Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2
The easiest way to start with Zigbee or Thread just got even better – with the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2. The precisely tuned antenna and next-generation chip have been further optimized to provide great performance and rock-solid stability. Built on the open, second-generation Connect platform, it’s easy to tinker with and blends easily into the home. Setup and migration are effortless, giving you all the power of Home Assistant with plug-and-play simplicity. Connect a world of Zigbee or Matter devices directly to Home Assistant today.
Key Features
- 📡 OPTIMIZED ANTENNA – providing the best possible connection to Zigbee or Thread devices.
- ⚡ MORE RESPONSIVE – with 4× improvement in speed over our first-generation adapter, it consistently improves device responsiveness.
- 🚀 PURE PERFORMANCE – an updated Zigbee and Thread chip (MG24) gives it the highest performance available while providing rock-solid stability.
- 🆕 OPEN PLATFORM – upgrading to the 2nd generation Connect platform means it’s more open, powerful, and blends into home decor.
- 🛠️ BUILT TO BE TINKERED WITH – unlocked, open source, and easy to open (no clips or glue), with accessible pads and pins.
- 🔌 PLUG AND PLAY – seamlessly migrate your Zigbee or Thread network with Home Assistant’s included wizard.
- 🌐 CHOOSE YOUR NETWORK – start a new Zigbee or Thread network in minutes.
- 🏠 CUT SMART HOME HUB CLUTTER – directly connect Zigbee, Matter, or Thread devices you already have to Home Assistant.
- 🌎 A WORLD OF DEVICES – connect everything from proven Zigbee products to the latest Matter-enabled devices.
- 💪 ALL THE POWER OF HOME ASSISTANT – highest Zigbee and Thread compatibility, with Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for major brands.
- ✅ RELIABLE TO THE CORE – built by the team driving forward Home Assistant development.
- 🔄 WIDE COMPATIBILITY – supports ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, and OpenThread Border Router.
- SUPPORTED FEATURES – Zigbee 3.0 and Thread.
- SUPPORTED REGIONS All Zigbee and Thread regions and 2.4 GHz channels.
- CHIPS INSIDE – Silicon Labs MG24 (Zigbee 3.0 and Thread chip) and ESP32-S3 (USB-serial bridge).
Whats in the Box
- 1 x External Antenna
- 1 x Base
- 1 x 4.9 ft USB-cable (USB 2.0/3.0)
- 1 x Quickstart Guide
Carter Fritsch (verified owner) –
Like its predecessor, the ZBT-2 does exactly what it’s supposed to without complication or frustration.
TLDR: Buy.
TL: I purchased this to use as my Thread base radio, alongside the ZBT-1 as my Zigbee coordinator, both on my HA OS NUC. The device is instantly recognized by HA & walks you through the installation of the OTBR & OHF Matter Server Apps, finishing shortly thereafter.
As I don’t use Google Play Services, it did take some time to figure out how to commission the 4 Thread nodes (2 Bulbs, 2 Remotes; All IKEA) I started with manually. Luckily, the native Bluetooth-based commissioning feature in HA had just landed in 2026.7, and after enabling it was quickly able to get them added, with firmware updates & automations finished not long after that. I’ve yet to experience any disconnects or interference (Though I did set the thread channel to 26 to avoid WiFi Overlap), and I look forward to the Thread/Matter ecosystem being built out in the coming years with a safe, secure, *private* base station ready to take on a growing mesh.
As always, shipping was quick & clean. Worth it!