Shelly 1 Gen3 vs Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 comparison

Updated July 2026

Data from Amazon and official Shelly site.

2026 verdict

The Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 is the winner of this smart relay comparison, adding Zigbee to the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Matter mix (with a Zigbee router role) and listing fuller safety with overheating protection confirmed, all in an even smaller body that fits the tightest boxes. The Shelly 1 Gen3 keeps things close on price, since it is the cheaper option, and it holds one advantage the Mini Gen4 cannot match: it installs without a neutral wire, whereas the Mini requires one. The Gen3 also carries the higher 16A rating against the Mini's 8A, so it drives heavier loads. Both are compact single-channel relays with dry and wet contacts, hub-free core control, and support for Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings and Home Assistant. Choose the Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 for the smallest form factor with Zigbee flexibility in a box with a neutral; choose the Shelly 1 Gen3 for no-neutral wiring, a higher load ceiling or the lower price.

Feature	Shelly 1 Gen3	Shelly 1 Mini Gen4	Winner
Price	$22.99	$24.98	Shelly 1 Gen3
Safety	None	Overheating protection	Shelly 1 Mini Gen4
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Zigbee	Shelly 1 Mini Gen4
Zibgee Router	NO	YES	Shelly 1 Mini Gen4
Rating	4.5	4.5	Tie
Integrations	Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter	Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter	Tie
Relay Channels	1	1	Tie
Energy Monitoring	NO	NO	Tie
Power Off Memory	NO	NO	Tie
Dry Contact Mode	YES	YES	Tie
Wet Contact Mode	YES	YES	Tie

Shelly

Shelly 1 Gen3

$22.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Price: $22.99
- Safety: None vs Overheating protection
- Connectivity: Bluetooth vs Bluetooth, Zigbee

Winner

Shelly

Shelly 1 Mini Gen4

$24.98

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Safety: Overheating protection
+ Connectivity: Bluetooth, Zigbee
+ Zibgee Router: YES
- Price: $24.98 vs $22.99

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Shelly 1 Gen3 or Shelly 1 Mini Gen4?

The Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 is better overall, adding Zigbee and a Zigbee router role to its Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Matter connectivity, listing more safety protection, and fitting the tightest boxes. The Shelly 1 Gen3 wins if you need a no-neutral install, a higher 16A load or the cheaper price.

What is the biggest difference between the Shelly 1 Gen3 and the Shelly 1 Mini Gen4?

The Mini Gen4 is physically smaller and adds Zigbee (acting as a router), but it requires a neutral wire and tops out at 8A. The Gen3 has no Zigbee, installs without a neutral, and carries a higher 16A rating for heavier loads.

Which relay handles a heavier load and which fits a tighter box?

The Shelly 1 Gen3 handles the heavier load at 16A, versus the Shelly 1 Mini Gen4's 8A. The Mini Gen4, however, is the smaller module and the better fit when a switch box is genuinely crowded.

Which one works without a neutral wire?

Only the Shelly 1 Gen3. It is built for no-neutral boxes, while the Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 requires a neutral wire, so confirm your wiring before choosing the Mini.

Who should buy the Shelly 1 Gen3?

Buy the Shelly 1 Gen3 if your box has no neutral wire, you need the higher 16A rating, or you want the cheaper option. It still offers Wi-Fi, Matter, dry contacts and hub-free local control.

Who should buy the Shelly 1 Mini Gen4?

Buy the Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 if space is tight and you want the smallest module with Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Matter connectivity plus a Zigbee router, and your load stays within 8A in a box with a neutral.

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