Winner
Updated October 2026
Data from the official Shelly and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 edges the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch as the more capable mini Wi-Fi relay, backed by a 3-year warranty.
It switches 8A across resistive, inductive and capacitive loads, uses Bluetooth for pairing and fits a 29 x 35 x 16 mm body, small enough for a packed switch box. The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch is the lower priced and better rated of the two, adds a physical on/off button and overcurrent protection, and is built around the dry contact pulses gates and garage doors use. Both offer dry and wet contact modes, accept AC or DC power, stay Wi-Fi only with no Zigbee, and work with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home through Matter, SmartThings and Home Assistant. Go with the Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 for lights and appliances behind a switch, and with the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch for a gate or garage trigger at the lowest cost.
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| Feature | Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 | Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $28.35 | $14.90 | Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 | Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year | Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 |
| Safety | Overheating protection | Overcurrent protection | 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 |
| Dry Contact Mode | YES | YES | Tie |
| Wet Contact Mode | YES | YES | Tie |
| Zigbee Router | NO | NO | Tie |
| Local Control | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Load it can switch
The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 handles 8A, and inductive and capacitive loads as well as resistive ones. The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch is rated 2A resistive only, so it is for triggering a controller or a small load, not for a lighting circuit or a motor.
Size
The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 measures 29 x 35 x 16 mm and weighs 19 g, against 43 x 41 x 21.5 mm and 34.5 g for the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch. Behind a light switch that gap decides whether the box closes.
Neutral and DC power
The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 always needs a neutral. The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch needs one only in AC input mode and can run from a 12-48V DC supply instead, which helps inside gate controllers.
Button and protection
The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch has a physical on/off button and overcurrent protection. The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 lists overheating protection and no button.
Which one to buy if
- you want a smart light behind an existing switch
The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 is small enough for the box and rated 8A for lighting loads.
- you are automating a gate motor
The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch is designed around dry contact pulses and can run from the gate's DC supply.
- you want a manual fallback at the relay
Only the Sonoff has a physical on/off button.
- you care about warranty length
The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 is covered for 3 years, the Sonoff for 1.
Winner
$28.35
- + Warranty: 3 years
- + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth
- - Price: $28.35 vs $14.90
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.7
$14.90
- + Price: $14.90
- + Rating: 4.7
- - Warranty: 1 year vs 3 years
- - Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth
What owners say
Both groups of owners use these relays for the same kind of job, a clean trigger for a garage door or gate, and both describe setup instructions as the weak spot. Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 owners praise the size and value, instant local response and a built-in web interface that works without the app, and they list a wide range of uses from sprinklers to gas fireplaces; their main complaint is a misleading wiring diagram that sends first-timers to YouTube. Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch owners focus on gate and garage motors with Alexa and Apple Home voice control and like the manual button, while their frustration is the thin eWeLink guidance for configuring pulse mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 or Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch?
The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3: it switches 8A across more load types, is smaller and has a 3-year warranty. The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch costs less and is the more focused tool for gate and garage door triggers.
Sonoff mini vs Shelly: what is the biggest difference between the Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 and the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch?
Load capacity. The Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 is rated 8A for resistive, inductive and capacitive loads, while the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch is rated 2A resistive and is meant for trigger contacts.
Do the Shelly 1 Mini Gen3 and the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch support Zigbee?
No. Both are Wi-Fi relays with no Zigbee, Z-Wave or Thread, and both support Matter, which brings Apple Home, alongside Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant.
Who should buy the Shelly 1 Mini Gen3?
DIYers adding smart control to lights, sprinklers, fireplaces or appliances in tight boxes, who want local control and a long warranty.
Who should buy the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch?
Budget buyers who need a dry contact trigger for a gate or garage door opener, with a manual button on the unit.
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