The Hubitat Elevation hub is a great alternative to cloud-based hubs like for local control of Sengled bulbs and plugs. Only the Zigbee models are compatible (these will typically have a “Z” or “Zigbee” logo printed on the heatsink and have model numbers starting with “E” or “Z”; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth models are not compatible).
Moving from a Sengled hub to Hubitat Elevation? Read below to discover some tips on getting the best experience.
Zigbee networks work best with “repeaters," technically called Zigbee routers, added to your network. Unlike most Zigbee bulbs (and most mains-powered devices in general), Sengled bulbs are not repeaters. They function only as “end devices,” which do not repeat – similar to battery-powered Zigbee devices.
Because they are end devices, the Sengled bulbs cannot help form a mesh network, as they do not repeat. Without repeaters, they must connect directly to your Hubitat Elevation hub. In order to take advantage of the mesh network capability that makes Zigbee protocol such a robust smart home platform, users must add dedicated, always-powered Zigbee repeaters – like smart plugs, dedicated signal repeaters, or some other mains-powered smart devices – placed strategically throughout their home.
Repeaters can be added to your Zigbee network at any point; however, you will get best results if you create a solid mesh of repeaters before adding end devices. Zigbee smart plugs are an easy option to add repeaters to your network if you are unsure where to start (except the original, square-shaped Sengled smart plug that is reported to also not be a repeater).
There is no hard-and-fast ratio of end devices to routers/repeaters for Zigbee, as performance is highly dependent on your home's construction (brick, plaster, etc.) and interference. While one repeater per 5-7 end devices is a good starting point for many environments, we suggest focusing on distance and coverage rather than targeting a specific number:
| Component | Recommendation | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Place at least one repeater about midway between your hub and your farthest Sengled bulbs/end devices. | Ensures good signal coverage for all end devices. You want devices to connect to the closest router/repeater. |
| Density | Aim for at least one good repeater per main area (room, floor, hallway). | This creates overlapping coverage, giving your non-repeater devices multiple reliable paths back to the hub. |
| Hub Limit | Older Hubitat Elevation hubs have a limit of 32 end devices that can be directly connected to the hub; you must add repeaters to add more devices. On the C-8 Pro hub, this limit is 64 end devices. We suggest adding repeaters well before approaching either limit. | Repeaters count as one connection to the hub but allow many end devices (like your Sengled bulbs) to connect through them, increasing the total number of devices you can add to your hub's Zigbee mesh. |
NOTE: Zigbee can reach about 10-100 meters in a single “hop" line of sight, but indoors, this is often less, often 6-12 meters (or 20-40 ft). Thus, distance from the hub is another reason many users will need to add repeaters – but, as you can see above, it is not the only reason.
Building a strong mesh from the start will save you headaches later and keep your smart home running smoothly. For more advanced tips, see: How to Build a Solid Zigbee Mesh.