Smaller dongle? Sonoff Zigbee Dongle-E First Look (Not recommended for Zigbee2MQTT)

Cracking into the the new Sonoff Zigbee Dongle-E revision to see how it stacks up. More below...
EFR Dongle-E - itead.cc/product/zigbee-3-0-u...
CC2652P Dongle-P - itead.cc/product/sonoff-zigbe... or amzn.to/3BrDV6T
CloudFree CC2652P - cloudfree.shop/product/sonoff...
Ethernet Versions - www.tubeszb.com/
Yoolax Zigbee Blinds - amzn.to/3BrEOfJ
Zigbee2MQTT Adapters - www.zigbee2mqtt.io/guide/adap...
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00:00 Changes
03:43 What's Inside
07:14 Using with Home Assistant
08:49 Pairing Blinds / Shades
10:32 Closing Thoughts
12:39 The BEST Part!

[@jmr]

Good to know there are two versions and what the differences are.

[@bneexotics2120]

Thanks heaps for the video mate ! ive bought this doogle not knowing much and chose the wrong one unfortunately

[@digiblurDIY]

Hang on to it for maybe Matter later but there are still cc2652 to be had.

[@Manguitom]

Thanks a lot for the explanation! Luckily I got the "good" one in this chip shortage sail, now I'm wondering how do I control the output gain with the ZBDongle-P?

[@digiblurDIY]

In Zigbee2mqtt it is just an option in the settings. 9 is default. Sometimes too much power isn't a good thing.

[@bystrzakk]

Hi! Another great video! Thanks! I have question, is it possible to control outdoor wondow shutters with any zigbee module? Do You know something about that? Thanks!

[@digiblurDIY]

Yep, just need a zigbee module and roll!

[@KameraShy]

Very informative.

[@SchmurtzAlex]

A pleasure to watch these video about zigbee. You have such experience ! 😉 For a school project I would like to pair 100 zigbee buttons to one gateway (and if possible keep the architecture very simple with only direct connections and no zigbee routers). I plan to use xiaomi buttons or may be ikea buttons but for the choice of the gateway l’m a little lost with the multitude of devices. I was thinking about this sonoff usb gateway (probably with cc2562) but may be you have better advice for my needs ? Thank you.

[@digiblurDIY]

Thanks! That's a lot for a wifi gateway. Stick to wired USB if you can. You might need some routers in there to spread out the connections.

[@Tntdruid]

Glad i still have load of the *big* ones 😄

[@digiblurDIY]

Variety is the way :)

[@djashjones]

Never knew Mad dog was American, I thought it was a British. Found memories back in the early 90s before going clubbing. Nice to see a strong alternative to Deconz

[@MrRoma70]

Great Video, can you mix the dongles to get more coverage on same Home Assistant? Thank you

[@digiblurDIY]

You can run a dongle with router firmware to create more of a mesh but only one shouid be attached to home assistant itself otherwise you are managing multiple zigbee networks and it can get messy.

[@skawteo]

Is the ThirdReality temp sensor/display released and available? I am thinking of deploying room temp reporting soon and a ZigBee solution would be preferable.

[@digiblurDIY]

Not just yet, very initial release so far. It will be soon though.

[@skawteo]

@@digiblurDIY Does it get a tentative thumbs up?

[@NicholasSouris]

SkyConnect USB stick Came out today, so I'm looking forward to the rabbit hole videos

[@digiblurDIY]

I ordered one. Now we wait for equipment.

[@stevephipps9305]

Will the P & E play together ok one as coordinator and one as a repeater? Or should we stay with 2 P's and flash firmware? Not sure which way to go now what do you think Thanks

[@digiblurDIY]

Yes, once one is a router there probably isn't much of a difference there, as it just routes.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you.

[@neuronflow]

I am starting a small home setup, so far just a few remotes and sensors. Would you recommend to get the P or E version? I am fine using ZHA. Will the P version also potentially support matter?

[@digiblurDIY]

P has the more support right now. It is what I run and will for a while.

[@jdl3408]

@@digiblurDIY the Home Assistant ZHA page is recommending the “E” version now. Have you tried it recently?

[@digiblurDIY]

I would probably go with their Skyconnect version given it is the same chipset but it has their support. I use Zigbee2mqtt myself.

[@milandzuris]

pls make range zigbee dongle video, try all sonoff dongles and hubs outside and inside house.

[@digiblurDIY]

I got you already! kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKvqapqbb92h9E

[@b.saravanakumarsaravanan7797]

super cool device. I would like to use these dongle to pair device, set bindings, configure reporting, end devices. which one is best to control through python scripts

[@digiblurDIY]

Given python you could use the ZHA libraries and use either or.

