Sonoff Dongle Max vs Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24

The Sonoff Dongle Max wins overall because it can connect over USB, Ethernet or PoE and carries a higher +5dBi dual-antenna setup, giving far more placement freedom than the USB-only Dongle Plus MG24. The Dongle Plus MG24 is the more affordable, higher-rated and simpler plug-and-play pick if you do not need Ethernet or PoE.

Connectivity. The Dongle Max runs over USB, Ethernet or PoE and can even double as a Wi-Fi access point, while the Dongle Plus MG24 is USB only. Both use the same EFR32MG24 chip and both work as Zigbee coordinators and Thread border routers.

The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is the more plug-and-play option, recognized instantly in Home Assistant with no fuss. The Dongle Max is more flexible but has rougher documentation (a firmware update needs a physical power cycle) and a web portal that can repeatedly ask you to log in, so it suits hobbyists comfortable troubleshooting.

Buy the Sonoff Dongle Max if you want to place your Zigbee coordinator away from the host over Ethernet or PoE to cover a garage or far corner, and you value the higher +5dBi antennas and experimental Zigbee-plus-Thread dual-network mode over pure simplicity.

Buy the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 if you want the cheaper, better-reviewed stick that is truly plug-and-play with Home Assistant over USB, on the same modern MG24 chip, with a bundled USB extension cable and a Thread border router option.