Best Zigbee Gateway for 2024: Revolutionize Your Smart Home

Choosing the best Zigbee gateway might be difficult with so many alternatives available. The article goes into great detail on the gateway's characteristics, applications, benefits, and downsides. The comparison study assists you in selecting the best Zigbee gateway for your smart home.
best zigbee gateways
Table of Contents

With so many options available, choosing the best Zigbee gateway is challenging. Here we analyze the five best Zigbee gateway products from global companies.

  • Aqara Hub M2 – Best Zigbee gateway hub for voice control
  • Dusun DSGW-210 – Best Multi-protocol Home Assistant Zigbee gateway
  • Hubitat Elevation C-8 – Fast and private Zigbee gateway
  • Develco Squid link 2B – Modular and flexible Zigbee gateway
  • EVVR Hub – Best value Zigbee gateway

The article provides comprehensive details regarding the gateway specifications, applications, benefits, and drawbacks. The comparative analysis helps you to choose the best Zigbee gateway for your application.

Top Zigbee gateways available today

Zigbee’s popularity in IoT results in various smart home Zigbee gateway devices from numerous unique vendors, each with distinct features and resources. These Zigbee gateway can act as hubs that can add and control Zigbee devices, all from within one single app. Here you will get the required information about the best Zigbee gateway hub devices.

Dusun IoT Home Assistant Zigbee Gateways

The DSGW-210 Home Assistant Zigbee Z-Wave Gateway is one of the most popular smart home Zigbee gateway devices in Dusun IoT’s product Lineup. Pre-installed Home Assistant, it features various connectivity option supports, including Cellular 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB2.0, ZigBee 3.0, Z-wave, Thread, Matter, and LoRaWAN. Its 5,000 mAh Li battery backup ensures uninterrupted performance for your smart home solutions when encunter the power outages.

DSGW 210 B 13

Home Assistant Zigbee Z-Wave Gateway

Model: DSGW-210-F-18-HA

CPU: RK3328 processor RAM: up to 2 GB
eMMC: up to 32 GB OS: Debian 12
SD Card: up to 2TB
Wireless Protocol: Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave, Thread and Matter

DSGW 210 A 1

Home Assistant Bluetooth Zigbee Z-Wave Gateway

Model: DSGW-210-F-1-HA

CPU: RK3328 processor RAM: up to 2 GB eMMC: up to 32 GB
OS: Debian 12 SD Card: up to 2TB
Wireless Protocol: BLE 5.2, Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave, 4G LTE, Thread and Matter

The original DSGW-210 gateway hardware is designed for IoT developers. With Open BSP for Firmware Development, Standard MQTT/HTTP protocols for Data Integration and Pre-installed plugs for Public Cloud Integration support, solution providers, integrators and solution brands have the flexibility to create custom smart applications via timely and cost-effective development.

DSGW-210 Home Assistant Zigbee Z-Wave Gateway

Take Dusun IoT’s two programmable Zigbee gateways as examples:

DSGW-210-A-22 Zigbee edge computing gateway is powered by the cutting-edge EFR32MG21 Zigbee SoC. It is able to work as a centralized hub and a command center that connect, communicate, and control smart Zigbee sensors, actuators, and devices effortlessly.

DSGW-030-1 Zigbee WiFi gateway uses MTK7688 WiFi processor and Silicon Lab Zigbee chip to provide stable and reliable performance.

It also supports ZHA, ZLL, and packet transparent transmission, real-time monitoring of Zigbee devices via MQTT

Aqara Hub M2

Aqara Hub M2 is a compatible Zigbee 3.0 Gateway that allows you to connect and control various Aqara smart home devices. You can access the Zigbee gateway from multiple applications, including Apple HomeKit and the Aqara Home. The Zigbee hub has a built-in light sensor, speaker, and IR transmitter.

