Z-Stick Gen5+
Aeotec Z Stick 5: Your gateway to build your own Z-Wave gateway.
Discover the affordable side of the next-gen Aeotec Z Stick 5. Connect and automate electronics effortlessly, step by step, room by room. It’s your pace, your time, your budget – with the added power of zwave technology.
New Model: Z-Stick Gen5+
Usually the most expensive part of any smart home is its gateway – that’s the software-powered hub that binds all your connected devices together in order to control and automate them. With Aeotec z stick 5 + your gateway no longer needs to be expensive. Nor does it need to be a security or privacy risk. Z-Stick Gen5+ lets you build your own, locally hosted gateway. A gateway that is cloud free and that offers the features and security that are just right for you and your individual vision.
Z-Stick Gen5+ has long been the Z-Wave community’s USB tool for building a gateway hub. It’s a best-seller because of its compatibility, its quality, and its functionalities. This new, plus-model brings a whole new array of compatibility and functionality to a USB stick already powering over 100,000 smart homes.
Raspberry Pi 4
New Pi from Raspberry, new Z-Stick from Aeotec. As it was built upon an older Z-Wave stack, the non-plus model of Z-Stick Gen5+ isn’t compatible with Raspberry 4. But Z-Stick Gen5+ is. That opens up your home automation software to Raspberry’s new architecture, including 8GB of RAM and an ARM v8 1.5GHz CPU.
S2 security
New systems, new challenges. The increase in popularity of automation systems means that they now face greater security challenges as more people try to exploit weaknesses in archaic technology. Z-Stick Gen5+ future-proofs against such weaknesses by offering Z-Wave S2 security natively, UL 1023 compliance, and ECDH key exchange natively.
SmartStart
Simpler device setup has finally come to Z-Wave with SmartStart. This new QR code based method allows you to pair a Z-Wave device with your automation system simply by scanning its QR code. Even when not fully installed, you’ll be able to connect devices through Z-Stick Gen5+ to your Z-Wave software, provided that software offers QR-based pairing.
Z-Wave Plus
So that it can offer both Security 2 and SmartStart, Z-Stick Gen5+ has been engineered upon both the latest versions of Z-Wave Plus and Z-Wave Gen5. That makes it compatible with dozes of Z-Wave products from Aeotec and thousands of Z-Wave devices from 3rd party manufacturers.
Setting up a Z-Stick Gen5+ takes only 3 keys steps.
Depend on Z-Wave
The Z-Wave ecosystem is huge. There are over 3,000 different certified products available from a range of makers, including a huge range of control and automation products made by Aeotec. And Z-Stick Gen5+ doesn’t just offer Z-Wave, it offers the best version of it.
Z-Stick Gen5+ is powered by Z-Wave Plus and Aeotec’s exclusive Gen5 stack, meaning it offers much more than just SmartStart and S2 Security.
67% greater wireless range
Wirelessly optimized to be superior to the older Z-Stick, Z-Stick Gen5+ can now communicate over a distance of up to 150 metres / 492 feet in open spaces.
250% more bandwidth
New automations require greater wireless bandwidth. This Gen5+ model of Z-Stick has a 250% greater communication throughput.
Powers firmware updates
There for you when your devices need updating, Z-Stick Gen5+ contains all the hardware needed to power over-the-air, Z-Wave firmware updates
AES-128 bit encrypted
Built with both Z-Wave S0 and S2 security stacks, Z-Stick Gen5+’s communication is protected by AES-128 bit encryption and ECDH key exchange
100 mAh lithium battery
For ease-of-installation and always-online-operation, Z-Stick Gen5+ stays online thanks to its inbuilt 100 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
Local hosting
If it isn’t locally hosted, your automation system’s security and privacy could be at risk. Take control of both by hosting your automation software locally on hardware that you control.
Depend on Z-Stick
15 days battery life
With its backup battery making it portable, Z-Stick Gen5+ can be physically moved around premises and connected to each device at the point of installation.
