Updated August 2026
Data from Amazon and official Nabu Casa and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
Different radios for different jobs: the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 wins this dongle comparison as the more affordable pick and, crucially, the one that adds Z-Wave, a Z-Wave 800 controller the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 does not have. The PZG23 is a plug-and-play USB Z-Wave stick with S2 security and Long Range that owners find rock-solid, and it also carries a stronger +20dB amplifier. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 plays a different tune, it is a Zigbee 3.0 coordinator and Thread border router (no Z-Wave at all), with a higher owner rating and a stronger antenna at +4.16dBi against 2dBi on the Sonoff. Both are USB-only radios for Home Assistant, but they do not overlap in protocol. Pick the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 if you need a dependable, cheaper Z-Wave controller; pick the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 if your devices are Zigbee or Thread.
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| Feature | Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 | Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65.00 | $39.90 | Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.6 | Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 |
| Z-Wave Controller | NO | YES | Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 |
| Thread Border Router | YES | NO | Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 |
| Amplifier Gain | 10dBm | +20dB | Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 |
| Antenna Gain | +4.16dBi | 2 dBi | Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Power | USB | USB | Tie |
| Connectivity | USB | USB | Tie |
| Zigbee Router | NO | NO | Tie |
| Matter Bridge | NO | NO | Tie |
| Dual Network | NO | NO | Tie |
$65.00
- + Rating: 4.8
- + Thread Border Router: YES
- + Antenna Gain: +4.16dBi
- - Price: $65.00 vs $39.90
- - Z-Wave Controller: NO vs YES
Winner
$39.90
- + Price: $39.90
- + Z-Wave Controller: YES
- + Amplifier Gain: +20dB
- - Rating: 4.6 vs 4.8
- - Thread Border Router: NO vs YES
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dongle is right for me, the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 or the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2?
It depends on your devices. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is a Z-Wave 800 controller, so choose it for Z-Wave gear. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is a Zigbee and Thread radio with no Z-Wave, so choose it for Zigbee or Thread/Matter devices. They cover different protocols rather than competing head to head.
What is the fundamental difference between them?
Protocol. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 does Z-Wave (with S2 security and Long Range) and nothing else, while the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 does Zigbee or Thread and has no Z-Wave. Neither can substitute for the other.
Can either handle both Zigbee and Z-Wave?
No. Each is single-family: the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is Z-Wave only, and the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is Zigbee/Thread only. To run both protocols you would need one of each, or a multi-protocol coordinator.
Which has the better range hardware?
It varies by spec. The ZBT-2 has the higher antenna gain at +4.16dBi versus 2dBi on the PZG23, while the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 lists a stronger +20dB amplifier. Both are considered strong performers within their own protocol.
Who should buy the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2?
Buy the ZBT-2 if your smart home runs on Zigbee or Thread and you want the highly rated, official Nabu Casa radio with the smoothest Home Assistant setup. It offers no Z-Wave support.
Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23?
Buy the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 if you need a reliable, well-priced Z-Wave 800 controller with S2 security and Long Range for Home Assistant. It has no Zigbee or Thread.
Full comparison table
Compare all 35 Dongles side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Dongles in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 35 Dongles
- 32 specs compared
- 29 filters
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SmlightSLZB-06 U
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SmlightSLZB-MR3
SmlightSLZB-MR4
SmlightSLZB-MR5U
$119.99
SmlightSLZB-07
$34.99- Nabu Casa
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2
$65.00 
SmlightSLZB-MR1U
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SmlightSLZB-07p7
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ZoozZ-Wave Long Range Stick
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SonoffDongle Plus MG24
$35.90
SonoffZBDongle-P
14% OFF$39.99$34.57
SonoffZBDongle-E
8% OFF$26.99$24.90
SonoffDongle-PZG23
$39.90
SmlightSLZB-06M
$72.99
SonoffDongle Plus PP10
$35.90
SmlightSLZB-06p7U
$78.99
SmlightSLZB-MR2
£160.48
SonoffDongle Lite MG21
$24.90
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Air Quality MonitorsSonoffSAWF-07P Air Quality Monitor
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Air Quality MonitorsSonoffSAWF-08P Air Quality Monitor
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CamerasSonoffCam Slim Gen2
5% OFF$19.90$18.91
CamerasSonoffGK-200MP2-B
30% OFF$9.99$6.99
DisplaysSonoffNSPanel Pro
$129.90- DonglesSonoff
Dongle Lite MG21
$24.90 
DonglesSonoffDongle Max
- DonglesSonoff
Dongle Plus MG24
$35.90 - DonglesSonoff
Dongle Plus PP10
$35.90 - DonglesSonoff
Dongle-PZG23
$39.90 - DonglesSonoff
ZBDongle-E
8% OFF$26.99$24.90 - DonglesSonoff
ZBDongle-P
14% OFF$39.99$34.57 
Door & Window SensorsSonoffDW2-WIFI
$12.23
Door & Window SensorsSonoffSNZB-04 ZigBee Wireless Door/Window Sensor
$17.99
Door & Window SensorsSonoffSNZB-04P ZigBee Door/Window Sensor
$18.99
Door & Window SensorsSonoffSenseGuard DW Gen2
Energy MonitorsSonoffPOWCT
$38.19
HubsSonoffiHost
$89.99
HubsSonoffZigbee Bridge Pro
$24.90
HubsSonoffZigbee Bridge Ultra
$54.99