Zigbee-Sticks have revolutionized the process of creating a Smart Home. By using these devices, you can easily set up a local gateway for your Smart Home using a single-board computer or a mini-PC. With a wide variety of options available on the market, such as the Conbee II from Phoscon and the Sonoff ZBDongle with an external antenna, you have the flexibility to choose the one that suits your needs. It is interesting to note that the Sonoff ZBDongle-E and the SkyConnect both use the same Silicon Labs chipset. With the right firmware, these sticks will also be compatible with Thread in the future. The SkyConnect, in particular, stands out due to its extensive support from Home Assistant, making it a leading choice for many users.
Aeotec Zi-Stick: A Promising Smart Home Product with Zigbee 3.0 Support
The Aeotec Zi-Stick is an exciting new product that utilizes the Silicon-Labs-Microcontroller EFR32MG21. Priced at 29.99 euros, it is currently available for pre-order and expected to hit the market in March 2023. With support for Zigbee 3.0, its potential compatibility with Thread remains undisclosed by the manufacturer. It remains to be seen if Aeotec will provide future updates to enable this functionality.
The Aeotec Zi-Stick stands out with its maximum transmission power of 13 dBm, which is slightly lower than other sticks that reach 20 dBm. However, this should not be a concern as the range of 200 meters in an open field is still impressive. Additionally, Zigbee’s mesh networking capability further enhances the range, ensuring reliable communication between devices.
The stick offers flexibility in combination with Home Assistant, openHAB, or Zigbee2MQTT to seamlessly integrate smart home components from various manufacturers. This eliminates the need for multiple Zigbee hubs from different manufacturers, allowing you to control everything conveniently with just one stick.
It is worth noting that not only the “hubs” are equipped with chipsets that are compatible with both Zigbee and Thread. While Zigbee and Thread both operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, Thread does not work with every microcontroller. This highlights the importance of selecting a Zigbee stick or hub that specifically supports Thread if you plan on utilizing this technology in your smart home setup.
The IKEA Vindstyrka air quality monitor is currently connected to the Dirigera Hub via Zigbee. However, there is a possibility that it will be unlocked for Thread connectivity in the future and become compatible with any Border Router through Matter certification.
Zigbee 3.0 and Thread Support for Versatile Smart Home Integration
- Zigbee 3.0 support enables seamless integration of smart home components from various manufacturers, with the potential for Thread compatibility
- Zigbee-Sticks utilize mesh networking technology, allowing for a remarkable range of up to 200 meters in an open field
- The Zigbee stick allows for a seamless connection through the USB interface using standard NCP commands provided by Silicon Labs
- Zigbee sticks are compatible with popular smart home platforms like Home Assistant, openHAB, and Node-RED
- There are various plugins, Node.js, and Python libraries available for custom applications
Zigbee sticks offer a flexible and efficient way to enhance your smart home, allowing you to easily integrate various smart home components from different manufacturers. With their support for Zigbee 3.0 and potentially Thread, you can enjoy a versatile and future-proof solution. The impressive range of up to 200 meters, thanks to Zigbee’s mesh networking capability, ensures seamless connectivity throughout your home. By utilizing popular smart home platforms like Home Assistant or openHAB, you can take full control of your smart home and unlock its true potential.
