Nabu Casa
Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2
- Works with HA
- Local control
- Z-Wave
Prices verified September 2026
See more hubs & dongles picks on our Amazon storefront →Our verdict
The official 800-series Z-Wave adapter, and the one to buy in the UK over older 700-series sticks or the similarly-priced Aeotec Z-Stick 7 (no Long Range) — it runs mesh and Long Range together and auto-configures to the UK/EU 868 MHz region. Z-Wave still edges Zigbee for door locks and battery sensors on its own quieter sub-GHz band, so it's worth running alongside a Zigbee coordinator rather than choosing one exclusively. Long Range is the real draw for sheds, garages and outbuildings a Zigbee mesh would otherwise need repeaters to reach. Not a pocket dongle: it's a separated antenna-and-base unit kept clear of USB interference — plan desk space.
What can Home Assistant control on the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2?
| Control | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Controller status | Sensor | Reports the zwave_js controller connection state as surfaced by the Z-Wave JS add-on/server. |
| Network status | Binary sensor | Indicates whether the Z-Wave mesh is ready or still healing/rebuilding routes, most relevant right after a controller migration. |
| Identify | Button | Flashes the ZWA-2's status LED so the physical unit can be located among other USB peripherals. |
| Firmware update | Update | Surfaces separate available OTA updates for the ESP32-S3 USB bridge firmware and the Z-Wave radio firmware. |
| Transmit power | Number | Shows/sets the controller's RF transmit power, relevant when manually matching settings during a non-Home-Assistant migration. |
The ZWA-2 runs two independent firmwares — the ESP32-S3 USB bridge and the Silicon Labs 800-series Z-Wave radio — both flashable over-the-air from Home Assistant's own update UI, so there's no separate flashing tool like older 700-series sticks needed. Home Assistant's built-in wizard can migrate an existing zwave_js network across in a couple of clicks; only setups running Z-Wave JS UI outside Home Assistant need a manual backup/restore with matching RF region and TX power set by hand. New devices pair via SmartStart — scan the device's QR code and it joins automatically once powered, no inclusion-mode fumbling. Expect transient jammed log entries and unresponsive nodes for the first day or two after a migration while the mesh rebuilds its routes onto the new controller — this is normal settling, not a fault.
Specs
| chip | Silicon Labs ZG23 (Z-Wave 800 series) + ESP32-S3 USB bridge |
|---|---|
| power | USB-C, 5V DC / 1A, 1.5 m cable included |
| antenna | External detachable antenna on a separate base unit, omnidirectional, 3.38 dBi peak gain — kept apart from the USB bridge to avoid port interference |
| features | Z-Wave + Z-Wave Long Range simultaneously, SmartStart, S2 |
| dimensions | 125 x 125 x 315 mm assembled (antenna + base), 350 g — not a pocket dongle, needs desk or shelf space |
| frequencies | EU/UK 868.4/869.85 MHz mesh, 864.0/866.0 MHz Long Range; all regions supported, auto-set from HA location |
How does the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 compare?
| Product | From | Protocol | Local control | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 (this product) | £51 | Z-Wave | Yes | Works with HA |
| Aeotec Z-Stick 7 | £46.43 | Z-Wave | Yes | Native |
| Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet, 128GB) | £249 | Thread, Matter, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Yes | Native |
| Aqara Hub M3 | £109.99 | Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Yes | Native |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 work with Home Assistant locally?
- Yes. The Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is controlled locally in Home Assistant through a certified "Works with Home Assistant" integration (zwave_js), so it keeps working if your internet connection or the Nabu Casa cloud goes down. Control and state updates stay on your own network.
- Which protocol does the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 use, and do I need a hub?
- The Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 uses Z-Wave. To pair it with Home Assistant you need a Z-Wave controller stick attached to your Home Assistant host. Nabu Casa's own hub is not required when you integrate through a certified "Works with Home Assistant" integration (zwave_js).
- How much does the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 cost in the UK?
- The lowest price we have listed for the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is £51 at The Pi Hut. Prices were last checked in September 2026 and change often, so confirm on the retailer's page before buying.