Sonoff Zigbee USB Dongle Plus-ZBDongle-E 3.0 External Antenna Interface SMA Gateway Universal, Pre-Installed with Zigbee Firmware Based on EZNet 6.10.3 Coordinated Home Assistant or Zigbee2MQTT

I have these installed on my Home Assistant systems to provide Zigbee connectivity. This interface was auto detected and easy to configure. I have been happy with the range and it is really fire and forget. There are a surprising number of things that use Zigbee and I use it with ZWave, Insteon and Matter at the same time. For a fairly low price you open up a lot of options for connectivity.

I replaced my old 2-in-1 (zwave + zigbee) with this one and another zwave dongle. This has a much better range coverage and I don't need to use zigbee smart plugs as relay server and connections are more stable.

Flashed the latest drivers to it and plugged it into my usb hub and it worked instantly with HA.

Used and works perfectly on Home Assistant.

No complaints, has worked very well in my new home. I’m running this on a n100 mini pc with proxmox and HA with no complaints

I wanted to use this with Home Assistant. I have the -E version with the MG21 chipset. I wanted to update the firmware to either OpenThread or the multiprotocol ZB/OT firmware. This turned into an unexpected challenge.It came with firmware so old that none of the current flashing tools would get it into flashing mode. I had to open it to use the override buttons. You have to push and hold the Boot button while plugging it in, or hold Boot while pressing Reset momentarily.Once you actually get it into flashing mode, you can use the usual tools. I used the usual darkxst web flasher. It reported old 6.x EZSP firmware while the current version is 7.x. It was easy to either update to the current EZSP firmware, or switch to either Multiprotocol or OpenThread at this point. There were no surprises.Performance wise, it has been reliable and the external antenna is quite a step up over the usual dongles or the Home Assistant Yellow that I was using it with.There is a QR code in the tiny manual in the box that has unlisted documentation links for reflashing. It's not very clear but provided the clues for me to get it to work.Do be careful to not confuse this with the -P version with a different chipset. The -E version is what you want with Home Assistant.Overall, I recommend it still in 2024, but be prepared for some hassle with flashing.

So far I’m very happy with the Sonoff USB Zigbee coordinator. The only thing that I’m not sure about is the availability of affordable Zigbee devices. I went with Zigbee due to the Plug and play aspect, but turns out there are not THAT many devices. - most will say Zigbee compatible but turns out they are Wi-Fi with some workaround.But as for this dongle, I’m very pleased.Hope that helps!

For anyone starting their smart home journey, the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E Gateway is a fantastic choice. This gateway has been a rock-solid performer in my own home lab setup, seamlessly integrating with my virtual machine running Home Assistant. Its impressive range and reliable performance have made it a cornerstone of my smart home ecosystem.Effortless Passthrough for Virtual Machine Integration:One of the key advantages of the Plus-E Gateway is its ease of integration with virtual machines. I was able to effortlessly pass the device through to my Home Assistant virtual machine, allowing me to manage my smart home devices directly within the platform. This simplified setup process was a major bonus, saving me time and frustration.Unmatched Range for Extensive Coverage:The Plus-E Gateway's impressive range is a game-changer. Despite my server being located in the basement, it flawlessly connects to devices on the second floor, ensuring complete coverage throughout my home. This eliminates the need for additional repeaters, saving money and streamlining your setup.Rock-Solid Performance for Stable Connectivity:Throughout my experience, the Plus-E Gateway has been a beacon of stability. I haven't encountered a single dropped connection or any other performance issues. This reliable operation provides peace of mind, knowing that my smart home devices are always under control.An Excellent Starting Point for Your Smart Home Dreams:If you're just starting your smart home journey, the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E Gateway is the perfect foundation. Its ease of use, impressive range, and rock-solid performance make it a fantastic choice for anyone looking to build a reliable and future-proof smart home system. I highly recommend this gateway to anyone who wants to start automating their home and enhance their daily life.Overall, the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E Gateway earns high marks for its seamless integration, impressive range, stable performance, and ease of use. It's a fantastic choice for anyone looking to take their first steps into the exciting world of smart homes.