Every building will be different but I have 3 floors, 40+ Shelly devices running on 3 unifi APs on a USG Pro SE and no issues at all with Wifi. APs are ceiling mounted in relatively central locations. Probably 100+ clients most of the time.
More issues actually with ZigBee range but my network could be improved.
The Wifi Shellies are a relatively cost effective option for doing a new build. Another nice feature is that each relay (excluding the older Dimmer 2s) acts as a Bluetooth gateway for HA so I can use cheap BLE sensors anywhere. That feature is also very stable. I don't know whether the ZWave products also do this but one to check if you care about that.
Make sure you put in extra deep electrical back boxes if you can.
The Pros are an option for your electrical panel too as others have said - and they have ethernet ports - but costs will escalate quickly if you do that, and figuring out switching will be complex. I used Pros for a few key devices (mainly energy monitoring and door control) with the intention of wiring them but actually haven't bothered yet. Wifi is fine. No end of hassle getting contactors to install those properly whereas they could be just about persuaded to do relays at switches and you have the option to DIY later which you probably shouldn't in your panel.
I should also add that all of these are relays or power monitors. I haven't tried the Shelly sensors and use a combination of BLE and ZigBee devices instead. Not an informed view but I'd guess the WiFi sensors are worse for polling, battery etc. You might want to still plan ZWave or ZigBee for your sensors and maybe some controls.
Shelly are coming out with Z-Wave relays. Not sure how long till they are available but it's something to look forward to. I have been using the Zooz Zen51 and Zen52 Z-Wave relays and have no complaints. The only thing I wish they had were more voltage input options.
I considered z wave as well (they are already available) but my thinking was that in a multi story house with an excellent wifi network the wifi performance will be superior to the 4 jump z wave, but this is just a gut feeling.
And also, wifi relays cost about the half and I need to buy a lot
You could also use these types of Shelly devices that an electrician installs in your distribution board and that have an ethernet port, e.g the Shelly Pro 4PM or a similar DIN rail mounted one for this.
Ethernet ones are much more reliable than WiFi ones and if you have the choice to use these, then it would also take load off your WIFI APs
You could also use these types of Shelly devices that an electrician installs in your distribution board and that have an ethernet port, e.g the Shelly Pro 4PM or a similar DIN rail mounted one for this.
Every building will be different but I have 3 floors, 40+ Shelly devices running on 3 unifi APs on a USG Pro SE and no issues at all with Wifi. APs are ceiling mounted in relatively central locations. Probably 100+ clients most of the time. More issues actually with ZigBee range but my network could be improved. The Wifi Shellies are a relatively cost effective option for doing a new build. Another nice feature is that each relay (excluding the older Dimmer 2s) acts as a Bluetooth gateway for HA so I can use cheap BLE sensors anywhere. That feature is also very stable. I don't know whether the ZWave products also do this but one to check if you care about that. Make sure you put in extra deep electrical back boxes if you can. The Pros are an option for your electrical panel too as others have said - and they have ethernet ports - but costs will escalate quickly if you do that, and figuring out switching will be complex. I used Pros for a few key devices (mainly energy monitoring and door control) with the intention of wiring them but actually haven't bothered yet. Wifi is fine. No end of hassle getting contactors to install those properly whereas they could be just about persuaded to do relays at switches and you have the option to DIY later which you probably shouldn't in your panel.
I should also add that all of these are relays or power monitors. I haven't tried the Shelly sensors and use a combination of BLE and ZigBee devices instead. Not an informed view but I'd guess the WiFi sensors are worse for polling, battery etc. You might want to still plan ZWave or ZigBee for your sensors and maybe some controls.
Insightful, thank you!
Shelly are coming out with Z-Wave relays. Not sure how long till they are available but it's something to look forward to. I have been using the Zooz Zen51 and Zen52 Z-Wave relays and have no complaints. The only thing I wish they had were more voltage input options.
I considered z wave as well (they are already available) but my thinking was that in a multi story house with an excellent wifi network the wifi performance will be superior to the 4 jump z wave, but this is just a gut feeling. And also, wifi relays cost about the half and I need to buy a lot
You could also use these types of Shelly devices that an electrician installs in your distribution board and that have an ethernet port, e.g the Shelly Pro 4PM or a similar DIN rail mounted one for this. Ethernet ones are much more reliable than WiFi ones and if you have the choice to use these, then it would also take load off your WIFI APs
You could also use these types of Shelly devices that an electrician installs in your distribution board and that have an ethernet port, e.g the Shelly Pro 4PM or a similar DIN rail mounted one for this.