Zooz ZEN04 800LR Review: A Z-Wave Long Range Plug With Real Power Monitoring
800 series Z-Wave with Long Range, S2 security and SmartStart, rated 15 A and 1800 W, for hub-based homes with no cloud dependency.
The Zooz ZEN04 800LR is a smart plug for people who have deliberately chosen Z-Wave over Wi-Fi. It uses the 800 series chipset with Z-Wave Long Range, S2 security and SmartStart pairing, handles 15 A and 1800 W, and reports real-time power consumption. Because Z-Wave runs on its own low-frequency mesh through a hub, it has no cloud account, no Wi-Fi congestion and no vendor service that can be switched off. The requirement is the hub: it works with Home Assistant, Hubitat and Z-Wave controllers generally, and does nothing without one.
- Home Assistant and Hubitat setups
- Z-Wave networks
- Metering high-draw appliances
- Cloud-free local control
Pros
- Z-Wave 800 series with Long Range for extended reach
- S2 security and SmartStart pairing
- Real-time power monitoring
- Full 15 A and 1800 W rating
- Works locally with no cloud account or vendor service
- Documented support for Home Assistant and Hubitat
- Physical button for local control and reset
- Acts as a Z-Wave repeater in standard mesh mode
Cons
- Requires a Z-Wave hub, which is a separate purchase
- Z-Wave is frequency region locked, so the model must match your country
- No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread or Matter
- Voice assistant support depends on your hub, not the plug
- Does not repeat the mesh when running in Long Range mode
- Type B plug for North American outlets only
- Warranty terms are not documented
Who is the Zooz ZEN04 for?
It belongs in a home that already runs a Z-Wave hub. The appeal of Z-Wave over Wi-Fi plugs is structural: devices live on a separate low-frequency mesh, so they neither compete with your Wi-Fi nor depend on a manufacturer's servers staying online. This plug adds Long Range support, which extends reach well beyond standard Z-Wave for distant outbuildings, and SmartStart, which makes pairing a matter of scanning a code rather than juggling inclusion modes. Home Assistant and Hubitat are both documented as supported through a Z-Wave hub.
What it offers
Real-time power monitoring is the practical headline, reporting consumption so you can see what an appliance actually draws rather than guessing. The rating is a full 15 A and 1800 W on 110-125 V, enough for demanding loads. Security is handled with S2, the current Z-Wave standard for encrypted pairing and communication. There is a physical button for local on/off and for reset, and scheduling and rules run in whatever hub you use. In a standard Z-Wave network it also works as a signal repeater, strengthening the mesh, though not when operating in Long Range mode.
What to know before you buy
A Z-Wave hub is mandatory, and Z-Wave is region locked by frequency, so the unit has to match your country. There is no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread or Matter support of any kind, so it cannot be paired directly to a phone or to a voice assistant without the hub in between, and voice platform support (Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings) is not documented for the device itself, depending instead on what your hub exposes. Note also the repeater caveat: it extends the mesh in a normal Z-Wave network but not while running as a Long Range device. It is a Type B plug for North American outlets, has no USB port, no weather resistance, and warranty terms are not documented.
Is the Zooz ZEN04 worth it?
It costs more than a basic Wi-Fi plug, and the money goes to the protocol rather than the features: local control, no cloud, a separate mesh and current-generation Z-Wave security. For a Home Assistant or Hubitat user with a Z-Wave stick already installed, the combination of Long Range, S2 and power metering makes it one of the more capable plugs available. For anyone without a Z-Wave hub, it is the wrong purchase entirely, because the hub costs more than the plug.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Zooz ZEN04 need a hub?
Yes. It is a Z-Wave device, so a Z-Wave hub or controller is required. Home Assistant and Hubitat are both documented as working with it.
What does Z-Wave Long Range add?
Considerably greater range than standard Z-Wave, useful for distant devices such as an outbuilding. Note that in Long Range mode the plug does not act as a mesh repeater.
Does it measure power consumption?
Yes, in real time, which is what makes it useful for identifying what an appliance actually costs to run.
Can I control it with Alexa or Google Home?
Only through your hub. Voice platform support is not documented for the plug itself, since Z-Wave devices are exposed by the controller.
How much load can it switch?
Up to 1800 W at 15 A on 110-125 V.