Cloud free
Cloud goes down? Not so smart when things don’t work. While most Z-Wave gateways depend on the cloud, Z-Stick Gen5+ lets you build your own to avoid downtime or broken smart home.
Sticks Comparison
Gen 7
Operating Distance US|EU:
More than 230 ft indoor(US)
Up to 500 ft outdoors(US)
Up to 50 m indoor(EU)
Up to 150 m outdoors(EU)
Product Dimensions:
37 x 17 x 8.5 mm
Package Dimensions:
50 x 65 x 20 mm
Product Weight:
3.5 g
Power Supply:
USB DC 4.75V to 5.25V
Operating System Support:
MacOS (OSX) , Windows , Linux , COMX
Z-Stick 5
Gen 5
Operating Distance:
Up to 150 m outdoors
Up to 400 m outdoors (+PA)
Up to 75 m indoors with (+PA)
Product Dimensions:
88 x 28.5 x 10 mm
Package Dimensions:
50 x 122 x 15 mm
Product Weight:
19 g
Power Supply:
USB DC 4.75V to 5.25V
Built-in rechargeable battery
Operating System Support:
MacOS (OSX) , Windows , Linux , COMX
Gen 3
Operating Distance:
200m max distance (open air)
Product Dimensions:
37 x 17 x 8.5 mm
Package Dimensions:
50 x 65 x 20 mm
Product Weight:
3.5 g
Power Supply:
USB DC 4.75V to 5.25V
Operating System Support:
MacOS (OSX) , Windows , Linux , COMX
Related Questions (FAQ)
What is Z-Stick 5?
Z-Stick (Z-Wave Stick), is a Z-Wave USB stick (Z-wave controller) for home automation.
Z-Stick 5 allows you to add Z-Wave devices to your home automation setup by plugging it into a computer, enabling control and automation of those devices.
What is the difference between a hub and the Z-Stick 5?
A hub controls devices directly, while Z-Stick 5 connects to a computer.
The Z-Stick 5 acts as a bridge between your computer (or compatible hub) and Z-Wave devices, whereas a hub typically includes its own software to control devices without needing a separate computer. Also, a hub (usually) supports more protocols.
What is the difference between Z-Stick 5 and Z-Stick 7?
The Z-Stick Gen 5 is larger and includes a rechargeable battery, offering reliable performance for standard home automation setups. However, the Z-Stick 7 is more compact, with greater range and advanced network features. Both work across major operating systems and are USB-powered, but for larger or more complex spaces, the Z-Stick 7’s enhanced capabilities make it a more optimal choice.
Does Z-Stick 5 work with Alexa or google home?
Yes, but through compatible platforms.
While Z-Stick 5 doesn’t directly connect to Alexa or Google Home, it can integrate with them via a home automation platform like Home Assistant.
Does Z-Wave Stick 5 work with home assistant?
Yes, it’s fully compatible with Home Assistant.
You can use Z-Stick 5 with Home Assistant to control and automate Z-Wave devices within the Home Assistant platform.
Does Z-Stick 5 work on Windows, Mac, or Linux?
Yes, it works on all three operating systems.
Z-Stick 5 is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, giving you flexibility to use it on whichever system your home automation software runs.
Does the Z-Wave Stick 5 work without the Internet?
Yes, it works offline.
Z-Stick 5 can control Z-Wave devices locally without an internet connection, but remote control requires internet access (through home automation platforms like Home Assistant).
How to set up Z-Stick 5?
Plug it into your computer and follow this manual.
After inserting the Z-Stick 5 into your computer, install your preferred home automation software, and follow the setup instructions to add and manage your Z-Wave devices.
How to get the Z-Wave Stick 5 driver (for older operating systems)?
You can get it by this link.
How to reset the Z-Stick 5?
You can do this by following this short manual.
How to update the Z-Wave Stick 5?
You can find the information here.
Where to buy the Z-Stick 5?
From The Aeotec shop.
Alternatively, depend where you are located, you can purchase from your desired retailer in your country.
For more information on Z-Stick Gen5+:
