what is Zigbee2MQTT

Zigbee2MQTT is an open-source software that allows you to control Zigbee devices via MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) without needing to use the manufacturer’s cloud-based hubs. It acts as a bridge between your Zigbee devices and a smart home platform like Home Assistant, allowing local control and automation of Zigbee devices.

Key Features of Zigbee2MQTT:

1. Local Control: Unlike proprietary hubs, Zigbee2MQTT offers complete local control, ensuring privacy and independence from external cloud services.
2. Wide Device Support: It supports a large number of Zigbee devices from brands like Xiaomi, Philips Hue, IKEA, Sonoff, and more. New devices are regularly added by the community.
3. MQTT Integration: Zigbee2MQTT communicates with Home Assistant or other platforms using MQTT, a lightweight messaging protocol that allows different devices and systems to communicate in a smart home network.
4. Customizable and Open Source: It allows for custom configurations, firmware updates, and fine-tuned control over Zigbee networks. It is highly flexible and maintained by a large community.

How It Works:

• Zigbee Coordinator: To use Zigbee2MQTT, you need a Zigbee coordinator (like a CC2531 USB dongle, Conbee II, or Sonoff Zigbee Dongle). This hardware serves as a bridge between your Zigbee devices and your Home Assistant or MQTT broker.
• MQTT Broker: You need an MQTT broker (e.g., Mosquitto) to handle communication between Zigbee2MQTT and your smart home platform.
• Integration with Home Assistant: Once set up, Zigbee devices are exposed in Home Assistant, and you can control and automate them using the Home Assistant interface.

Benefits:

• Vendor-Agnostic: You can integrate Zigbee devices from multiple brands into a single, unified system.
• Privacy and Security: Since it’s local-only, you don’t rely on third-party cloud services for controlling your devices.
• Advanced Configuration: It allows you to adjust reporting intervals, monitor device signal strength, and even reconfigure devices.

Zigbee2MQTT is a great solution for users who want complete control over their Zigbee networks without being locked into a single manufacturer’s ecosystem.

For more information, you can visit the official Zigbee2MQTT website: Zigbee2MQTT.