Best Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant - ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, MG24, Dongle-E or Dongle-P

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Best Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant?

For most users, the best choice is SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24, which features the latest processor and support for the Thread standard. If you want out-of-the-box integration with ZHA, SONOFF ZBDongle-E works great, while the classic SONOFF ZBDongle-P is a perfect fit for the Zigbee2MQTT environment. If your server is located in a remote basement or technical cabinet, choose the network model Dongle Max with PoE. The official Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 adapter, which replaced the discontinued yet still supported ZBT-1 model, also remains a solid alternative.

ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT - which one to choose for network management?

When choosing a coordinator, you also decide on the network management software in Home Assistant. The ZHA integration is built into the system, allowing you to get devices up and running immediately without installing external add-ons. Zigbee2MQTT runs as a separate add-on with an MQTT broker.

Keep in mind that a single USB adapter supports only one software stack at a time. You cannot connect a single antenna to both ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT simultaneously. If you want to change systems in the future, migration between them is possible.

Texas Instruments and Silicon Labs chips - differences

The heart of every stick is the radio chip, with two manufacturers dominating the market: Texas Instruments and Silicon Labs. Models featuring Texas Instruments processors, such as the popular CC2652P in the ZBDongle-P adapter, run Z-Stack firmware and have been the default recommendation for Zigbee2MQTT for years. Keep in mind, however, that Home Assistant does not update firmware for CC2652P, CC2652R, and CC2652RB chips directly from the system.

The second group consists of Silicon Labs chips running EmberZNet firmware, also known as EZSP. The EFR32MG21 chip in the ZBDongle-E is officially tested for ZHA and supports Green Power devices. Meanwhile, the newer EFR32MG24 in the Dongle Plus MG24 is the most powerful USB stick, featuring more memory and a 4.5 dBi antenna. The P suffix in chip names indicates the presence of a power amplifier that increases signal strength up to 20 dBm instead of the standard 5 dBm.

The adapter must have coordinator firmware flashed, and some come with it right out of the box.

Below are four SONOFF sticks, ranging from USB to the network version.

Recommended Zigbee sticks for Home Assistant

Adapter installation and avoiding interference

Home Assistant warns that USB 3.0 ports are a known source of interference. Connect the adapter to a USB 2.0 port or through a powered USB 2.0 hub.

Use a USB extension cable and move the coordinator away from interference sources and obstacles, as recommended by the Home Assistant documentation.

If your Home Assistant server is located in a basement or a metal rack cabinet, choose a network coordinator such as Dongle Max. Zigbee2MQTT recommends connecting remote adapters to your home network using an Ethernet cable. Solutions based solely on Wi-Fi connectivity are less stable.

Fun fact: A USB 3.0 port can interfere with the Zigbee frequency band, which is why the official Home Assistant documentation advises connecting the stick to a USB 2.0 port or via an extension cable.

Frequently asked questions about Zigbee sticks

Which Zigbee stick for Home Assistant Green?

For Home Assistant Green, the best choice is the official Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 or the versatile SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24. Both models simply need to be plugged into a USB port using an extension cable to start adding devices right away. Both work with ZHA.

ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, which one to choose?

Choose ZHA if you value simplicity and want to manage your Zigbee network directly from the main Home Assistant menu. Zigbee2MQTT works better if you prefer advanced parameter configuration for each sensor. Keep in mind that a single coordinator can only handle one of them at a time.

Does SONOFF ZBDongle-P work with ZHA?

Yes. Home Assistant lists USB adapters featuring the CC2652P chip and Z-Stack firmware as tested and compatible with ZHA. However, it does not update their firmware, so you must do it yourself.

Why does a Zigbee stick need a USB extension cable?

Home Assistant recommends a USB extension cable to move the coordinator away from interference and obstacles. USB 3.0 ports are a known source of interference, so it is better to keep the stick away from the computer.

Does a Zigbee stick also support Thread?

Yes, but not all of them equally well. SmartHomeScene recommends the MG24 family for Thread and Matter over Thread; ZBDongle-E also performs well in larger Thread networks, while ZBDongle-P with Thread firmware works well only in small and medium networks. Keep in mind that a single stick operates in only one mode at a time.

See also

• Best Thread border router for Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and Home Assistant
• Best radiator thermostat for Home Assistant - Zigbee SONOFF TRVZB, TRV Gen2 and Aqara W600

Sources

• Home Assistant: Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA) - manufacturer page (home-assistant.io)
• SONOFF: Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus ZBDongle-E - manufacturer page (sonoff.tech)
• Zigbee2MQTT: Supported adapters - industry article (zigbee2mqtt.io)
• SmartHomeScene: Every Sonoff dongle compared - industry article (smarthomescene.com)
• SmartHomeScene: Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 review - industry article (smarthomescene.com)
• SmartHomeScene: Sonoff Dongle Max MG24 PoE review - industry article (smarthomescene.com)