When setting up Zigbee with Home Assistant, many users get confused between a Zigbee hub and a Zigbee dongle.
Both can help connect Zigbee devices, but they do not work the same way.
A Zigbee hub is usually made by a brand like IKEA, Aqara, Philips Hue, or SmartThings.
A Zigbee dongle connects directly to Home Assistant and lets Home Assistant control Zigbee devices.
In this guide, you will learn the difference between a Zigbee hub and a dongle, which one is better for Home Assistant, and which one you should choose.
Home Assistant Zigbee Hub vs Dongle
What Is A Zigbee Hub?
A Zigbee hub is a separate device that connects Zigbee devices to an app or smart home system.
For example, Philips Hue uses a Hue Bridge.
IKEA uses a DIRIGERA hub.
Aqara uses Aqara hubs.
These hubs are usually easy to use, but they may work best with their own brand devices.
This can be okay if you only use one brand.
What Is A Zigbee Dongle?
A Zigbee dongle is a small adapter that connects to Home Assistant.
It allows Home Assistant to create its own Zigbee network.
This means you can add Zigbee devices directly to Home Assistant.
Popular dongles include:
- Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2.
- SONOFF ZBDongle-P.
- SONOFF ZBDongle-E.
- ConBee III.
A dongle is usually better if you want more control.
Which One Gives More Control?
A Zigbee dongle usually gives more control in Home Assistant.
You can connect devices from different brands.
You can create local automations.
You can use ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT.
Read also: How To Fix Zigbee2MQTT Not Working With Home Assistant
You do not need to keep opening different brand apps.
This makes things simpler once everything is set up.
Which One Is Easier For Beginners?
A Zigbee hub can be easier for beginners.
This is because most brand hubs have a simple app.
You plug in the hub, open the app, and add the device.
But the problem comes later if you start buying devices from many brands.
Then you may end up with too many hubs and apps.
A dongle may take more setup at first, but it is cleaner in the long run.
Which One Is Better For Home Assistant?
For most Home Assistant users, a Zigbee dongle is better.
This is because Home Assistant can control the devices directly.
You can also use devices from different brands in the same system.
For example, you can use an IKEA button to control a SONOFF plug or a Philips Hue bulb.
That is one of the main reasons people use Home Assistant.
When Should You Use A Zigbee Hub?
A Zigbee hub still makes sense in some cases.
Use a hub if:
- You only use one brand.
- You want the easiest setup.
- You do not want to troubleshoot Zigbee.
- You need a brand feature that only works through the brand hub.
- You already have the hub and it works fine.
There is nothing wrong with using a hub if it fits your setup.
When Should You Use A Zigbee Dongle?
Use a Zigbee dongle if you want Home Assistant to be the main controller.
A dongle is better if:
- You want local control.
- You use devices from different brands.
- You want fewer hubs.
- You want better automation options.
- You want to use ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT.
This is the better choice for most serious Home Assistant setups.
So, Can You Use Both?
Yes, you can use both a Zigbee hub and a dongle.
For example, you can keep Philips Hue on the Hue Bridge and use a Zigbee dongle for other devices.
Read also: Philips Hue Lights Unreachable: Fix One Light, All Lights, or a Hue Bridge Problem
But a Zigbee device can usually only be paired to one Zigbee network at a time.
So if a bulb is connected to the Hue Bridge, it will not also be directly paired to your Home Assistant dongle.
You would need to remove and reset it before adding it to another Zigbee network.
Conclusion
A Zigbee hub and a Zigbee dongle can both work with Home Assistant, but they are used in different ways.
A hub is easier if you only want to use one brand and keep things simple.
A dongle is better if you want more control, local automations, and support for devices from different brands.
For most Home Assistant users, a Zigbee dongle is the better long-term choice.
Additional Reading
The Best Zigbee Smart Plug For Home Assistant
Zigbee Coordinator for Home Assistant
Can I Mix Z-Wave and Zigbee Devices on Home Assistant?
Brianna is based in Minnesota in the US at the moment, and has been writing since 2017. She is currently a 3rd Year med student at the time of writing this.
