One of the great features of Google Home voice assistant is that you can use it to control other smart home products such as your lights and security cameras. However, putting all these devices on your home’s Wi-Fi network may slow it down, so I researched if Google Home can use Z-Wave to communicate with other devices.
Google Home does not use Z-Wave, but it works with Z-Wave when used with a separate smart home hub. Any Z-Wave compatible smart home hub can connect a Google Home to other Z-Wave compatible devices.
Now that you know that Google Home can use Z-Wave with another smart home hub, you will want to know all the details about how to set up and use Z-Wave with your Google Home devices.
Using Google Home With Z-Wave
Google Home devices do not have built-in Z-Wave capabilities. Instead, they use Wi-Fi to communicate with other smart home devices. To use Google Home with Z-Wave, you will need to connect your Google Home device to a separate Z-Wave compatible smart home hub using your home’s Wi-Fi network.
Do not get confused about the use of the name “hub.” While Google makes a device called the Google Home Hub, it is not Z-Wave compatible without an additional smart home hub.
All Google Home devices including Google Assistant on your phone will work with Z-Wave devices when connected to a compatible hub. Google Home works similarly with Zigbee as well. Check out this article for information on using Google Home with Zigbee.
Z-Wave Hubs
There are over 2,000 Z-Wave products on the market, so connecting your Google Home device to a Z-Wave hub will greatly expand the ways you can use Google Assistant.
I recommend the Samsung SmartThings Hub. The SmartThings Hub can connect devices that use Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Zigbee. This makes it one of the most versatile smart home hubs on the market. The hub works with a variety of compatible smart home products such as:
- LightbulbsSmart plugsThermostatsSmart locksSensorsVideo doorbellsBluetooth speakers
Click here for a full list of smart home products that are compatible with the SmartThings Hub.
The Wink Hub 2 is another popular smart home hub that uses Z-Wave and works with Google Home. Wink Hub 2 can also connect devices using Zigbee and Bluetooth. Check out this link for smart home devices that are compatible with the Wink Hub 2.
Full Disclaimer: Wink is out of business so do not expect any ongoing support from them.
Setting up a Z-Wave Hub
The specific set-up directions will vary depending on what type of smart home hub you have, but here are the general steps to set up a smart home hub:
- Download the app for the smart home hub onto your phone or tablet.Open the app, and set up an account by following the directions in the app.Plug your smart home hub into a power outlet.Follow the manufacturer’s directions to connect the hub to your home’s Internet using an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi network.
My SmartThings Hub is plugged into my Wi-Fi router with an Ethernet cable. This allows the hub to have a more stable connection than if it were connected via Wi-Fi.
How to Connect Your Devices
After your smart home hub is set up, its time to start connecting your devices.
First, you will need to link your Google Home account and your smart home hub account.
- Open the Google Home or Google Assistant app on your phone or tablet.Select Home Control.Tap on the + sign.Search or scroll to find the name of your smart home hub.Enter your smart home hub account information.Follow the instructions in the Google Home app to complete the setup.
To connect other Z-Wave smart home devices to your Google Home, you will need to add them in the smart home hub app. Follow the directions that came with your hub.
Using Google Home With Z-Wave
Once your Google Home and smart home hub accounts are linked, you can automatically control your Z-Wave devices using your voice.
To seamlessly use voice commands, make sure you name your Z-Wave devices with names that you can easily remember such as “living room lamp” or “kitchen motion sensor”. You can change the name of a device anytime in the smart home hub app.
More Google Home Settings
You can create groups called rooms in the Google Home app to control multiple Z-Wave devices at once. For example, you can say “Ok Google, turn on everything in my bedroom”.
To create and add to rooms in the Google Home app go to “Home Control” and select “Rooms”.
You can also create routines in the Google Home app. Routines allow you to trigger multiple devices to perform specific actions with one voice command. For example, you can create a routine so that when you say “Ok Google, good night”, your smart home hub locks all your smart locks, turns off all your lights, and sets your smart thermostat to a pre-determined temperature.
To use Google Home routines, you must have compatible smart home products connected to a smart home hub.
Click here for directions on how to set up routines in the Google Home app.
