XBEE ZNet 2.5 vs XBEE PRO ZNet 2.5: Key Differences

Both the XBEE ZNet 2.5 and XBEE PRO ZNet 2.5 OEM are RF modules designed to operate using the Zigbee protocol. They’re developed by Digi International Inc. These modules are popular because they use minimal power while still providing reliable data transfer between remote devices, all using the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Their lower cost also makes them attractive for many applications.

Typically, you’ll find these devices available as a Zigbee kit, often equipped with RS232 and TTL interfaces. This makes it easy to connect to a microcontroller or microprocessor, generally requiring a 5V power supply. Hooking them up to a PC via the RS232 port is straightforward too. These XBEE Zigbee devices play nicely with RS232/USB/RS485 XBEE adapters, as well as Zigbee sticks, routers, and gateways.

Here are some of the features common to both types of modules:

  • Indoor range up to 300 meters. Outdoor range up to 100 meters.
  • Transmit power output of 20dBm (100 mW).
  • Receiver sensitivity of -102dBm.
  • RF data rate of 250Kbps.
  • Supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and peer-to-peer network topologies.
  • Approved for use in the US and Canada.

Key Differences: XBEE ZNet 2.5 vs. XBEE PRO ZNet 2.5

The following table highlights the main differences between the XBEE ZNet 2.5 and XBEE PRO ZNet 2.5 Zigbee RF radios:

SpecificationsZigbee XBEE ZNet 2.5Zigbee XBEE PRO ZNet 2.5
Indoor or Outdoor RangeAbout 133 Ft.About 300 Ft.
Outdoor RF LOS RangeAbout 400 Ft.About 1 mile
Transmit output power3dBm with boost mode enabled18dBm
1dBm with boost mode disabled10dBm for international flavor
RF data Rate250Kbps250Kbps
Serial interface rate1200 to 230400 bps1200 to 230400 bps
Receiver sensitivity-96 dBm with boost mode, -95 dBm without boost mode-102 dBm
Supply voltage2.1 to 3.6 V3.0 to 3.4 V
Number of Channels16 direct sequence channels13 direct sequence channels
AddressingSupports PAN ID & addresses, cluster IDs and endpointsSupports PAN ID & addresses, cluster IDs and endpoints