Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Sonoff site.
2026 verdict
Between two Sonoff USB sticks for Zigbee and Thread, the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is the one to get, on its newer EFR32MG24 chip and stronger antenna.
Its external antenna is rated at +4.5dBi against +3dBi on the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21, behind the same +20 dBm transmit power, and owners find it better received overall. Everything else lines up: Zigbee 3.0 coordinator and router, Thread border router after a firmware flash, Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT, USB only and a one-year warranty on both. The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 keeps one real argument, being the more affordable of the pair, which makes it a sensible choice for extra routers or a small network. Choose the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 as the main coordinator of a growing home, and the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 when budget comes first.
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Winner
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| Feature | Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.90 | $35.90 | Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Antenna Gain | +2dBi | +4.5dBi | Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 |
| Zigbee Chip Model | EFR32MG21 | EFR32MG24 | Different strengths |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Power | USB | USB | Tie |
| Connectivity | USB | USB | Tie |
| Zigbee Router | YES | YES | Tie |
| Z-Wave Controller | NO | NO | Tie |
| Thread Border Router | YES | YES | Tie |
| Matter Bridge | NO | NO | Tie |
| Transmit Power | +20dBm | +20dBm | Tie |
What the differences mean
Radio chip
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 uses the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 and the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 the newer EFR32MG24. In what the catalog records, both chips end up doing the same jobs here: Zigbee 3.0 coordinator or router, or a Thread border router after flashing.
Antenna gain
The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 carries a +4.5dBi antenna and the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 a +3dBi one, both behind +20 dBm of transmit power. It is a modest edge in reach, most useful for the coordinator of a larger home.
Thread
Both can serve as a Thread border router for Matter devices, and neither runs Zigbee and Thread at once. Owners of both describe Thread as a reflash, with the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 group finding Sonoff's web flasher easier.
Cost
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 is the more affordable stick, which adds up if you plan to use extra units as Zigbee routers.
Which one to buy if
- it will be the main coordinator of a large Zigbee network
The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 has the stronger antenna and the newer chip for the device every other one depends on.
- you want extra sticks as Zigbee routers around the house
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 does the router job just as well and costs less per unit.
- you plan to dedicate the stick to Thread
Owners of the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 describe the web flasher and a dedicated Thread setup as straightforward.
- you are building a first small Zigbee setup on a tight budget
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 gives the same coordinator role and software support for less.
- + Price: $24.90
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.7
- - Antenna Gain: +2dBi vs +4.5dBi
Winner
- + Rating: 4.7
- + Antenna Gain: +4.5dBi
- - Price: $35.90 vs $24.90
What owners say
Owners of the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 and the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 agree on the basics: both come up in Home Assistant through ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT with no drama, both run dozens of devices steadily, and both groups praise the USB extension cable in the box for moving the radio away from noisy ports. Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 owners talk mostly about value, some running one as coordinator and others as routers around the house, and their complaints are about flashing it for Thread taking effort and one firmware update that broke OpenHAB support. Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 owners single out the compact, cool-running design and an easy web flasher for Thread, and grumble about the fixed antenna that cannot be swapped, the lack of a mounting point and a Hyper-V passthrough workaround.
Upgrading from the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21?
Moving from the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 to the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 buys a newer EFR32MG24 chip and a stronger +4.5dBi antenna, and nothing else on the spec sheet: same USB-only connection, same Thread option, same Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT support, same one-year warranty. If your Lite already reaches every device, keep it, or demote it to a Zigbee router. If the far corners of the home drop off, the Plus is the better coordinator.
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.
- Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21
- Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 or Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24?
The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24, for its newer EFR32MG24 chip and its +4.5dBi antenna. The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 does the same jobs with a +3dBi antenna and is the more affordable choice.
What is the difference between the Sonoff MG21 and MG24 dongles?
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 runs the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 with a +3dBi antenna, and the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 the newer EFR32MG24 with a +4.5dBi antenna. Both are Zigbee 3.0 coordinators and routers, both can become a Thread border router, and both are USB only.
EFR32MG21 vs EFR32MG24: can both run Thread?
Yes. In this pair both the EFR32MG21 in the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 and the EFR32MG24 in the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 can act as a Thread border router once flashed, but neither runs Zigbee and Thread at the same time.
Do the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 and the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 work with Home Assistant?
Both do, through ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, and both ship with a USB extension cable that owners recommend using to keep the radio away from USB 3 interference.
Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21?
Budget builders, small homes and anyone adding Zigbee routers, who want Sonoff's coordinator and optional Thread support for the lowest cost.
Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24?
Home Assistant users choosing the main coordinator for a larger network, or a dedicated Thread radio, who want the newer chip and the stronger antenna.
Full comparison table
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