I've just switched from sonoff dongle P to SMLIGHT and I am more than happy. These guys have done an excellent job developing products specially for HA. No doubt that if you have to buy a zigbee coordinator SMLIGHT is the preferred option. Excellent video BTW.
When I started my HA journey, I read everywhere that I should get a ConBee stick. As soon as I bought, it everyone started recommending the Sonoff Zigbee dongle so I bought it just becaue of the external antena. Now, after having it for a year, everyone recommends SMLight SLZB coordinators :) Thankfully the Sonoff dongle works fine for now so I don't expect to upgrade it but it's really funny to see how often the community recommendation changes. Glad you added the 2025 in the title, makes it more clear that yours video is up to date ;)
Nowadays it is extremely simple to change coordinator. The Sonoff to SMlight takes 30s or so. And it is much more convenient to have a controller separate form the HA. So I don’t think it’s strange at all. Conbee was recommended in 2017 or so…
Many thanks. A very helpful summary and a great channel for me - You are highly informed and very articulate. I am very new to Home Assistant (about 3 weeks) running on a NUC. After watching your videos - and some others ;-), I went for a couple of SLZB-06s with ZHA, one as a coordinator and the second to use as a router on the same network. The co-ordinator works well but I can't get ZHA/HA to incorporate the second stick to act as a router. Others, on various forums, seem to have a similar difficulty. I guess I will just wait it out and hope it's resolved by by Home Assistant or SMLIGHT in the near future. Thanks again for you commitment to spreading your knowledge to the HA community
Welcome to the frustrating world of smart home :) Did you flash router firmware on SLZB? I guess you probably did, but just checking. I did try them as routers and I could pick it up on the coordinator. But don't forget to contact SMLight support, they should be able to help you out.
@@BeardedTinker I did flash. And I will reach out to SMLIGHT. Thanks for taking the time to get back to me. If I make positive progress I will update your community here.
I have stared to switch from Wi-Fi to zigbee and use a Sonoff USB hub. Point to note it was you both here and in the forums who pointed me in the right direction. I hope that in future versions encryption can be addressed? You have also introduced me to various add-ons via HACS that I would most likely never been aware of. Thank you!
I think the biggest problem out there is to have a clean 2.4GH frequency so that the coordinator does not have to fight with anything. Here is how I did it. For the Wifi I removed channel 1 from all my Wifi, so it only uses 6 and 11. Then set zigbee to channel 11 (lowest frequency with best range). Also did scan to see if neighbor does not use wifi channel 1. So my coordinator has its one band free from everything. Rock stable. I do use a Sonof P stick and are happy with it.
Great video BT! Have been using the ZigStar UZG-01 for about one year now. It has worked fairly well for me, with one unfortunate network crash around August. After replacing some troublesome devices it seems to be rock solid. I'm considering getting one from SMLIGHT just to see how it compares. But I haven't decided yet which one I should get. 🤷🏻♂️
very happy with the smlight at the moment. i have two of them. 1 as zigbee. and 1 as bluetooth proxy. it ended up also being the best bluetooth proxy since it is poe powered, and comes with a case. note: i reached out to their support team. the external antenna is not for bluetooth signal. so if you go the route of using one of these just as a bluetooth proxy you can leave off the antenna. i like having one piece of hardware for each. and then i also dont lose the nice UI (you lose it if you enable bluetooth proxy at the same time as zigbee) thanks for your thorough review on smlight earlier on
I love Nabu Casa the company and the people. I happily pay for their monthly cloud service and it works 💯 for me. The ZBT-1 (formerly SkyConnect) and Voice Preview Edition have honestly been headaches. The Voice device sits in a drawer now. It was fun to play with for a night but ultimately not of value to keep running. The ZBT-1 has been the single biggest source of reliability issues historically, and the more I limit its responsibilities, the smoother my home runs.
This is all great stuff but I'm still trying to figure out how to run 2 instances of Zigbee2MQTT in HAOS. The previous video is no longer valid. HAOS has changed the way it works with Zigbee2MQTT in terms of base topcic and authentication. At this point I have two instances running but cannot figure out how to make the second instance useable??
I still remember my first Zigbee experience in Home Assistant back in 2018. I had an Xbee stick, had to mess around flashing coordinator software to it using the proprietary software, and then working out how to get Home Assistant to work as this was back when ZHA was first being coded, and the yaml was horrible lol. How things have changed now, using a SMLight SLZB-06M and ZHA fully configured via the GUI. I think I would recommend a separate device for each protocol, if you are able to do so. This gives the best protection against failure. If you have a a device that is say Z-wave and Zigbeee in one unit and it fails, you lose both your Zigbee and Z-Wave. They are convenient, but they give you a bigger point of failure :) Just my opinion. I have never had a device fail in ove 8 years of using Home Assistant, but any electronics can fail
It really is fascinating how things are progressing, getting easier to do etc. If we compare HA v 0.65 for example with what we have today. Hacks to get Vacuum integrated with current internal integration - it's really much easier, more streamlined and user friendly.
