Fibaro KeyFob Review: A Six-Key Z-Wave Remote With 30 Actions and a PIN Lock
The Fibaro KeyFob is a pocket-sized Z-Wave Plus remote whose six keys each send single, double and triple clicks and a hold, plus six button sequences, for up to 30 actions on a Z-Wave hub, and it can switch and dim devices directly through association. Owners on Fibaro Home Center, Home Assistant, SmartThings and Hubitat praise its design and how much it controls without a phone. The recurring complaints are a CR2450 battery that runs down faster than Fibaro estimates, keys that press themselves in a pocket unless the lock sequence is set, and a keyring loop that breaks.
- Z-Wave hub owners
- Blinds and garage control
- Home Assistant users
- Fibaro Home Center users
Pros
- Six keys with single, double, triple click and hold, plus six sequences: up to 30 actions
- Direct Z-Wave association can switch and dim devices on each key without the hub
- Lock sequence blocks accidental or unauthorized presses
- Multicolor LED confirms every command and warns of a low battery
- IP54 dust and splash protection
- Works with Home Assistant and SmartThings hubs
Cons
- Several owners report the CR2450 battery draining far faster than the two-year estimate
- Raised keys press easily in a pocket without the lock
- Flimsy keyring loop that can break
- Awkward battery cover, and a few early failures reported
- Some hubs only read single press and hold
- No Apple Home, Matter, Alexa or Google Home support
Who is the Fibaro KeyFob for?
It is for homes that already run a Z-Wave controller, such as Fibaro Home Center, Home Assistant with Z-Wave JS, SmartThings or Hubitat. The KeyFob has no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee radio, so it cannot pair with a phone or work on its own. Owners keep it in the kitchen or the living room to run blinds, lights and scenes, and use it as a garage or gate remote, with the lock sequence protecting it from accidental or unauthorized presses.
What buyers love
The most praised point is how much one small remote can do: every key reports single, double and triple clicks and a hold, and sequences of two to five presses add six more scenes. Owners describe running several blinds at different levels, lamps and plugs from it without touching a phone. Pairing is quick on Fibaro Home Center, and buyers report it working well with Home Assistant, SmartThings, Hubitat, openHAB, Domoticz and Jeedom. The pebble-shaped design, the build quality and the multicolor LED that confirms each command get frequent compliments, and IP54 protection keeps out dust and splashes.
What to know before you buy
Battery life is the most common complaint: several owners say the CR2450 coin cell drains much faster than Fibaro's estimate of about two years at five presses a day, sometimes within weeks. The raised keys can be pressed by accident in a pocket, so it needs the lock sequence before it goes near your keys, and the thin wire loop that holds the keyring has broken for some buyers. Opening the battery cover is awkward, and a few units failed after a month or two. On some controllers (Vera, Homey, eedomus) owners could only use single press and hold, so check that your hub supports its scene commands. It is Z-Wave only, with no Apple Home, Matter, Alexa or Google Home support, and the EU and US versions run on different frequencies.
Is the Fibaro KeyFob worth it?
For a Z-Wave setup it is one of the most capable handheld remotes, with six keys, 30 actions, direct association with dimming for each key and a PIN-style lock, in a design owners like to leave on the table. Budget for spare CR2450 cells, set the lock sequence and skip the keyring if you carry it in a pocket. If you want something that sits on the wall or runs for years untouched, a wall-mounted Z-Wave scene controller is the safer pick.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Fibaro KeyFob need a hub?
Yes. It is a Z-Wave Plus remote and needs a Z-Wave controller such as Fibaro Home Center, Home Assistant with Z-Wave JS or a SmartThings hub. Once paired it can also control devices directly through Z-Wave association.
How many actions can the Fibaro KeyFob trigger?
Up to 30: each of its six keys reports one, two and three clicks and a hold, and six sequences of two to five presses add six more scenes.
Can the Fibaro KeyFob dim lights?
Yes. Each key has a multilevel association group, so holding it raises or lowers the level of the dimmers and blinds in that group, and keys can be paired so one raises and the other lowers.
What battery does the Fibaro KeyFob use?
One 3.0 V CR2450 coin cell, included. Fibaro estimates about two years with default settings and up to five presses a day, and it warns of a low battery with three magenta blinks.
Does the Fibaro KeyFob work with Apple Home, Alexa or Google Home?
No. It is Z-Wave only, with no HomeKit, Matter, Alexa or Google Home support. Home Assistant and SmartThings read it through their Z-Wave integrations.
