Zigbee Sensors
Find the best Zigbee sensors for your network.
Zigbee Coordinators
Home Assistant
Zigbee2MQTT
ZHA
A Zigbee coordinator is the heart of your Zigbee network. It connects all your Zigbee devices (sensors, bulbs, switches) to Home Assistant. Your choice of coordinator affects range, stability, and the number of devices you can connect.
🔌 Connection Types
Section titled “🔌 Connection Types”USB Coordinators
Section titled “USB Coordinators”Connect directly to your Home Assistant server via USB.
Pros:
- Cheaper
- Simple installation
- No extra network configuration
Cons:
- Must be close to server
- USB cable can cause interference
- Limited placement flexibility
Ethernet/PoE Coordinators
Section titled “Ethernet/PoE Coordinators”Connect via network cable - can be placed anywhere.
Pros:
- Free placement in your home
- Better range (place centrally)
- PoE = only one cable
- Web dashboard for administration
- VPN support for remote locations
Cons:
- More expensive
- Requires PoE switch or injector
- More complex setup
🧠 Chip Comparison
Section titled “🧠 Chip Comparison”| Chip | Manufacturer | Flash | RAM | Max devices | Thread | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EFR32MG24 | Silicon Labs | 1536KB | 256KB | 400+ | ✅ | ⭐ Newest, recommended |
| EFR32MG21 | Silicon Labs | 512KB | 64KB | 200+ | ✅ | Very popular, stable |
| CC2652P7 | Texas Instruments | 704KB | 144KB | 200+ | ❌ | Improved TI chip |
| CC2652P | Texas Instruments | 352KB | 80KB | 200+ | ❌ | Classic, well-tested |
| CC2652R | Texas Instruments | 352KB | 80KB | 200+ | ❌ | Without PA (shorter range) |
📊 Complete Coordinator Overview
Section titled “📊 Complete Coordinator Overview”USB Coordinators
Section titled “USB Coordinators”| Product | Chip | Antenna | Thread | Price ~USD | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoff ZBDongle-E | EFR32MG21 | 3dBi external | ✅ | $15 | ⭐ Budget choice |
| Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 | EFR32MG24 | 3-4.5dBi external | ✅ | $35 | ⭐ Best USB 2025 |
| Sonoff ZBDongle-P | CC2652P | 3dBi external | ❌ | $20 | Good, older model |
| Home Assistant SkyConnect | EFR32MG21 | Internal | ✅ | $31 | Official HA, compact |
| Home Assistant ZBT-2 | EFR32MG24 | 4.16dBi external | ✅ | $40 | Latest official |
| Conbee III | EFR32MG21 | Internal | ✅ | $40 | Phoscon, good firmware |
| SLZB-07 | CC2652P | 3dBi external | ❌ | $35 | SMLight USB version |
| SLZB-07P7 | CC2652P7 | 3dBi external | ❌ | $38 | Improved chip |
| ZigStar UZG-01 | CC2652P7 | 5dBi external | ❌ | $48 | Enthusiast favorite |
Ethernet/PoE Coordinators
Section titled “Ethernet/PoE Coordinators”| Product | Chip | Antenna | PoE | WiFi | Price ~USD | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLZB-06 | CC2652P | 5dBi external | ✅ | ✅ | $48 | ⭐ Best value |
| SLZB-06M | EFR32MG21 | 5dBi external | ✅ | ✅ | $55 | With Thread |
| SLZB-06MG24 | EFR32MG24 | 5dBi external | ✅ | ✅ | $62 | Latest SLZB |
| SLZB-06P10 | CC2674P10 | 5dBi external | ✅ | ✅ | $68 | Max capacity (400+) |
| Sonoff Dongle Max | EFR32MG24 | 2x 5dBi | ✅ | ✅ | $55 | ⭐ All-in-one |
| Sonoff ZBBridge Pro | CC2652P | Internal | ❌ | ✅ | $28 | Budget WiFi bridge |
🏆 Top Recommendations
Section titled “🏆 Top Recommendations”🥇 Budget: Sonoff ZBDongle-E
Section titled “🥇 Budget: Sonoff ZBDongle-E”Price: ~$15 | Chip: EFR32MG21
The most popular Zigbee coordinator - and for good reason. Excellent price/quality ratio and works perfectly with both ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Cheapest reliable option | ❌ Older chip (MG21) |
| ✅ External antenna for good range | ❌ USB placement limits |
| ✅ Thread support via firmware flash | ❌ No web dashboard |
| ✅ Aluminum housing (cooling) | |
| ✅ Very well documented |
Buy: ITEAD, AliExpress, Amazon
🥇 Best USB: Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24
Section titled “🥇 Best USB: Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24”Price: ~$35 | Chip: EFR32MG24
The latest generation from Sonoff with the more powerful MG24 chip. 100% more flash and 300% more RAM than ZBDongle-E.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Latest EFR32MG24 chip | ❌ More expensive than ZBDongle-E |
| ✅ 4.5dBi optimized antenna | ❌ Still USB limited |
| ✅ MultiPAN support (Zigbee + Thread) | |
| ✅ USB extension cable included | |
| ✅ Aluminum housing |
Buy: Sonoff.tech, Amazon
🥇 Best PoE/LAN: SLZB-06 Series
Section titled “🥇 Best PoE/LAN: SLZB-06 Series”Price: $48-68 | Chip: Varies
SMLight’s SLZB-06 series is the most flexible solution. Ethernet, WiFi, PoE, USB - all in one device with web dashboard.
