Smart Home Guides
Plain-English guides to choosing, installing and running a smart home, written by the Vesternet team and checked against the makers' own documentation.
New to smart homes?
Begin with our starter guide, or tell us what you want to do and we'll point you the right way.
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The basics: how smart homes work and which system suits you.
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Complete Home Automation Guide: Systems, Devices & Setup for BeginnersWhat a smart home is, the first decisions to make, a sensible first kit and mistakes to avoid.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Best Smart Home Hubs: How to Choose the Right ControllerCompare the five controllers we recommend and pick the right hub before you buy devices.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Z-Wave vs Z-Wave Plus: Complete Smart Home Protocol GuideHow Z-Wave works, what Plus, Plus V2, 800 Series and Long Range mean, and what you need.
Z-WaveRead guide ›
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Zigbee: Complete Guide to Smart Home Protocol, Devices & SetupWhat Zigbee is, how the mesh works, which hub you need and how to set up a first network.
ZigbeeRead guide ›
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What Is Matter? Matter and Thread ExplainedWhat Matter and Thread are, what you need to use them, and how Zigbee and Z-Wave fit in.
MatterThreadWi-FiRead guide ›
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Z-Wave vs Zigbee vs Matter: Which Smart Home Protocol Is Right for You?How Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter differ, which to choose, and how to mix them on one hub.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterWi-FiRead guide ›
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Smart Home Compatibility: Will It Work With My System?Three checks that tell you whether a device will work with your controller and voice assistant.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Zigbee and Z-Wave Range: How Far Can a Mesh Network Reach?Real-world range for Zigbee, Z-Wave and Thread, hub placement, repeaters and fixing weak spots.
Z-WaveZigbeeThreadRead guide ›
Choosing devices
What to buy for each job, and what to check before you do.
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Smart Light Switches, Dimmers & Modules: How They Work and How to ChooseModules, wall switches, dimmers or bulbs: how each works and which suits your lights and wiring.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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2-Wire vs 3-Wire Lighting: Complete Guide for Smart Switch InstallationWork out if you have a neutral at the switch, how 2-way circuits are wired and which smart devices fit.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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Smart Home Sensors Guide: 9 Types for Complete Home MonitoringNine sensor types explained, PIR vs mmWave, placement, battery life and what to automate.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Choosing Smart Home Heating Controls (Zigbee, Z-Wave & WiFi)Smart TRVs, thermostats and boiler switching explained, with zoning, schedules and underfloor heating.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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Smart Home Security: Sirens, Doorbells, Locks & Alarms (Zigbee, Z-Wave & WiFi)Sensors, sirens, doorbells, smart locks and arming modes, and how they differ from a monitored alarm.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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Choosing Smart Home Remote Controls & Wall Controllers (Zigbee, Z-Wave & WiFi)Battery wall controllers and remotes: button actions, scenes, direct control and where they solve problems.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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How to Choose a Smart Plug: Smart Home Plugs, Sockets & Energy MonitoringSmart plugs, in-wall and DIN-rail options, load ratings, range extending and energy monitoring.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterWi-FiRead guide ›
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Smart Smoke, CO and Water Leak Alarms: A Home Safety GuideSmart smoke, heat, CO and leak sensors: UK rules, placement, shut-off valves, sirens and testing.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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Smart Blinds, Curtains and Motors: How to Automate ThemThree routes to smart blinds and curtains, how four-wire motors connect, calibration and automation ideas.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
Setting up
Getting your controller and devices working, and keeping them that way.
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Hubitat Elevation Smart Home Hub: Quick Start GuideConnect, register and add devices to Hubitat Elevation, then build your first automation.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Homey Pro Smart Home Hub: Quick Start GuideSet up Homey Pro, add Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter devices, and build your first Flow.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterThreadRead guide ›
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Home Assistant: Setting Up Z-Wave JS and Zigbee (ZHA) with Vesternet DevicesZ-Wave JS, ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT in Home Assistant, and how Vesternet devices are supported.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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Aeotec SmartThings Smart Home Hub: Quick Start GuideSet up either Aeotec hub in SmartThings, add devices, install Edge drivers and build a Routine.
ZigbeeMatterThreadRead guide ›
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Adding and Removing Smart Home Devices: Inclusion, Exclusion, Pairing and ResetsInclusion, exclusion, pairing, resets and SmartStart for Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter, with fixes.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Smart Home Firmware Updates: Hubs, Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter DevicesWhen to update hubs and devices, how each controller handles it, and how to do it safely.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Smart Home Lighting Guide: 15 Automation Ideas & Setup Tips15 lighting and comfort automation recipes by room, and how to build rules that work every time.
Z-WaveZigbeeRead guide ›
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Upgrading or Moving to a New Smart Home HubWhat migrates, what doesn't, and a room-by-room plan for moving to a new hub.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterRead guide ›
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Smart Home and Home Automation GlossaryA plain-English A to Z of 85 smart home terms, from 2-wire to Zigbee 3.0.
Z-WaveZigbeeMatterThreadRead guide ›
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