Mixing protocols can definitely get messy, especially if you’re trying to keep things seamless for clients who don’t want to deal with tech headaches.
That’s been my experience too, especially in older houses with thick plaster walls. I’ve had Zigbee devices drop off the network just because someone moved a metal shelf—not ideal when you’re trying to show off “smart” lighting. Still, I can’t help but prefer Zigbee and Z-Wave for sensors, if only for the battery life. Haven’t found a WiFi sensor that lasts as long either, and it’s a pain having to swap batteries every few months.
Curious if anyone’s tried running multiple mesh networks in the same house? I’ve heard some folks claim interference between overlapping Zigbee and Z-Wave meshes, though I haven’t noticed it myself. Maybe it depends on the size of the setup or the number of repeaters? Also, does anyone bother hardwiring their hubs anymore, or is everyone just trusting WiFi at this point? Sometimes I wonder if going “all wireless” is worth the potential trouble when something inevitably drops offline...
Hardwiring hubs still feels underrated, honestly. I’ve had fewer headaches since I started running ethernet to the main smart home hub—less random dropouts, especially during firmware updates. Wireless is convenient, but in older buildings with weird interference, that hardwired connection can be a lifesaver. Not sure I totally buy the “interference” argument with Zigbee and Z-Wave either; in my experience, it’s more about where you put your repeaters and how much metal is in the walls. WiFi sensors are just too hungry for batteries for my taste...
Wireless is convenient, but in older buildings with weird interference, that hardwired connection can be a lifesaver.
I’ve run into the same thing—old plaster walls with metal mesh are brutal for wireless signals. When I renovated my last place, I mapped out ethernet runs to each floor and tucked the cables behind baseboards. It’s a bit of work up front, but worth it for stability. Curious if you’ve tried running PoE (Power over Ethernet) to your hub? It simplified things for me since I didn’t need extra power outlets everywhere. Wondering if anyone’s found a good balance between wired backbone and wireless endpoints, especially in tricky layouts...
Hardwired definitely wins for reliability, especially in older homes. I ran PoE to a couple of access points—honestly, it was a game changer not having to worry about finding outlets in weird spots. Still, I’ve found that even with a solid wired backbone, some wireless dead zones just won’t go away unless you get creative with placement. Sometimes you just have to accept a little compromise if you don’t want cables everywhere...
Honestly, I hear you on the cable chaos. I’ve been through a couple of renovations where running new wires just wasn’t worth tearing up old plaster or drilling through brick. In my last place, I tried to keep everything hardwired for reliability, but there’s always that one room where the signal just drops off a cliff. Ended up tucking a PoE access point behind a bookshelf—out of sight, out of mind, and it actually worked better than I expected.
One thing I’d add: if you’re thinking about smart home stuff, look for gear that plays nice with wired connections but doesn’t force you to go all-in on one ecosystem. I’ve seen folks get locked into proprietary hubs or wireless-only setups, and it’s a pain when you want to swap things out later. Sometimes a little compromise on placement or aesthetics is worth it for a system that’ll last and not drive you nuts with dead spots or dropped devices. Just my two cents from a few too many hours spent crawling around attics and basements...