This Z-Wave smart plug can operate over a mile away from your home.

The European manufacturer of smart devices, Shelly, has announced the upcoming availability of 11 new automation devices that will enable home connectivity from distances greater than a mile. The newly revamped and improved Wave devices are designed under the Z-Wave Long Range (Z-Wave LR) specification and are expected to hit the U.S. market in the first half of 2025.

The advantages of Z-Wave LR are comparable to those offered by Amazon's Sidewalk IoT network, as both technologies allow devices to extend connectivity beyond the home Wi-Fi network without the need for costly LTE data. Although Z-Wave LR was introduced in 2020, products utilizing this technology are just beginning to appear on the market.

This wireless communication protocol features numerous characteristics that are ideal for large homes and commercial environments. One of the main benefits is that it eliminates the need for a mesh network with multiple signal repeaters, instead operating on a star network topology that directly connects devices through a central hub. The maximum distance Z-Wave LR can cover in line of sight is 1.5 miles, functioning at full power and supporting up to 4,000 devices on a single network. Additionally, compatible devices automatically adjust their radio output power, allowing for battery life of up to 10 years on a single coin cell battery.

The new Shelly Wave products include a smart plug, a humidity and temperature sensor, a door/window sensor, a motion detector, a remote controller for motorized blinds, and a variety of smart dimmers and switches. Of these devices, three operate on batteries. So far, Shelly has not provided information on the pricing of these products.

Z-Wave LR is compatible with older Z-Wave devices and networks, although a hub that supports Z-Wave LR, built on the Z-Wave 700 or 800 series platform, is required to take advantage of the extended range benefits.