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Z-Wave Long Range products

Create an automation system ranging over 1.5 miles with Z-Wave Plus v2

Standard Z-Wave offers a wireless range of as much as 150 feet - Z-Wave Long Range (LR) blows that out of the water with a maximum range as great as 1.5 miles! 

Available exclusively in North America, Z-Wave Long Range is available in select 700 series and 800 series Z-Wave products. 

What is Z-Wave long range?

Z-Wave has long been the best technological standard to use for automating a home. But beyond the home it hasn’t been great. And we’re not talking about smart city automation when we write that, but even in a home’s backyard. With most Z-Wave devices presently only communicating over a range between 328 to 492 feet in an open-plan home, having it automate an outdoors garage or annex has been difficult for most.

Z-Wave long range (Z-Wave LR) fixes that. A competitor to long-range focussed automation standards, such as LoRA, Z-Wave long range expands the range and capabilities of Z-Wave connectivity with a powerful transmission range of over a mile and the elimination of the need for Z-Wave repeaters to be used in an installation.

Calling it Long Range, however, doesn’t really touch on the full range of upgrades which are:

  • Compatibility with 700 series and 800 series Z-Wave
  • A direct, line-of-sight wireless range of as great as 1 mile in 700 series implementations and 1.5 miles in 800 series implementations
  • Direct, non-relayed communication not requiring the use of repeaters or middle devices
  • Larger network sizes with a Long Range Z-Wave hub able to manage as many as 4,000 devices
  • An improved battery performance with some devices offering operation of 10 years prior to needing their batteries to be changed
  • The ability for hubs to support both standard Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range at the same time
  • Security 2 implementations only forcing makers to offer best-in-class security in all their devices

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum wireless range of Z-Wave?

The maximum wireless range of a Z-Wave Long Range device is 1.5 miles while those using standard Z-Wave typically offer a communication range no greater than 328 feet.

Which versions of Z-Wave is Z-Wave Long Range compatible with?

It's possible for manufacturers to enable Long Range on both 700 series and 800 series Z-Wave devices. However, not all manufacturers are implementing the standard, so be sure to check a device's specifications prior to purchasing.

Does Z-Wave Long Range work with all controllers and hubs?

No, it will only work with controllers operating on 700 series or 800 series Z-Wave. The only gateway software we know to presently support Long Range is Home Assistant when used with a compatible Z-Wave stick. If you're looking to use Z-Wave Long Range, we recommend Atrim Stick.

Do Z-Wave Long Range devices support both Long Range and standard Z-Wave?

Yes. If your Z-Wave controller doesn't yet support Z-Wave Long Range you can still use any Z-Wave device which supports it. That's because Z-Wave devices with Long Range mode are actually 2-in-1: they support both standard and Z-Wave Long Range modes of operation. When you install a compatible device with a controller that doesn't support Long Range, it will install in standard mode.

Which countries does Z-Wave Long Range work in?

Presently, Z-Wave Long Range is only available for Z-Wave devices engineered for North America. While you can theoretically use North American devices outside of the region, it is typically illegal to do so. We expect Z-Wave Long Range to be available in other regions in the future.

How does Z-Wave Long Range compare to standard Z-Wave?

You can best compare Z-Wave vs Z-Wave Long Range at that link. Note that that guide compares the version of Z-Wave Long Range found in 800 series devices and not the older standard found in 700 series devices which have a maximum communication range of 1 mile versus 800 series' greater range of 1.5 miles.

Which Z-Wave hubs support Z-Wave Long Range?

If you're looking to take advantage of the long distance version of Z-Wave in North America, you'll need to use an Atrim Stick with open-source, Home Assistant software.