fi and Zigbee thermostats | ||
| Wi-Fi | Zigbee | |
| Connectivity requirements | Wi-Fi devices require a permanent Internet connection as well as a Wi-Fi router to be controlled remotely through your mobile devices. | Zigbee devices require the use of a gateway (GT130 or Zigbee compatible) and a permanent Internet connection to be controlled remotely through your mobile devices. |
| Programmings | Schedules: Set a different schedule for each day of the week, up to 8 periods per day. | Automations: Create automations that run based on time, sunrise/sunset, device action, or your presence. |
| Network stability | The more connected devices the network has, the more interference there will be, which will affect its stability. * Tips to improve the stability of your network:
| A Zigbee network can include many connected devices without affecting its stability. The network’s stability would even be enhanced since the devices relay information over a shorter distance. |
| Compatibility |
|
|
| Differences between Sinopé Wi-Fi and Zigbee thermostats | |
| WI-FI | ZIGBEE |
| Connectivity requirements | |
| Wi-Fi devices require a permanent Internet connection as well as a Wi-Fi router to be controlled remotely through your mobile devices. | Zigbee devices require the use of a gateway (GT130 or Zigbee compatible) and a permanent Internet connection to be controlled remotely through your mobile devices. |
| Programmings | |
| Schedules: Set a different schedule for each day of the week, up to 8 periods per day. | Automations: Create automations that run based on time, sunrise/sunset, device action, or your presence. |
| Network stability | |
| The more connected devices the network has, the more interference there will be, which will affect its stability. *Tips to improve the stability of your network:
| A Zigbee network can include many connected devices without affecting its stability. The network’s stability would even be enhanced since the devices relay information over a shorter distance. |
| Compatibility | |
|
|
Overall, Wi-Fi and Zigbee are two great communication protocols to get full control of your smart home. Your smart devices should be chosen according to your needs. For example, if you want to control a few rooms’ temperature remotely or if you already use the Apple HomeKit app at home, we suggest you opt for Wi-Fi products. On the other hand, if you want to eventually purchase a complete ecosystem of Sinopé smart devices, including heating, lighting, and specialized controls, we recommend that you choose Zigbee products. So, which one best suits your lifestyle?
20 responses to “Wi-Fi vs. Zigbee: we untangle it all for you!”
Hello! Are your wifi smart water valves compatible with Apple Homekit?
Hi Errol,
Thank you for your question! The Sedna Wi-Fi valve is a smart device that actually carries a dual communication protocol: Wi-Fi (for gateway-free communication with the user) and Zigbee (for communication with connected devices and water leak detectors). The fact that the valve is equipped with this dual communication protocol ensures that it operates properly even in the event of a power or Internet failure.
This product is therefore different from Sinopé’s other Wi-Fi devices, and is not compatible with Apple Homekit. There are no plans for this product to become compatible with Apple Homekit for now.
Thank you and have a nice day,
The Sinopé team
Will you eventually support matter/thread with your thermostats? Would love to have direct control of my wifi thermostat from my smartthings hub without depending on the cloud integration.
Thanks
Hi Frederic,
Thank you for your question! As Canada’s largest smart devices manufacturer for the residential and multi-residential sectors, it is a fact that our product development teams are on the lookout for the latest technologies, including Matter. Stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter and social media, as more details will be shared in due time.
Thanks,
The Sinopé Team
can I connect Sinope gateway with steelpro fanheater SORB2002MW and control it with nevi web?
Hi,
Thank you for your question and your interest in our products! Unfortunately, our gateway isn’t compatible with your device, so you won’t be able to connect it and control it with our app.
If you need more assistance, we invite you to contact our support team by email at support@sinopetech.com or by phone at 1-855-741-7701.
Thanks,
The Sinopé Team
How can I tell what wattage thermostat I need? You are offering 3000 and 4000 watt options.
