Zigbee is the most popular wireless standard for smart sensors, relays and thermostats: it uses very little power, builds a mesh network that gets stronger with every device you add, and keeps your Wi-Fi free. Here you will find our Zigbee 3.0 devices from Sonoff and Tuya. Below: the best Zigbee devices to start with, which hub you need and which devices work together.
The best Zigbee devices to start with
A first Zigbee smart home needs only three building blocks:
- A hub that matches the app you want to use (see the table below).
- Two or three sensors, for example a motion sensor for the hallway and a door and window sensor.
- An in-wall relay behind an existing switch: it controls the light and also extends the Zigbee network.
From there you can add devices one at a time. All sensors are in smart sensors and detectors, all relays in smart relays and switch modules.
Zigbee devices at a glance
Presence sensors
What it does: Keep lights and heating on only while someone is in the room, even sitting still
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff SNZB-06P24
Motion sensors
What it does: Hallway and stair lighting, alarms on movement
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff SNZB-03PR2
Door and window sensors
What it does: Turn the heating off when a window opens, get notified when a door opens
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff SNZB-04PR1
Temperature and humidity sensors
What it does: Monitor the indoor climate, drive fans or heating
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff SNZB-02DR2 with display
In-wall relays
What it does: Make existing switches smart, with or without neutral wire
Examples at Expert4house: MINI-ZB1GSP 16 A with power metering, MINI-ZBDIM dimmer, Tuya module, no neutral required
Roller shutter switches
What it does: Shutters and awnings by app, schedule or voice
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff MINI-ZBRBS
Dry contact switches
What it does: Garage doors, gate openers and boilers
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff MINI-ZBD
DIN rail switches
What it does: Larger loads in the distribution board
Examples at Expert4house: Sonoff BASIC-ZB1GSP 32 A
Thermostats
What it does: Room-by-room heating control
Examples at Expert4house: All models in smart Zigbee thermostats
Hubs and repeaters
What it does: The heart of the Zigbee network and extra range for distant rooms
Examples at Expert4house: See the next section and the Tuya USB repeater (for Tuya gateways)
Zigbee thermostats: which one to choose
The right Zigbee thermostat depends on your heating system. All the models below work with the Tuya Smart / Smart Life app through a Tuya Zigbee gateway, or with Home Assistant and a Zigbee USB dongle.
Boiler with radiators, wired wall thermostat
Recommended thermostat: Beca BHT-9000GCLZB Expert4house Edition
Why: Dry contact for the boiler, 230 V power supply, illuminated dial
Boiler, no power supply at the thermostat
Recommended thermostat: Beca BHT-209-GCZB battery thermostat
Why: Dry contact and 2 AA batteries: no power wiring needed
4-pipe fan coil units
Recommended thermostat: Beca BAC-9000ELZB Expert4house Edition
Why: Controls fan and valves, for both heating and cooling
Radiators, room by room
Recommended thermostat: Tuya Zigbee thermostatic radiator valve with display
Why: Replaces the radiator's thermostatic head; battery powered, with open window detection
Which Zigbee hub do I need?
No Zigbee device works without a hub (also called gateway, bridge or coordinator). The right one depends on the app you want to use:
eWeLink (Sonoff)
Recommended hub: Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Ultra or Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Pro
Why: Bridge Ultra: up to 256 devices, Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable, Matter bridge for Sonoff Zigbee devices. Bridge Pro: up to 128 devices and local scenes.
Tuya Smart / Smart Life
Recommended hub: Tuya Multimode gateway or Tuya Matter Smart Gateway Pro
Why: The Multimode gateway handles Zigbee, Bluetooth and infrared devices in one app. The Gateway Pro adds Thread, Matter and an Ethernet port.
Home Assistant
Recommended hub: Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 or Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E
Why: Plug in via USB and use ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, which support Zigbee devices from a very wide range of brands.
All models are in smart hubs and gateways.
Which Zigbee devices are compatible?
Zigbee 3.0 is a common standard, but every brand adds its own features. In practice:
- With a hub of the same brand (Sonoff with Sonoff, Tuya with Tuya) you get every feature and firmware updates.
- Devices from other brands often pair anyway, but some features or advanced settings may be missing.
- With Home Assistant and a USB dongle you can mix brands; full support depends on the individual model.
Before buying, check Works with and Hub required on the product page.
Zigbee, Wi-Fi or Matter?
Hub needed?
Zigbee: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Matter: Not over Wi-Fi; over Thread a border router
Power use
Zigbee: Very low, ideal for battery sensors
Wi-Fi: Higher
Matter: Low over Thread
Network
Zigbee: Mesh, every mains-powered device repeats the signal
Wi-Fi: Everything on the router
Matter: Mesh over Thread
Best for
Zigbee: Sensors, relays, thermostats, many devices
Wi-Fi: A few devices, cameras
Matter: Using Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings together
Zigbee and Matter are not mutually exclusive: with a hub that acts as a Matter bridge, such as the Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Ultra, Sonoff Zigbee devices also appear in Apple Home and other Matter ecosystems.
Zigbee devices: frequently asked questions
Do I really need a hub?
Yes. Zigbee devices do not connect to Wi-Fi: without a hub they cannot be set up or controlled from an app.
Do Zigbee devices work with Alexa and Google Home?
Yes, through the hub's app: link eWeLink or Tuya Smart / Smart Life to Alexa or Google Home and your devices appear with their names. For Apple Home you need a hub with a Matter bridge, such as the Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Ultra.
How many devices can a hub handle?
It depends on the model: according to the manufacturer, the Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Pro handles up to 128 devices and the Bridge Ultra up to 256.
What is the range of a Zigbee device?
Indoors, usually a few tens of metres from one device to the next, depending on walls and floors. Not every device has to reach the hub directly: mains-powered devices pass the signal on. For distant rooms, a smart plug or a repeater is enough.
Does Zigbee work without internet?
The devices talk to the hub locally. With a hub that supports local scenes, such as the Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Pro, automations between Zigbee devices keep working without internet. Remote access and voice assistants do need a connection.
Can I use Zigbee devices with Home Assistant?
Yes, with a USB dongle such as the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 and the ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT integrations. It is the most flexible way to combine devices from different brands.
Not sure which hub to choose or whether a device works with your system? Write to us and we will help you choose.
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