Winner
Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Sonoff site.
2026 verdict
Two generations of Sonoff stick share the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 chip here, and the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 is the better equipped USB coordinator thanks to Thread support.
It can be flashed to run as a Thread border router and has a +3 dBi antenna against 2 dBi, while keeping the same +20 dBm transmit power, Zigbee router mode and support for ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT, with a USB extension cable in the box. The Sonoff ZBDongle-E answers with a two-year warranty against one and a long track record, with owners running large Zigbee networks and replacing Philips Hue bridges on it. Neither offers Ethernet, PoE or Z-Wave. Choose the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 if Thread might matter one day, and the Sonoff ZBDongle-E if a longer warranty on a Zigbee-only stick is the priority.
vs
Price alerts
Dongle prices change while you decide
We check the price of every Dongle in the catalog daily and email you the drops, whichever one you pick.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
| Feature | Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 | Sonoff ZBDongle-E | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 | Sonoff ZBDongle-E |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years | Sonoff ZBDongle-E |
| Thread Border Router | YES | NO | Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 |
| Price | $24.90 | $24.90 | Tie |
| Power | USB | USB | Tie |
| Connectivity | USB | USB | Tie |
| Zigbee Chip Model | EFR32MG21 | EFR32MG21 | Tie |
| Zigbee Router | YES | YES | Tie |
| Z-Wave Controller | NO | NO | Tie |
| Matter Bridge | NO | NO | Tie |
| Transmit Power | +20dBm | +20dBm | Tie |
| Antenna Gain | +2dBi | +2dBi | Tie |
What the differences mean
Thread support
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 ships for Zigbee but can be flashed to work as a Thread border router. The Sonoff ZBDongle-E is Zigbee only. Owners of the Lite say the switch to Thread takes some effort, so it is an option rather than a plug-in feature.
Antenna
Both use the same EFR32MG21 chip and +20 dBm of transmit power; the antenna goes from 2 dBi on the Sonoff ZBDongle-E to +3 dBi on the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21. Owners of both report solid range, so this is a small step rather than a change you would plan around.
Extension cable
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 includes a USB extension cable; with the Sonoff ZBDongle-E owners buy one, and both groups say it helps.
Warranty
The Sonoff ZBDongle-E carries two years of warranty, the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 one year.
Which one to buy if
- you want the option of Thread later
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 can be flashed as a Thread border router, which the ZBDongle-E cannot.
- you are buying several sticks to use as Zigbee routers
Owners run the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 as coordinator and routers around the house, each with its extension cable.
- you run OpenHAB and update firmware often
One Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 owner lost OpenHAB support after a firmware update; the ZBDongle-E has no such report.
- a longer warranty matters most
The Sonoff ZBDongle-E is covered for two years against one on the newer stick.
Winner
- + Thread Border Router: YES
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.7
- - Warranty: 1 year vs 2 years
- + Rating: 4.7
- + Warranty: 2 years
- - Thread Border Router: NO vs YES
What owners say
Owners of both Sonoff sticks describe near plug-and-play Zigbee in Home Assistant, dozens of devices running reliably and good range, and both groups end up recommending a USB extension cable to dodge interference from USB 3 ports. Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 owners are glad that cable comes in the box and like the freedom to run the same stick as coordinator, router or Thread radio, with one owner placing three around the house; their complaints are that moving it to Thread took more effort than expected and that a firmware update once broke OpenHAB support. Sonoff ZBDongle-E owners single out replacing a Philips Hue bridge to keep lights local, and a few mention trouble pairing certain Aqara sensors.
Upgrading from the Sonoff ZBDongle-E?
Moving from the Sonoff ZBDongle-E to the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 keeps the same EFR32MG21 chip and transmit power, so Zigbee itself will not change much. What you gain is the option to flash it for Thread, a slightly higher gain antenna and an extension cable in the box. If your Sonoff ZBDongle-E already runs your Zigbee network well and you have no Thread devices, there is no reason to switch.
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 ZBDongle-E
Loading price history...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 or Sonoff ZBDongle-E?
