I Tested And Reviewed 10 Best Zigbee Hub For Home Assistant (2023)

The ZigBee hub being reviewed here is highly compatible with various smart hubs, including SmartThings. Unlike other ZigBee devices, this hub seamlessly pairs with different smart hubs, making it an excellent choice for users. The setup process is straightforward and hassle-free, allowing users to quickly connect their devices. Additionally, integrating the hub with Alexa is a breeze by simply adding the skill to your Alexa device, enabling effortless control of devices. The hub also excels in setting up routines, schedules, and geofences, ensuring a smooth user experience without any issues.

The ease of setup is one of the standout features of this ZigBee hub. By downloading the app, users can easily sync up their devices, simplifying the overall process. Compared to the original SmartThings hub, this hub provides a significant improvement in terms of speed and performance. Users can expect a fast and efficient experience with this hub.

One reviewer specifically mentions the ability to control their ZigBee-enabled outdoor lights using this hub. They express satisfaction with finally being able to manage their lights, which were previously only compatible with ZigBee technology. This highlights the hub's capability to connect and control specific devices that are not easily discoverable through other smart home platforms.

Another positive aspect of this hub is its straightforward integration and preference for wired connections over Wi-Fi. The stability and security of a wired network are favored, especially when setting up a zoned network. While the hub connects to Ethernet, it is powered through a slightly outdated Micro USB port. Although this may require an additional cable to an outlet, the reviewer suggests using a Power Over Ethernet (POE) adapter as a workaround. This adapter splits power and data between USB and Ethernet, providing more flexibility in device placement.

I purchased 8 of these devices when they were priced at $10 each, and I couldn't be happier with the results. My main goal was to find a way to seamlessly integrate all of my zigbee and wifi products, which amounted to around 60 devices in total. Initially, I connected them to Alexa, which worked fine, but I craved more customization options. Determined to explore all possibilities, I invested in a conbee II stick, a sonoff zigbee stick, a cheap chromebox (which I then flashed with HA OS), and a Hubitat.

After much experimentation, I found that the combination of the Chromebox and Hubitat, without the zigbee sticks, worked best for me. It took a lot of effort, but I managed to achieve perfect harmony between my Merkury (Tuya wifi lights and LED strips) and zigbee lights and sensors. The Third Reality motion sensors played a major role in this setup, allowing me to effortlessly navigate my home with the lights automatically following my movement. Within a few minutes of leaving a room, the lights would dim and eventually turn off, saving me the hassle of constantly reminding my kids to switch off the lights when they're not in use.

While some may argue that the sensors aren't lightning-fast, I personally find them more than satisfactory. The responsiveness of the sensors largely depends on their placement. I conducted extensive testing over several weeks to determine the optimal positioning for each sensor. Occasionally, they may detect motion from a distance of more than 10 feet, but this is easily rectified by adjusting their placement. In one particular room, I have to wait for about a second in darkness before the lights turn on, but this is due to the sensor's placement and not a flaw in its performance. It's a minor inconvenience that I can easily live with. Adding another sensor outside the room would solve the issue, but it would also result in excessive activations.

I dedicated an entire month to fine-tuning my setup, spending hours each day to ensure perfection. I programmed my lights to dim after 2 minutes of no motion, followed by automatic shutdown after 5 minutes of inactivity. When sitting at the dining table within 5 feet of the sensor, the lights generally won't dim in response to slight eating or drinking motions. However, if I get up from my chair, the timer resets. While these sensors may not be sensitive enough to detect minute movements, their ability to reset with the constant activity of my kids ensures that the lights remain on. However, if you're simply sitting quietly without much movement, the sensor may not register your presence.

I would like to express my gratitude to the various home automation channels on YouTube that guided me through this process. It was undeniably time-consuming and occasionally frustrating, but the end result was immensely rewarding. I had a lot of fun throughout the journey and witnessing the final product come to life was incredibly satisfying.

I recently purchased the TUYA Zigbee electrical outlets and power strip in the hopes of integrating them with my Echos. However, I encountered some difficulties as the Echos only recognized one outlet on each device instead of all of them. To troubleshoot this issue, I decided to purchase the TUYA hub and see if it would allow me to access all the electrical outlets.

