Sonoff now sells eight different Zigbee, Thread, and Z-Wave dongles under various model names. The older ZBDongle line-up is still relevant too, which makes choosing a network coordinator even more confusing. ZBDongle-P, ZBDongle-E, Dongle Plus MG24, Dongle Lite MG21, Dongle Plus CC2674P10, Dongle Max, Dongle-MZG23, Dongle-PZG23 cover all three protocols, but most overlap significantly.
I went through every current Sonoff dongle, pulled the full spec sheet for each one, and worked out where they actually overlap and where they do not. This article covers all eight, tells you exactly how they differ, and ends with a clear answer for which one you should buy if you just starting out. It also answers the question whether you should upgrade if you have any of the first-gen dongles.
Picking the right dongle is only half the equation though. How you place it and how your mesh grows around it matters just as much, and I cover that separately in my guide to building a stable and robust Zigbee network.
Relevant: SMLight coordinators compared and explained
Sonoff Dongles Overview
Here is every current Sonoff dongle side by side, with the model, type, protocol, chip, price and availability, before we get into the details of each one.
| Image | Model | Type | Protocol | SoCs | Price | Amazon Link | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ZBDongle-P | USB dongle | Zigbee Thread | CC2652P CP2102 | From $24.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | ZBDongle-E | USB dongle | Zigbee Thread | EFR32MG21 CP2102 | From $24.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | Dongle Plus MG24 | USB dongle | Zigbee Thread | EFR32MG24 CP2102 | From $35.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | Dongle Lite MG21 | USB dongle | Zigbee Thread | EFR32MG21 CP2102 | From $24.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | Dongle Plus CC2674P10 | USB dongle | Zigbee Thread | CC2674P10 CP2102 | From $35.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | Dongle Max MG24 | PoE gateway | Zigbee Thread | EFR32MG24 ESP32 CP2102 | From $42.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | Dongle Max MZG23 | PoE gateway | Z-Wave 800 Z-Wave LR | EFR32ZG23 ESP32 CP2102 | From $44.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
 | Dongle Plus PZG23 | USB dongle | Z-Wave 800 Z-Wave LR | EFR32ZG23 CP2102 | From $35.90 | Amazon US ● Amazon UK Amazon DE ● Amazon NL Amazon FR ● Amazon CA | Sonoff Domadoo AliExpress |
Five of these are Zigbee and Thread capable USB sticks that all look nearly identical from the outside. Two are Z-Wave devices that share the same chip but come in completely different form factors. And two are not sticks at all, they are small standalone PoE coordinators with an Ethernet port and web console.
Sonoff ZBDongle-P vs ZBDongle-E
These two started the whole lineup, and they are still the ones most people already own. Both cost the same and look almost identical. The difference comes down to the chip inside, and what that chip can realistically handle.
The ZBDongle-P runs on the Texas Instruments CC2652P. It ships pre-flashed with Z-Stack firmware and has been the default recommendation for Zigbee2MQTT users for years. It is proven, well documented, and every Zigbee device brand you can think of has been tested against it at some point.
The ZBDongle-E runs on the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 instead. It uses EmberZNet firmware rather than Z-Stack, and it supports Zigbee Green Power devices out of the box. This matters if you are pairing something like this Moes self-powered Zigbee switch or friends of Hue devices.
Both of these dongles can also run Thread. Sonoff’s own flasher allows you to install OpenThread RCP officially for both the P and the E, so the hardware does support it. The CC2652P in the ZBDongle-P handles Zigbee just fine, but flash it with Thread and it starts to struggle once your network grows past a small to medium size. The EFR32MG21 in the ZBDongle-E can handle sizeable Thread networks just fine. However, in 2026, there is no real reason to pick the ZBDongle-E for Thread over the newer Dongle Plus MG24, which runs the EFR32MG24 and handles Thread much more easily.
Neither one is a bad buy if you already have it. But if Thread and Matter-over-Thread are part of your plan, neither one is the dongle I would tell someone to go out and buy today, and I will explain exactly why in the last two sections of this article.
Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 vs Dongle Lite MG21 vs Dongle Max
All three of these are current generation devices. They support Zigbee and Thread, and all three can be flashed to run OpenThread, MultiPAN, or plain Zigbee router firmware. The differences are in the chip, antenna gain, shape, and how you connect them.
Dongle Plus MG24 uses the Silicon Labs EFR32MG24, the direct successor to the MG21 chip in the ZBDongle-E. It has 50% more flash (1536KB vs 1024KB) and about 170% more RAM (256KB vs 96KB) than the MG21. That extra memory becomes relevant once your Zigbee mesh grows large, since it supports roughly double the end devices before you push against the chip’s limits. It also comes with a stronger antenna, rated up to 4.5dBi versus the fixed 2dBi antenna on the older sticks. Thread already runs well on the MG21, but the MG24 provides all the headroom you would ever need for a large Thread network.