Yeah, that is so true. Started using HA in 2019, at the beginning of Covid. Things have changed a lot! I really like how everything finally gets polished, streamlined and more user friendly. It has definitely gotten easier recommending it to newcomers of the smart home segment. Fair point, having separate devices for different protocols is definitely the safer option. Then again, my "obsolete bin" has plenty of great spare coordinators (and other devices). Of all the different hobbies and pastime projects, HA is by far the biggest money pit/trap for me. 😅
I have a constant problem with Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle E. Maybe I have a defective one, I tried different firmware, but when I reboot NA often, it stops starting, no matter what I do. Only if I reflash it again, with the same firmware, it starts. I don't know what the matter is. It works on Raspberry Pi 3b+. At the same time, it works fine on ZHA.
Not sure why. Have P and E dongles for a long time and haven't seen issues like that. Could be HW issue, maybe... Or if you're using Zigbee2MQTT you're using device path ttyUSB0 for example instead of serial/by-id.
@@BeardedTinker Yes, I use z2m, and /dev/serial/. I tried everything that is written about this problem. Perhaps the problem is with the power supply, but then after another reflashing, the stick probably would not start.
I wish we had a ZigBee/matter easy/cheap proxy solution of some sort or that home assistant could make a cheap network based coordinator maybe with two separate antennas for Thread and Zigbee because I have been thinking of getting into ZigBee but my server is in the basement and right now while the SMLIGHT devices look cool idk if I can justify $100+ CAD not having a single device yet
I have to update my comment since i have managed to get feedback from support (for some reason emails from support end up in spam folder). And i have got information that they will replace my SLZB-06 unit free of costs. I hope to get it soon and that it works without PoE issues i had with previous device.
There is not a Single Video on You Tube explaining - how to install THREAD on the SLZB-07 - USB based - Silicon Labs - EFR32MG21. Flashing the OTBR - Open Thread Border Router - is so complicated, and then adding it to an Intel NUC without any Keyboard Plugged in the NUC, is difficult when using only the Home Assistant Web GUI from another part of the house. I could not crack the above. I found NO instructions on the SMLIGHT Site, and NONE on the Home Assistant Site. One day someone with more technical knowledge than me, will be able to explain how to do it. If anyone knows where this is Documented - Please can you Point me in the Right Direction.
Thanks so much for your brilliant content, clear, concise and very informative. Nabu Casa are saying that Thread should NOT be run on any POE ETHERNET Stick like the SLZB-06 Range. They say it should only be run on a USB stick like the SLZB-07. They say it is best to run the OTBR - Open Thread Border Router - directly on Home Assistant with the USB Stick directly plugged into the Home Assistant Server. I have sent a detailed technical document to SMLIGHT explaining this and giving an overview of the issue. I await a Response from SMLIGHT. It would make an interesting You Tube video if you could do one. There is hardly any technical info on how to actually flash a USB Dongle with OTBR, and it is very difficult to achieve. I would like to email you copies of my Research as you would be able to make a Great Video explaining to Subscribers how to implement what Nabu Casa are Suggesting. How can I contact you.
I've just switched from sonoff dongle P to SMLIGHT and I am more than happy.
These guys have done an excellent job developing products specially for HA.
No doubt that if you have to buy a zigbee coordinator SMLIGHT is the preferred option.
Excellent video BTW.
@arielsata9553 How did you your migration? I'm currently using dongle P and just got SMLIGHT and waiting for a day where I'm feeling brave! Chris
When I started my HA journey, I read everywhere that I should get a ConBee stick. As soon as I bought, it everyone started recommending the Sonoff Zigbee dongle so I bought it just becaue of the external antena. Now, after having it for a year, everyone recommends SMLight SLZB coordinators :) Thankfully the Sonoff dongle works fine for now so I don't expect to upgrade it but it's really funny to see how often the community recommendation changes. Glad you added the 2025 in the title, makes it more clear that yours video is up to date ;)
My rule of thumb - if it works good for you, than keep using it!!
Nowadays it is extremely simple to change coordinator. The Sonoff to SMlight takes 30s or so. And it is much more convenient to have a controller separate form the HA. So I don’t think it’s strange at all. Conbee was recommended in 2017 or so…
That's right! It really less painful to migrate compared to old times...
