If you’ve been looking for a simple, reliable way to dip your toes into Thread or Zigbee, without juggling hubs, bridges, or guesswork, Home Assistant’s new Connect ZBT-2 adapter might be the smoothest starting point yet.
The Connect ZBT-2 is a compact USB stick designed to plug directly into any Home Assistant setup, instantly adding support for either a full Zigbee network or a fully dedicated Thread network. Thanks to a next-generation chip and a precisely tuned antenna, it promises stronger range, better stability, and more consistent performance than Home Assistant’s previous generation of radios.
Home Assistant says the adapter delivers its best results when dedicated to a single protocol. Whether you’re setting it up strictly for Zigbee lights and sensors or using it as a Thread border router for Matter and ESPHome Thread devices, the ZBT-2 is designed to offer a noticeably more dependable experience across the board. And for newcomers, it removes most of the friction: no cloud setups, no proprietary bridges, no buying multiple hubs just to power a handful of devices.
For users still juggling three different hubs to keep their smart home running, the pitch is straightforward — ditch the extra hardware, keep everything local, and gain more control, range, and privacy in the process.
The Connect ZBT-2 is available now, starting at $49 / €45, and purchases help fund ongoing Home Assistant development through Nabu Casa and the Open Home Foundation.
While the ZBT-2 is the highlight, it’s launching alongside a broader batch of Home Assistant updates. The latest release introduces a redesigned automation editor with clearer targeting, a new system for customizing entity names on dashboards, and even a pie-chart view in the Energy Dashboard for easier breakdowns.
Other announcements include ELTAKO joining the Works with Home Assistant program, new flexibility for the Z-Wave-based Connect ZWA-2, and ongoing progress in Home Assistant’s multilingual, privacy-first voice assistant.
But if you’re just starting out, especially with Thread, the ZBT-2 stands out as the most accessible gateway yet. Plug it in, pick your protocol, and you’re ready to build a smart home that runs locally, privately, and reliably.
