Relays · Head to head

Shelly i4 Gen3 vs Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch

Full Smart Relays comparison in 2026

Updated November 2026
Data from the official Shelly and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch sweeps this comparison, winning on price, owner reception, safety, integrations and both contact modes against the Shelly i4 Gen3.
It is a relay module with dry and wet contact modes, which makes it a favourite for gate and garage door automation, and it adds a physical on/off button for manual control, overcurrent protection and one of the widest integration lists in the category, covering Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Home Assistant, IFTTT and Matter. The Shelly i4 Gen3 wins nothing outright here because it does something else entirely: four digital inputs that turn existing wall switches and sensors into scene triggers, with no relay and no switching ability. Both run on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, both support Matter, and neither offers energy monitoring, Zigbee, Z-Wave or Thread. Buy the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch to control a gate, garage or light, and the Shelly i4 Gen3 only to feed existing buttons into your automations.
vs
Winner
Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch
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$14.90

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FeatureShelly i4 Gen3Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart SwitchWinner
Price$19.99$14.90Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch
Rating4.44.7Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth2.4 GHz WiFiShelly i4 Gen3
Relay Channels01Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch
SafetyNoneOvercurrent protectionTie
IntegrationsGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, MatterGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, MatterTie
Energy MonitoringNONOTie
Zigbee RouterNONOTie
Local ControlYESYESTie
Shutter ModeNONOTie

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Shelly i4 Gen3 or Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch?

The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch wins overall. It is cheaper, better rated, has an actual relay with dry and wet contact modes, adds a physical on/off button and overcurrent protection, and supports Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Home Assistant, IFTTT and Matter. The Shelly i4 Gen3 cannot switch a load.

What is the biggest difference between the Shelly i4 Gen3 and the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch?

The relay and its dry contact. The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch can close a volt-free contact, which is exactly what gate and garage door controllers expect, or switch a powered load in wet contact mode. The Shelly i4 Gen3 has four inputs, no relay and no output of any kind.

Which one is better for a garage door?

The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch, without question. Its dry contact mode mimics a wall button press on the opener, and its physical on/off button gives you a manual fallback. The Shelly i4 Gen3 could read the existing wall button, but it cannot trigger the opener itself.

Do both support Matter and Apple HomeKit?

Yes, both do. The Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch also adds SmartThings and IFTTT to the list, giving it the broader integration set. Neither module supports Zigbee, Z-Wave or Thread, and both are limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.

Who should buy the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch?

Buy the Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch for gate, garage door and doorbell-style automation where a dry contact is required, or for a light or fan in wet contact mode. It is small, cheap, has a manual button, supports Matter and HomeKit, and is rated for 2A loads.

Who should buy the Shelly i4 Gen3?

Buy the Shelly i4 Gen3 if you want to reuse existing wall switches, buttons or dry-contact sensors as triggers for scenes and automations. It handles four inputs at once, supports Matter and HomeKit, and works as a Bluetooth gateway, but it must be paired with a relay to switch anything.

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