Hi Danielle,
Thank you for your question! Here is an article that will help you choose the right wattage: https://support.sinopetech.com/en/1.1.2.1.5/
If you need any more help, do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at sales@sinopetech.com or by phone at 1-855-741-7701.
Thanks,
The Sinopé Team
Hi,
I have a Hue Bridge. If I install a Sinope bridge, is there a risk that the bridges will interfere with each others?
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your question and for your interest in our products! There shouldn’t be any problem installing our GT130 gateway even if you already have a Hue bridge. Our products will only communicate with the GT130 gateway, so there should be no interference.
If you have any other questions or if you want to talk with a member of the team, we invite you to reach out by email at support@sinopetech.com or by phone at 1-855-741-7701. Thanks!
Will the Sinope work with my Phillips Hue Bridge for Zigbee, and what are the differences between the 3000 watt and 4000?
Hi Michael,
Our Zigbee thermostats are not compatible with the Phillips Hue Bridge unfortunately. There are a few differences between the 3000 W and 4000 W thermostats:
1- Capacity difference: maximum load of 3000 W for TH1123WF and TH1123ZB and maximum capacity of 4000 W for TH1124WF and TH1124ZB. (If you do not know what wattage is required to control your electric heaters, you can read this article: https://support.sinopetech.com/en/1.1.2.1.5/)
2- The 3000 W thermostats are physically smaller than the 4000 W thermostats.
For more information, we invite you to communicate with our sales team by email at sales@sinopetech.com or by phone at 1-855-741-7701. Thanks!
In order to include wider set of Zigbee devices such as cameras and motion sensors, a third party hub seems preferable. The GT130 does not work with other devices (non-Sinope) is that correct?
Which ones are compatible- as alternative hub for Sinope thermostats?
Hi Hank,
Thank you for your question! Indeed, the GT130 hub doesn’t work with non-Sinope devices. The Sinopé thermostats can be connected to a compatible Zigbee gateway, such as the SmartThings hub or the Hubitat hub. However, you’ll need Sinopé’s GT130 gateway to use the Neviweb app and control your devices remotely.
For more information, we invite you to communicate with our support team by email at support@sinopetech.com or by phone at 1-855-741-7701.
Thanks,
The Sinopé Team
So, what functionalities are available with a third party hub? I am in BC and have a Hub from BC Hydro that in theory is compatible with the Zigbee version of Sinope’s Thermostat. What will I be able to do through their app? Not only the thermostat, how restricted are the other smart products? I was thinking in buying a thermostat but now I’m worried that I’ll have to deal with two Zigbee hubs if I have products from different brands.
thank you
Hi Kane,
Thank you for your question! It goes without saying that connecting our devices to our gateway and to the Neviweb app allows you to access a maximum of features. However, you can still connect our thermostat to a compatible Zigbee gateway, which may offer the same amount (or less) features. You can look on your hub company website to see the features that it offers (for example consumption graphs, compatibility with voice assistant and platforms, remote control), but we can say for sure what are these features.
If you want to discuss more about it, you can contact us by phone at 1-855-741-7701 or by email at support@sinopetech.com. You can also communicate with BC Hydro so they can help you understand which features are offered with their hub. Thanks and have a great day!
All the screenshots of the phone app appear in French language
Hi,
Thank you for your comment! We continue to update our new support website. The images will soon be replaced by their English version.
Thanks,
The Sinopé team
HI,
I have multiple Zigbee devices in different location from your compagny but I would like to use them with Applekit. Do you have plans to add compatibility in the future?
Regards
Hello Jeremy,
Thank you for your question and for your interest in our products! Zigbee devices are currently incompatible with Apple HomeKit. Our team is studying the compatibility with this home automation platform.
In the event that future Zigbee devices become compatible with Apple HomeKit, devices purchased before compatibility will remain incompatible with this platform.
However, we have designed a wide range of Wi-Fi thermostats that are compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Thanks,
The Sinopé team