Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 vs ZBT-1: The Real Upgrade for Zigbee, Thread, and Matter
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 vs ZBT-1 comparison in speed, range, stability, and concurrent Zigbee-Thread performance. Learn why ZBT-2 is the better smart home adapter.
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 Now Available!
The Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is a next-generation Zigbee or Thread USB adapter designed to deliver faster response times, stronger range, and full Matter support. By comparison, the earlier Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 (SkyConnect) supports Zigbee and Thread these two protocols but its speed and stability are comparatively limited.
As smart homes grow more complex, the need for a faster, more stable Zigbee or Thread network. The new Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 answers that need with a redesigned hardware platform that brings noticeably better performance and stability.
Let’s take a deeper look!
Overview of Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2
The Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 follows the same clean, vertical design language seen in the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2, but in a noticeably more compact, round and cute form. Its slim, mast–style profile and soft matte finish help it blend naturally into desks, bookshelves, and home office setups appearing like a clean, unobtrusive USB dongle.
It connects via USB-C to your Home Assistant hub (e.g., Home Assistant Green / Yellow / Raspberry Pi) to build a high-speed, reliable, and fully local smart home network.
Key Features:
- Next-Gen Performance — Up to 4× faster with EFR32MG24 + ESP32-S3 for ultra-low-latency control.
- Support different Protocols: Zigbee 3.0 or Thread run concurrently in Home Assistant (ZHA/Thread), Matter-ready.
- Extended Range & Stability with a 4.16 dBi omnidirectional high-gain antenna and optimized PA/LNA to cut interference.
- Plug-and-Play: auto-detected by Home Assistant; no drivers or manual pairing, via USB-C.
Specification Comparison: Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 vs ZBT-1
There is a table below summarizes the main hardware and protocol differences between the two adapters.
| Feature | Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 | Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Chip | Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 | Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 |
| MCU Frequency | 78 MHz (more efficient architecture) | 80 MHz |
| RAM / Flash | 256 KB RAM / 1536 KB Flash | 96 KB RAM / 1024 KB Flash |
| RF Front End | Enhanced Front-end with PA/LNA | Single RF path |
| Protocol & Matter Support | Supports concurrent Zigbee and Thread with MG24 multi-protocol scheduling; Matter-ready via Home Assistant | Supports Zigbee and Thread (one at a time, sequential scheduling; Matter not natively supported) |
| Antenna Design | External 4.16 dBi high-gain antenna | Built-in small antenna |
| Performance | Up to 4× faster | Standard |
| Interface | USB-C (compatible with USB 2.0 / 3.0 ports) | USB-A |
| EMI Resistance | Improved with MG24 and high-gain antenna design | Moderate, affected by USB 3.0 interference |
| Interference Resistance | Enhanced with high-gain antenna | Moderate |
| Target Users | All Home Assistant users seeking a faster, more stable, and future-ready setup | Entry-level Zigbee users |
| Recommended HA Version | 2025.0.1+ | 2023+ |
| Price | ＄49 | ＄29.99 |
| Recommendation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Home Assistant ZBT-2 Performance Upgrades — Faster, Stronger, More Stable
Antenna Optimization: High-Gain & Anti-Interference
The ZBT-2 counters this with an independent 4.16 dBi high-gain antenna and an optimized PA/LNA RF front end, significantly reducing interference and improving signal strength.
USB 3.0 ports can generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) that affects 2.4GHz communication.
Tips for Best Performance:
- Use a USB extension cable if your hub has USB 3.0 ports
- Keep the antenna away from metal objects or your host device chassis for stronger signal stability
Network Forming & Seamless Network Migration
Starting with Home Assistant OS 2025.0.1, official migration tools allow users to transfer existing networks effortlessly.
Thanks to the official documentation of Home Assistant, you can quickly set up a new Zigbee network or Thread network.
Whether you previously used Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1, deCONZ, or Zigbee2MQTT, your Zigbee network can be seamlessly moved to ZBT-2. And it also supports switching from Zigbee to Thread Network with Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2.
Application Scenarios: The Core Bridge for the Future Smart Home
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 enhances everyday automations across your home with faster response, stronger signals, and stable Zigbee or Thread network.
- Reliable Low-Power Sensors: Door, temperature, and leak sensors stay connected for months without battery swaps, supported by Zigbee‘s efficient mesh and ZBT-2‘s high-gain antenna.
- Future-Proof Expansion: Add new Matter-enabled Thread devices — from smart thermostats to wall plugs — without changing your setup or sacrificing performance.
Limited Time Bundle Offer!
Ready to experience reliable Zigbee & Thread nerwork? Home Assistant Connect ZBT–2 is now available for order at $49 in our official webstore Bazaar! Shop Bundles to enjoy FREE shipping & Saving $5 when you select specific shipping options at the checkout page. Don’t wait – this special offer ends December 31st (CST)!
The following are free shipping channels.
| Warehouse | Shipping Method | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| China Warehouse | Airtransport Direct Line | AT, AU, BE, BG, BH, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, KW, LT, LU, MX, MY, NL, NZ, OM, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, SA, SE, SG, SI, SK |
| YanWen Express | AE, AO, AT, AU, BE, BG, BH, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GH, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IT, JO, JP, KE, KR, LT, LU, LV, MA, MC, MT, MX, NG, NL, NO, OM, PE, PH, PL, PR, PT, QA, RO, RW, SA, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, TZ, UA, UG, US, ZA | |
| SF Express、中通 | CN | |
| Germany Warehouse | DE_DHL_Paket_Domestic | DE |
| DE_DHL_Paket_EU1 | AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK | |
| United States Warehouse | DGM SmartMail Expedited | US |
| DGM_Smartmail Parcel Ground | US | |
| USPS_Priority Mail | US |
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