Guidebook

ZigBee gateways

Overview and functions

The ZigBee gateway ensures that ZigBee-compatible devices can communicate reliably with each other within a smart home system. Alongside Bluetooth and WLAN, the ZigBee wireless protocol is one of the most common standards for smart home systems such as Philips Hue.

The most important facts about ZigBee gateways in brief

What is a gateway according to the ZigBee standard?

The ZigBee gateway is a separate device via which all communication between the connected components takes place. This includes lamps and lights, but also radiator thermostats and blinds, for example. The ZigBee gateway is required to allow the various products to interact with each other or to control devices by voice or via an app while travelling.

Which ZigBee gateways are available?

The Rademacher addZ USB gateway, the ingenium® ZB gateway from Megaman, the Innr-Bridge and the well-known Philips Hue-Bridge are similarly designed control centres. The terms gateway, hub or bridge are manufacturer-specific synonyms.

Why do you need a ZigBee gateway?

The ZigBee gateway is always required to be able to use all functions. ZigBee devices can also be used without a gateway, but this eliminates many convenience functions and automation features, e.g. the programming of light routines or location-independent control. A compatible remote control is offered or supplied with some products.

Which manufacturers and providers are compatible with ZigBee?

The advantage of ZigBee, apart from very low energy consumption, is the wireless mesh network: ZigBee devices communicate with each other. This means that the range of ZigBee is not limited to the range of the router, but can be extended almost at will. Each device is both a transmitter and receiver of a radio command. For example, the signal from the living room is passed on to the outdoor lighting. However, a ZigBee-capable device must always be within range. Another advantage of the ZigBee standard is that ZigBee devices from different manufacturers can be networked and controlled using the ZigBee gateway.

✓ Low energy consumption

✓ High compatibility

✓ Large range

Which devices work with Zigbee?

Many manufacturers offer smart home products that are compatible with ZigBee, including well-known lighting brands with customised ranges. Thanks to ZigBee, personal favourite lights from different manufacturers can be combined with each other. In addition, further ZigBee-compatible devices can be added and controlled centrally via a ZigBee gateway or the app belonging to the gateway.

Are all ZigBee devices compatible with each other?

Although ZigBee devices are generally compatible with each other, there may be compatibility restrictions outside of lighting - e.g. with sensors and switches. There are also different versions of the ZigBee protocol. The current version is ZigBee 3.0. If you make sure that the ZigBee gateway supports this wireless standard or can be upgraded to this version, there is a high probability that the products will communicate with each other without any problems. All ZigBee gateways available from Lampenwelt use ZigBee 3.0.

Comparison of ZigBee gateways

Although the ZigBee gateways are similar in the way they work, there are some differences. Before buying, you can compare the important aspects and select the ZigBee gateway that is precisely tailored to your personal area of application.

By the way: If you're thinking about using a voice assistant to control your lighting and smart home as a whole, the Echo series from Amazon (e.g. Echo from 4. Generation, Echo Plus, Echo Studio, Echo Show from 2. generation and Echo Show 10) not only offers intelligent voice control, but also has the ZigBee gateway built right in. This allows the smart home to be built around the popular Alexa voice assistant - without a second app for the ZigBee gateway.


	Philips Hue bridge	Innr ZigBee Bridge	ingenium® ZB Gateway	Rademacher addZ USB stick

Controls up to	50 lamps and lights and 12 other ZigBee-enabled products	30 ZigBee products	150 ZigBee products	50 lamps and lights
Version of the ZigBee radio protocol	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Field of application	Setting up the best-known smart home lighting system, expandable at any time with numerous lamps, lights and accessories.	Cheaper alternative to the Philips Hue Bridge if you primarily want to use smart lighting.	Due to the maximum number of controllable products per ZigBee gateway, it is also suitable for lighting control in the commercial sector.	Extension of the HomePilot smart home from Rademacher to include smart lighting control.
Compatible with voice assistant	Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (Siri), Google Assistant	Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant	Amazon Alexa, Google Home	Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant (via HomePilot control centre)