Comparison of Shelly Wi-Fi Gen1, Gen2, Gen3, and Gen4 Devices
The four generations of Shelly smart home devices have undergone significant development, especially in terms of performance, connectivity, and features. Below is an overview of the key characteristics of each generation:
Gen 1
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
Processor: Basic performance
Memory: Limited
Features:
Basic power metering (in some models)
MQTT, CoAP, HTTP webhook support
Scripting: Not supported
Virtual components: Not supported
Bluetooth: Not available
Gen 2 (Plus, Mini, Pro series)
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
Processor: More powerful, increased memory (up to 4MB Flash; PRO: 8MB)
Additional capabilities:
Built-in Bluetooth, gateway for BLU devices
Supports scripting
MQTTS, HTTPS support
Virtual components (Pro models only)
KVS (Key-Value Store), timer loops (Auto ON/OFF), BTHome, Ethernet (Pro models only)
Gen 3
Chip: Custom-developed Shelly chip
Memory: 8MB Flash, 256KB RAM
Bluetooth: Supported (with gateway functionality)
Features:
Advanced scripting and automation
Protocols:
MQTTS, HTTPS
KNXnet/IP (on selected models)
Matter (some models, e.g. Plug S Gen3)
Extras:
Wi-Fi range extender
Virtual components
BTHome, KVS
Simultaneous AP and Wi-Fi connection
Gen 4 (Multiprotocol: Wi-Fi + Zigbee)
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (with Wi-Fi 6 support)
Processor: The most powerful yet
Memory: 512KB RAM
Bluetooth: Full BLE support with gateway functionality
Scripting: Advanced automation support
Energy management: Enhanced power monitoring and safety features
Protocol support:
MQTTS, HTTPS
Matter, Zigbee (hub required), TCP/IP Modbus, KNXNet/IP
Virtual components, BTHome
Additional features:
Wi-Fi and Zigbee signal repeater
Simultaneous AP and Wi-Fi connection
Ideal for both residential and industrial applications
A future-proof platform
This comparison shows how Shelly devices have evolved from basic Wi-Fi smart switches to robust, multiprotocol automation units suitable for complex environments.