Unlock the Power of Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 with Home Assistant

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Testing the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus
3. Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Features
4. Firmware Limitations and Recommendations
5. Updating the Firmware on Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle
6. Setting Up Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle with Home Assistant
7. Adding Devices to Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle
8. Setting Up Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle on Synology DSM 7.0
9. Setting Up Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle on Docker
10. Installing the Latest Firmware on Windows Machine
11. Pros and Cons of Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle
12. Conclusion

Article:

Testing the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus

I recently received the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus and have been testing it for the past month. In this article, I will share my results, recommendations, and use cases for this device. I want to express my gratitude to all the amazing people who have supported my YouTube Channel by becoming members, watching, liking, or subscribing. If You'd like to support the channel, you can do so by clicking the join button below.

Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Features

The Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is a coordinator for the Home Assistant network. It comes with standard firmware that is recognized by both ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation) and Zigbee to MQTT. This means that out of the box, it can be easily plugged into any device running Home Assistant, such as a Raspberry Pi or Home Assistant Blue. However, the factory firmware has some limitations. According to the manufacturer's Website, the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus can only support up to 21 direct children and a maximum of 40 overall devices on the Zigbee network. While this may be sufficient for a small setup, it can be limiting for larger configurations.

Firmware Limitations and Recommendations

To overcome the limitations of the factory firmware, it is recommended to update the firmware of the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus. By downloading the latest firmware, you can increase the number of supported devices and improve the overall performance of the dongle. There are different methods to update the firmware depending on your operating system. In this article, I will cover two methods: one for Linux and another for Windows.

Updating the Firmware on Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle

For Linux users, updating the firmware on the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is a simple process. After connecting the dongle to your Linux machine, you can use a script provided by Sonoff to update the firmware. The script can be downloaded from their website and includes step-by-step instructions. It involves establishing an SSH connection, downloading the appropriate firmware, and running the script.

If you are using Windows, updating the firmware requires a few additional steps. First, you need to download and install Python on your machine. Then, you will need to install some prerequisites and download the firmware and script. The firmware can be downloaded from the Sonoff website, and the script can be obtained from their GitHub repository. Once you have everything set up, you can use PowerShell to run the script and update the firmware.

Setting Up Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle with Home Assistant

Once you have updated the firmware on the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus, you can integrate it with Home Assistant. Home Assistant supports two main methods for Zigbee integration: ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation) and Zigbee to MQTT. ZHA is a built-in Home Assistant integration that allows you to directly control and manage Zigbee devices. Zigbee to MQTT, on the other HAND, is an add-on that bridges Zigbee devices to MQTT for easy integration with Home Assistant.

To set up the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus with ZHA, you need to navigate to the Integrations section in Home Assistant and select ZHA. From there, you can add the device using the appropriate serial port. Once the device is added, you can start pairing your Zigbee devices with the dongle.

If you prefer to use Zigbee to MQTT, you will first need to install the add-on from the Home Assistant Add-on Store. Once the add-on is installed, you can configure it by specifying the serial port of the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus. Once configured, you can start adding devices to Zigbee to MQTT by putting them in pairing mode.

Adding Devices to Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle

Adding devices to the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is a straightforward process. Whether you are using ZHA or Zigbee to MQTT, you simply need to put the device you want to add into pairing mode and follow the instructions in Home Assistant to add it. Once added, you can control and automate your Zigbee devices through Home Assistant.

Setting Up Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle on Synology DSM 7.0

If you're using Synology DSM 7.0, you can set up the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus in the Virtual Machine Manager. By mapping the USB device to the virtual machine running Home Assistant, you can easily integrate the dongle with your setup. The process involves selecting the USB device in the Virtual Machine Manager and specifying it in the Home Assistant configuration.

Setting Up Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle on Docker

For Docker users, setting up the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is also possible. By using a Docker container, you can install Home Assistant and add the dongle as a device. The process requires mapping the USB port of the dongle to the container and configuring Home Assistant to recognize the device.

Installing the Latest Firmware on Windows Machine

If you're using a Windows machine, you can also update the firmware of the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus. The process involves downloading and installing Python, installing the necessary prerequisites, and running a script provided by Sonoff. Once you have updated the firmware, you can proceed with integrating the dongle with Home Assistant.

Pros and Cons of Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle

Pros:

• Affordable compared to other Zigbee dongles on the market
• Easy to set up and integrate with Home Assistant
• Supports both ZHA and Zigbee to MQTT integration methods
• Can be used as a Zigbee router to extend the network

Cons:

• Factory firmware has limitations on the number of devices supported
• Requires firmware update for optimal performance
• Limited availability of firmware updates and official support

Conclusion

The Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is a cost-effective and versatile device for integrating Zigbee devices with Home Assistant. With its affordable price and ability to support a large number of devices, it offers a compelling option for smart home enthusiasts. However, users should be aware of the limitations of the factory firmware and the need to update it for optimal performance. By following the steps provided in this article, you can easily set up and maximize the potential of the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus in your smart home setup.

Highlights:

• The Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is a cost-effective and versatile device for integrating Zigbee devices with Home Assistant.
• By updating the firmware, users can overcome limitations and improve the overall performance of the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus.
• Home Assistant supports two main methods for Zigbee integration: ZHA and Zigbee to MQTT.
• The Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus can be used as a Zigbee router to extend the network coverage.
• Users can easily add and control Zigbee devices through Home Assistant using the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus.

FAQ:

Q: Can the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus be used with other home automation platforms? A: Yes, the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is compatible with other home automation platforms that support Zigbee, such as OpenHAB and Domoticz.

Q: Does the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus support OTA (Over-The-Air) updates? A: Yes, the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus supports OTA updates, allowing users to easily update the firmware wirelessly without the need for physical connections.

Q: Can I use multiple Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongles in my setup? A: Yes, you can use multiple Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongles in your setup to increase the coverage and capacity of your Zigbee network. Each dongle can act as a coordinator for a separate Zigbee network.

Q: Does the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus require an internet connection to work? A: No, the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus does not require an internet connection to work. It communicates directly with the Zigbee devices and integrates with local home automation platforms like Home Assistant.

Q: Can I use the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus with battery-powered Zigbee devices? A: Yes, the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus can be used with battery-powered Zigbee devices. However, it is important to consider the power requirements of the devices and ensure that the dongle is connected to a stable power source.