| Model | Chip | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SLZB-06 | CC2652P | Budget PoE |
| SLZB-06M | EFR32MG21 | Thread support |
| SLZB-06MG24 | EFR32MG24 | Latest features |
| SLZB-06P10 | CC2674P10 | Large networks (400+) |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Place anywhere | ❌ Requires PoE switch/injector |
| ✅ Web dashboard | ❌ More expensive than USB |
| ✅ Native Home Assistant integration | |
| ✅ WireGuard VPN for remote sites | |
| ✅ OTA firmware updates | |
| ✅ +25dB total gain |
Buy: SMLight.tech, AliExpress
🥇 Premium: Sonoff Dongle Max
Section titled “🥇 Premium: Sonoff Dongle Max”Price: ~$55 | Chip: EFR32MG24 + ESP32
Sonoff’s answer to SLZB-06 - PoE coordinator with dual antennas and web dashboard.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ EFR32MG24 + ESP32 combo | ❌ New to market |
| ✅ Dual 5dBi antennas (360° coverage) | ❌ Less community experience |
| ✅ PoE, WiFi, USB, Ethernet | |
| ✅ Web dashboard | |
| ✅ Webhooks, MQTT, VPN |
Buy: Sonoff.tech, Amazon
🏅 Official: Home Assistant ZBT-2
Section titled “🏅 Official: Home Assistant ZBT-2”Price: ~$40 | Chip: EFR32MG24
The official Home Assistant coordinator from Nabu Casa. Supports Home Assistant development.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Official HA support | ❌ No PoE |
| ✅ Latest MG24 chip | ❌ More expensive than Sonoff |
| ✅ Optimized antenna (4.16dBi) | ❌ USB only |
| ✅ Supports HA development |
Buy: Home Assistant, Domadoo
🔧 Software Compatibility
Section titled “🔧 Software Compatibility”| Coordinator | ZHA | Zigbee2MQTT | deCONZ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoff ZBDongle-E | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full support |
| Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full support |
| Sonoff Dongle Max | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | New, test yourself |
| SLZB-06 series | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full support |
| Home Assistant SkyConnect | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Optimized for ZHA |
| Home Assistant ZBT-2 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Optimized for ZHA |
| Conbee III | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Best with deCONZ |
| ZigStar UZG-01 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Best with Z2M |
📶 Range Tips
Section titled “📶 Range Tips”- Use USB extension cable - Away from USB 3.0 interference
- Place centrally - PoE coordinators can be placed optimally
- Router devices - Zigbee bulbs and plugs extend the network
- Avoid metal - Don’t place in metal enclosures
- Height - Higher placement = better range
🛒 Where to Buy?
Section titled “🛒 Where to Buy?”Fast delivery (1-7 days)
Section titled “Fast delivery (1-7 days)”- Amazon.com - Large selection, Prime delivery
- Amazon.de - EU, good for Europe
- Domadoo.fr - EU, Home Assistant products
Direct from manufacturer (1-3 weeks)
Section titled “Direct from manufacturer (1-3 weeks)”- ITEAD/Sonoff - Sonoff products
- SMLight.tech - SLZB-06 series
- Phoscon - Conbee products
Cheapest (2-4 weeks)
Section titled “Cheapest (2-4 weeks)”- AliExpress - Lowest prices
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Section titled “❓ Frequently Asked Questions”Ofte stillede spørgsmål
- How many devices can a coordinator handle?
- Most modern coordinators can handle 200+ devices directly. With router devices (bulbs, plugs) you can reach 500+ devices. For most homes, even budget coordinators are plenty.
- Should I choose ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT?
- For beginners: ZHA (built-in, easy). For advanced users: Zigbee2MQTT (more features, better debugging). Both work with all coordinators on this list.
- Can I upgrade my coordinator without re-pairing all devices?
- No, unfortunately. Changing coordinators requires re-pairing all devices. Consider this before choosing - better to buy a good coordinator from the start.
- What is Thread and Matter? Do I need it?
- Thread is a new protocol used by Matter (Apple's/Google's smart home standard). EFR32MG21/MG24 chips support it. It's 'nice to have' for the future, but not necessary now.
- USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port?
- Always use USB 2.0 port or a USB extension cable. USB 3.0 ports can cause interference with the Zigbee 2.4GHz signal.
- PoE - what do I need?
- You need either a PoE switch (recommended) or a PoE injector. Most SLZB-06 and Dongle Max use 802.3af (15W) which is standard. A PoE injector costs about $15-20.
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Section titled “🎯 Quick Decision Guide”Starting from scratch?├── Budget under $20?│ └── ➡️ Sonoff ZBDongle-E├── Want the best USB?│ └── ➡️ Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24├── Have PoE switch and want flexibility?│ └── ➡️ SLZB-06 or Sonoff Dongle Max├── Want to support Home Assistant?│ └── ➡️ Home Assistant ZBT-2└── Large house / many devices (200+)? └── ➡️ SLZB-06P10 or SLZB-06MG24📚 Next Steps
Section titled “📚 Next Steps”Zigbee2MQTT Guide
Set up Zigbee2MQTT with your new coordinator.
Last updated: December 2025