Dongle Lite MG21 is a strange one to place here because it shares a chip with the older ZBDongle-E, not with the MG24. Sonoff built it as a compact, budget-friendly Thread-capable option, 65% smaller than the ZBDongle-E. It gets you Zigbee and Thread support in a smaller form factor device with a slight antenna boost of 3dBi instead of 2dBi on the ZBDongle-E. It’s no slouch, but do not expect it to match the MG24 performance for Thread on the Dongle Plus MG24.
Dongle Max, also called Dongle-M, is a double-antenna PoE coordinator. It is a small standalone gateway built around the EFR32MG24 chip paired with an ESP32D0WDR2 for networking and processing power. It connects over Ethernet with PoE support, over Wi-Fi, or over USB if you just want to use it like a regular dongle.
It has its own web console for firmware updates and mode switching, plus extras like MQTT, Webhooks, and a WireGuard VPN option. If your Home Assistant server sits somewhere awkward like a basement, or you just do not want a USB port tied up and exposed to interference, this device solves that problem completely. The Dongle Max also has superior 5dBi dual antennas, the same setup on SMLight PoE coordinators.
Sonoff Z-Wave Dongle Plus PZG23 vs Dongle Max MZG23
Sonoff’s Z-Wave lineup is very new, and it follows the exact same pattern as the Zigbee and Thread lineup. Both devices use the same Silicon Labs EFR32ZG23 chip and support the newer Z-Wave 800 series, including Z-Wave Long Range for point to point connections up to a kilometer away. The only real difference between both Z-Wave dongles is the form factor.
Dongle Plus PZG23, also called Dongle-PZG23, is a plain USB stick. Plug it into your Home Assistant machine, and it works exactly like the Zigbee USB dongles above, just running Z-Wave instead. You can use it with Z-Wave JS and Z-Wave JS UI in Home Assistant without issues.
Dongle Max MZG23, also called Dongle-MZG23, is the PoE gateway version, built on the same ESP32 chip as the Dongle Max. Ethernet, PoE, Wi-Fi, and USB are all available as connection options, along with the same web console, MQTT, and VPN features. If you already picked Dongle Max for Zigbee and Thread, this is the matching Z-Wave device that keeps your setup consistent.
There is no SoC-level reason to prefer one over the other. The decision here is purely about how you want to power and place the device, not about performance. PoE Z-Wave dongles are very rare and a reliable brand like Sonoff releasing one simply tells you that you shouldn’t look further. If you prefer USB, make sure to check out the Home Assistant ZWA-2, which is considered to have the most precisely tuned antenna and base to Z-Wave’s ideal wavelength.
What Is the Sonoff Dongle Plus CC2674P10
The Sonoff Dongle Plus CC2674P10 is a brand new Zigbee and Thread coordinator, a successor to the original ZBDongle-P. It’s more capable than the ZBDongle-P, carrying a better chip and more memory for running Thread and Zigbee networks.
Sonoff’s Dongle Plus CC2674P10 uses the same CP2102 USB-serial chip found across the rest of the lineup, and it matches the MG24 dongle on range at 200 meters with the same antenna gain. It can run as a plain Zigbee coordinator, a Zigbee router, or an OpenThread Border Router for Matter-over-Thread devices.
If you have specifically been loyal to Texas Instruments chips over Silicon Labs, for firmware maturity reasons or just personal preference, this is the one to look at instead of the MG24. Functionally, the two are close competitors rather than one being a clear step up from the other. My personal pro-tip would be to go for the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 over the CC2674P10. It works better for Matter-over-Thread and can handle experimental MultiPAN setups more reliably.
Sonoff Dongles Full Spec Sheet
Here is every raw spec for all eight devices, pulled straight from Sonoff’s hardware documentation and the underlying chip datasheets.
