ST branded devices are all zigbee, not Z wave. They actually have the shortest range but a somewhat more robust “try again” protocol than Zwave, which can help them.
Classic Z wave (fourth-generation) has a somewhat longer range than Zigbee.
Zwave plus (fifth generation) has a significantly longer range then zigbee or classic Z wave. I’ve never heard of any special distance issues related to fifth-generation after the initial pairing. Just the usual possible interference or degradation stuff. Quite the opposite: changing a classic device out for a zwave plus device usually significantly improves range.
It is true that during initial pairing A zwave plus device that supports advanced encryption may need to be very close to the hub to complete the security exchange, so that may be what you were thinking of. This is sometimes called “whisper distance.” But once the device has been successfully paired, that’s no longer an issue.
Zwave locks require beaming repeaters, but that’s not a distance issue. They have the same distance as any other device using their protocol, it’s just that the transmitting device has to support the beaming feature. They do have the same “whisper distance” issue, but again that’s only for the initial pairing.
Wi-Fi has the longest range of these four protocols, which is why some community members use the kumostat wireless tag sensors for some use cases where longer distance is required, like reaching a mailbox or outbuilding.