The TUYA hub itself is compact and square-shaped. It features a Micro USB cord that plugs into the back of the unit, with the prongs positioned at the top. The pairing button is also located on the back of the unit, near the Micro USB port. On the top of the hub, towards the front edge, there are two LED lights. I believe the rightmost LED indicates power, while the one to its left indicates setup/connection status. The setup LED blinks rapidly when the hub is in pairing/setup mode, at least according to my light detector.

One thing to note is that the TUYA hub cannot be wall-mounted. It comes with a short power cable that can be plugged into a USB cell phone charger. The cable is approximately 14 inches long.

To set up the hub, I used the TUYA Smart App for Android. Initially, I wasn't sure which app to use, so I opted for the TUYA app instead of the Smart Life app, as there were multiple options on the Google Play Store. I did encounter some difficulties with the app when it came to compatibility with the Talkback screen reader. However, I want to clarify that this issue is not related to the hub itself.

Once I successfully connected the Zigbee power strip to the hub using the TUYA Smart App, I was able to see all four outlets and the USB ports. The hub allowed me to control the entire strip, individual outlets, and even the USB ports. Additionally, I was able to integrate the hub with Alexa, enabling me to control each plug, the USB ports, and the power strip as a whole.

I recently purchased the device in question after comparing it to other options in the market. Although the price was a major factor in my decision, I was pleasantly surprised by the features and performance of this device.

One of the standout features is its 15 AMP rating, which provides ample power for various appliances. Additionally, the real-time energy monitoring capability is a valuable feature that I required. The device offers a range of useful measurements such as ON/OFF, active power, RMS current, RMS voltage, summation delivered, AC frequency, power factor (although this feature seems to have some issues), start-up behavior, identify, LQI, and RSSI. The fact that this device offers all these features at such an affordable price is truly impressive.

However, there is one drawback that I noticed. The status indicator light on the front of the device is quite small and can only be seen when viewing the device straight on. If you are to one side, above, or below the device (such as when it's plugged into a wall outlet higher up), the light becomes difficult to see. This can be frustrating as it makes it challenging to determine the device's status unless you view it directly. To overcome this issue, I powered on and programmed the plug in a location where I could clearly observe the light. Once set up, I moved it to its intended location and let it operate.

Despite this minor inconvenience, I am extremely satisfied with this device and have already purchased a total of six plugs for my home. The four basic plugs serve as repeaters to extend the mesh network from my Home Assistant Pi in the front of the house to the boiler room in the basement. Even with various obstructions between them, all plugs maintain strong connection quality (LQI) to each other and the connected sensors. The LQIs consistently range from above 60 and even reach 150 when there is an unobstructed line of sight. While I could potentially remove a couple of plugs without impacting network stability, I prefer to have the peace of mind that comes with having them in place.

I did notice that one plug emitted a buzzing noise when it was turned on but had no load connected to it. Turning it off resolved the issue, but I'm unsure if this occurs when a load is plugged in.

The two energy monitoring plugs are connected to our washing machine and gas dryer, both of which use standard 120V power cables. These plugs provide valuable data such as AC frequency, active power, power factor (although it displays as Unknown), RMS current, RMS voltage, and summation delivered (kWh). The readings are generally accurate, with sensitivity even at the lower end of the scale. For example, both machines register a power consumption of 1-2W when off and around 4W at idle. I was able to set up a threshold helper in Home Assistant to notify me when the machines are on or off. The update frequency of the readings is approximately every 15-30 seconds, which is sufficient for my purposes.

All the plugs work flawlessly with ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation). The pairing process was straightforward, and the plugs support power-on configuration. It is also possible to set up over-the-air firmware updates in ZHA with a simple configuration change. Additionally, these plugs support channel migration, allowing for easy updates when changing Zigbee channels without needing to repair them.

I recently purchased the water leak sensor and I must say, I am impressed with its performance. Not only can it work as a standalone device, but it can also connect to Zigbee, which adds an extra layer of convenience.

Setting up the sensor was a breeze – after installing the battery, it started working right away. The design of the product is well-thought-out and it was easy to install. If you're unsure about the positioning, the instructions provide a picture to guide you.

One of the standout features of this sensor is its loud alarm. Even when placed under a closed kitchen closet, the sound was still audible. This is crucial as it ensures that you will be immediately alerted to any water leaks, no matter where you are in the house.

