Nabu Casa · Niche / specialty
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1
Zigbee 3.0 · Thread · Matter · no local API · about $30
local-onlyno cloud lock-in
Protocols
Zigbee 3.0ThreadMatter
0.5 W
Idle power
$30
List price
~2000
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Niche / specialty |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Zigbee 3.0, Thread, Matter |
| Cloud dependency | no cloud lock-in |
| Local API | no local API |
| Voice assistants | none |
| Open source | partial / firmware open |
| Directly supported devices (est.) | ~2000 |
| Idle power draw | ~0.5 W |
| Update outlook | actively maintained |
| List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026) | about $30 |
Best for: Privacy-firstBest for: Matter / future-proofBest for: Tech enthusiast / tinkerer
Setup & gotchas
🔌 Use the bundled or a short USB extension cable, plugging it directly into a mini-PC often degrades Zigbee range.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + Official Zigbee and Thread coordinator tuned for Home Assistant
- + Firmware is open and re-flashable between Zigbee and Thread roles
- + Matter-over-Thread ready for newer devices
Trade-offs
- − It is a radio dongle, not a standalone hub, and needs a host running HA
- − Cannot run Zigbee and Thread simultaneously on the single radio
- − No user-facing local API of its own, the host provides that
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 require the cloud?
No. The Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 runs local-only — no local API, no vendor account is required for core automations.
Which protocols and voice assistants does the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 support?
Protocols: Zigbee 3.0, Thread, Matter. Voice: none. It directly supports an estimated 2000 devices/brands.
How much does the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $30 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 0.5 W.
Source & last checked
- Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 page: home-assistant.io/connectzbt1/ ↗
- 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.