| Spec | ZBDongle-P CC2652P | ZBDongle-E MG21 | Dongle Plus MG24 | Dongle Lite MG21 | Dongle Plus CC2674P10 | Dongle Max (Dongle-M) | Dongle Max MZG23 | Dongle Plus PZG23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radio SoC | CC2652P | EFR32MG21 | EFR32MG24 | EFR32MG21 | CC2674P10 | EFR32MG24 | EFR32ZG23 | EFR32ZG23 |
| USB Serial | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) | CP2102(N) |
| Wi-Fi SoC | / | / | / | / | / | ESP32D0WDR2 | ESP32D0WDR2 | / |
| Flash | 352KB | 1024KB | 1536KB | 1024KB | 1024KB | 1536KB | 512KB | 512KB |
| RAM | 80KB | 96KB | 256KB | 96KB | 296KB | 256KB | 64KB | 64KB |
| Power Input | 5V, 500mA | 5V, 500mA | 5V, 500mA | 5V, 500mA | 5V, 500mA | 5V, 500mA 48V, 250mA | 5V, 500mA 48V, 250mA | 5V, 500mA |
| Standby Power | 40 mW | 60 mW | 40 mW | 60 mW | 40 mW | 0.64 W | 60 mW | 60 mW |
| Signal Range | 135m | 135m | 200m | 135m | 200m | 200m | 300m 1000m LR | 300m 1000m LR |
| Antenna Gain | 2dBi | 2dBi | 4.5dBi | 3dBi | 4.5dBi | 5dBi | 3dBi | 2dBi |
| RF Frequency | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 908 MHz 868 MHz 921 MHz | 908 MHz 868 MHz 921 MHz |
| RF Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | ITU-T G.9959 | ITU-T G.9959 |
| Zigbee Coordinator | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Zigbee Router | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Thread RCP | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| MultiPAN | ❌ | ✅1 | ✅1 | ✅1 | ✅1 | ✅1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Z-Wave Controller | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Working Temp | -10°C—40°C | -10°C—40°C | -10°C—60°C | -10°C—40°C | -10°C—60°C | -10°C—60°C | -10°C—60°C | -10°C—60°C |
| Working Humidity | 5-95% RH | 5-95% RH | 5-95% RH | 5-95% RH | 0-95% RH | 5-95% RH | 5-95% RH | 5-95% RH |
| Size (mm) | 87×25.5×13.5 | 75×25.5×13.5 | 10x18x214 | 18.6×10.1×133 | 18×10.5×214 | 169×32.5×22 | 169×32.5×22 | 18×10.5×214 |
About MultiPAN Firmware Support
MultiPAN firmware lets a single dongle like the ZBDongle-E run Zigbee and Thread at the same time, on the same radio, instead of needing two separate coordinators. Home Assistant officially paused support for it after finding that running both protocols concurrently was unstable, and the original Silicon Labs Multiprotocol add-on has since been removed from the Home Assistant add-on store entirely.
Sonoff disagrees, and they claim they have the testing to back it up, at least on their own hardware. Running MultiPAN firmware V4.6.0 on a ZBDongle-E, they loaded the network with 150 devices, 100 Zigbee and 50 Thread, and ran continuous stress tests for five weeks straight with zero crashes or instability. Worth noting, this testing was done through Zigbee2MQTT and Chiptool directly, not through Home Assistant’s own deprecated multiprotocol add-on, so it demonstrates the firmware itself is stable rather than proving out a fully supported Home Assistant workflow. Read more here.
Based on Sonoff’s own claims, support varies by device:
- Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24: MultiPAN works perfectly
- Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21: MultiPAN works well
- Sonoff ZBDongle-E: MultiPAN works well
- Sonoff Dongle Max MG24: MultiPAN is currently in beta
If you want to experiment with MultiPAN, the MG24-based dongles are where Sonoff themselves are putting the most confidence. Just go in knowing this is unsupported territory as far as Home Assistant is concerned, and treat it as something to test rather than something to build your whole setup around.
Which Sonoff Dongle Should You Buy
Sonoff is not the only option on the market, and if plug-and-play official support matters more to you than price, the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is worth a look before you decide.
All three of these picks can run Thread, since it now comes standard across nearly every current Sonoff dongle. The one exception is the Dongle Lite MG21. It technically runs Thread just fine, but it is not the one to reach for if Thread is specifically why you are buying. Get the MG24 instead for that.
Best Sonoff USB Dongle: Dongle Plus MG24
The Dongle Plus MG24 is the one to buy if you want a single USB stick that handles Zigbee or Thread without any compromise. The EFR32MG24 chip gives you the most flash and RAM in the lineup, a stronger antenna, and 200 meters of range. The device ships with a high-quality USB extension cable in the box, for eliminating USB port interference. If you are starting fresh and do not know yet how large your network will get, this is the safest pick, since it has the headroom to grow with you.
Best Sonoff PoE Coordinator: Dongle Max MG24
The Dongle Max MG24 runs the same EFR32MG24 chip as the Dongle Plus MG24, but adds Ethernet, PoE, and Wi-Fi as connection options, along with a web console, MQTT, and VPN support. If your Home Assistant server sits somewhere awkward, or you simply do not want a USB port tied up, this is the obvious pick. It handles Thread just as well as the USB version, with the added benefit of central placement away from USB interference.
