5 Best Zigbee Dongle For Home Assistant

Choosing the best Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant can be confusing, especially if you are new to Zigbee.

There are many dongles available, and they may look the same at first.

But the dongle you choose matters because it controls how your Zigbee devices connect to Home Assistant.

A good Zigbee dongle can help your smart lights, plugs, sensors, and switches work better.

In this guide, you will learn the best Zigbee dongles for Home Assistant, what to check before buying one, and which dongle is better for your setup.

Best Zigbee Dongle for Home Assistant

1. Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2

Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is one of the best choices if you want something simple and made for Home Assistant.

It is a good option if you do not want to spend too much time checking firmware, settings, or compatibility.

It works with Zigbee and can also be used for Thread, depending on how you set it up.

Best for:

• Beginners.
• Home Assistant users.
• People who want an easy setup.
• Users who want an official Home Assistant device.

Why choose it:

• It is made for Home Assistant.
• It has a simple setup process.
• It is good for starting a new Zigbee network.
• It is a cleaner choice if you want less confusion.

2. SONOFF ZBDongle-P

SONOFF ZBDongle-P is another popular Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant.

It is based on a TI CC2652P chip and is commonly used with ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT.

This is a good option if you want a proven dongle that many Home Assistant users already use.

Best for:

• Zigbee2MQTT users.
• ZHA users.
• People who want a budget-friendly dongle.
• Users who want a dongle with an external antenna.

Why choose it:

• It is affordable.
• It works with Home Assistant.
• It is widely used.
• It is a good choice for a normal Zigbee setup.

3. SONOFF ZBDongle-E

SONOFF ZBDongle-E is another good Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant.

It uses a Silicon Labs chip and works with Home Assistant, ZHA, and Zigbee2MQTT.

This can be a good choice if you want a newer SONOFF dongle and you are okay with checking setup guides if needed.

Best for:

• Home Assistant users.
• ZHA users.
• Users who want a newer SONOFF dongle.
• People who want a simple USB Zigbee coordinator.

Why choose it:

• It supports Home Assistant.
• It works with Zigbee2MQTT.
• It is easy to buy.
• It is good for many normal smart home setups.

4. SMLIGHT SLZB-06

SMLIGHT SLZB-06 is a good option if you do not want your Zigbee coordinator plugged directly into your Home Assistant server.

It can work over Ethernet, which means you can place it in a better location in your home.

This is useful if your Home Assistant device is inside a cabinet, near a router, or far away from your Zigbee devices.

Best for:

• Larger homes.
• Ethernet setups.
• People who want better placement.
• Users who do not want the dongle near their server.

Why choose it:

• You can place it in a better spot.
• It can help reduce signal problems.
• It is useful for bigger Zigbee networks.
• It is flexible compared to normal USB dongles.

5. ConBee III

ConBee III is also used by many Home Assistant users.

It is a Zigbee USB dongle that can work with different Zigbee setups.

It can be a good option if you already like Dresden Elektronik products or used ConBee before.

Best for:

• Users who already used ConBee.
• Small to medium Zigbee networks.
• People who want a known Zigbee brand.

Why choose it:

• It is a known Zigbee dongle.
• It works with common Zigbee setups.
• It is useful if you already understand the ConBee system.

What To Check Before Buying A Zigbee Dongle

Before buying a Zigbee dongle, you should check a few things.

These include compatibility, firmware, antenna, and where you will place it.

Things to check:

• Make sure it works with Home Assistant.
• Check if it supports ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT.
• Check if it comes with coordinator firmware.
• Choose one with an external antenna if possible.
• Use a USB extension cable for USB dongles.
• Avoid placing it too close to Wi-Fi routers or USB 3.0 ports.

Which Zigbee Dongle Should You Choose?

If you want the easiest option, choose Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2.

If you want a popular budget option, choose SONOFF ZBDongle-P.

If you want a newer SONOFF option, choose SONOFF ZBDongle-E.

If you want better placement with Ethernet, choose SMLIGHT SLZB-06.

If you already like ConBee, you can choose ConBee III.

For most people, Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 or SONOFF ZBDongle-P will be enough.

Conclusion

Choosing the best Zigbee dongle for Home Assistant depends on your setup.

If you want something simple and official, Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is a good pick.

If you want something affordable and popular, SONOFF ZBDongle-P is a good choice.

If your Home Assistant server is in a bad location, SMLIGHT SLZB-06 can be better because you can place it somewhere else.

Following these tips should help you pick the right Zigbee dongle for your Home Assistant setup.

Additional Reading

Zigbee Coordinator For Home Assistant

Home Assistant Zigbee Hub vs Dongle

Fix Home Assistant Zigbee Devices Unavailable

The Best Zigbee Smart Plug For Home Assistant