Sonoff Dongle Max vs Sonoff Dongle-PZG23

The Sonoff Dongle Max is the more capable device overall, with USB, Ethernet and PoE connectivity, a Zigbee coordinator, a Thread border router and higher +5dBi antennas. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 wins only if you need Z-Wave, since it is a dedicated Z-Wave 800 controller and does no Zigbee or Thread.

Protocol and connectivity. The Dongle Max is a Zigbee and Thread radio that runs over USB, Ethernet or PoE, while the Dongle-PZG23 is a USB-only Z-Wave 800 controller. They cover different ecosystems, so your devices decide which one fits.

No. The Sonoff Dongle Max handles Zigbee and Thread but not Z-Wave, and the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 handles only Z-Wave. To use both protocols, owners run one of each stick side by side on the same host.

Buy the Sonoff Dongle Max if you want a flexible Zigbee coordinator and Thread border router that you can power and connect over Ethernet or PoE to reach distant rooms, with higher +5dBi antennas for range. Expect some DIY troubleshooting on setup.

Buy the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 if your smart home runs on Z-Wave and you want an affordable, highly rated, plug-and-play Z-Wave 800 controller with S2 security and Long Range for Home Assistant or openHAB. It does no Zigbee or Thread.