Many Zigbee setups aren't actually mesh networks. Zigbee defines only 3 device types: 1) Coordinator - Always on and the root of the network. Only 1 per netwo

Many Zigbee setups aren't actually mesh networks. Zigbee defines only 3 device types: 1) Coordinator - Always on and the root of the network. Only 1 per network. 2) Router - Always on, can forward data from other nodes and send it's own data. 3) End Device - Can sleep, can _not_ forward data from other devices. In practice with something like SmartThings, the hub is the coordinator and you can assume than any device which has a battery is an End Device since routers are required to always be on. _Some_ wired Zigbee devices (like light switches) will act as routers, but I've found they usually don't advertise if they do or not. For many people, all their devices are battery powered thus they have no routers so there is no mesh at all, every end device must talk to the controller in this setup.