In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, wireless communication technologies play a key role in connecting devices and sensors into a unified ecosystem. WiFi, Zigbee and Bluetooth are three of the most well-known wireless protocols that support communication between devices. This article will present a comparison between these three technologies to help you choose the most appropriate one for your specific project. Specifically, we will look at aspects such as frequency, speed, range, power, accuracy, cost, topology, and usage of the mentioned specifications.
WiFi
WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) is known for its high data rate and wide range. This wireless protocol is widely used in home networks and businesses to connect computers, smartphones, televisions and other devices to the internet. Important features of WiFi include:
– High data speed: WiFi can provide very high data speeds, making it suitable for streaming multimedia and data transmission.
– Long range: WiFi can cover large areas, making it ideal for home and office environments.
– Requires Network Infrastructure:WiFi requires installed network infrastructure such as routers and access points
Frequency and speed
Wi-Fi uses frequency ranges in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz . These provide high data rates. For example, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) can reach speeds of over 9 Gbps, offering excellent performance for streaming video, online gaming and other high-speed applications
| Generation | IEEE standard | Year of implementation | Maximum speed (Mbit/s) | Frequency (GHz) |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | (2024) | 1376 to 46120 | 2.4/5/6 |
| Wi-Fi 6E | 802.11ax | 2020 | 574 to 9608 | 6 |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 2019 | 2.4/5 | ||
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 2014 | 433 to 6933 | 5 |
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2008 | 72 to 600 | 2.4/5 |
| (Wi-Fi 3)* | 802.11g | 2003 | 6 to 54 | 2.4 |
| 802.11a | 1999 | 5 | ||
| (Wi-Fi 2)* | 802.11b | 1999 | 1 to 11 | 2.4 |
| (Wi-Fi 1)* | 802.11 | 1997 | 1 to 2 | 2.4 |
The table is relative to Wikipedia
Range
In general, signals in the 2.4 GHz band have a greater range than those in the 5 GHz band. A typical Wi-Fi router or access point with a standard antenna can provide coverage of about 30-46 meters (100-150 feet) indoors and up to 91 meters (300 feet) outdoors. However, range can be affected by the presence of walls, furniture and other obstacles that can weaken or block the signal. But it still provides greater range compared to Zigbee and Bluetooth. Standard Wi-Fi networks can cover significant distances, especially if high-power routers with good signal distribution are used.
Consumption
Wi-Fi consumes more power, especially when using high data rates.
Price
Wi-Fi equipment is usually more expensive, as is its installation. If we want to get good range and high speed, the equipment can cost up to several thousand dolars. The network devices are available in a professional version, which is much more expensive than the devices designed for home use.
Topology
Wi-Fi networks typically use a star topology, where multiple devices connect to one central router. This makes Wi-Fi an ideal choice for home and office networks.
Application
It is mainly used in home and office environments for high-speed Internet and network connections.
Zigbee
Zigbee is a wireless protocol designed specifically for IoT applications. It uses very little power and can connect a large number of devices in a single network. Important features of Zigbee include:
– Low power consumption:Zigbee is ideal for battery-powered devices and sensors as it consumes very little power.
Multi-device networking: Zigbee can connect multiple devices in a single network, making it suitable for smart home scenarios and industrial applications.
– Small Range:The range of Zigbee is typically smaller compared to WiFi, which means the signal cannot pass through multiple walls and obstacles.
Frequency and speed
Zigbee technology can operate at frequencies of 868 MHz, 902-928 MHz and 2.4 GHz depending on the application requirements. It has a maximum speed of up to 250 kbit/s, which is best suited for intermittent data transmission from a sensor or input device.
Range
Zigbee features a lower range compared to Wi-Fi. This technology is designed for devices that need to operate within close distances of each other, such as home smart devices.
Consumption
Zigbee requires less power and is often used in battery-powered devices. The technology also allows deep sleeping of the device, which results in the long battery life associated with it.
Price
Zigbee equipment and installation are typically cheaper than Wi-Fi because they are designed to integrate with smart devices and this shouldn’t skimp on the main appliance. Typically the hub for the technology itself is the most expensive component.
Topology
Zigbee supports a “network of networks” network topology where devices can communicate directly with each other or through other devices. Typically, devices can tether to the Internet through a Zigbee hub.
Application
It is often used for smart homes, industrial control systems and sensors that require low power consumption.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is known for its low power consumption and versatility in connecting mobile devices, headphones, speakers and other accessories. Important Bluetooth features include:
– Low Power Consumption:Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a variant of Bluetooth that is specifically optimized for devices with batteries and sensors.
– Easy to connect: Bluetooth is convenient for connecting devices and transmitting data, such as audio streams.
– Limited range: Bluetooth typically has a smaller range than WiFi and can handle fewer devices than Zigbee.
Frequency and speed
Bluetooth technology uses a frequency of 2.4 GHz (2400 to 2483.5 MHz), which allows a good balance between range and throughput. In addition, the 2.4 GHz band is available worldwide, making it a true standard for low-power wireless connectivity.
Bluetooth also has lower data rates, but better than Zigbee, typically up to a few megabits per second.
| Bluetooth 1 | Bluetooth 2 | Bluetooth 3 | Bluetooth 4 | Bluetooth 5 | |
| Скорост | 732.2 kb/s to 1 Mbps | 2.1 Mbps (EDR) | 24 Mbps (via Wi-Fi) | 1 Mbps (LE) 25 Mbps (EDR) | 2 Mbps (LE) 50 Mbps (EDR) |
EDR – Enhanced Data Rate is a low-power technology that transmits data over 79 channels in the 2.4 GHz band. Retrieved from here
Range
Bluetooth has the smallest range of the three, usually up to a few meters.
| Bluetooth 1 | Bluetooth 2 | Bluetooth 3 | Bluetooth 4 | Bluetooth 5 | |
| Range | 10 meters (33 feet) | 30 meters (100 feet) | 30 meters (100 feet) | 60 meters (200 feet) | 240 meters (800 feet) |
Consumption
Bluetooth is known for its low power consumption and is used in many battery-powered devices, such as headphones and smart devices.
Price
Bluetooth equipment is relatively inexpensive as it is used in a wide range of devices.
Topology
From simple point-to-point (1:1) connections for more accurate sound transmission between smartphone and headset, to point-to-multipoint (1:n) broadcast points that enable airport wayfinding services, to many-to-many (n:n) network connections that support large-scale automation, Bluetooth supports multiple topology variations to best meet wireless connectivity needs.
Application
Bluetooth is used in headsets, smartphones, smart devices, healthcare and other mobile applications.
Which to choose
The choice between Wi-Fi, Zigbee and Bluetooth depends on the specific requirements of your application. If you need long range, high speeds and standard internet access, Wi-Fi is the right choice. For smart devices and IoT applications where range is not as important, Zigbee may be preferable, but requires sometimes additional infrastructure (Zigbee hub) to communicate with the Internet. Bluetooth is often used for personal devices and peripherals that connect to mobile devices or communicate with each other, but requires additional extensions to connect to the Internet that are not always standard. There are also hybrid solutions that combine different technologies to achieve a balance between range and speed. It is important to understand the need of the specific application and select the appropriate wireless technology.
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