Buying smart home products and plugging them in isn’t enough. You need to think about your ecosystem and how these devices communicate with each other. That’s where wireless technology like Zigbee comes in. It’s designed to optimize how your smart home devices communicate with each other, streamlining your automation.
Although one of the most reliable protocols for smart home devices, most users find themselves investing in a Zigbee extender. The main challenge of using Zigbee is its limited range, particularly for indoor devices. You can extend Zigbee’s range by using a signal repeater or a Zigbee-compatible device that’s connected to your mains power.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about Zigbee, its range limitations, and how a Zigbee repeater can optimize your smart home in 2025.
What is Zigbee?
Zigbee is a low-power and low-cost standards-based wireless communication protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) networks. It’s a smart home protocol that enables devices, such as motion sensors and smart locks, to communicate over a personal area network (PAN).
There are three types of Zigbee specifications, including Zigbee RF4CE, Zigbee PRO, and Zigbee IP. Compared to other protocols, like Matter and Z-Wave, Zigbee uses a mesh network architecture, making it ideal for smart home devices designed for one purpose, such as motion sensing, video recording, and light dimming.
Understanding the Zigbee Range Limitations
Zigbee can operate multiple devices within a 10-to-100-meter range with a higher range limit of up to 300 meters for outdoor devices. Its limited range distance means you’ll need to consider where your smart home devices are located to ensure they’re close enough to communicate with each other.
If you have a larger home or a multi-story building, network planning can be complicated. Zigbee uses mesh topology, meaning each device relays signals to nearby devices, extending the range with each device. Therefore, network planning is crucial as a Zigbee signal repeater will make it easy to extend the range.
Other factors can also impact Zigbee’s range, including obsolete firmware, interfering Wi-Fi signals, and environmental conditions. You’ll get the best results when your Zigbee devices are in each other’s line of sight. Almost any Zigbee device connected to mains systems, like a smart plug, can act as a Zigbee repeater to extend the network’s range.
What is a Zigbee Repeater?
While its range is limited by power output and environmental factors, Zigbee networks can extend their reach through a mesh topology where devices act as repeaters, passing data to more distant nodes. Devices, known as Zigbee repeaters, amplify the signal between devices to expand the communication range. Typical smart home devices, like light bulbs and smart switches attached to a wall outlet, can double as a Zigbee range extender.
Most smart home enthusiasts will use a Zigbee repeater, such as the Aqara Hub E1, or optimize their network layout to use Zigbee-compatible devices within their ecosystem for the same purpose.
Although a Zigbee route and a Zigbee repeater might appear to be the same thing, and the terms can be used interchangeably, there are a few differences. A Zigbee router is a device with another primary function, that is also able to relay traffic between other devices. Comparatively, a Zigbee repeater can be a device that acts solely to relay traffic and does not have any other function.
How to Choose the Right Zigbee Signal Repeater
If you have more than two or three Zigbee devices, you’ll want to invest in a Zigbee signal repeater. Every smart home is different, so you’ll need to consider the size of your home, the type of Zigbee network you use, and the number of devices you have and plan to add. It’s a general rule of thumb to have at least one Zigbee extender for each floor of your house.
Although you can use a dedicated Zigbee router, you can also repurpose some smart home devices to act as a Zigbee range extender by placing them strategically throughout your home. Devices like smart lights and switches can help boost your Zigbee range, bridging the gap between devices with a weaker signal.
If you’re a beginner to the smart home revolution, it’s a good idea to seek out products that will double as a Zigbee range extender to optimize performance and reduce the cost of buying a traditional repeater product, like a hub.
Best Zigbee Repeaters for Smart Homes
Lights, switches, and sensors are the most popular types of Zigbee extenders. They are multi-purpose and usually located in areas that make them optimally positioned to extend the network’s range. If you’re extending your Zigbee range, these devices are some of the best options on the market as they’re practical and add extra functionality to your smart home.
Here are 6 smart home products you can use as a Zigbee repeater:
1. LED Bulb T2
The Aqara LED Bulb T2 is a staple for any smart home. Also available in a spotlight style, the GU10, this light bulb can also be used as a Zigbee range extender. It offers dual-protocol support for both Zigbee and Thread, making it suitable for almost all smart home setups. Adding it to your Zigbee setup will unlock exclusive Aqara features.
Choose from dynamic colors for a fun atmosphere or tune the white setting to achieve the perfect relaxed ambiance for your space. There are 16 million options to choose from with a high Ra>90 color rendering index (CRI) that makes it work for any space. This Zigbee repeater could be added to any room of your home to optimize performance and streamline automation.
2. Ceiling Light T1M
The Ceiling Light T1M is another versatile choice for a Zigbee repeater and is ideal for larger rooms, such as bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. This primary light offers a broad spectrum of hues with a side light that gives you 16 million colors to choose from to customize your space. With a CRI over 90, it produces true-to-life hues with a radiant brilliance that creates a relaxing atmosphere.
