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Is the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) worth it?

The SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) is worth considering with a 6.1/10 consensus score. Experts highlight highest direct-child spec of the usb sticks at ~50 and cc2652p is the battle-proven zigbee2mqtt classic. Best for: Router-poor Zigbee2MQTT legacy meshes that lean on direct children and will never need Thread.

SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) — Mixed per expert consensus
Mixed
Price Range
$39.99
$39.99 listTI CC2652P radio, Zigbee 3.0
Check price

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SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P)

NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner

Zigbee/Thread Coordinator

Expert consensus

How we score
06.1/1010

Expert Consensus

Updated this week

Key Features

  • TI CC2652P radio, Zigbee 3.0
  • External antenna, +20 dBm
  • SONOFF spec: ~50 direct children, 200 with routers
  • Works with HA, ioBroker, Zigbee2MQTT

Best For

Router-poor Zigbee2MQTT legacy meshes that lean on direct children and will never need Thread

SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) vs. the alternatives

How the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) stacks up against other Automation options on price, expert consensus, and ecosystem support.

Comparison of SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) and alternative Automation products by price, expert consensus score, ecosystem support, and verdict
ProductPriceConsensusWorks WithVerdict
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P)This page6.1/10Mixed
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus MG24 (Thread & Zigbee)$35.908.9/10Must Buy
SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator$72.998.5/10Recommended
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E (ZBDongle-E)$26.997.6/10Good Value

The SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) ($39.99 list) earns a 6.1/10 expert consensus, versus the Aqara Hub M3 at $149.99 list (8.3/10 consensus).

What Experts Agree On

What Experts Love

  • Highest direct-child spec of the USB sticks at ~50
  • CC2652P is the battle-proven Zigbee2MQTT classic
  • +20 dBm radio with external antenna for solid reach
  • Up to 200 devices with routers per SONOFF spec

Common Criticisms

  • CC2652P has no maintained Thread firmware path for HA
  • TI stopped active SDK development for the chip
  • MG24 sticks cost less and add a real Thread path

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) worth it?

The SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) earns a 6.1/10 consensus score and is rated "Mixed". It is best for Router-poor Zigbee2MQTT legacy meshes that lean on direct children and will never need Thread. It ranks among the top picks in its category.

How much does the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) cost?

We do not have a verified current price for the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P). It earns a 6.1/10 consensus score with a "Mixed" rating, which is a premium ask relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Automation products. Check the live figure at the retailer before buying.

Who is the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) best for?

The SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) is best for Router-poor Zigbee2MQTT legacy meshes that lean on direct children and will never need Thread. Experts rate it "Mixed" with a 6.1/10 consensus.

How does the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) compare to other Automation options?

Among the Automation products we have aggregated, the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) ranks below average with a 6.1/10 score. See our full category comparison for head-to-head details.

What are the best alternatives to the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P)?

If the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) (6.1/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Automation are Aqara Hub M3, Amazon Smart Plug. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.

What are the pros and cons of the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P)?

The main strengths of the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P) are highest direct-child spec of the usb sticks at ~50 and cc2652p is the battle-proven zigbee2mqtt classic. The most-cited downside is cc2652p has no maintained thread firmware path for ha. Overall, experts rate it "Mixed" with a 6.1/10 consensus score.

Decided on the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-P)?

$39.99 listTI CC2652P radio, Zigbee 3.0
Check price

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Sources & Methodology

Consensus score based on available data. See how we build consensus scores.

Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.This is a consensus review — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.

Independence notice: Smart Home Explorer is an independent publication. SONOFF and other product names, logos, and brands referenced on this page are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This review is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by SONOFF or any other manufacturer named in this article.