Zigbee vs Wi-Fi: when do you need a hub?

Choosing between Zigbee and Wi-Fi smart home products? The biggest differences are usually reliability, scalability and power usage — and whether you need a hub/bridge. This guide explains it simply and helps you choose.

Last updated: 22-02-2026

Short answer (TL;DR)

Wi-FiNo hub needed • quick start • can stress your router with many devices

ZigbeeUsually needs a hub • mesh network • stable for many devices

HubCentral “bridge” between Zigbee devices and your app/router

1–3 devices? Wi-Fi is often fine.
10+ devices (now or later)? Choose Zigbee + hub for stability.
Automations & sensors? Zigbee is usually more efficient and reliable.
Cameras/doorbells? Often Wi-Fi (streaming/data).

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What is Zigbee?

Zigbee is a low-power smart home protocol that uses a mesh network. Devices (like lights/plugs) can relay the signal, so range and stability improve as you add more devices. You typically need a hub/bridge to connect Zigbee devices to your app.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi smart home devices connect directly to your router. That makes it easy and cheap to start (no hub needed). The downside is that many devices can load your router and reduce stability in busy Wi-Fi environments.

When do you need a hub?

Are you buying Zigbee products?

Yes → usually hub required. No (Wi-Fi only) → usually no hub.

Do you want many devices (10+)?

Prefer Zigbee + hub (mesh = more stable).

Do you want everything in one app?

A hub/platform helps centralize devices and automations.

Zigbee vs Wi-Fi: comparison

Topic	Zigbee	Wi-Fi
Hub required?	Usually yes	Usually not
Stability with many devices	High (mesh)	Medium (router load)
Power usage	Low (great for sensors)	Higher (less ideal for battery sensors)
Range	Grows with devices (mesh)	Depends on router/APs
Best for	Lights, sensors, automations	Cameras, streaming devices, quick start

Practical advice: Use Zigbee for “many small devices” (lights/sensors/plugs) and Wi-Fi for “lots of data” (cameras/doorbells).

Recommended products (Zigbee, Wi-Fi & hubs)

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Tip: want many devices and a stable network? Choose Zigbee + hub. Want to start quickly with 1–3 devices? Wi-Fi is often enough.

Frequently asked questions

When do I need a hub?

You usually need a hub for Zigbee (and sometimes Z-Wave). Wi-Fi devices connect directly to your router, so they typically don’t need a hub. A hub is most useful when you have many devices, want stability, and prefer managing everything in one place.

Is Zigbee better than Wi-Fi?

For many smart home setups, yes. Zigbee uses a mesh network (devices extend coverage), is power-efficient, and often more stable with many devices. Wi-Fi is great for quickly starting with a few devices, but can stress your router as numbers grow.

Does Zigbee work without internet?

Often yes for local automations, depending on your hub. Many hubs can run basic functions locally. Cloud accounts and remote control (from outside your home) may still require internet.

Can I combine Zigbee and Wi-Fi?

Yes. Many people use Zigbee for lights/sensors (stable, efficient) and Wi-Fi for cameras or data-heavy devices. With a hub or platform you can manage everything together.

What’s the difference between a hub and a bridge?

A bridge is often brand/ecosystem specific, while a hub more often supports multiple device types or protocols. In practice, the terms are frequently used interchangeably.