Exploring Zigbee Interference and Hub Placement Solutions

I’ve been diving into the world of Zigbee and TCP devices, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. For the longest time, I’ve had issues with Zigbee interference, though Z-Wave has been rock solid for me. My TCP bulbs, however, have been a nightmare—constantly disconnecting to the point where they’re almost useless. My SmartThings motion and multi-sensors are in the same boat, which is pretty frustrating.

I’ve tried tweaking my router settings, moving my hubs around, and even experimenting with shielding, but nothing seems to stick. My router broadcasts on 2.5 GHz (channel 11) and 5 GHz, and my SmartThings hub is nestled below it, a couple of feet to the left. The TCP hub is slightly above the router, another foot or so to the left of the ST hub. It’s all so close, but the interference persists.

I stumbled upon some interesting solutions in the community. One user mentioned placing their ST hub in the attic using an external CD drive holder. It sounds a bit quirky, but it worked wonders for them—they even got a message from a neighbor’s Samsung TV! Another user suggested experimenting with different hub placements, like hanging them from the wall or even mounting them in creative holders.

I’m curious to hear how others have tackled this issue. Have you found a sweet spot for your hubs? What tricks have you up your sleeve to minimize interference? I’d love to hear your setups and any tips you’ve picked up along the way. Let’s brainstorm and find that perfect balance for our smart homes!