Is Your Zigbee Hub Ready for Zigbee 4.0? (Compatibility Guide)
Is Your Zigbee Hub Ready for Zigbee 4.0? (Compatibility Guide)
You’ve read about Zigbee 4.0’s sub-GHz range, enhanced security, and dense network improvements. Now the practical question: does your current hub support it, or do you need to buy something new? I’ve tested the most popular coordinators and done the research so you don’t have to. Here’s exactly where every major Zigbee hub stands.
The Two-Part Answer
Zigbee 4.0 compatibility isn’t a simple yes or no. It breaks into two separate questions:
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2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0 features (security improvements, dense network commissioning): These are protocol-level changes that can potentially come to existing hardware via firmware updates. Your radio hardware doesn’t change, the software running on it does.
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Sub-GHz support (800/900 MHz long range): This requires entirely new radio chips. No firmware update can add frequencies your hardware physically cannot transmit or receive on. You need new hardware. Period.
Let me go through each popular coordinator and hub.
ConBee III (Dresden Elektronik / Phoscon)
I run a ConBee III as my primary coordinator with Zigbee2MQTT. Here’s its Zigbee 4.0 situation:
Chip: The ConBee III uses a Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 chip. This is a 2.4 GHz-only chip.
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Likely compatible. The EFR32MG21 is a modern chip that Silicon Labs actively supports. When Silicon Labs releases an updated EmberZNet firmware stack with Zigbee 4.0 security features, Dresden Elektronik can potentially push a firmware update. I’ve seen them update firmware before (the switch from deCONZ to Z2M support, for example).
Sub-GHz: Not possible. The MG21 is 2.4 GHz only. No firmware update can fix this. For sub-GHz, you’d need a coordinator with an EFR32FG or similar multi-band chip.
My tested experience: I’ve been running my ConBee III for over 18 months with zero hardware issues. It handles 40+ devices without breaking a sweat. It will continue to be my primary coordinator even after Zigbee 4.0 sub-GHz dongles ship. I’ll just add a second coordinator for sub-GHz devices.
Action needed: Nothing right now. Wait for firmware updates. Plan to add (not replace) a sub-GHz coordinator when available.
Sonoff ZBDongle-E (EFR32MG21)
The most popular budget coordinator. I have one as a backup and I’ve tested it extensively.
Chip: Same EFR32MG21 as the ConBee III.
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Same story as ConBee III. Firmware update possible when Silicon Labs releases the updated stack. Sonoff’s firmware update process is less polished than Dresden Elektronik’s, but the community (particularly the Z2M team) typically provides flashing tools and guides.
Sub-GHz: Not possible. Same hardware limitation.
Tested experience: Solid coordinator. I’ve paired 30+ devices on it during testing. The external antenna gives it slightly better range than the ConBee III in some placements. At €15 to €20, it’s the cheapest way into Zigbee.
Action needed: Nothing. Keep using it. Check for firmware updates later this year.
Sonoff ZBDongle-P (CC2652P)
The older Texas Instruments-based dongle.
Chip: TI CC2652P. This is a 2.4 GHz chip from TI’s SimpleLink platform.
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Uncertain. TI’s firmware stack (Z-Stack) has a different update cadence than Silicon Labs. TI has been less vocal about Zigbee 4.0 support on existing chips. It may receive updates, but I’d put it as less likely than the EFR32-based dongles.
Sub-GHz: Not possible. The CC2652P is 2.4 GHz only. TI does make multi-band chips (CC1352P) that support sub-GHz, but that’s different hardware.
Action needed: Keep using it if it works for you. Consider upgrading to an EFR32-based dongle (ZBDongle-E) if you want the best chance at 2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0 features.
Aeotec Zi-Stick (EFR32MG21)
Aeotec’s USB coordinator.
Chip: EFR32MG21 (same as ConBee III and ZBDongle-E).
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Same firmware update potential as the other EFR32MG21-based coordinators.
Sub-GHz: Not possible. Same limitation.
Action needed: Nothing right now.
SmartThings Hub (v3 and Station)
Samsung’s cloud-connected hub.
Chip: Varies by model, but recent versions use Silicon Labs chips.
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Likely. Samsung pushes firmware updates through the cloud. They have the engineering resources and the relationship with Silicon Labs. I’d expect SmartThings to be among the first consumer hubs to advertise “Zigbee 4.0 compatible” once the marketing makes sense.
Sub-GHz: The current hardware cannot do it. A future SmartThings Hub (v4?) might include a sub-GHz radio, but nothing announced.