It can double as a Zigbee range extender by providing a stable connection, boosting the reliability of your Zigbee network. Its lower idle power consumption makes it more sustainable and a budget-friendly way to optimize your smart home setup.
3. LED Strip T1
The LED Strip T1 is another option if you’re shopping for a smart home device that can double as a Zigbee signal repeater. Easy to install in any space in your home, this LED light strip has tunable white accent lighting and millions of vibrant colors to choose from.
It uses Zigbee 3.0 technology, acting as a mesh repeater, making it an easy way to extend your network to hard-to-reach areas of your home. Just like the Ceiling Light T1M, it is energy efficient as it consumes less power, while preventing network congestion as a reliable Zigbee repeater. The IP44 rating means it’s suitable to use outdoors, making it a functional way to extend the Zigbee range to a patio or garden.
4. Light Switch H2 US
Available in a 2-button and 4-button option, the Light Switch H2 US is easy to install and seamlessly integrates into your smart home. It offers dual connectivity with Zigbee and Thread, while also being compatible with Apple Home to help you customize your smart home setup to suit your lifestyle needs and preferences.
The 2-in-1 neutral switch is the most popular option for this light switch, making it easy to install in spaces with no-neutral and neutral wiring. This device doubles as a Zigbee range extender and features MARS technology to ensure your smart lights are always online to avoid connectivity loss. Its power consumption monitoring optimizes energy use, and the light switch can also support Thread for external integration and third-party ecosystems.
You can swap your traditional light switch out for this Zigbee extender in rooms and areas of your home with poor network connectivity.
5. Dimmer Switch H2 EU
Create a cozy atmosphere in your home with a Dimmer Switch H2 EU, another smart home device that can extend your Zigbee range. This dimmer switch supports both Zigbee and Thread modes, with Zigbee mode unlocking Aqara exclusive features. It’s easy to switch between the two modes to suit your smart home setup as it evolves.
This smart switch is easy to install with a multi-functional dial that allows you to smoothly adjust the brightness from 1% to 100% to set the mood for your room. It’s an ideal Zigbee range extender if you’re also trying to reduce your energy consumption, as it offers a daily, weekly, and monthly overview of your data consumption to automate plans for optimizing your energy use.
6. Presence Sensor FP1E
Our final recommendation for a Zigbee repeater is the Presence Sensor FP1E. Designed with precise home automation in mind, this device leverages AI and mmWave Radar technology for accurate detection and seamless integration with smart home hubs for added security. The versatile mounting options make it easy to add any space, doubling as a sensor and a Zigbee range extender.
This multi-functional device will also support Matter-over-bridge when connected to an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub, expanding its compatibility to give you a fully customizable smart home setup.
How to Set Up a Zigbee Repeater
The first step to installing any type of Zigbee signal repeater is to find the optimal location within your home. If it’s your first Zigbee repeater, it should be located between your Zigbee hub and primary devices. Each Zigbee device within your smart home that’s connected to mains power will also act as a Zigbee repeater.
Depending on your network layout, you may not need to invest in a standalone Zigbee repeater. If you want to quickly expand your Zigbee reach without adding additional devices, the Aqara Hub E1 is your best option. This small but powerful smart home hub can be added almost anywhere, supporting up to 128 devices with a stable and energy-efficient network.
The USB-A port makes it easy to install into a modern control switch with USB ports or a smart plug. You can synchronize it to your Zigbee devices by connecting it to your Aqara Home app and following the on-screen instructions. Select the repeater function in the app to increase the forwarding capacity of the Zigbee repeater to optimize its performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zigbee Repeaters
Are you just getting started with smart home devices? Our smart home blog is full of expert guides on how to navigate Zigbee and other internet protocols. We’re answering three of the most FAQs below.
Can I use multiple Zigbee repeaters?
Yes, you can install multiple Zigbee repeaters in your home. Each Zigbee repeater will expand your network’s range as Zigbee operates with mesh networking, relaying signals between devices for optimal coverage.
What is the maximum range of Zigbee devices?
Most Zigbee devices have a maximum range between 10 and 100 meters when installed indoors. Outdoor ranges will vary depending on environmental factors and Wi-Fi accessibility. This maximum range can be extended by expanding Zigbee’s mesh network with a smart home device that acts as a Zigbee repeater or an additional Zigbee compatible hub.
How do I know if my Zigbee repeater is working effectively?
A Zigbee repeater is working effectively when it allows the Zigbee network to ‘hop’ off the signal of other devices. You can check if your Zigbee signal repeater is working efficiently by monitoring the signal strength of the devices at the farthest end of your network setup.
If these devices are working correctly and have an improved link quality indicator (LQI) compared to their original setup, then the Zigbee repeater is working effectively.
Expand Your Smart Home with a Zigbee Signal Repeater
While it’s easy to focus on the individual devices you need for your smart home, don’t overlook the importance of an optimized network layout. If you have devices located across multiple floors or a large apartment, a Zigbee repeater is non-negotiable. Optimize your smart home set-up by exploring our new arrivals and learn more about how to embrace smart living by visiting our blog.
