SONOFF (ITEAD) · Niche / specialty
SONOFF Zigbee Dongle-E (ZBDongle-E)
Zigbee 3.0 · Thread · MQTT · about $20
local-onlyno cloud lock-in
Protocols
Zigbee 3.0Thread
0.5 W
Idle power
$20
List price
~2000
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Niche / specialty |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Zigbee 3.0, Thread |
| Cloud dependency | no cloud lock-in |
| Local API | MQTT |
| 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 $20 |
Best for: Privacy-firstBest for: Matter / future-proofBest for: Budget under $80
Setup & gotchas
🧵 Pick this over the Dongle-P mainly if you want a Thread or Matter path, otherwise the P is the safer Zigbee choice.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + EFR32MG21 radio that can run Zigbee and, with the right firmware, Thread
- + Cheap entry point for a future Matter-over-Thread setup
- + Supported by Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA
Trade-offs
- − It is a coordinator stick that needs a host, not a standalone hub
- − Thread and Zigbee firmware are separate, not simultaneous roles
- − Historically fussier firmware situation than the CC2652P Dongle-P
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the SONOFF Zigbee Dongle-E (ZBDongle-E) require the cloud?
No. The SONOFF Zigbee Dongle-E (ZBDongle-E) runs local-only — MQTT, no vendor account is required for core automations.
Which protocols and voice assistants does the SONOFF Zigbee Dongle-E (ZBDongle-E) support?
Protocols: Zigbee 3.0, Thread. Voice: none. It directly supports an estimated 2000 devices/brands.
How much does the SONOFF Zigbee Dongle-E (ZBDongle-E) cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $20 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 0.5 W.
Source & last checked
- SONOFF official site (ZBDongle-E): sonoff.tech/ ↗
- 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.