Collection:
Somfy Zigbee
The full Somfy Zigbee 3.0 range: shade motors, Ysia remotes, DecoFlex Zigbee wall switches, the TaHoma switch hub and mesh extenders.
Zigbee is a two-way mesh, so motors report their actual position back to the app, and it bridges to Alexa, Google Home and other platforms through TaHoma. Check the motor's protocol before ordering controls.
Working with Somfy Zigbee 3.0
What Zigbee gives you that RTS does not
Zigbee is two-way. A Zigbee motor reports its actual position back, so the app shows a shade at 40 percent because it is at 40 percent. RTS motors cannot do this at all, whatever hub is driving them. For anyone integrating shades into a wider smart home, that feedback is the whole argument.
Range, and why the mesh matters more
Zigbee 3.0 runs at 2.450 GHz with 262.5 ft open field, against the 656.2 ft Somfy publishes for RTS. Per hop, RTS reaches further. Across a property Zigbee wins, because every mains-powered Zigbee device repeats for its neighbors and extends the network. Battery motors do not repeat, so a house of nothing but WireFree motors gets no mesh benefit.
Plan the wired devices as the backbone, then hang the battery ones off it.
A TaHoma hub is required for the good parts
Ysia remotes pair straight to motors with no hub, which covers basic open, close and stop. Scenes, schedules, app control, Alexa and Google Home all need a TaHoma Switch. Budget the hub into any Zigbee quote rather than treating it as an upgrade.
Do not mix the controls
Ysia Zigbee remotes and Telis or Situo RTS remotes are not interchangeable, and the bodies look similar. Check the motor's part number and its published radio frequency before ordering. A motor listed at 2.450 GHz is Zigbee; one at 433.420 MHz is RTS.
Related guides:Somfy RTS vs Zigbee comparedTaHoma Switch setup and capacity
Common questions
What is Somfy Zigbee?
Zigbee 3.0 is Somfy's two-way wireless protocol. Unlike RTS, a Zigbee motor reports its position and status back to the hub, so an app or automation system can show where each shade actually is and confirm that a command completed.
What do I need to control Somfy Zigbee shades?
A Zigbee coordinator, usually a Somfy TaHoma Switch, plus Zigbee remotes or wall switches if you want local control at the window. The hub is what connects the shades to an app, to voice assistants and to third-party automation.
Can Zigbee and RTS motors run on the same system?
Yes, on a hub that speaks both. The TaHoma Switch handles RTS and Zigbee together, which is the usual path when adding Zigbee shades to a property that already runs RTS. The two protocols do not talk to each other directly.
Does Somfy Zigbee work with non-Somfy hubs?
Somfy Zigbee 3.0 motors follow the open standard, so many third-party Zigbee coordinators can control them. Somfy tests and supports its own hubs. If a specific platform matters on your job, confirm compatibility before you order.
Is Zigbee worth choosing over RTS?
It depends on whether you need feedback. For a few shades on a handheld remote, RTS is simpler and cheaper. For whole-home automation, scenes that depend on shade position, or anything a facilities team monitors, two-way reporting earns its cost.
Shade Direct. Install Faster.
At Shade Motors Direct, we understand what installers need because we are installers. As a trusted distributor of Somfy motors, remotes, and controls, we provide high-quality automation solutions with fast shipping and expert support. We keep products in stock, offer competitive pricing, and make ordering simple, so you can focus on getting the job done. Whether you're outfitting a single shade or automating an entire home, we’re here to ensure you get the right products, on time, every time.
