SmartThings | How to Add Any Z-Wave Device

Samsung SmartThings is a popular smart home hub that enables you to mix ‘n’ match smart devices that use Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. But while SmartThings has the required hardware to communicate with these devices, only some devices are listed as compatible.

Why? Device handlers.

Essentially, a device handler enables SmartThings (and other hubs) to understand information received from smart devices, and display it the application. Information including the device type (switch, meter, sensor) as well as their specific configuration parameters.

Thankfully, the Z-Wave protocol has a standardised way of communicating device type, meaning every Z-Wave certified device can communicate this information to any other Z-Wave certified device. The major benefit here is that even if a device isn’t listed as compatible, it will still be added in as a generic Z-Wave device and work as intended.

Limitations of SmartThings Device Handlers

Unfortunately, SmartThings devices handlers do not support the configuration parameters of specific devices. You cannot view or modify the configuration parameters of any Z-Wave device within the SmartThings app. On the other hand true device handlers, like those found in the Homey platform give you access to these parameters.

Here’s an example to illustrate the point: The SmartSwitch 6 , Nano Switch and Heavy Duty Smart Switch are all classified as ‘Binary Switches’ & ‘Meters’. Within SmartThings, these devices are all displayed on a similar looking page from which you can turn on/off the switch and see the power consumption.

Yet each of the 3 devices has a different set of configuration parameters. The SmartSwitch 6 has an LED ring controlled by setting parameter 33, where the other devices don’t have an LED or parameter 33.

With that out the way, we’re going to look at how to add Z-Wave devices to SmartThings that are listed as compatible, and devices that aren’t and see how they both function within SmartThings. We’ll be using Aeotec devices to demonstrate the process - specifically, the compatible SmartSwitch 6 and the 'not listed as compatible' Door / Window Sensor 7.

How to Add Compatible Z-Wave Devices to SmartThings:

Compatible devices in SmartThings are those found on the SmartThings website. In the app, these devices can be found searching the device name or adding by brand. You can use the below process to add these devices.

How to Add Generic Z-Wave Devices to SmartThings:

As mentioned in the introduction, Z-Wave devices have a standardised way of communicating with hubs such as SmartThings. In theory, this means that all certified Z-Wave devices you add in to the SmartThings platform as a generic Z-Wave device will work as intended, and that you’re not missing out on any additional functionality if the device isn’t listed as compatible (other than SmartThings limitation with configuration parameters).

In Closing

Samsung SmartThings is a multi-protocol smart home hub that supports the most popular smart home devices. As we’ve seen in this article, there is a tradeoff. It supports these core-functionally very well, however you cannot tweak configuration parameters which give you full control over your Z-Wave devices.

Those determined to access the parameters can do so by tinkering with device handlers from GitHub and working with the SmartThings IDE, however this is not a project for the faint-hearted and requires a significant degree of tech-savviness.

If you are looking for a multi-protocol smart home hub that fully supports Z-Wave devices, Homey provides device handlers (with configuration parameters) and an even greater number of devices that SmartThings.

And as always, if you have any questions, thoughts or tips you’d like to share about SmartThings, drop a comment below. It's always great to hear from you.

All the best!

-Luke