Aeotec Z-Stick 7 vs Sonoff ZBDongle-E

The Sonoff ZBDongle-E is the better overall value pick, with a lower price, a higher rating, a longer 2-year warranty and a stronger amplifier. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 only wins if you specifically need Z-Wave, since the ZBDongle-E is a Zigbee-only coordinator.

The protocol. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is a Z-Wave 700 controller only, while the Sonoff ZBDongle-E is a Zigbee 3.0 coordinator (and router) only. They speak different radios, so your devices decide the pick rather than raw performance.

The Sonoff ZBDongle-E carries a 2-year warranty, versus 1 year on the Aeotec Z-Stick 7. Both are USB radios that need a host running Home Assistant or similar software.

Only the Sonoff ZBDongle-E, a Zigbee coordinator many owners use to run Hue bulbs locally without the Hue bridge. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is Z-Wave only and cannot control Zigbee bulbs.

Buy the Sonoff ZBDongle-E if you want a cheap, dependable Zigbee coordinator for Home Assistant, Zigbee2MQTT or OpenHAB, or to ditch a proprietary hub like the Hue bridge. Plan to use a USB extension cable to avoid interference.

Buy the Aeotec Z-Stick 7 if your setup relies on Z-Wave and you want a stable Z-Wave 700 controller for Home Assistant, openHAB or ioBroker. Expect to update the shipping firmware before adding devices, and know it does no Zigbee.