The cloud caveat: SmartThings still requires Samsung’s cloud for most operations. This is a dealbreaker for me personally, but if you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, they’ll probably handle the Zigbee 4.0 transition smoothly.
Action needed: Nothing. Samsung will push updates automatically.
Aeotec Smart Home Hub (SmartThings rebrand)
Essentially the SmartThings Hub sold under Aeotec’s brand for regions where Samsung doesn’t sell the hub directly. Same chip, same firmware, same cloud dependency. Same Zigbee 4.0 situation.
Home Assistant Yellow / Green
Chip: Home Assistant Yellow uses a Silicon Labs MGM210P module (EFR32MG21-based). Home Assistant Green doesn’t include a Zigbee radio (you add your own USB coordinator).
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Yellow’s built-in radio follows the same path as other EFR32MG21 devices. Green users depend on whatever USB dongle they’re running.
Sub-GHz: Not on current hardware.
Action needed: For Yellow, wait for firmware updates. For Green, your situation depends on your USB coordinator (see ConBee III or Sonoff sections above).
SLZB-06 and SLZB-07 (Tube’s Zigbee Coordinators)
These Ethernet/WiFi/USB coordinators from Tube are popular with advanced users.
Chip: EFR32MG21 (most models).
2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0: Same firmware update pathway as other EFR32-based coordinators.
Sub-GHz: Not possible on current hardware. Tube would need to release a new model with a multi-band chip.
Action needed: Nothing right now. These are excellent coordinators that will continue working.
What Sub-GHz Hardware Will Look Like
When sub-GHz Zigbee 4.0 coordinators ship, here’s what to expect:
Chip requirements: Silicon Labs EFR32FG series or similar multi-band chips that support both 2.4 GHz and 868/915 MHz. These chips exist today (used in other sub-GHz applications), but haven’t been packaged into Zigbee coordinator dongles yet.
Form factor: Likely USB dongles similar to the current ZBDongle-E, but with an additional antenna for the sub-GHz band. Some may have a single dual-band antenna, others might have two separate antennas for optimal performance on each frequency.
Dual-band operation: A sub-GHz Zigbee 4.0 coordinator will likely support both 2.4 GHz and sub-GHz simultaneously. This means one dongle could potentially replace your existing coordinator AND add sub-GHz capability.
Expected timeline: Late 2026 for early models, early 2027 for wider availability. The Suzi certification program needs to be running before manufacturers can ship certified products.
Expected price: I’d estimate €30 to €50 for USB dongles, based on current pricing for sub-GHz radio modules. More than today’s €15 to €20 dongles, but not dramatically expensive.
Hub Compatibility Summary Table
| Hub/Coordinator | 2.4 GHz Zigbee 4.0 | Sub-GHz Support | Firmware Update Expected | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConBee III | Yes (firmware update) | No (hardware limitation) | H2 2026 (estimated) | Wait for update, add sub-GHz dongle later |
| Sonoff ZBDongle-E | Yes (firmware update) | No (hardware limitation) | H2 2026 (estimated) | Wait for update, add sub-GHz dongle later |
| Sonoff ZBDongle-P | Uncertain (TI stack) | No (hardware limitation) | Unknown | Consider upgrading to EFR32 dongle |
| Aeotec Zi-Stick | Yes (firmware update) | No (hardware limitation) | H2 2026 (estimated) | Wait for update |
| SmartThings Hub | Yes (cloud update) | No (hardware limitation) | Automatic | Nothing, Samsung handles it |
| Home Assistant Yellow | Yes (firmware update) | No (hardware limitation) | H2 2026 (estimated) | Wait for update |
| SLZB-06/07 | Yes (firmware update) | No (hardware limitation) | H2 2026 (estimated) | Wait for update |
| Future sub-GHz dongle | Yes | Yes | Ships with it | Buy when available (late 2026/early 2027) |
Zigbee2MQTT Compatibility
Since most readers here run Z2M (myself included), let’s talk about the software side:
Current Z2M with Zigbee 4.0 devices: Any Zigbee 4.0 device that communicates on 2.4 GHz will work with Z2M today. The protocol is backward compatible, so Z2M doesn’t need to do anything special. Pair it like any other device.
Z2M with sub-GHz: This requires changes to Z2M’s coordinator communication layer to handle the second radio band. The Z2M team hasn’t published a timeline, but they’ve historically been fast at supporting new hardware. I’d expect support within a few months of sub-GHz dongles shipping.