The Aqara Zigbee Hub supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, operating on 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency channels. The Zigbee hub can transmit for up to 200 meters and connect up to 128 devices in parallel. Its built-in battery pack can provide a backup power source for up to 8 hours.

Aqara Hub M2

Hubitat Elevation

The Hubitat Elevation C-8, a smart home hub, has been designed to operate with Zigbee smart home devices featuring a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and 2GB DDR3 RAM.

This device can work on protocols like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave Plus. The Hubitat Elevation C-8 is a local processing hub, not reliant on the cloud, and is compatible with various voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

hubitat elevation hub on white background 100785726 orig

Develco

The Develco Squid link 2B smart home gateway has an ARM Cortex-A7 CPU, 256 MB RAM, and 4 GB eMMC flash memory. It supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave Plus connectivity, featuring an internal antenna for Wi-Fi and external antennas for Zigbee and Z-Wave Plus.

The Zigbee gateway receives power through a 5V DC micro-USB input. The IoT gateway secures Zigbee and Z-Wave Plus connections with AES-128 encryption. It is suitable for -20 to +60°C (-4 to +140°F) temperatures.

squidlink gateway.png?width=1200&height=630&mode=crop&quality=70&center=0.5,0

We have a Zigbee MQTT gateway with similar apperance, explore it!

EVVR Hub

Technical specifications of EVVR Zigbee Hub include a quad-core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex CPU, 256MB DDR3 RAM, and 512MB Flash storage. The Zigbee hub has a recessed push button for hardware reset and one LED indicator.

EVVR Zigbee gateway includes one RJ45 and one RS485 and operates through PoE (IEEE 802.3af) with an input of 48V. The EVVR Hub supports 1000 Mbps Ethernet, IEEE 802.1X, and 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Wi-Fi. It is suitable to operate at 41 to 113 °F (5 to 45 °C) range.

evvr hub

Comparative Analysis

Following is a summary table of the primary characteristics of the top 5 Zigbee gateways, offering a brief review of their essential features.

Hub NameAqara Hub M2Dusun DSGW-210 Zigbee Gateway Hubitat Elevation C-8Develco Squid. Link 2BEVVR Zigbee Hub
Processor (CPU)Not specifiedQuad-core ARM Cortex-A53Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53ARM Cortex-A7Quad-core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex CPU
Memory (RAM)Not specifiedUp to 2GB2 GB DDR3256 MB256 MB DDR3
Storage (Flash)Not specified32GB eMMC, Up to 32GB DDR3/416GB eMMC4GB eMMC flash memory512MB Flash storage
ConnectivityZigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/ 5GHz, BT 5.0Zigbee, Z-WAVE, BLE, Wi-Fi, 4G LTEEthernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-WaveEthernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, -Wave PlusEthernet, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.1X, RS485
Power InputMicro USB 5V-1A or 5V-2AUSB Type-C 5V/3A5V DC Micro USB5V DC micro-USB inputPoE (IEEE 802.3af) Input: 48V
Operating Temp.5°C~+50°C-10℃~60℃Not specified-20 to +60°C5 to 45 °C
InterfacesBuilt-in light sensor, speaker, IR transmitterUSB, EthernetUSB-A, Micro USB, EthernetInternal Wi-Fi antenna, external Zigbee and Z-Wave Plus antennasRJ45, RS485
Additional Feat.Backup battery (8 hours)Linux Debian 9, 5000mAH batteryLocal processing, USB-A port (future use)AES-128 encryption for Zigbee and Z-Wave Plus connectionsLED Indicator, Recessed reset button

The comparison helps identify the best Zigbee gateway in multiple scenarios. For instance, the best value Zigbee gateway might not perform best. The most flexible Zigbee gateway might lack some security features. Therefore, choosing the Zigbee gateway with the most comprehensive performance in all crucial parameters is recommended.

For some individual home automation experts, using Raspberry Pi to DIY Zigbee hub is a good choice.

