dresden elektronik · Niche / specialty
ConBee III (USB stick as hub coordinator)
Zigbee 3.0 · REST · about $69
local-onlyno cloud lock-in
Protocols
Zigbee 3.0
0.4 W
Idle power
$69
List price
~2000
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Niche / specialty |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Zigbee 3.0 |
| Cloud dependency | no cloud lock-in |
| Local API | REST |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit) |
| Open source | partial / firmware open |
| Directly supported devices (est.) | ~2000 |
| Idle power draw | ~0.4 W |
| Update outlook | actively maintained |
| List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026) | about $69 |
Best for: Privacy-firstBest for: Tech enthusiast / tinkerer
Setup & gotchas
📍 Critical for good Zigbee range: a 3-foot USB extension cable between the ConBee III and the host. Plug it directly into the host chassis and EMI shrinks range to one or two rooms.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + Most popular Zigbee USB coordinator — works with deCONZ (the vendor's own software) or as a zigbee2mqtt coordinator
- + Made in Germany — strong EU regulatory pedigree (matters less in the US, but quality-control reputation is strong)
- + Over 2,000 supported Zigbee devices on the Phoscon compatibility list
Trade-offs
- − Strictly speaking, not a hub — it's a coordinator that needs a host (Pi, NAS, Windows server)
- − Phoscon UI is dated — most power users pair it with Home Assistant or zigbee2mqtt instead
- − Range is decent but it needs Zigbee repeaters (plug-in outlets) to cover a whole house
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the ConBee III (USB stick as hub coordinator) require the cloud?
No. The ConBee III (USB stick as hub coordinator) runs local-only — REST, no vendor account is required for core automations.
Which protocols and voice assistants does the ConBee III (USB stick as hub coordinator) support?
Protocols: Zigbee 3.0. Voice: Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit). It directly supports an estimated 2000 devices/brands.
How much does the ConBee III (USB stick as hub coordinator) cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $69 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 0.4 W.
Source & last checked
- ConBee III: phoscon.de/en/conbee3 ↗
- Sources last checked: 2026-07-20 · Prices: Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026
- Idle-power and device-count figures are vendor-claimed or community-measured estimates. Prices fluctuate. Details without warranty — check the current manufacturer spec sheet before buying.