Firmware updates through Z2M: Z2M already supports OTA firmware updates for coordinators. When Zigbee 4.0 firmware is available for your EFR32MG21 dongle, Z2M (or the Zigbee2MQTT frontend) will likely be the way you flash it.
Sander’s Advice: Don’t Replace Anything Yet
Here’s my direct recommendation after researching all of this:
If you have a ConBee III or Sonoff ZBDongle-E: You’re in the best position. These use the EFR32MG21 chip with the highest likelihood of receiving Zigbee 4.0 security features via firmware update. Keep using them.
If you have a CC2652-based dongle (ZBDongle-P, older coordinators): You’re still fine for everyday use. Your devices work, your mesh is stable. If you were already thinking about upgrading, an EFR32-based dongle is a good choice. But don’t feel pressured.
If you want sub-GHz range: Wait. There’s nothing to buy yet. When sub-GHz dongles ship (late 2026/early 2027), you’ll add one as a second coordinator or as a replacement for your current one. Either approach works.
What I’m personally doing: Keeping my ConBee III for my indoor 2.4 GHz network (40+ devices, works perfectly). When a Suzi-certified sub-GHz coordinator ships that Z2M supports, I’ll buy one specifically for my outdoor/garden sensors. Two coordinators, one Z2M instance, one network for short-range indoor, one for long-range outdoor. Simple.
What NOT to Do
A few things I’d avoid right now:
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Don’t buy any product claiming “Zigbee 4.0 sub-GHz” until Suzi certification is active. Pre-certification hardware might not be interoperable with later devices.
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Don’t sell or throw away your current coordinator. It works fine and will continue working fine. Zigbee 4.0 doesn’t make your 3.0 hardware obsolete.
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Don’t delay buying Zigbee 3.0 devices you need now. They’ll work with future Zigbee 4.0 hubs. There’s zero risk in buying Aqara sensors, IKEA bulbs, or Sonoff switches today.
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Don’t panic about “upgrading.” This isn’t like WiFi where an old router becomes painfully slow. Your Zigbee 3.0 network at 2.4 GHz will perform identically whether your coordinator has Zigbee 4.0 firmware or not for indoor use.
Timeline Summary
Here’s my best estimate for how things will roll out:
- Now through Q3 2026: Continue using your existing setup. Nothing to buy or change.
- Q3/Q4 2026: Firmware updates start rolling out for EFR32MG21-based coordinators (security features, dense network improvements). Flash when available.
- Late 2026: First sub-GHz Zigbee 4.0 coordinators appear (early adopter hardware, possibly limited Z2M support).
- Early 2027: Wider sub-GHz dongle availability, Z2M support confirmed, first sub-GHz end devices (sensors, switches) start shipping.
- Mid 2027: Mature sub-GHz ecosystem with multiple coordinator options and a growing selection of long-range devices.
I’ll update this article as firmware updates land and new hardware ships. For now, relax. Your Zigbee setup is fine.
FAQ
Will my ConBee III work with Zigbee 4.0 devices?
Yes. Zigbee 4.0 devices that operate on 2.4 GHz are backward compatible with Zigbee 3.0 coordinators. Your ConBee III will pair and communicate with them normally. You only miss out on the sub-GHz range feature (which requires new hardware) and possibly some security features that need a firmware update.
Do I need to replace all my Zigbee devices for Zigbee 4.0?
No. Your existing Zigbee 3.0 devices (Aqara sensors, IKEA bulbs, Sonoff switches, everything) work perfectly with Zigbee 4.0 hubs. Backward compatibility is a core requirement of the Zigbee 4.0 specification. You never need to replace working devices.
When will sub-GHz Zigbee coordinators be available?
The Suzi certification program is expected to begin in the first half of 2026. Certified sub-GHz coordinators should start appearing late 2026, with wider availability in early 2027. I’d recommend waiting for Suzi-certified products rather than any early uncertified hardware.
Can I run two coordinators (2.4 GHz and sub-GHz) with Zigbee2MQTT?
Z2M already supports multiple coordinators through separate instances or the multi-adapter experimental feature. When sub-GHz dongles ship, running a dual-coordinator setup (one for indoor 2.4 GHz, one for outdoor sub-GHz) will likely be straightforward. The Z2M team is aware this will be a common configuration.
Should I wait for a Zigbee 4.0 hub before starting my smart home?
No. Start now with a ConBee III or Sonoff ZBDongle-E and Zigbee2MQTT. Your devices will work forever, your coordinator handles today’s needs perfectly, and you can add sub-GHz later without disrupting anything. Waiting means missing months of useful automation for a feature you might not even need.