Sonoff + Home Assistant: The Complete Integration Guide

The cleanest path. Sonoff's SNZB Zigbee sensors and the ZBMINI switches pair directly with a Zigbee coordinator (like Sonoff's own ZBDongle-E) through ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT. No cloud account needed. No firmware flashing. Just pair and go.

Best for: New setups, anyone buying Sonoff sensors and switches today.

Devices: SNZB-01P (button), SNZB-02D (temp/humidity), SNZB-03P (motion), SNZB-04P (door/window), SNZB-06P (presence), ZBMINI-L2 (switch), ZBMINIL2 (no neutral).

Tasmota / ESPHome (Wi-Fi Devices)

The classic Sonoff hack. Flash Tasmota or ESPHome onto Wi-Fi devices like the Basic, Mini, POW, TH, or S26 plug. You get full local control over MQTT or native ESPHome API. Many newer Sonoff devices support OTA flashing through the DIY mode, so you do not even need to open the case or solder headers.

Best for: Existing Wi-Fi Sonoff devices, power users who want maximum control.

Devices: BASICR4, MINIR4, POW Elite, TH Elite, S26R2, SwitchMan M5, TX Ultimate.

SonoffLAN (HACS Integration)

Do not want to flash anything? The SonoffLAN custom integration (install it through HACS) discovers Sonoff devices on your network and controls them locally. It works with most eWeLink devices. The downside: you still need an eWeLink cloud account for initial device setup, and some features require cloud connectivity.

Best for: People who want plug-and-play with existing eWeLink devices, no flashing.

eWeLink Official Integration

Home Assistant has an official eWeLink integration that connects through the cloud. It is the simplest setup (just log in with your eWeLink account), but it depends on ITEAD's servers. If their cloud goes down, your devices stop responding. Fine as a starting point, but most people move to one of the local options over time.

Best for: Quick testing, users who do not mind cloud dependency.

Connection Methods Compared

Path 1: Zigbee Sensors (Easiest)

1. Get a coordinator. Plug a Sonoff ZBDongle-E into your Home Assistant server's USB port.
2. Set up ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT. Go to Settings, Devices and Services, Add Integration. Pick ZHA for simplicity or install Zigbee2MQTT via HACS for more control.
3. Pair your sensors. Put the SNZB sensor in pairing mode (hold the button for 5 seconds until the LED blinks). Home Assistant discovers it automatically.
4. Name and place. Give each device a clear name and assign it to a room. Build automations using the new entities.

Time needed: About 30 minutes for your first sensor. 5 minutes per additional device.

Path 2: Flash Tasmota or ESPHome (Wi-Fi Devices)

1. Check DIY mode support. Newer Sonoff devices (BASICR4, MINIR4, etc.) support OTA flashing. Open the eWeLink app, enable DIY mode, then use Tasmota Web Installer or the ESPHome dashboard.
2. Older devices: serial flash. For older models (Basic R2, TH10/16, POW R2), you need a USB-to-serial adapter (FTDI or CH340). Open the case, connect TX/RX/GND/3.3V, and flash via web installer. Takes 10 minutes once you have done it before.
3. Configure. Tasmota: set your Wi-Fi credentials, choose the right template for your device, and configure MQTT. ESPHome: create a YAML config in the ESPHome dashboard, compile and upload.
4. Add to Home Assistant. Tasmota devices appear via the MQTT integration or the native Tasmota integration. ESPHome devices are discovered automatically.

Time needed: 15 to 30 minutes for OTA flashing. 30 to 60 minutes for serial flashing (first time).

Path 3: SonoffLAN Integration (No Flashing)

1. Set up devices in eWeLink first. Install the eWeLink app, create an account, and add your Sonoff devices normally.
2. Install SonoffLAN via HACS. In Home Assistant, go to HACS, search for "SonoffLAN" (by AlexxIT), and install it.
3. Add the integration. Go to Settings, Devices and Services, Add Integration, search "Sonoff". Enter your eWeLink credentials.
4. Enable LAN mode. The integration automatically tries local control first. If a device supports LAN mode, commands go directly over your network without hitting the cloud.

Time needed: About 15 minutes total.

1. Motion-Activated Hallway Lights

Use an SNZB-03P motion sensor and a ZBMINI-L2 behind your hallway switch. Lights turn on when you walk through, off after 2 minutes of no motion. No more flipping switches with full hands.

automation:
  - alias: "Hallway motion lights"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.snzb_03p_hallway
        to: "on"
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        target:
          entity_id: switch.zbmini_hallway
      - wait_for_trigger:
          - platform: state
            entity_id: binary_sensor.snzb_03p_hallway
            to: "off"
            for: "00:02:00"
      - service: switch.turn_off
        target:
          entity_id: switch.zbmini_hallway

2. Presence-Based Office Climate

Use an SNZB-06P mmWave sensor and a TH Elite controlling a space heater. The heater runs only when someone is actually in the room. No more heating empty rooms.

automation:
  - alias: "Office heater on presence"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.snzb_06p_office
        to: "on"
    condition:
      - condition: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.th_elite_office_temperature
        below: 20
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        target:
          entity_id: switch.th_elite_office
  - alias: "Office heater off no presence"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.snzb_06p_office
        to: "off"
        for: "00:05:00"
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_off
        target:
          entity_id: switch.th_elite_office

3. Door Open Alert When You Leave

SNZB-04P sensors on every exterior door and window. Get a phone notification if anything is left open when everyone leaves the house.

automation:
  - alias: "Alert doors open when leaving"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: person.you
        from: "home"
        to: "not_home"
    condition:
      - condition: or
        conditions:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: binary_sensor.snzb_04p_front_door
            state: "on"
          - condition: state
            entity_id: binary_sensor.snzb_04p_back_door
            state: "on"
    action:
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "Door left open!"
          message: "You left home but a door is still open. Check the app."

4. Energy Hog Detection

Use a POW Elite to monitor a high-draw appliance (dryer, space heater, server). Get alerted if it runs longer than expected or exceeds a power threshold.

automation:
  - alias: "Dryer running too long"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.pow_elite_dryer_power
        above: 100
        for: "02:00:00"
    action:
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "Dryer still running"
          message: "Your dryer has been running for over 2 hours. Power: {{ states('sensor.pow_elite_dryer_power') }}W"

5. Humidity-Controlled Bathroom Fan

An SNZB-02D tracks bathroom humidity. When it spikes above 70% (someone is showering), a BASICR4 relay kicks on the exhaust fan. Turns off when humidity drops back to normal.

automation:
  - alias: "Bathroom fan on humidity"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.snzb_02d_bathroom_humidity
        above: 70
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        target:
          entity_id: switch.basic_r4_bathroom_fan
  - alias: "Bathroom fan off humidity"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.snzb_02d_bathroom_humidity
        below: 60
        for: "00:05:00"
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_off
        target:
          entity_id: switch.basic_r4_bathroom_fan