Where to get cheap Zigbee devices now that IKEA is out of the game

IKEA's transition from Zigbee to Matter over Thread is almost complete. The new range is already available in stores, and dwindling old stock is bad news for those of us who are happy to stick with Zigbee.

We'll need to look elsewhere for our cheap Zigbee products.

Playing the AliExpress lottery

Cheap Zigbee devices have always been hiding in plain sight on online marketplaces, with the most notorious being AliExpress. The sheer number of smart home gadgets listed is overwhelming, with everything from smart home hubs and lighting to weird accessories like soil moisture sensors available for sale.

The problem is picking a sensor you know is going to work with your ecosystem which, if you're reading this, is probably Home Assistant. While there is no "official" device library and Zigbee certification is somewhat slack (hence the bargain prices), there are two crowd-sourced lists you might want to check before you pick up a bargain.

The Blakadder Zigbee compatibility list indexes 2693 devices (at the time of writing), with Home Assistant's default Zigbee Home Automation plugin receiving its own category. If you prefer Zigbee2MQTT, you can use the Z2M compatibility list , which includes 5153 devices at the time of writing.

Though Z2M appears to support twice the number of devices, there's a good chance that many devices that haven't been tested with ZHA will work. In some cases, Z2M provides more features than ZHA at the cost of having to be set up independently of Home Assistant .

Sometimes, you won't find your device listed at all. Other times, it may appear under a different brand name. If you take the plunge and discover a device that's not listed, both indexes can benefit from your contribution.

Buying from AliExpress isn't everyone's idea of a good time, and retailers like Amazon offer a solid alternative with a more robust return and refund policy at a slight premium.

Brands to look out for

There are plenty of no-name smart home brands out there for the risk takers, but picking from an established brand makes it easier to figure out whether your device will work with your server before you buy.

Tuya

Tuya is arguably the cheapest recognizable smart home system out there that isn't just a random assortment of capital letters. While it might seem like Tuya is a brand, the name actually refers to a development platform that powers devices created by a wide range of manufacturers. These can run on Zigbee, but they could also use Matter, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth. This explains why it feels like Tuya devices are everywhere .

The label has a bit of a mixed reputation among Home Assistant users, with some warning about compatibility and quality issues, while others fill their home with cheap sensors that punch well above their weight in terms of value. The fact that two sensors that appear under the same "branding" could be the work of two different companies can make choosing to buy Tuya feel like a lottery.

Despite this, many Tuya devices are listed in the ZHA and Z2M compatibility lists. To add further credence, the brand has done well in comparisons, including Smart Home Scene's best cheap temperature and humidity sensor roundup . It's still a good idea to rely on recommendations when buying these products, unless you're feeling brave.

Do your research before you buy. I've seen some Tuya listings on AliExpress specifically warn against Home Assistant compatibility, while others advertise it proudly.\\

Xiaomi

Xiaomi is a Chinese tech giant that manufactures everything from smartphones to cars. It should come as little surprise that the company has a smart home range, with its smart hub operating over Zigbee and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) with a variety of devices.

The company sells smart home gadgets under several brand names, including Xiaomi, Mijia, and Mi. You'll find light sensors, temperature monitors, locks, switches, and more supported by protocols like Z2M in Home Assistant. Though not quite as cheap as some Tuya devices, they're still pretty good value.

Xiaomi devices can be a little harder to come across on account of the brand moving away from Zigbee in favor of Bluetooth. AliExpress is still full of these accessories for cheap, just make sure they're Zigbee-enabled before you buy.

Some Xiaomi devices, like the LYWSD03MMC temperature and humidity sensor, are sold as Bluetooth Low Energy but can in fact be flashed with pvvx's firmware to use Zigbee instead on account of using a common chip.

Sonoff

Sonoff is arguably not a "cheap" brand in the way that Tuya is, but the company has a decent range of Zigbee devices on offer with prices marginally higher than what you'd have paid at IKEA before the great Matter migration.

For example, you can get a $16.50 SNZB-02P temperature and humidity sensor with a four-year battery life, $13 S40 smart plugs , and a very reasonable $25 USB Zigbee adapter with which to coordinate your Home Assistant Zigbee network.

It's also reassuring that Sonoff enjoys a solid reputation among Home Assistant users.

Aqara

Like Sonoff, Aqara isn't a cheap and cheerful brand either. But what they do have is an expansive range of Zigbee devices, including sensors, plugs, lighting, and more. The company has an excellent reputation among Home Assistant users, with many of its newer devices enjoying multi-protocol support (often combining Zigbee and Thread).

Despite being a more premium brand than others listed here, AliExpress comes to the rescue if you're buying these items in bulk. For example, you can get a single water leak sensor for $19 from Aqara's US shop, or you can order five of them on AliExpress for a significant discount.

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If you're quick, you might find some of IKEA's old Zigbee devices still in stock at your local store. You can use the stock checker on IKEA's website for this, but just remember that once they're gone, they're gone.

Now might be the time to stock up on cheap essentials like water leak sensors while you still can.