I also appreciate the fact that this sensor can be connected to a Zigbee hub and integrated with Alexa. I purchased the Third Reality Zigbee Hub and was able to pair the water leak sensor with it effortlessly. I then used the Alexa app to add the devices and create a routine for the sensor. Now, whenever the sensor detects a water leak, I receive a notification on my Alexa device, which is incredibly helpful when I'm away from home.

I have purchased multiple controllers to control my LED light strips, and I must say that this particular controller is excellent. It offers a lot of flexibility to control different types of lights, and the app, while basic, does the job well. The wireless connection works seamlessly with Alexa, allowing me to create routines and use voice commands to control my lights.

The only downside is that the controller does not come with a power supply, but it is easily obtainable on Amazon if you don't already have one. The included instructions are clear and helpful, except for the remote control, which I couldn't get to work. However, since I am using Wi-Fi and Alexa, I didn't really need the remote control anyway.

I purchased this controller because it claimed to be both Zigbee 3.0 compatible and compatible with MiBoxer controllers, and I can confirm that these claims are accurate. I was able to control my LM052 from Home Assistant via Zigbee2mqtt, as the device was discovered as TUYA Model TS0505B, which is a supported Zigbee2mqtt device. Additionally, I successfully paired a MiLight B8 controller to the LM052, allowing me to control the lights from either source interchangeably. This is especially useful in case Home Assistant goes down, as I can still control the lights with the B8.

However, there is one issue with the B8 controller – any changes made through it are not reported back to Home Assistant over the Zigbee channel. This is a common problem with products of this kind, and the documentation provided is extremely sparse, clearly written by a non-native English speaker. However, a quick Google search for "MiLight B8 pairing" will yield helpful videos that can guide you through the process. In my case, it worked perfectly the first time.

Lastly, I would like to mention that I purchased the XXK (LM091+WB5) WiFi BT RF Remote Controller Kit for RGB CCT RGBW LED Strip Lights. I connected it to a long strip that I had to cut off, which would have gone to waste otherwise. Thanks to this controller, I was able to repurpose the excess strip and use it to light up a closet that didn't have a built-in light. The controller is working flawlessly, and the remote control functions perfectly.

I recently made the switch from Samsung's SmartThings platform to Hubitat, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. After using SmartThings for three years, I was growing frustrated with the lack of reliability and customer care. The V1 hub I had did not have local processing capabilities, meaning that every event had to be sent to Samsung's servers for processing, causing significant delays in automations.

When Samsung released the V2 hub, they left V1 hub users stranded. The migration process required excluding and re-pairing each device individually, which was a hassle. Furthermore, the V2 hub's local processing capabilities were limited and only supported a select number of devices.

In my search for an alternative, I tried out Hass.io and OpenHAB, but both platforms proved to be disappointing. It took me an entire weekend on each platform to pair just a couple of Z-wave devices, and basic automations were impossible to set up.

That's when I discovered Hubitat. Within just 30 minutes of unboxing Hubitat, I had successfully paired devices and set up automations, surpassing the progress I had made with the other platforms in two days. One of the standout features of Hubitat is that its automations and drivers are written in Groovy, the same language used by SmartThings. This means that if you have existing SmartApps or custom device handlers, you can easily transfer them to Hubitat with minimal tweaks.

I was particularly worried about porting over some complex SmartApps, but to my surprise, it was a breeze. One of my custom apps controlled the recirculating pump for my water heater, taking into account motion in the bathroom, temperature sensors, and various temperature thresholds. Porting this app, which consisted of 300 lines of Groovy code, only took me about 5 minutes.

Additionally, Hubitat allows for easy migration to new hub hardware. You can back up your entire hub configuration to your PC, and the Z-wave stick is removable, making it a simple process to transfer to a new hub. Since the devices are associated with the Z-wave radio in the USB stick, moving between hubs is seamless.

I recently purchased and installed the Aqara mini switch to replace one of the switches in a 3-way light setup, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. The installation process was straightforward, and I even glued it to the switch plate for added convenience (see photo). Now, with just a click, I can turn on the overhead fixture, with two clicks, I can turn on all the lamps in the room along with the overhead, and a long press allows me to turn off everything. It works like a charm!

