A closer look at the new Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 Zigbee/Thread Adapter. Building a smart home isn't just about choosing devices - it's about making sure they work together smoothly. That's where a smart home hub comes in, acting as the central brain for lighting, sensors, thermostats, locks, and more. With a hub, homeowners get unified control, better automation, and a simpler user experience, even when devices use different wireless protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Thread, or Bluetooth. Home Assistant has long taken a unique approach by giving users the freedom to choose their own hardware and radios. Because it's open-source and installable on everything from a Raspberry Pi to a MiniPC, users can expand their system with the exact protocols they need - something you can't do with most off-the-shelf hubs from Amazon, Google, or SmartThings. Now, Nabu Casa (the commercial partner of Home Assistant and the Open Home Foundation) has introduced a new tool for this flexible ecosystem: the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 Zigbee/Thread Adapter. What the ZBT-2 Brings to the Table. The ZBT-2 is the successor to the popular SkyConnect ZBT-1, offering a major leap in performance and reliability. This compact, 7-inch-tall USB-C adapter lets Home Assistant communicate with either Zigbee or Thread devices - whichever the user chooses. Those needing both can simply plug in a second unit. Key improvements include: * Optimized antenna for stronger, more stable wireless connections * 4x faster performance than the previous model * Updated MG24 chip delivering top-tier Zigbee and Thread capability * Plug-and-play setup, including seamless migrations for users upgrading from the ZBT-1 * Support for ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, and OpenThread Border Router * OTA updates and broad compatibility with devices across top brands * Hobbyist-friendly design with accessible hardware for tinkering Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, emphasizes how the ZBT-2 simplifies smart home setups: "Too many people have too many smart home hubs... Connect ZBT-2 combined with Home Assistant ends this smart home hub chaos, and lets you take back control of privacy." A big step for an open, flexible smart home. For users building a smart home that doesn't lock them into one ecosystem, the ZBT-2 is a powerful upgrade. It strengthens the reliability of Zigbee and Thread networks, expands device compatibility, and keeps control local - no extra hubs or cloud dependencies required. The Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is available starting November 19 for $49 MSRP, making it an affordable and impactful addition to any Home Assistant setup.

One more step to ending e-waste. Published on: March 23, 2026 Today, Nabu Casa, Inc is announcing the start of Nabu Casa's first refurb program! Nabu Casa, Inc is starting in the US market with its partner AmeriDroid to sell refurbished Home Assistant Green systems, but Nabu Casa, Inc intend to expand to more regions and products... just give Nabu Casa, Inc some time as Nabu Casa, Inc is working to do this right... more on that below. The sustainability of the smart home is a big part of its mission, and reducing e-waste by finding new homes for working devices is a good step in the right direction. Nabu Casa, Inc don't actually get that many returns... a side effect of making awesome, reliable, and fun products. So, you might need to act fast when the refurbished Greens are restocked. Nabu Casa, Inc'll keep you posted on its next plans for the refurbishment program. How it works. Sometimes people end up returning products because they just weren't the right fit. These returned products are effectively as good as new, with maybe some very minor signs of use. That's where its partner AmeriDroid will step in; they will check that returns have all the accessories, ensure all personal data is wiped, and that there aren't any issues with the device. There are a lot of logistics and processes involved behind the scenes, so it's no small feat, but avoiding e-waste is always worth the effort. AmeriDroid will be selling these refurbished Home Assistant Green's for $20 off the normal retail price, which is a great deal for a device that can help you build the most powerful, private, and compatible smart home. Thanks for the support. Many of Nabu Casa, Inc at Nabu Casa got into Home Assistant because Nabu Casa, Inc wanted to make the tech in its homes last longer, so Nabu Casa, Inc is pretty excited to have set up this program. Thanks again for all your support, as everything you purchase supports the development of Home Assistant. ~ Carl at Nabu Casa