But for mass production, it is better to use productized Zigbee Gateway Raspberry Pi 4 Alternatives. It will save you a lot of time and cost.

Critical factors to consider when choosing a Zigbee gateway

Zigbee is one of the most commonly used smart home protocol. It allows various smart home devices to communicate with each other and the gateway, forming a cohesive and intelligent ecosystem.

When used for smart home solutions, the Zigbee gateway should meet the Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA) standard and IEEE 802.15. 4 physical radio specification to ensure seamless integration and compatibility with other smart home devices.

The critical factors when choosing a Zigbee gateway include the price, compatibility, range, number of connected devices, battery backup, and customization options.

Zigbee version

Ensure that the gateway you select is compatible with the specific version of Zigbee on your devices, as Zigbee has various versions with distinct functionalities.

Explore: What is Zigbee and Zigbee Versions

Mesh network support

Zigbee uses a mesh network topology, which allows devices to communicate with each other directly, even if they are not within range of the gateway. Make sure that the gateway you choose supports mesh networking.

Explore: Wireless Zigbee Mesh Network

Device support

The processing power and memory of the Zigbee gateway impose limitations on the number of devices it can support. Hence, select a gateway that supports sufficient devices for your smart home projects.

Power consumption

To optimize your Zigbee devices’ battery life, seek a gateway with low power consumption.

Integration with other Zigbee systems

If you have other smart home systems, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or Home Assistant, search for a Zigbee gateway that seamlessly integrates with these systems to provide a smooth experience.

Explore: Tuya Zigbee gateway

Home Assistant is free and open-source software for home automation designed to be a central control system for smart home devices. DSGW-210-HA is your best Zigbee gateway with pre-installed Home Assistant software and firmware.

Read further: Zigbee vs Z-Wave, Who Enjoys the Best Interoperability?

Protocol support

While Zigbee protocol is popular for smart home devices, it’s not the only one. Ensure that the gateway you choose supports other protocols your smart home devices may use, such as Z-Wave or Wi-Fi.

Security

Zigbee devices can communicate directly, making selecting a gateway that provides enhanced security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to your smart home network even more important. It includes encryption, secure boot, and firmware updates to ensure protection from potential security vulnerabilities.

Firmware updates

The firmware updates are critical to fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities. Find a gateway that supports firmware updates to keep your smart home network up to date.

User interface

The user interface, which includes the mobile app and web interface, plays a vital role in any intelligent automatic system. Choose a gateway with a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of setting up and managing your smart home devices.

Price

Zigbee gateway selection greatly depends on your budget since Zigbee gateways are available at different price ranges. Since every benefit comes with a tradeoff, the least expensive option may not provide the best features, security, and reliability.

Best Zigbee gateway conclusion

After analyzing the five Zigbee gateways, the Dusun Home Assistant Zigbee Gateway emerges as the best. This smart home Zigbee gateway supports wireless communication protocols, interfacing ports, and multiple operating systems. Its compact and rugged design makes it easy to install and maintain and suitable for harsh environments. Conclusively, it is a powerful and versatile gateway for smart home automation applications.

Aqara Hub M2 is also popular among those who want a Zigbee hub compatible with Apple HomeKit and Aqara smart home devices. Its compatibility with various smart home ecosystems, built-in sensors, and backup battery ranks it the second-best Zigbee gateway.

Please do not hesitate to contact Dusun IoT using the form on the right or live chat. A knowledgeable engineering staff will recommend the best Zigbee equipment and solutions for your project.

You may also be interested in Zigbee Devices: Find Out Which Ones to Get (The Comprehensive List for 2023)

Best Zigbee Gateway FAQs

How wrong Zigbee gateway selection can impact performance?

 A poorly selected gateway may be incompatible with your Zigbee devices, resulting in connectivity issues or uncontrollable devices. It may also have a limited range or be susceptible to interference, resulting in dropped connections or slow response times. Inadequate security measures can leave your smart home vulnerable to hacking or unauthorized access.

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