Switching to HA - recommendation for zwave controller?

Hi all,

this is my first (and probably not last) post on this forums! :slight_smile: I am evaluating a switch to HA and want to make sure i start out the way i want for a few things (installation and zwave being the most promiment).

I use zwave alot and want to build my HA around the best controller for my needs. Currently i use an Aeotec Gen5 Stick on a dedicated Pi. My HA will most likely run on a VM, hosted on the esxi in my cellar. This location is far from the first zwave device i use. I know i could use mains-powered devices for extension, but as i really don’t have any other use for the devices in between my server and my appartment, i wonder if i should use a hub instead.

Here are my questions:

  • do the supported zwave controllers (HA doc) differ regarding the features they offer?
  • is there a recommendation for a certain controller or brand, that is working more stable in HA?
  • do i have any drawbacks when using a hub? e.g. the fibaro hub or zwave.me, can i use it just like my Aeotec USB stick in terms of features it offers (possible devices, automations, etc.), but with the advantage of having an eth-port, so i can place it far away from the HA server?

I apologize if some questions appear strange or stupid, i am not used to HA-terminology yet. I guess that will come when i use it more :wink: I need to make the decision for my zwave network now at the start though …

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

Zwave JS / JsUI (most likely what you will use) supports a configuration with a remote ZWaveJS server (meaning you could throw that stick on a pi running ZwJS and connect remotely-putting the ZWave stick in a convenient location for your mesh. There are also network connected coordinators that can connect using a serial to ip connection.

Do controllers differ? Not too much. Silicon Labs chips are part of a certified device so you don’t get a lot of variation on capability. You get enhanced features with each chip iteration. So you’ll hear people talk about a ‘300’, ‘500’, ‘700’, or ‘800’ chip.pst of your difference comes down to antenna.

The latest 800 series chips bring ZWave Long range to the party - but it’s not fully supported by ZWaveJS yet. The 700 is the current mainstream series chip and some say it has problems with dropping nodes. Make sure your firmware is up to date. 500 chips brought ZWave Plus and are what you find in most devices built in the last three years before they were supplanted by the 700. Most people currently run coordinators but on 500 or 700 chips

Yes there are recommended controllers and you will find the current lists on each integrations wiki/manual page.

That aeotec stick you have may be just fine if it’s up to date in firmware. (I use an aeotec 5+ myself) what’s it’s exact model number and what firmware is on it?

I got a ZW090-C, and i assume it would work fine with HA. I am just wondering if that’s the best solution for me.
If i use a fibaro home center, something from zwave.me or the remote ZWaveJS server you mentioned, can i manage all devices connected to it without extra hassle? If i do the same with openhab, all things are hidden behind a generic “remote server thing”, which can become quite annoying at times :wink:

Using an USB stick would clearly have the disadvantage of being at the far rim of my mesh, but maybe it has some advantages over those gateways (i treat them as “sticks with eth” for this decision)?
The fibaro integration and zwave.me integration seem to be some kind of niche, as the active installations are reported as 533 and 43, which is quite a low number, isn’t it? I don’t want to base my HA on some niche that maybe won’t get much love in the future.

I just don’t have enough information yet and will continue to browse this extensive community more :slight_smile:

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So with ‘what integration, server or whatever you use’ Rest assured that all of the solutions eventually boil down to convert media to entity in HA. Some of them allow you more control of the actual device in HA than others (ZWaveJSUI for me is that balance) - but the cool part is you’re in control of that lever.

As to your particular situation - agreed, remote coordinator is probably the way to go in some way shape or form but considering your comments on what’s more common (read: supportable)…

Want any ‘insert your favorite flavor of 700 stick here’ in a Pi running JS Server on PoE somewhere in middle of your actual residence talking back to your HA install on a rack- sure, It’s not only doable - you’ll find plenty. I’d wager there’s more of those people running HA in container on a proxmox rig than a zwave.me. Either way there’ll be maintenance - just where are you comfortable doing that maintenance. They’re also not mutually exclusive - try what works… For me - trusted hardware EVERY time - software can get updates.

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