[@b.saravanakumarsaravanan7797]

@@digiblurDIY but dont know how to start. I already using telegesis USB stick with AT commnds. But those are stopped from vendor. So how can i start with usb dongle. I want to run the script and control the devices binding, pqiring, reporting.. Pls share with links

[@makoesim]

Which one have the better cover range? My house consist of two floors and i have issues with switches and dimmer that located far from the hub, i am using sonoff zigbee bridge pro with mg21 chip, do you recommend me to upgrade to sonoff dongle? And if yes which one is better for my case ? I'm using zha.

[@digiblurDIY]

Same range. It is zigbee. You fix range issues by adding routing based main powered devices in between. Highly recommend a hardwired zigbee coordinator.

[@makoesim]

@@digiblurDIY I have a lot of zigbee switches (main powered) in all the house, zigbee getway in the center but still not working as it should, switches in the end point of the mesh receive low LQI and it's unavailable most of the time, i tried add zigbee bridge as a router but this not help, the switches start working fast then after a while loss the connection again

[@iainhay2823]

Nice video, the question that keeps coming to my mind is zigbee2mqtt or zha? I used zha back in the day but z2m at the moment. Anyone got any thoughts on the current state of one vs the other apart from the separation Travis already mentioned?

[@digiblurDIY]

So other points I like. Buttons are sooooo much easier in Z2M, none of that event listening stuff. It's just an entity like it should be. ZHA has come along like doing OTA upgrades, the map etc but I do like the power user stuff in Z2M more. Adding custom devices are definitely easier combined the speed at which they are added. Case in point, the 3Reality temperature sensor pairs and working in Z2M with ease.

[@iainhay2823]

@@digiblurDIY cheers for reply sounds like I should stick with z2m, which tbh I’m very happy with but always good to review these things once in a while!

[@digiblurDIY]

Oh and I forgot to mention... ZHA is easier to setup. 😎

[@sd-pr6ls]

@@digiblurDIY What about deConz? Is it worth migrating from it to Z2M?

[@Dimmers]

​@@sd-pr6lsI suppose you got your answer

[@smash_shane]

I've brought 2 of the sonoff zigbee dongle 3 plus e . One is working great as a coordinator. I flashed the router firmware on the second but can't work out how to pair it with ZHA on Home Assistant. Anyone know how to get it into pairing mode?

[@digiblurDIY]

Which firmware for router?

[@smash_shane]

@@digiblurDIY I used the guide on the sonoff website to flash it with the router firmware.

[@jordaynerjr]

did you ever get it working having the same issue

[@smarthomeledlighting6624]

Great! Dear friend, Is our light strip connected to Zigbee2MQTT? Thanks!

[@digiblurDIY]

Yes.

[@smarthomeledlighting6624]

@@digiblurDIY Have you tested it? And video finished? Thanks!

[@digiblurDIY]

@@smarthomeledlighting6624 yep!

[@killerabella69]

Does it work with 5ghz wifi? I really want to purchase that kind of dongle

[@digiblurDIY]

This is USB zigbee

[@RBHMMX]

On the website they say you can use it with z2m, is that not true?

[@digiblurDIY]

It does kinda work but not really supported. Cc2652 is the stable reliable choice for Z2M.

[@weeally46]

You still get MD 20/20 in Scotland.

[@viktorkalap]

I did buy e version “accidentaly” , about 6 months ago, using it with zigbe2mqtt still on factory firmware from the start as complete beginer, i have now more than 50devices connected some of them are ikea some , philips enrave, some gledopto, curtain motors, aqara smart swichesc, cube, remotes , and some of brand I never heard of. Actually a have to say i did not run yet to single issiue for real. “Knock know” i am not kidding. For me it works like sharm. How that is possible ? It recognized even very new devices. I wiľ also try some metter soon. And thanks for you videos , i learned a lot.

[@digiblurDIY]

It is still listed as experimental for z2m and probably won't change for a while www.zigbee2mqtt.io/guide/adapters/#experimental

[@apolith]

@@digiblurDIY It seems it's no longer experimental? Thank you for the videos; I learned a lot from your channel.

[@digiblurDIY]

Yup, so Experimental they ditched it in favor of the new driver in 1.36.0.

[@Motomurphy]

thanks

[@RBHMMX]

How many devices does this support?

[@digiblurDIY]

That's a very loaded question as it depends on the mesh network, child devices, routers and software used.

