Wireless,
when you cannot pull cable.
Zigbee and Matter are the wireless protocols we use when wired KNX is not an option — a lived-in apartment, finished walls, a retrofit without opening anything up. They cover 80% of the usual scenarios, with compromises we explain honestly.
zigbee mesh · smart retrofit
An open wireless mesh, a global standard.
Zigbee is a wireless mesh protocol (2.4 GHz band) used by dozens of manufacturers — Philips Hue, IKEA Trådfri, Aqara, Bosch, Schneider. Every Zigbee device relays the signal for the others, which makes the network robust in large houses or ones with thick walls.
The key advantage is the ecosystem: with a Zigbee 3.0 hub (or a Matter gateway over Zigbee) you can mix devices from dozens of manufacturers. Native AES-128 security, low consumption (many devices run on batteries), and it works without internet after the first setup.
Limitations compared with wired KNX: the 2.4 GHz band is shared with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (interference is possible in crowded areas), latency is slightly higher, and reliability depends on the quality of the router or gateway. For retrofits it is the best option; for new projects we recommend wired KNX.
The common standard of Apple, Google and Amazon.
Matter (launched in 2022, backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung) is an interoperability standard that lets smart home devices work across different ecosystems. With Matter, a Philips Hue bulb works directly with HomeKit, Google Home and Alexa, with no special hub.
Matter runs over existing networks — Wi-Fi (for higher-power devices), Thread (a low-power wireless mesh) or Zigbee (through a bridge). Many modern gateways support Matter + Thread + Zigbee in a single device.
Matter's limit: it is still young (2022) and does not cover every professional scenario (multi-room audio, complex scene lighting). But for simple control (lights, plugs, basic thermostats) it is excellent — and it integrates directly with our KNX through a gateway.
Four cases where wireless is the right answer.
We do not sell wireless as premium. It is the pragmatic solution where cable is no longer possible.
Lived-in apartment
Closed walls, finished surfaces. Zigbee gets you out of the trap without breaking anything. Installation in 1-2 days versus weeks for wired.
Rental
Portable devices — you take them to your next address. Smart bulbs, Zigbee plugs, a battery-powered touch panel. Zero changes to the apartment.
Extension after handover
The KNX system is wired, but you want to add a room three years on, or an outdoor zone. Zigbee/Matter comes in as an extension through a gateway.
Tight budget for basic smart
A two-room apartment, you only want smart lights and a thermostat, no KNX investment. A Matter/Zigbee package at half the price.
What wireless cannot do.
Professional lighting
For DALI-style 256-step dimming and complex scenes, wireless does not compare. Higher latency, lower reliability.
Critical security
For alarm systems to EN 50131 (grade 2-3), cable is mandatory. Wireless is a supplement, not a replacement.
Large villas (400+ m²)
A wireless mesh becomes unreliable beyond 30+ distributed devices. Wired KNX scales linearly; wireless has practical limits.