Sonoff Zigbee Hub Pro
Sonoff have very kindly sent me their newest Zigbee hub Pro. This hub improves on the previous version with the number of devices that can be connected to it. Previous versions were able to have 32 devices connected to it. The Sonoff Zigbee Hub Pro can have 128 devices. A huge number of zigbee devices for any home.
The hub itself uses the mini USB for power, the same as the previous hub. This would have been nice to see this with USB C instead but as this is a device that you will likely be plugging in once then not needing to unplug it again for some time. Unlike previous models this hub also has an on board battery to maintain storage of locally stored settings even when main power is removed. Its good to see a mainstream company like Sonoff embracing local device control. Local control is the future of home automation and seeing hubs that enable this is so good to see. Also as with all sonoff devices the headers on the main PCB are exposed so if the more advanced user wishes to flash the hub with custom firmware this is possible using these header pin holes.
The new Zigbee hub pro takes the same small form factor as many of Sonoff's previous hubs. Small and lightweight. The hub only requires power as it connects to your home network wirelessly. This means that you can place the hub anywhere you wish. It doesn't have to be located next to the router.
I pleasent surprise when using the hub was to see the inclusion of security features such as Arm and disarm options and scene controls that can utilise the attached sensors for different purposes depending on the current mode. Imagine a motion sensor being used to turn on lights in a room when it detects movment when in disarmed mode and the same sensor triggering a siren when motion is detected when in Armed mode. This hub enables the use to essentially build a custom home alarm system on a budget. Great for the money conscious home automator.
The Hub is also equipped with a buzzer which can be triggered when required. I wouldn't say this is an intruder deterrent as its pretty quite but could be used for an audible notification for mode changes on the hub for instance. In order to use a siren with the system the user would want to utilise an external smart siren. I have a project in the works to build one of these on a budget so stay tuned for that one in the near future.
Adding the hub to the eWeLink add was as straightforward as with all their devices.
I was really impressed with the range of the hub. Zigbee utilises a repeater system where many devices, usually mains powered ones, will repeat signals from other zigbee devices in order to boost the range of the zigbee network however I found that the signal from the zigbee sensors to the hub and visa versa, was strong enough to reach the hub and stay connected all round my property without the need for repeating from other zigbee devices. This could be different for other users with thicker walls or are transmitting over greater distances.
The response time from the hub was also very quick. This is hugely important when using the sensors for things like turning on lights when activated as a slow response can become impractical. This was certainly not a problem for the Sonoff Zigbee Hub Pro though.
Overall I was very impressed with this hub and its capabilities. The previous version of this hub were also very good but with the additional features on this hub like the increased number of devices, on board battery, and very good signal range, the Sonoff Zigbee Hub Pro would be a sound investment for any new or advanced home automator looking to expand in to the world of Zigbee.
I will be reviewing the Zigbee contact sensor, motion sensor, and temperature and humidity senor in my next post. This review will use this hub and expand on the use of sensors with with hub.
Thank you once again to Sonoff for sending out this hub and sensors for review. If you would like to purchase the new Sonoff Zigbee Hub Pro or Sonoff Zigbee sensors they can all be found in Sonoff's itead retail website here.