[@nehajain2974]

I am planning to get a zigbee hub. Please advice which one to get. Sonoff usb stick P or Sonoff usb Stick E or sonoff zigbee bridge pro. I am from India so I would need to import it. I will be using ZHA, So kindly advice which one should I get so that it's future proof. Plz guide I am really confused🙏

[@digiblurDIY]

I would go with the CC2652P P model so you can use it with ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT easily.

[@nehajain2974]

@@digiblurDIY thank you for the reply. One more question. Do I have to flash any firmware on it so that it can operate without internet or will it work out of the box . I would any to control my zigbee devices locally. Kindly reply

[@digiblurDIY]

It does come with ZStack firmware but it is advisable to download the latest to it.

[@nehajain2974]

@@digiblurDIY you have any video tutorial on how to flash it??? Will other zigbee devices connected to the stick work offline/without internet?

[@digiblurDIY]

Yup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoTClJKja99giLs

[@nehajain2974]

I recd sonoff usb dongle. Is there a way to check the range of the dongle?

[@digiblurDIY]

Yes, pair a battery powered sensor like a door sensor or button and just start walking.

[@nehajain2974]

@@digiblurDIY yes was trying that only... but unfortunately I bought the sonoff motion sensor snzb-03. This sensor is a nightmare... if it change the state to ON and it's always stuck in that state. Had to reset it again... and this thing is happening in loop. Is there a fix or could you plz suggest a reliable sensor to use with the sonoff usb stick

[@digiblurDIY]

Yeah that one is garbage. It didn't make it in my second round up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4i5k6aQeM9pebs

[@nehajain2974]

@@digiblurDIY thank you for the video link. I will check which ones are available in India. I want to order one more sonoff usb dongle for my parent's house but it is out of stock. Sonoff zigbee hub is available, can the hub be integrated with ZHA without flashing ? Kindly reply. Also I want to really thank you again for answering my queries. I really appreciate your cooperation and guidance. I just started with Home Automation and your videos and guidance are really helping me alot. What's not helping is the fact that there are not many options here in India other than Sonoff😔

[@digiblurDIY]

I would pass on the hub as it isn't a good solution given being wifi.

[@Airbag888]

Glad I found this AFTER receiving the E version ..

[@digiblurDIY]

I would stick to ZHA with it still to this day.

[@Airbag888]

@@digiblurDIYwould you say ZHA vs Z2M is a wash? Or just because of the issues with the -E version of the dongle it would be best to go with ZHA? I'm thinking to turn this in a router and buy the original version (same price on itead)

[@digiblurDIY]

The EFR chipset had some issues in the past with Z2M when used as a coordinator. It is perfectly fine as a router.

[@Airbag888]

@@digiblurDIYIn that case I guess I'll go ahead and get the non E version and use the -E as router (this will require flashing right?)

[@HowardGoldman]

Thanks. I accidentally bought the correct one! lol

[@digiblurDIY]

Noiceee!

[@UcantBeSerious03]

MD 20/20 - that was so 90s

[@digiblurDIY]

But oh soo good times and bad.

[@JesseG2573]

No shrinkage allowed! 🤣🤣

[@Eric_Tennant]

Sonoff sold me a broke -p dongle. Had to fix it.

[@digiblurDIY]

Antenna connector?

[@Eric_Tennant]

@@digiblurDIY Yep where the 5 pins meet the board. Took weeks of thinking I was doing ZHA and ZigbeeMqtt wrong. Couldn't get anything to connect. Re-soldering it with some flux did the trick. I knew this was the problem because when playing with the Antenna would make it work for a short bit (So short it was).

[@nyx574]

Many of bad nights with MadDog 2020... Lol

[@digiblurDIY]

Same here... Good and bad. Boones Farm might have appeared as well.

[@pabloloco7]

MD 20 20 SO FUNNY!!!!!!!

[@ecotts]

Sonoff are terrible for leaving the same model number written across the housing as the original version.

[@digiblurDIY]

Yeah very confusing on the models at times for sure.

[@ecotts]

@@digiblurDIY Did the P version ever get Matter support?

[@digiblurDIY]

@ecotts that would be thread, not really matter. Yes the EFR chipset has had firmware for Thread for it for quite a while now.

[@Joseph-ko2kl]

MD 20/20 LOL.

[@digiblurDIY]

Some fun and not so fun memories!

[@Joseph-ko2kl]

@@digiblurDIY Purple barf, that's what I remember, and a big headache!

[@emiliabunko4518]

First? ;-)

[@digiblurDIY]

Yes you are!