Sonoff Smart Wall Switch ZBM5 Double Review: No-Neutral Zigbee Flexibility with Some Rough Edges
A two-gang Zigbee switch that installs with or without a neutral wire, but Home Assistant users report state-sync quirks worth knowing about first.
The Sonoff ZBM5 Double is a two-gang Zigbee wall switch aimed at installers who need a no-neutral option, since it can run either with or without a neutral wire, a rare flexibility for a Zigbee switch at this price. Reviews are more mixed than most Sonoff switches: many buyers report a fast, easy install and reliable day-to-day operation through Alexa, Google Home or a Zigbee hub, but a meaningful share of Home Assistant and zigbee2mqtt users describe state-sync quirks between the physical button and the reported Zigbee status, plus occasional hub pairing or disconnect issues, especially in no-neutral setups. It is best suited to buyers who want wiring flexibility and mainly control it through the app or a stable Zigbee bridge rather than mixing physical button presses with strict automation logic in an open-source hub.
- No-neutral wiring situations
- Zigbee ecosystem households
- Multi-gang box replacements
- Buyers prioritizing app/voice control over strict local automation state
Pros
- Works with or without a neutral wire, unusual flexibility for a Zigbee switch
- Quiet, responsive button press from anywhere on the switch face
- Reliable voice control through Alexa and Google Home
- Relay can be decoupled from the physical button for smart bulb setups
- Power-off memory included
Cons
- No Apple HomeKit or Matter support
- Requires a separate Zigbee hub to operate
- Home Assistant/zigbee2mqtt users report button-state and Zigbee-state sync quirks
- Some no-neutral installs report periodic hub disconnects
- No energy monitoring or overheating/overvoltage/overcurrent/overpower protection
- Not designed to fit standard multi-gang wall plates
Who is the Sonoff Smart Wall Switch ZBM5 Double for?
This is a two-gang Zigbee switch built for homes where running or confirming a neutral wire is difficult, since it explicitly supports operation with or without a neutral. It requires a Zigbee hub to work, so it fits naturally into a Zigbee-based smart home (Sonoff's own bridge, or a third-party Zigbee coordinator) and integrates with Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant, but it has no Apple HomeKit or Matter support. Buyers replacing an existing multi-gang light switch box for garages, hallways or utility rooms are a common use case, since one two-gang unit can consolidate multiple circuits.
What buyers love
Many reviewers describe a quick, straightforward install and a quiet, responsive button feel from anywhere on the switch face, not just the bottom edge like some competing smart switches. Voice control through Alexa and Google Home is reported as working reliably, and several owners specifically like being able to decouple the relay from the physical button, which is useful for controlling smart bulbs without cutting their power at the switch. Buyers who wired it without a neutral report it functioning correctly in that mode, confirming the no-neutral flexibility works as specified.
What to know before you buy
The switch carries no energy monitoring and no overheating, overvoltage, overcurrent or overpower protection, matching its budget positioning. The more significant caveat comes from Home Assistant and zigbee2mqtt users, who report that the switch tracks two separate states, one for the physical button and one for Zigbee reporting, which can fall out of sync if the button is pressed directly instead of controlled purely through the hub; this is described as more of a fit issue with open-source Zigbee stacks than a hardware defect, and one reviewer noted a firmware/profile update resolved it for their setup. A few buyers in no-neutral installations report the switch periodically dropping off the Zigbee hub and needing to be re-paired. It is also not designed to fit standard multi-gang wall plates, so a mixed switch bank may need a full plate swap. These points align with the switch's below-average aggregate rating compared to Sonoff's Matter-based M5 line.
Is the Sonoff Smart Wall Switch ZBM5 Double worth it?
For buyers who specifically need a no-neutral Zigbee switch and plan to control it mainly through the app, Alexa or Google Home, it delivers solid value and the flexibility few competitors offer at this price. Buyers running a strict open-source Home Assistant/zigbee2mqtt setup that leans on physical button presses for local automations should weigh the state-sync reports before buying, since that is where the mixed reviews concentrate.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Sonoff ZBM5 Double require a neutral wire?
No, it is designed to work either with or without a neutral wire, though a no-neutral installation runs as a Zigbee end device rather than a router.
Does it work with Apple HomeKit or Matter?
No, this model does not support Apple HomeKit or Matter. It integrates with Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant and IFTTT through a Zigbee hub.
Do I need a separate hub to use this switch?
Yes, it requires a Zigbee hub, such as Sonoff's own Zigbee bridge or another Zigbee coordinator, to connect to your smart home.
Does it work well with Home Assistant and zigbee2mqtt?
It can work, but some Home Assistant/zigbee2mqtt users report the switch's physical button state and its reported Zigbee state can fall out of sync, particularly if the button is pressed directly rather than controlled through the hub.
Does the switch have energy monitoring or overload protection?
No, this model does not include energy monitoring or overheating, overvoltage, overcurrent or overpower protection.








