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Dongles · Head to head

Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro vs Sonoff ZBDongle-E

Full Smart Dongles comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Aeotec and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
If Zigbee is all you run, the Sonoff ZBDongle-E is the better buy here, the more affordable stick with a two-year warranty and a Zigbee router mode.
Sonoff ZBDongle-E
Winner
Sonoff ZBDongle-E
$24.90
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
Both use a Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 as a Zigbee 3.0 coordinator with +20 dBm of transmit power, and both work with Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT; the Sonoff adds an external antenna the Aeotec lacks. The Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro, though, carries something the Sonoff ZBDongle-E cannot match, a Z-Wave Series 800 controller on the same stick, which owners call great value against buying two dongles. Pick the Sonoff ZBDongle-E for a Zigbee-only home, and the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro when Z-Wave locks or switches share the house with Zigbee sensors.
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FeatureAeotec Z-Stick 10 ProSonoff ZBDongle-EWinner
Price$59.99$24.90Sonoff ZBDongle-E
Rating4.54.7Sonoff ZBDongle-E
Warranty1 year2 yearsSonoff ZBDongle-E
Zigbee RouterNOYESSonoff ZBDongle-E
Z-Wave ControllerYESNOAeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro
PowerUSBUSBTie
ConnectivityUSBUSBTie
Zigbee Chip ModelEFR32MG21EFR32MG21Tie
Thread Border RouterNONOTie
Matter BridgeNONOTie
Transmit Power+20dBm+20dBmTie
Dual NetworkNONOTie

What the differences mean

Z-Wave

The Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro includes a Z-Wave Series 800 controller next to its Zigbee radio. The Sonoff ZBDongle-E has no Z-Wave, so Z-Wave devices would need another stick.

Zigbee role

Both are Zigbee 3.0 coordinators on the same EFR32MG21 chip. Only the Sonoff ZBDongle-E is also listed as a Zigbee router, useful if you later reuse it to extend another network.

Antenna

The Sonoff ZBDongle-E carries a 2 dBi external antenna; the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro has none and relies on its +20 dBm transmit power. Both benefit from a USB extension to move them away from the host.

Setup

Owners describe the Sonoff ZBDongle-E as pre-flashed and ready. The Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro needs a firmware update before Zigbee2MQTT will start, with a Windows-only guide.

Warranty

Sonoff covers the Sonoff ZBDongle-E for two years; Aeotec covers the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro for one.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro and the Sonoff ZBDongle-E both report stable networks with Home Assistant and good range once set up. Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro owners single out running Z-Wave and Zigbee from one stick and a quick migration from an older Z-Stick, and complain that Zigbee only works after a firmware update whose guide is Windows only, that the pairing button is fragile, and that VM passthrough takes work. Sonoff ZBDongle-E owners talk about a stick that ships ready to use, scales to dozens of mixed-brand devices and replaces brand bridges like Philips Hue. Their main advice is a USB 2.0 extension cable to avoid interference, and a few mention trouble pairing some Aqara sensors.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro
  • Sonoff ZBDongle-E

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro or Sonoff ZBDongle-E?

For Zigbee alone, the Sonoff ZBDongle-E, which is more affordable, comes with a two-year warranty and works out of the box. The Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro is the better buy if you also need Z-Wave.

What is the biggest difference between the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro and the Sonoff ZBDongle-E?

Z-Wave. The Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro combines a Z-Wave 800 controller with a Zigbee 3.0 coordinator, while the Sonoff ZBDongle-E is Zigbee only.

Do the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro and the Sonoff ZBDongle-E use the same Zigbee chip?

Yes. Both use the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 with +20 dBm of transmit power. The Sonoff ZBDongle-E adds an external antenna, which the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro does not have.

Do they support Thread or Matter?

No. Neither the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro nor the Sonoff ZBDongle-E is a Thread border router or a Matter bridge.

Who should buy the Aeotec Z-Stick 10 Pro?

Home Assistant users with both Z-Wave and Zigbee devices who want one cloud-free stick for both and can handle a first firmware update.

Who should buy the Sonoff ZBDongle-E?

Zigbee-only homes that want a proven, affordable coordinator for Home Assistant or Zigbee2MQTT with a two-year warranty.

Full comparison table

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