Hello, i want to buy some Zigbee hub or coordinator so i can connect some Zigbee devices in future because till now my all devices are wifi. I read that there are couple of options and want your advice what Zigbee to buy - hub or cordinator to use is with ZHA.
Sonoff has two models, the linked “ZBDongle-P” based on the TI CC2652P chip and the “ZBDongle-E” that uses the same SILabs EFR32MG21 as the SkyConnect.
I use the ZBDongle-P in multiple installs with ZHA and Z2M and don’t have any need to change. Biggest advantage to the ZBDongle-E is it will probably eventually be compatible with the same multi-protocol Thread/Zigbee support as the SkyConnect.
Based on my testing though, limited and anecdotal as it may be, I would still buy the “P” over the “E” for zigbee.
SkyConnect is becoming quite popular and probably will have good support from Home Assistant, as it is from the same NabuCasa, and it promises to support both Zigbee and Thread/Matter.
I have to say I’ve never tried it.
if i go with the Sonoff “ZBDongle-E” will I be able to directly plug it into my Mini PC Lenovo with only HAOS, because in some websites i see that they said that it may have to install drivers. Also will ZBDongle-E be compatible with all zigbee devices ?
HAOS commununicates directly with the COM port exposed by the USB bus without needing drivers - BUT
Don’t connect a dongle DIRECTLY to the mini PC, Pi or whatever… USB3 Bus generated interference is a very real thing. Use a short USB extension cable at the VERY LEAST - I personally use a small powered USB2 hub.
It’s not the dongle that needs to be compatible, it’s the software. ZHA (the Zigbee integration built into HA) is compatible with a wide range of devices and how to add support for new devices is well documented.
Well, every advice was helpful and after i read a little bit more probably will go with Sonoff dongle E or P and with Zigbee2MQTT because i see that he supports more devices than ZHA .
You don’t need the one supporting the bigger number of devices… You need one that supports the devices you will have…
But anyway, I think both Z2M and ZHA are pretty good options. You will be good with either of those.
it is a little bit hard to find Sonoff zbdongle-p around me so i will probably order from Aliexpress. It seems that every store replaced it with the E version …
On a Zigbee network most of the devices connectec to the power line (bulbs, sockets, etc) will act as a router, creating a mesh network, so the range of your controller might not be the most critical point to have a good coverage in your house.
Generally (and there’s a lot that influences it) the range between the coordinator and any directly connected device is in the region of 6 to 8 meters. However as Edward said, you add mains powered devices which can relay the messages (routers in Zigbee speak).
This means that you can cover a large area simply by adding routers.
Not every mains powered device is a router - many light switches/dimmers aren’t (particularly those that only use two wires) and Sengled’s bulbs aren’t. Plugs and most other bulbs are routers however, or you can buy dedicated devices.
3900 sq ft two story home. When we have a prolonged power outage, almost all battery devices will be connected to my coordinator (which is on a large ups), the exceptions are some of the outside devices.
But it is heavily influenced by the environment. Presumably during a power outage most of the neighbors’ wifi equipment is also off, so less interference. What is the home construction, how many walls, etc?
Bottom line, don’t depend on the coordinator alone. Add some mains devices as routers. Additional ZBDongle-P sticks make excellent routers, but a plug or most any mains will suffice. Beware using zigbee bulbs if mains can be cut at a switch. Most will act as routers, which is good, but if power is cut could make any devices routing through them unresponsive until they reroute themselves.
