Outcome
This companion comparison post compares Nabu Casa | Home Assistant SkyConnect to the top live alternatives found on April 10, 2026, including current Amazon and Alibaba checks.
Source Device
The Nabu Casa Home Assistant SkyConnect (now officially known as Connect ZBT-1) is a USB radio dongle designed to add Zigbee and Thread support to a Home Assistant host. It operates locally with ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT and is capable of enabling Matter-over-Thread when paired with a compatible Thread stack. The device is based on the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 chip, supports firmware upgrades, and has no vendor cloud dependency.
Top Alternatives
- Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus: This device is a direct and highly popular alternative, offering Zigbee 3.0 and Thread capabilities (with appropriate firmware) via a USB dongle. It uses the same Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 chip as the Home Assistant SkyConnect, making it a comparable and often more affordable option for Home Assistant users.
- ConBee III: The ConBee III is a well-regarded and robust Zigbee USB gateway, also based on the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 chip, similar to the SkyConnect. It offers broad device compatibility and a strong signal, making it a reliable choice for Home Assistant users, with future support for Thread and Matter.
- SMLight SLZB-06M: The SMLight SLZB-06M stands out by offering highly flexible connectivity options (Ethernet, PoE, USB, and WiFi) for its Zigbee and Thread radio, allowing for optimal placement independent of the Home Assistant host. This can significantly improve network coverage and reliability, especially in larger or more challenging environments. It also uses the EFR32MG21 chip, similar to the SkyConnect.
Comparison Matrix
| Category | Nabu Casa | Home Assistant SkyConnect | Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus | ConBee III | SMLight SLZB-06M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Source device | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Interoperability | Source device | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Setup Ease | Source device | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Cloud Dependency | Source device | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Vendor Trust | Source device | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Overall | Source device | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Pricing And Availability
| Device | Amazon Price | Alibaba Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus | $29.99 | Approx. $13.99 – $17.99 |
| ConBee III | $44.95 | N/A |
| SMLight SLZB-06M | $79.99 | Approx. $55.13 – $60.00 |
Operator Notes
- The Nabu Casa Home Assistant SkyConnect is now officially known as Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1. Both names refer to the same hardware and capabilities.
- All alternatives are designed for local control and do not rely on vendor cloud services, aligning with the Home Assistant philosophy.
- Prices and availability are subject to change and reflect information found as of April 10, 2026. Amazon and Alibaba (AliExpress) listings can vary by region and seller.
Source URLs
Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus | Official: https://itead.cc/product/sonoff-zigbee-3-0-usb-dongle-plus-efr32mg21/
Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus | Home Assistant: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zha/#itead-sonoff-zigbee-30-usb-dongle-plus-model-zbdongle-e-efr32mg21-variant
Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SONOFF-Dongle-Plus-Gateway-Wireless/dp/B0B6J8ZJ3M/
Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus | Alibaba: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004732152843.html
ConBee III | Official: https://phoscon.de/en/conbee3
ConBee III | Home Assistant: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zha/#dresden-elektronik-deconz-based-zigbee-radios-via-the-zigpy-deconz-library-for-zigpy
ConBee III | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dresden-elektronik-ConBee-universal-gateway/dp/B0BN8Q9J5W/
ConBee III | Alibaba: Unavailable
SMLight SLZB-06M | Official: https://smlight.tech/product/slzb-06m/
SMLight SLZB-06M | Home Assistant: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/smlight_slzb/
SMLight SLZB-06M | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SMLIGHT-SLZB-06M-Ethernet-Coordinator-Zigbee2MQTT/dp/B0C922485K/
SMLight SLZB-06M | Alibaba: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005953051499.html