Updated August 2026
Data from Amazon and official Nabu Casa and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 wins this dongle comparison as the cheaper radio that opens up Zigbee and Thread, protocols the Z-Wave-only Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 cannot handle, and it doubles as a Zigbee router with a stronger antenna at +4.5dBi against +3.38dBi. It is a modern, truly plug-and-play USB Zigbee coordinator that owners find works instantly with Home Assistant, no flashing needed, and it ships with a USB extension cable. The two do not overlap in protocol, though: the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a dedicated Z-Wave 800 controller that earns the higher owner rating and delivers the long-range, rock-solid Z-Wave that Nabu Casa hardware is prized for. Both run locally with Home Assistant. Choose the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 for an easy Zigbee/Thread coordinator; choose the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 when you need Z-Wave.
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| Feature | Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.00 | $35.90 | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Zigbee Router | NO | YES | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Z-Wave Controller | YES | NO | Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 |
| Thread Border Router | NO | YES | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Antenna Gain | +3.38dBi | +4.5dBi | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Amplifier Gain | +20dB | +20dBm | Different strengths |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Power | USB | USB | Tie |
| Connectivity | USB | USB | Tie |
| Matter Bridge | NO | NO | Tie |
| Dual Network | NO | NO | Tie |
$79.00
- + Z-Wave Controller: YES
- - Price: $79.00 vs $35.90
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.7
Winner
$35.90
- + Price: $35.90
- + Rating: 4.7
- + Zigbee Router: YES
- - Z-Wave Controller: NO vs YES
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is right for me, the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 or the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2?
It depends on your devices. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is a Zigbee and Thread coordinator for Zigbee networks, while the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a Z-Wave-only controller for Z-Wave gear. They cover different protocols.
What is the biggest difference between them?
Protocol. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 does Zigbee (and can flash to a Thread border router) and acts as a Zigbee router, while the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 does Z-Wave 800 only, with no Zigbee or Thread.
Which has the stronger antenna?
The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24, at +4.5dBi against the ZWA-2's +3.38dBi. Both use an external antenna with a strong amplifier, and each is well regarded for range within its own protocol.
Are both easy to set up?
Yes. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is truly plug-and-play for Zigbee with no flashing required, and the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is official Home Assistant hardware, recognized automatically for Z-Wave via Z-Wave JS.
Who should buy the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2?
Buy the ZWA-2 if you run Z-Wave and want a highly rated, official controller with excellent range and fully local Z-Wave JS control. It has no Zigbee or Thread.
Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24?
Buy the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 for a modern, plug-and-play Zigbee coordinator (and optional Thread border router) for Home Assistant that also serves as a router. It has no Z-Wave.
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
SmlightSLZB-MRW10
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SmlightSLZB-06 U
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SmlightSLZB-MR3
SmlightSLZB-MR4
SmlightSLZB-MR5U
$119.99
SmlightSLZB-07
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Nabu CasaHome Assistant Connect ZBT-2
$65.00
SmlightSLZB-MR1U
$102.99
SmlightSLZB-07p7
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ZoozZ-Wave Long Range Stick
$39.95
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
AeotecZ-Stick 7
$39.99
Air Quality MonitorsSonoffSAWF-07P Air Quality Monitor
10% OFF$39.90$35.91
Air Quality MonitorsSonoffSAWF-08P Air Quality Monitor
$49.90
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