Many thanks. A very helpful summary and a great channel for me - You are highly informed and very articulate.
I am very new to Home Assistant (about 3 weeks) running on a NUC. After watching your videos - and some others ;-), I went for a couple of SLZB-06s with ZHA, one as a coordinator and the second to use as a router on the same network. The co-ordinator works well but I can't get ZHA/HA to incorporate the second stick to act as a router. Others, on various forums, seem to have a similar difficulty. I guess I will just wait it out and hope it's resolved by by Home Assistant or SMLIGHT in the near future.
Thanks again for you commitment to spreading your knowledge to the HA community
Welcome to the frustrating world of smart home :)
Did you flash router firmware on SLZB? I guess you probably did, but just checking. I did try them as routers and I could pick it up on the coordinator. But don't forget to contact SMLight support, they should be able to help you out.
@@BeardedTinker I did flash. And I will reach out to SMLIGHT. Thanks for taking the time to get back to me. If I make positive progress I will update your community here.
Awesome 💯 You have exactly the same I wanted to compare 🥳 Thank you 👍🙂
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comment!!!
Excellent comparison video BT. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
+1 on: "are you a mind reader?exactly this is what I'm struggling with right now! And today he posts a video about it...!"
Thank you so much...AGAIN
Perfect! Glad I timed it right :) Hope it helps you!
I have stared to switch from Wi-Fi to zigbee and use a Sonoff USB hub. Point to note it was you both here and in the forums who pointed me in the right direction. I hope that in future versions encryption can be addressed? You have also introduced me to various add-ons via HACS that I would most likely never been aware of. Thank you!
Glad to hear it!!! Thank you!!!!!
Great video, would love to see a Z-Wave video in a similar format
Have very limited number of ZWave coordinators and devices to test them, but I like the idea!!
Great explanation BT!
Glad you liked it Simon!! Thanks for comment!!!
I think the biggest problem out there is to have a clean 2.4GH frequency so that the coordinator does not have to fight with anything. Here is how I did it. For the Wifi I removed channel 1 from all my Wifi, so it only uses 6 and 11. Then set zigbee to channel 11 (lowest frequency with best range). Also did scan to see if neighbor does not use wifi channel 1. So my coordinator has its one band free from everything. Rock stable. I do use a Sonof P stick and are happy with it.
Sonoff Dongle P is still a very good stick. I have 2 of them (though one has chewed antenna). Thanks for sharing channel cleanup!
Great video BT! Have been using the ZigStar UZG-01 for about one year now. It has worked fairly well for me, with one unfortunate network crash around August. After replacing some troublesome devices it seems to be rock solid.
I'm considering getting one from SMLIGHT just to see how it compares. But I haven't decided yet which one I should get. 🤷🏻♂️
very happy with the smlight at the moment. i have two of them. 1 as zigbee. and 1 as bluetooth proxy. it ended up also being the best bluetooth proxy since it is poe powered, and comes with a case. note: i reached out to their support team. the external antenna is not for bluetooth signal. so if you go the route of using one of these just as a bluetooth proxy you can leave off the antenna. i like having one piece of hardware for each. and then i also dont lose the nice UI (you lose it if you enable bluetooth proxy at the same time as zigbee)
thanks for your thorough review on smlight earlier on
Is it possible to use it as Bluetooth proxy and ZigBee coordinator at the same time?
I love Nabu Casa the company and the people. I happily pay for their monthly cloud service and it works 💯 for me.
The ZBT-1 (formerly SkyConnect) and Voice Preview Edition have honestly been headaches. The Voice device sits in a drawer now. It was fun to play with for a night but ultimately not of value to keep running. The ZBT-1 has been the single biggest source of reliability issues historically, and the more I limit its responsibilities, the smoother my home runs.
This is all great stuff but I'm still trying to figure out how to run 2 instances of Zigbee2MQTT in HAOS. The previous video is no longer valid. HAOS has changed the way it works with Zigbee2MQTT in terms of base topcic and authentication. At this point I have two instances running but cannot figure out how to make the second instance useable??
I still remember my first Zigbee experience in Home Assistant back in 2018. I had an Xbee stick, had to mess around flashing coordinator software to it using the proprietary software, and then working out how to get Home Assistant to work as this was back when ZHA was first being coded, and the yaml was horrible lol.
How things have changed now, using a SMLight SLZB-06M and ZHA fully configured via the GUI.
