I’m looking for router recommendations for a home heavily loaded with smart devices. We have Google hubs, cameras, doorbells, 130 Hue bulbs, switches, smart outlets, Ecobee premium thermostats, a Lutron light hub, and a Meross garage opener that’s struggling to connect with Google’s 5G. Currently, I’m using a Google wifi mesh with 5 access points. Any advice for a robust setup?
For a home with many smart devices, I recommend moving away from Wi-Fi to a mesh protocol like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread for better reliability as you scale up.
Elijah said:
For a home with many smart devices, I recommend moving away from Wi-Fi to a mesh protocol like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread for better reliability as you scale up.
How would I transition to one of those protocols?
StatChatUSA3 said:
@Mary
You might start by integrating a system like Home Assistant, which supports Zigbee or Z-Wave dongles, allowing you to build a robust smart device network.
Hubitat could be an easier setup alternative, supporting both Zigbee and Z-Wave. It also integrates well with other systems like Google and Amazon for voice control and supports the Hue bulbs directly.
@Gerard
Just to clarify, Hue bulbs primarily use Zigbee, not Wi-Fi, for their connectivity.
PixelPioneer said:
@Gerard
Just to clarify, Hue bulbs primarily use Zigbee, not Wi-Fi, for their connectivity.
Correct, Hue bulbs connect via Zigbee to their hub, which then connects to other devices over Wi-Fi.
@Mary
Adopting a hub like Google Home Max might be useful as it supports the Thread protocol, which is becoming more popular among newer smart devices.
Elijah said:
For a home with many smart devices, I recommend moving away from Wi-Fi to a mesh protocol like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread for better reliability as you scale up.
At what point does a Wi-Fi network become overloaded with devices?
@Gene
From experience, after adding a few Wi-Fi smart bulbs, I realized the limitations. I’ve since moved almost all devices to Zigbee or Thread.
If you prefer to stick with Wi-Fi, consider a robust mesh network system like Ubiquiti, which allows for fine-tuning of networks and bands. This setup can help segregate your IoT devices on a 2.4 GHz network, making device connection more reliable.
@Robin
Thanks for the detailed advice. Do you know how to configure a Google mesh device to only use 2.4 GHz for connecting specific devices?
Mary said:
@Robin
Thanks for the detailed advice. Do you know how to configure a Google mesh device to only use 2.4 GHz for connecting specific devices?
For a high device count, consider enterprise-grade equipment like Ruckus or Unifi, which provide robust handling for numerous devices without performance loss.
@Howard
In my setup, I use a combination of a dedicated firewall and multiple access points with wired backhaul to ensure stable connectivity across all devices.
Mary said:
@Robin
Thanks for the detailed advice. Do you know how to configure a Google mesh device to only use 2.4 GHz for connecting specific devices?
Unfortunately, Google Wi-Fi selects the band automatically per device, which can be problematic for certain smart home devices that only operate on 2.4 GHz.
@Robin
Would this method work for connecting a smart garage opener?
Mary said:
@Robin
Would this method work for connecting a smart garage opener?
It might. If you’re using an iPhone, you can replicate your home network on your phone’s hotspot with the same SSID and password to trick the device into connecting.
@Robin
I use a similar Ubiquiti setup with multiple networks, which has greatly improved stability and device management in my home.
@Robin
It’s crucial to configure your mesh network properly. Consider reducing the power output on your routers to decrease interference between nodes.
Consider using the Nest Hub Max as a central hub for managing your smart home devices.
Kaitlyn said:
Consider using the Nest Hub Max as a central hub for managing your smart home devices.
Can the Nest Hub Max act as a standalone hub for all these devices?