Best Budget USB Dongle: Dongle Lite MG21
The Dongle Lite MG21 is the cheapest current-generation option, and it is an excellent pick for Zigbee. It shares its chip with the ZBDongle-E, so it is proven and reliable, just in a smaller, cheaper package with a better antenna. It does support Thread, but if Thread and Matter-over-Thread are the reason you are buying, spend the extra few dollars on the MG24 instead. This one is best reserved for people who mainly want a compact, affordable Zigbee coordinator with Thread as a nice-to-have rather than the main goal.
Migrating Your Zigbee Network
Switching to a new Sonoff dongle does not necessarily mean re-pairing every device in your home. Both Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA support backing up your existing network and restoring it onto new hardware, but how smoothly that goes depends entirely on the chip family you are moving between.
All of the Zigbee-capable Sonoff dongles fall into two camps, Z-Stack for the Texas Instruments chips (CC2652P, CC2674P10) and Ember for the Silicon Labs chips (EFR32MG21, EFR32MG24). Staying within the same family, MG21 to MG24 for example, gives you the smoothest migration path. Crossing families, Z-Stack to Ember or the other way around, can still work, but it is not officially guaranteed and some devices may need to be re-paired afterward.
I cover the full step by step process, including how to change the IEEE address on a USB-only dongle, in my complete guide on migrating your Zigbee network to a new coordinator.
Should You Upgrade Your Existing Sonoff Dongle
As most people who are looking to upgrade are running the Sonoff ZBDongle-P or ZBDongle-E, I’m going to address those first. If your setup is purely Zigbee and it works fine, there is honestly no reason to upgrade. Both chips are mature, well supported, and not going anywhere. You should only be upgrading for Thread support, if you plan on adding Thread and Matter-over-Thread devices in Home Assistant.
If you are planning on running Thread and adding Matter-over-Thread devices, I highly suggest you go for the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 or Sonoff Dongle Max MG24. Those two can handle whatever you throw at them without braking a sweat. The Dongle Max MG24 is the superior device between the two, providing flexibility with PoE and a more capable antenna setup for better reach.
If you are running anything older than those two, something like a Conbee II, Nortek HUSBZB-1 or an older Tube’s Zigbee Coordinator, than you kind of have to update. These dongles are no longer recomended and supported by their manufacturer, so skip the wait and go for a MG24 coordinator like the Dongle Plus or Dongle Max.
Before you make a decision, I highly suggest you checkout my guide on SMLight coordinators. They have some very interesting devices that are competitive with Sonoff devices. In some cases, like the dual SoC SLZB-MR range, SMLight is the better pick. Furthermore, the official Home Assistant ZBT-2 is also a great pick for a USB coordinator, though some don’t like its large form factor and appearance.
FAQ
Do I need a USB extension cable for Sonoff dongles?
Yes, and it makes a real difference. USB 3.0 ports generate interference right in the 2.4 GHz band that Zigbee and Thread both use, so a short extension cable, even one meter, keeps the dongle away from that noise and away from other USB devices crowding the same ports.
Does MultiPAN work in Home Assistant with Sonoff dongles?
Not officially. Home Assistant paused support for running Zigbee and Thread concurrently on one chip after finding it unstable, and pulled the multiprotocol add-on from the store. Sonoff has since run their own extensive testing outside of Home Assistant and reports it working well on several of their dongles, but treat it as unsupported and experimental rather than something to rely on.
Can I switch between ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT on the same Sonoff dongle?
Not at the same time. A single coordinator can only be controlled by one Zigbee stack at once, so you cannot run ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT simultaneously off the same dongle. Migrating a coordinator from one to the other is possible, though, and I cover exactly how in my separate guide on the topic.
Is the Sonoff ZBDongle-P discontinued?
No. Sonoff still sells both the ZBDongle-P and ZBDongle-E side by side, and the ZBDongle-P remains one of the most recommended coordinators in the Zigbee2MQTT community. If you already own one, there is no need to worry about long-term support disappearing.
Which Sonoff USB dongle should I get if I’m new to this?
If you are just starting out, get the Dongle Plus MG24. It runs the newest EFR32MG24 chip, handles Zigbee and Thread without any compromise, and has enough headroom that you will not need to think about upgrading again for years. If you have Ethernet available in a good spot in your home, the Dongle Max MG24 is worth the extra cost instead, since it runs the same chip but connects over PoE or Wi-Fi rather than tying up a USB port.