I think I would recommend a separate device for each protocol, if you are able to do so. This gives the best protection against failure. If you have a a device that is say Z-wave and Zigbeee in one unit and it fails, you lose both your Zigbee and Z-Wave. They are convenient, but they give you a bigger point of failure :) Just my opinion. I have never had a device fail in ove 8 years of using Home Assistant, but any electronics can fail
It really is fascinating how things are progressing, getting easier to do etc. If we compare HA v 0.65 for example with what we have today. Hacks to get Vacuum integrated with current internal integration - it's really much easier, more streamlined and user friendly.
Yeah, that is so true. Started using HA in 2019, at the beginning of Covid. Things have changed a lot! I really like how everything finally gets polished, streamlined and more user friendly. It has definitely gotten easier recommending it to newcomers of the smart home segment.
Fair point, having separate devices for different protocols is definitely the safer option. Then again, my "obsolete bin" has plenty of great spare coordinators (and other devices). Of all the different hobbies and pastime projects, HA is by far the biggest money pit/trap for me. 😅
Darn, this video was literally a day after i ordered my Sonoff Dongle P....hopefully it'll be enough
No worries, Dongle P is still a good coordinator! It will serve you well
So can i use
home assistant yellow + pi5 +slzb-06 (flashed for thread) to get my smart home compatible with zigbee, thread, matter over thread?
I have a constant problem with Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle E. Maybe I have a defective one, I tried different firmware, but when I reboot NA often, it stops starting, no matter what I do. Only if I reflash it again, with the same firmware, it starts. I don't know what the matter is. It works on Raspberry Pi 3b+. At the same time, it works fine on ZHA.
Not sure why. Have P and E dongles for a long time and haven't seen issues like that. Could be HW issue, maybe... Or if you're using Zigbee2MQTT you're using device path ttyUSB0 for example instead of serial/by-id.
@@BeardedTinker Yes, I use z2m, and /dev/serial/.
I tried everything that is written about this problem. Perhaps the problem is with the power supply, but then after another reflashing, the stick probably would not start.
I used Sky the blue one. Super stable for me.
WAIT A MINUTE WAAAAAIT A MINUTE...
Looks at Channel name
Looks at content creator
Looks at Channel name again
hummmmm
:) Yeah... Should rename channel to Beardless Tinker :D at least for now...
I wish we had a ZigBee/matter easy/cheap proxy solution of some sort or that home assistant could make a cheap network based coordinator maybe with two separate antennas for Thread and Zigbee because I have been thinking of getting into ZigBee but my server is in the basement and right now while the SMLIGHT devices look cool idk if I can justify $100+ CAD not having a single device yet
You can get them from around 40$/40€ - www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007245008640.html
I have to update my comment since i have managed to get feedback from support (for some reason emails from support end up in spam folder). And i have got information that they will replace my SLZB-06 unit free of costs. I hope to get it soon and that it works without PoE issues i had with previous device.
can you power SLZB-06M using RPi4 ?
Yes, but it also depends if you have adequate power supply for RPi4. I have one setup using exactly that.
@@BeardedTinker I have the "CanaKit 3.5A Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply"
On the forum I am skutter by the way!
There is not a Single Video on You Tube explaining - how to install THREAD on the SLZB-07 - USB based - Silicon Labs - EFR32MG21.
Flashing the OTBR - Open Thread Border Router - is so complicated, and then adding it to an Intel NUC without any Keyboard Plugged in the NUC,
is difficult when using only the Home Assistant Web GUI from another part of the house.
I could not crack the above. I found NO instructions on the SMLIGHT Site, and NONE on the Home Assistant Site.
One day someone with more technical knowledge than me, will be able to explain how to do it.
If anyone knows where this is Documented - Please can you Point me in the Right Direction.
Oh no, bearded tinker is now beardless!
Looks 100Xtimes better without that bum fluff hanging down his chin!
And then i ordered a SLZB-07MG24 instead
❤
WHO ZBDongle-E HERE? 🗣🗣📢🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thanks so much for your brilliant content, clear, concise and very informative.
Nabu Casa are saying that Thread should NOT be run on any POE ETHERNET Stick like the SLZB-06 Range.
They say it should only be run on a USB stick like the SLZB-07.
They say it is best to run the OTBR - Open Thread Border Router - directly on Home Assistant with the USB Stick directly plugged into the Home Assistant Server.
I have sent a detailed technical document to SMLIGHT explaining this and giving an overview of the issue. I await a Response from SMLIGHT.
It would make an interesting You Tube video if you could do one.
There is hardly any technical info on how to actually flash a USB Dongle with OTBR, and it is very difficult to achieve.
I would like to email you copies of my Research as you would be able to make a Great Video explaining to Subscribers how to implement what Nabu Casa are Suggesting. How can I contact you.