What impressed me the most was the responsiveness of the switch. After installation via the Aqara app, it automatically appeared in the Apple Home app with three functions – single press, double press, and long press. This allows me to control automations and accessories effortlessly. For those looking for more advanced automations, I highly recommend using a third-party app like the Eve app.

As mentioned in other reviews, this mini switch is a great buy. In fact, I have purchased several more since my initial purchase. While I initially used them as light switches, I soon discovered their versatility. The possibilities of what you can program these buttons to do are endless. Personally, I have set up complex lighting automations that adjust throughout the day in an intuitive manner. I have also hidden these switches throughout the house to serve various functions.

One of the standout features for me is the ability to control my fan using the mini switch. Not only can it turn the fan on and off, but it can also adjust the speed and automatically switch between two set points for directional airflow. This level of customization is truly impressive.

In addition, I have set up one of these switches as an emergency button for my grandmother. In the event of an emergency, pressing the button triggers an alarm from the hub, and everyone in the family receives a Critical Alert from the Aqara iOS app. This feature ensures that we are immediately aware of any emergency, even if our devices are in silent mode or do not disturb. The compatibility with Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac is also a huge plus.

Furthermore, I can confidently rely on the Aqara mini switch due to its quick and reliable performance. It is evident that these switches are well-made and highly customizable. Despite their affordable price, they work seamlessly with a wide range of devices and platforms.

Looking ahead, I am excited for the arrival of Thread versions of Aqara products. As a satisfied customer, I plan to remain loyal to Aqara for a long time. However, I could not wait for these buttons to be Thread-based to make the switch, as the current version already offers exceptional functionality.

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Sengled smart light bulbs for my front entrance lamps, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. From the moment I installed them to their performance over the past 10 days, these bulbs have exceeded my expectations.

First and foremost, the setup process was seamless. Unlike other smart bulbs on the market, these Sengled bulbs worked flawlessly right out of the box. I was able to connect them to my home network and set up a schedule for them to turn on and off at specific times using the user-friendly app. And let me tell you, they have never failed to follow the schedule. Every evening, like clockwork, my entrance is beautifully illuminated.

One of the standout features of these bulbs is their brightness. They provide ample light during the evening hours, ensuring that my home doesn't look dark and uninviting. In fact, they are so bright that I am considering adjusting their brightness level. The app allows me to easily customize the brightness, and I can even change the color temperature from a more yellowish white to a whiter white. This versatility is a great bonus, especially if I decide to use them in different areas of my home.

Speaking of versatility, these bulbs are also compatible with Alexa. Although I primarily use them on a schedule, it's nice to know that I have the option to control them with voice commands through my Echo device. I can see this being particularly useful for future expansions of the smart lighting system in my home.

I also appreciate the fact that these bulbs do not flash when I use my wall dimmer. This is something I have experienced with other LED bulbs, so it was a pleasant surprise to find that the Sengled bulbs are immune to this issue. It just goes to show the quality and attention to detail that has gone into their design.

The only minor downside for me is the clear cap of the bulb. I personally prefer a frosted cap, as it provides a softer and more diffused light. However, since these bulbs are used inside lamps, it's not a significant concern for me as I don't spend much time staring directly at them.

I recently purchased the Third Reality Zigbee Hub door sensor to monitor the opening and closing of my doors, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations. Setting up the sensor with my Amazon Alexa was a breeze. I followed the instructions provided in the manual and paired the sensor with the Third Reality Zigbee Hub. Then, using the Alexa App, I added the sensor as a device and created a routine to receive notifications whenever the door is opened or closed.

The sensor seamlessly integrated with my Alexa setup, and I was impressed by how quickly it was detected. Now, I can easily receive alerts whenever any of my doors are opened or closed. This has provided me with a sense of security and peace of mind, especially when it comes to monitoring my backyard door.

I have been using the sensor for a while now, and I am pleased with its performance. It has not skipped a beat and has proven to be reliable. The battery life has also been impressive, as it is still going strong even after a considerable period of use.

The only minor downside I have noticed is that the sensor is a bit bulky. If you are looking for a more discreet option, this might not be the best choice. However, considering its effectiveness and functionality, I can overlook this drawback.