ZigBee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and other low-power low-bandwidth needs, designed for small scale projects which need wireless connection.
Hence, ZigBee is a low-power, low data rate, and close proximity (i.e., personal area) wireless ad hoc network (hoc network: decentralized type of wireless network).
Protocol IEEE 802.11
Protocol IEEE 802.11 is a set of media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communication in the 900 MHz and 2.4, 3.6, 5, and 60 GHz frequency bands.
The standard and amendments provide the basis for wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand.