# Non z-wave door/window sensor, any tips? **URL:** \ **Category:** Devices\ **Created:** [November 9, 2019, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450 "2019-11-09T12:55:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/1 "2019-11-09T12:55:33Z")
I have tried out the Aeotec gen 7 door/window (z-wave) sensors, and am REALLY disappointed by the super low maximum range between Homey and these sensors. They’re already out of homey’s z-wave range at 6 or more meters. Most likely this is due to homey, and not aeotec. I would like anyone’s advice on alternatives perhaps other z-wave sensors (like fibaro) that perform better? Perhaps zigbee, 868 or else? ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/3 "2019-11-09T13:54:53Z")
Hey Roy, Thanks! Yes I have seen that there’s a ton of topics on that subject, even seen people attaching their own antennas to homey (quite something)! I’d prefer not to go in that direction, but rather buy good working alternatives to the sensors that I have now. ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Machiels](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/lars_machiels/32/10295_2.png) [@Lars\_Machiels](https://community.homey.app/u/Lars_Machiels)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/4 "2019-11-09T14:06:23Z")
I would go for the Zigbee Xiaomi door sensors. They are dirt cheap, have a good range and are very power friendly. I have a dozen or so in my house of which 2 in my shed (+/- 20 meters from my Homey). ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/6 "2019-11-09T14:20:48Z")
Hey @Lars_Machiels, Thanks too! Sounds good. Do you also have experience with z-wave sensors and if yes, how did they perform range-wise? And if so, which type/brand were they? I’m asking this because it gives some reference on how the zigbees perform in comparison with the z-waves. ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/7 "2019-11-09T14:23:26Z")
Hey Roy, I have only one other z-wave device connected to homey which is the Aeotec multi sensor (its main powered indeed). This is located at 10 cm distance from Homey though. So I guess no (or a very small) mesh, currently. ---
**Author:** ![Rocodamelshekima](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rocodamelshekima/32/8209_2.png) [@Rocodamelshekima](https://community.homey.app/u/Rocodamelshekima)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/8 "2019-11-09T14:41:17Z")
And u think u gonna manage better with zigbee ? Without router devices? ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/10 "2019-11-09T14:56:41Z")
I think no thing. Why u guessing me am think? ---
**Author:** ![Rocodamelshekima](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rocodamelshekima/32/8209_2.png) [@Rocodamelshekima](https://community.homey.app/u/Rocodamelshekima)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/11 "2019-11-09T14:59:57Z")
Mesa not guessing, just reading. U think ur trouble with Z-wave is Homey’s fault, stating here: > [@JonE](#): > > Most likely this is due to homey U ask for other sensors like zigbee here: > [@JonE](#): > > Perhaps zigbee U wonder if zigbee would perform better here: > [@JonE](#): > > I’m asking this because it gives some reference on how the zigbees perform in comparison with the z-waves. Now why u think i am guessing? ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/12 "2019-11-09T15:00:15Z")
Did not know I need to educate myself or do a course on the complete z-wave or zigbee technology before being able to buy an ordinary window / door sensor. After all homey is designed to use it more or less plug and play. What I did do though is checking on the Aeotec website what the range is. Up to 50 meter they say… Disappointed that it maxes out at 6 meters when combined with Homey. ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/13 "2019-11-09T15:02:49Z")
Please keep your comments to yourself, if you like to talk childish like that. I am seeking for some serious advices on the sensor, no discussions in a weirdo language. @Rocodamelshekima ---
**Author:** ![Rocodamelshekima](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rocodamelshekima/32/8209_2.png) [@Rocodamelshekima](https://community.homey.app/u/Rocodamelshekima)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/14 "2019-11-09T15:04:36Z")
And i was asking if u would think that zigbee performs better then Z-wave without any router devices. But i get ur point. Happy hunting m8! ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/15 "2019-11-09T15:08:24Z")
I wasn’t thinking that nor assuming. It was Lars who suggested to use Zigbee instead and I was wondering if I wouldn’t end up with similar range issues and therefore asked him if he had any z-wave experiences before using the zigbees. Nothing more. Nothing less. ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/17 "2019-11-09T15:14:43Z")
I understand. But what really surprises me is that for any real life practical use, these sensors too quickly become useless, if they max out so soon. It means that using them on - let’s say - your front and backdoor, these doors both need to be at max 6 meters away from Homey (unless you install a lot of other z-waves devices and create a mesh network). I’d rather not install a bunch of other devices just for this sake 🤔. ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/18 "2019-11-09T15:19:34Z")
So you tried one. And then when it didn’t work as expected you immediately assume that ALL sensors are useless? And that the range of Homey is sh\*t per definition? Maybe you should take the advice of @RoyWissenburg and read some stuff about Z-wave and Zigbee protocols and networks before you jump to conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![anon8748058](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anon8748058](https://community.homey.app/u/anon8748058)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/20 "2019-11-09T16:12:41Z")
I have the same experience. The Homey sphere doesn’t have great zwave range. My experience is that I require at least one other zwave router nearby to get acceptable range throughout my house. When you will apply more automaton in your house via zwave, you won’t run into any range issues anymore. I can’t speak for any other hardware, but I can imagine that other smart hubs have the same type of range issues due to the amount antennas in the small case. ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/21 "2019-11-09T16:30:36Z")
Who says I don’t own other smart devices connected to homey?? For one, I own my homey since 5 years, early bird buyer at Kickstarter. For two, nearly everything in my home is smart and automated (although not with z-wave, except for one multi sensor). So please, don’t jump to senseless conclusions so quickly… What a nice welcoming experience to be back at the forum 😳😅 ---
**Author:** ![JonE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JonE](https://community.homey.app/u/JonE)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/22 "2019-11-09T16:31:18Z")
@anon8748058 Thanks man! Will actually look into a z-wave extender then. Hopefully that’ll be of help! ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Machiels](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/lars_machiels/32/10295_2.png) [@Lars\_Machiels](https://community.homey.app/u/Lars_Machiels)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/23 "2019-11-09T17:06:42Z")
Of course I can only say something about my own experience with Zigbee. Despite all the negative posts regarding Zigbee in combination with Homey I have no major complaints. I know that in theory Z-wave is better than Zigbee but weighing all pro’s and con’s I prefer Zigbee for its price and power consumption. I used to have a few Fibaro motion sensors and even tough they worked just fine I had to replace the (expensive) batteries quite often. Now already for about one and a half year I have about 25 Zigbee devices (yes, some of them act as routers) of which I had to replace the battery for +/- 3 devices only. Also taking the price of the devices into consideration (10-15 Euro each) for me Zigbee rules (not saying there’s anything wrong with Z-Wave). Maybe in your situation Zigbee is not good either. It’s just a matter of trial and error I think. ---
**Author:** ![Rocodamelshekima](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rocodamelshekima/32/8209_2.png) [@Rocodamelshekima](https://community.homey.app/u/Rocodamelshekima)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/24 "2019-11-09T17:17:10Z")
But reaching the shed also takes some router devices aye? ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Machiels](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/lars_machiels/32/10295_2.png) [@Lars\_Machiels](https://community.homey.app/u/Lars_Machiels)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450/25 "2019-11-09T17:19:09Z")
The funny thing is that the device in the shed connect to Homey directly. I must admit I did the antenna mod though. [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/non-z-wave-door-window-sensor-any-tips/20450.md?page=2)