Zigbee 3.0 In-Wall Receptacle with Repeater 2026

Devices & Integrations
1

This is a repeat of my post asking for Zigbee receptacles in 2024, but two years later.

It’s April 2026. I am looking for a Zigbee 3.0 In-Wall receptacle (1-gang, duplex, NEMA 5-15, USA, UL/ETL certified) that I can use as a repeater in my installation and get rid of some wall-warty Zigbee smart plugs that are hanging off of the current dumb receptacles. The key criteria is compatibility with SmartThings (Aeotec Hub v3) with good ability to repeat all commands to strengthen the Zigbee network. Other features like power monitoring are not that important. In the United States so it has to be available in the United States.

The bad news is that the Leviton ZSTLR-1HW devices are not very reliable. They stay on the network and route packets for a week to a few months, but eventually they stop responding and need to be restarted with a hard power-cycle. I have two of them and both exhibit this problem periodically, which is not acceptable in my property, so I cannot recommend them anymore.

I looked around in the market now and I am unable to locate a Zigbee in-wall receptacle that meets all of the specs (most importantly: UL/ETL listing). I have a couple of other always-on, hardwired Zigbee 3.0 devices that appear to be strengthening the network enough that I can live without a Zigbee in-wall receptacle.

For Z-Wave, I have been using Eaton RFTR9605-TAW Z-Wave Plus Wireless Duplex Receptacle and it has been okay. For Matter over Thread, I have been using Eve Energy Outlet and that has been okay as well (although the green LED lights are huge and obtrusive: basically it doubles as an annoying night light).

Does anyone have updated recommendations for a reliable, laboratory-listed Zigbee in-wall receptacle today?

2

Hm… I’ve got a GE/Jasco model 43102 that has been working for years. Not only is it no longer available it looks like Jasco has pretty much abandoned Zigbee.

I’ve also got an Aqara Zigbee in-wall outlet but that’s doing duty for my separate Aqara Zigbee sensor mesh. Don’t think it will work on the SmartThings mesh.

So. Sorry, no help. It’s starting to look like Thread and Wi-Fi are taking over for new devices.

3

Late June 2026:

The Leviton ZSTLR-1HW dropped off the Zigbee mesh for the last annoying time. I am actively researching alternatives.

One promising route is to use Shelly Gen4 or SONOFF Zigbee devices and stick them behind a dumb and narrow $1 receptacle. Shelly now offers Zigbee 3.0 support in their latest firmware/latest generation devices, and advertises Zigbee repeater (Zigbee range extender) support. These devices in the USA are listed as follows:

Shelly EM Mini Gen4 ($24.99): line voltage AC only, energy metering only (no relay), 16A max

Shelly 1 Mini Gen4 ($24.99): line voltage AC power only, can switch line voltage AC or 30VDC loads, supports one external switch (connected to line voltage), 8A max

Shelly 1PM Mini Gen4 ($27.99 [but Amazon has 2-pack for $35.66]): line voltage AC power only, energy metering, supports one external switch (connected to line voltage), 8A max

Shelly 2PM Gen4 ($38.99): line voltage AC or 24VDC power alternatives, 2 switched outputs, 2 external switches (line voltage AC or 24VDC), 10A max, power metering, shelly serial interface

Shelly Dimmer Gen4 US UL-Certified ($49.99): line voltage AC only, 1 dimmed output (the docs I read do not specify if leading-edge, trailing-edge, or other waveform type), 2 external switches (connected to line voltage), 1.7A max / 200W light load max

Of these options, it seems that only Shelly EM Mini Gen4 can act as a Zigbee repeater and also provide some smart additional functionality to a dumb receptacle, namely, energy metering. The others have too low amperage specs to be attached to an arbitrary receptacle. Only the Shelly Dimmer is UL-listed but $49.99 seems like a lot to pay if you are just using it for Zigbee repeating.

SONOFF options:

ZBMINI Extreme Zigbee Smart Switch ZBMINIR2 ($12.90): supports 10A

MINI Dry Zigbee Dry Contact Smart Switch | MINI-ZBD ($14.90): powered by AC or DC; very low load (8W to 48W, see specs)

MINI PM Zigbee Power Meter (Non-Switch) | MINI-ZB1GP ($15.90): supports 16A

MINI ONE PM Zigbee Smart Switch | MINI-ZB1GSP ($19.90): supports 16A

I will probably get a SONOFF ZBMINIR2 just for the Zigbee repeater functionality, and report back.

4

I’m using quite a few SONOFF in-wall devices, and find them to be reliable forwarders. Mind that those models that don’t require a Neutral also don’t act as forwarders.

They also do have a range of wallmount smart switches in US form factor.

Also Aeotec’s in-wall Pico devices are good forwarders. They’re bulkier and stupidly have the button and LED on the back (so remember to pair first and then tuck in), and strangely they do have energy readings but aren’t supported by SmartThings Energy.

*who puts the reset/config/enum button and the status LED onto the back of the unit? You connect the cables, painfully push the thing into the back of the wall, and then find you need to pull it back out WHILE LIVE to press the Reset/Pairing button.

5

Thanks. Just to point out some other specs: the Aeotec Pico Switch and Pico Duo Switch are both ETL-certified. They are much more expensive ($34.95), and larger (44 x 40 x 21.5mm) than the SONOFF offerings.

6

THIRDREALITY Smart Wall Outlet ZW1 came out. It specifically lists:

  • Zigbee 3.0
  • SmartThings compatibility
  • two outlets independently controlled
  • TR (tamper-resistant) outlets
  • power monitoring
  • ETL-listed

This product is worth a look.

7

I have the 3R ZW1 on-hand, but haven’t used it. On paper it looks nice, but a couple things with the physical design to keep in mind:

  1. its big. At least 1/4" thicker than modern smart dimmers, but about the same as a TP-link receptacle I have laying around unused because it was also too thick.

  2. The wire connections are…different. Haven’t seen anything like them on a North American switch or receptacle. Basically a hole in the back with a set screw in the bottom.

8

Interesting.

I’ve got a GE 43102 Zigbee duplex outlet, now discontinued and no power monitoring. The Amazon page for it says it is 48mm deep while the ZW1 page lists 42mm depth.