SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24 – Zigbee & Thread USB Coordinator

Zigbee and Thread – 📡 One Dongle for the Future

The SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24 is SONOFF's latest generation USB coordinator and marks a serious step forward compared to the ZBDongle-E . Featuring the Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 chip – equipped with 1536 KB Flash and 256 KB RAM – this dongle processes larger networks faster and more stable. In addition to Zigbee 3.0, the MG24 also supports Thread (IEEE 802.15.4) , the wireless protocol behind Matter over Thread .

With the right firmware, the dongle functions as a full-fledged OpenThread Border Router , allowing Thread and Matter over Thread devices to connect directly to Home Assistant . The adjustable antenna delivers 3 dBi by default, with a range of up to 4.5 dBi – good for a range of 200 meters in open space.

💡 Already using the ZBDongle-E ? The MG24 is the ideal addition if you want to support Thread/Matter in addition to Zigbee, or if your network has grown and you need more processing power and range.

✅ Key Features & Benefits

• EFR32MG24 chip (Silicon Labs) – ARM Cortex-M33 @ 78 MHz; 100% more Flash and 300% more RAM than the ZBDongle-E
• Zigbee 3.0 + Thread in one – Switch between protocols via firmware; one dongle for your entire IEEE 802.15.4 ecosystem
• Matter over Thread – Flashed as an OpenThread Border Router, it connects MG24 Thread/Matter devices directly to Home Assistant
• 4.5 dBi tunable antenna – Omni-directional and rotatable; standard 3 dBi, optimizable to 4.5 dBi
• 200 meter range – In open space at optimal antenna angle
• +20 dBm transmit power – Strong signal through walls and floors
• Browser Flasher – Change firmware in 1 minute via dongle.sonoff.tech without additional software
• 1 meter USB cable included – Optimal placement away from USB 3.0 interference immediately possible
• Aluminum housing – Pressure and corrosion resistant for long-term use
• Plug-and-play – Auto-discovery in Home Assistant for ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT and OpenThread Border Router

🔀 Firmware Variants

🔌 Compatibility

📊 MG24 vs. ZBDongle-E – Which One Will You Choose?

🏠 Practical Example: Zigbee + Matter over Thread in Home Assistant

1. Use your existing ZBDongle-E as a Zigbee coordinator – it will continue to work.
2. Add the Dongle Plus MG24 with OpenThread RCP firmware as a second dongle.
3. Home Assistant automatically detects the MG24 and configures it as an OpenThread Border Router.
4. Matter over Thread devices now pair directly to Home Assistant – completely locally.
5. Manage all your Zigbee and Thread/Matter devices from a single Home Assistant dashboard.

⚙️ Technical Specifications

⚠️ Points of attention

• MultiPAN not recommended for Home Assistant – MultiPAN RCP allows Zigbee and Thread to run simultaneously, but is not recommended by the Home Assistant team. For optimal stability, use two separate dongles.
• USB 3.0 interference – Preferably use the supplied 1-meter USB cable or a USB 2.0 port
• One coordinator per network – A Zigbee network always needs exactly one coordinator

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between the Dongle Plus MG24 and the ZBDongle-E?

The MG24 has a more powerful chip with twice the Flash and four times the RAM, a longer antenna with more gain (up to 4.5 dBi), a 200-meter range, and native Thread support. The ZBDongle-E is more budget-friendly and ideal for pure ZigBee setups.

Can I run Zigbee and Thread simultaneously?

Technically, yes, via MultiPAN RCP firmware, but this is not recommended by the Home Assistant team. For optimal stability, use two separate dongles: the ZBDongle-E for Zigbee and the MG24 for Thread.

Does the MG24 work with Matter devices?

Yes. Flashed with OpenThread RCP firmware and configured as an OpenThread Border Router in Home Assistant , you can connect Matter over Thread devices completely locally.

How do I change firmware?

Via the official SONOFF Dongle Flasher in your browser – in less than a minute, without drivers or additional software.

Is the included USB cable necessary?

Not required, but highly recommended. The 1-meter USB cable helps you position the dongle away from USB 3.0 ports that cause 2.4 GHz interference.

Does the MG24 also work as a Zigbee router?

Yes. Flashed with Zigbee router firmware, the MG24 enhances your existing Zigbee mesh network, just like the router version of the ZBDongle-E .

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