The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21, because it can also serve as a Thread border router and has a slightly better antenna and an extension cable included. The Sonoff ZBDongle-E is a Zigbee-only stick with the longer two-year warranty.
Do the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 and the Sonoff ZBDongle-E use the same chip?
Yes. Both the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 and the Sonoff ZBDongle-E are built on the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 with +20 dBm of transmit power. The newer Dongle Lite MG21 adds Thread border router support through a firmware flash.
Can the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 work as a Zigbee router?
Yes. The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 can run as a Zigbee coordinator or as a router, and so can the Sonoff ZBDongle-E, which makes a spare stick useful for extending a mesh.
Does the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 work with Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA?
Yes. The Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21 works with Home Assistant through Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA, just like the Sonoff ZBDongle-E, and owners of both describe a setup that takes minutes.
Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle Lite MG21?
Budget Home Assistant builders who want a Zigbee coordinator that can become a Thread radio later, or several cheap sticks to use as routers.
Who should buy the Sonoff ZBDongle-E?
Anyone who wants a proven Zigbee-only USB coordinator with a two-year warranty and no interest in Thread.
Full comparison table
Compare all 36 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.
- 36 Dongles
- 32 specs compared
- 29 filters
SmlightSLZB-MRW10
$100.00
SmlightSLZB-06 U
$72.99
SmlightSLZB-MR3
€158.13
SmlightSLZB-MR5U
$119.99
SmlightSLZB-07
$34.99
SmlightSLZB-MR1U
$102.99
SmlightSLZB-07p7
$36.99- Sonoff
ZBDongle-E
$24.90 
SonoffDongle Plus MG24
$35.90
Nabu CasaHome Assistant Connect ZBT-2
$65.00
SonoffZBDongle-P
16% OFF$39.99$33.45
ZoozZ-Wave Long Range Stick
$39.95
Nabu CasaHome Assistant Connect ZWA-2
$79.00
SonoffDongle-PZG23
$39.90
SmlightSLZB-06M
$72.99
SonoffDongle Plus PP10
$35.90
SmlightSLZB-06p7U
$78.99
SmlightSLZB-MR2
€111.97- Sonoff
Dongle Lite MG21
$24.90 
AeotecZ-Stick 7
$39.99
Air Quality MonitorsSonoffSAWF-07P Air Quality Monitor
3.7(193)$39.90
Air Quality MonitorsSonoffSAWF-08P Air Quality Monitor
4.3(169)$49.90
CamerasSonoffCAM GlassView
4.6(26)$34.90
CamerasSonoffCam Outdoor DUO
$79.90
CamerasSonoffCam Slim Gen2
4.4(173)$19.90
CamerasSonoffGK-200MP2-B
4.0(149)30% OFF$9.99$6.99
DisplaysSonoffNSPanel Pro Gen2
3.4(11)€149.90
DisplaysSonoffNSPanel Pro
4.1(74)$129.90- DonglesSonoff
Dongle Lite MG21
4.5(449)$24.90 
DonglesSonoffDongle Max
4.3(603)18% OFF€38.99€32.13- DonglesSonoff
Dongle Plus MG24
4.7(684)$35.90 - DonglesSonoff
Dongle Plus PP10
4.6(98)$35.90 - DonglesSonoff
Dongle-PZG23
4.6(175)$39.90 
DonglesSonoffZ-Wave 800 PoE Dongle Max
4.5(26)$44.90- DonglesSonoff
ZBDongle-E
4.7(3,738)$24.90 - DonglesSonoff
ZBDongle-P
4.6(5,673)16% OFF$39.99$33.45 
Door & Window SensorsSonoffDW2-WIFI
3.8(1,057)$12.23
Door & Window SensorsSonoffSNZB-04 ZigBee Wireless Door/Window Sensor
3.7(101)$17.99
Door & Window SensorsSonoffSNZB-04P ZigBee Door/Window Sensor
4.0(13)$18.99
Door & Window SensorsSonoffSenseGuard DW Gen2
4.4(203)£35.00