Recommended Hardware
To build a reliable and durable smart home with Gladys Assistant, I recommend the Zigbee protocol for most of your devices.
Zigbee is a mesh wireless protocol: each mains-powered device extends the network and improves overall reliability. It is also open, standardized, and vendor independent, which lets you mix brands without being locked into a proprietary ecosystem.
This page lists the most highly-rated Zigbee devices in each category, the ones I would buy today to equip a home from scratch.
💡 All Zigbee devices listed below pair with a Zigbee coordinator (the "dongle") through the Zigbee2MQTT integration.
Zigbee Coordinator (the "dongle")
The Zigbee coordinator is the most important device of your installation: it is the brain of your Zigbee network. Pick a quality model, you'll keep it for years.
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E
Best price/performance USB coordinator. Based on the EFR32MG21 chip, officially supported by Zigbee2MQTT. This is the one I use daily.
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SMLight SLZB-06
Ethernet/PoE Zigbee coordinator. Useful if you want to move the dongle away from your server (e.g. in a tech closet) to get better Zigbee mesh coverage. ⚠️ With this model, you'll have to install and run Zigbee2MQTT yourself (Docker, dedicated machine…) — Gladys' Zigbee2MQTT integration won't start it automatically, unlike with the USB dongle.
View on Amazon⚠️ Use a USB 2.0 extension cable to move the dongle a few centimeters away from your server. USB 3.0 ports and metal cases create heavy interference on the 2.4 GHz band.
Smart Bulbs
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance E27
Best-in-class Zigbee bulb: excellent color rendering, very reliable, acts as a Zigbee router. Pairs directly with Zigbee2MQTT, no Hue bridge needed.
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Innr Smart Bulb E27 Color
Dutch brand specialized in Zigbee, very well supported by Zigbee2MQTT. Great value, also acts as a Zigbee router. A solid alternative to Hue.
View on AmazonSmart Plugs (with energy monitoring)
Nous A1Z Zigbee Smart Plug
One of the most popular Zigbee plugs in the Zigbee2MQTT community. Real-time energy monitoring, reliable, and acts as a Zigbee router to extend your mesh.
View on AmazonTemperature & Humidity Sensors
Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor
Very accurate, excellent battery life (2+ years), tiny form factor. The reference under Zigbee2MQTT for measuring temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.
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SONOFF SNZB-02D
Zigbee temperature and humidity sensor with a built-in LCD display. Great value, perfect for living areas where you want to see the values at a glance. I use it daily.
View on AmazonMotion Sensors
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Best-rated Zigbee PIR motion sensor: configurable sensitivity, configurable blind period, light measurement, very long battery life on a CR2450 cell.
View on AmazonDoor & Window Sensors
Nous E2 — Zigbee 3.0 Door & Window Sensor
Fully local Zigbee 3.0 door/window sensor. Compact form factor, long battery life, excellent value, and great Zigbee2MQTT support.
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Aqara Door and Window Sensor T1 (MCCGQ12LM)
Pure Zigbee 3.0 version (not the new Matter/Thread one) of the Aqara door sensor. Even smaller than the original model, very reliable, premium build quality.
View on AmazonWireless Buttons & Remotes
Aqara Wireless Mini Switch
Tiny wireless button with single press / double press / long press detection. Three actions on a single button — perfect for custom automations.
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SONOFF SNZB-01P
Affordable Zigbee button with a magnetic base. Detects single/double/long press. Great to replace a switch or create scene shortcuts.
View on AmazonRoller Shutter / Blind Modules
Sunricher Zigbee 3.0 Roller Shutter Module
Reliable in-wall module that turns any existing roller shutter into a smart one. Very well supported by Zigbee2MQTT, with end-of-travel and auto-calibration.
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SONOFF MINI-ZBRBS — Zigbee Roller Shutter Module
Compact in-wall Zigbee 3.0 roller shutter module from SONOFF. A great alternative to the Sunricher, from a brand very well supported by Zigbee2MQTT.
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SONOFF ZBMINI-L2
In-wall switch module that works without neutral wire. The perfect solution to retrofit older electrical installations.
View on AmazonSmart Wall Switches
These switches replace your existing wall switches and let you control a light both physically (via the rocker) and remotely (through Gladys). Available in with neutral wire (ideal for new builds and recent renovations) or no neutral (perfect for older electrical installations).
Aqara Smart Wall Switch H1 EU (no neutral)
Premium Zigbee 3.0 wall switch in European format, installs without a neutral wire. Comes in single (WS-EUK01) or double rocker (WS-EUK02). Premium finish, very reliable, excellent Zigbee2MQTT support.
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Aqara Light Switch H2 EU (with neutral)
2024 generation, dual protocol Zigbee 3.0 + Thread/Matter: use it in Zigbee today with Zigbee2MQTT, and switch to Matter/Thread later via a simple OTA firmware flash, without replacing the hardware. Available in single (WS-K07D, 1 channel) or double rocker (WS-K08D, 2 channels). Recommended if you have a neutral wire at the switch.
View on AmazonWater Leak Sensors
SONOFF SNZB-05P — Zigbee Water Leak Sensor (IP67)
IP67-rated Zigbee water leak sensor with an extendable remote probe. Perfect to place under the sink, behind the washing machine or near the water heater.
View on AmazonSmoke Detectors
Frient — Intelligent Smoke Alarm Zigbee 3.0 (SMSZB-120)
EN 14604 certified, professional-grade Zigbee smoke detector. Very well rated in the Zigbee2MQTT community, long-life battery included.
View on AmazonVibration / Door Knock Sensors
Aqara Vibration Sensor
Detects vibrations, tilt, and free fall. Great to detect knocks on a door (security), broken glass, or to know when your washing machine cycle is complete.
View on AmazonCameras
Cameras do not use the Zigbee protocol (too much bandwidth). For cameras, I recommend IP cameras with ONVIF/RTSP support, which integrate with Gladys through the Camera integration.
Reolink (PoE or Wi-Fi)
Excellent image quality, native RTSP support, fully local without mandatory cloud. The reference for self-hosted setups with Gladys.
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TP-Link Tapo C200 / C210
Affordable indoor Wi-Fi camera with RTSP support. A good entry-level option to get started without breaking the bank.
View on AmazonSummary
To equip a typical home with Gladys, I recommend starting with:
- A SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E as your coordinator.
- A few Aqara temperature & humidity sensors in your main rooms.
- Aqara P1 motion sensors for presence detection.
- Nous A1Z smart plugs to monitor and control your appliances.
- Philips Hue or Innr bulbs for your lighting.
- A few Aqara Mini Switch buttons to control everything physically.
Then you can expand step by step based on your needs.
For more details on integrating these devices, see the Zigbee2MQTT integration page.