Description
The sonoff mini solves a specific problem: you want app and voice control, but you do not want to replace the switch plates. At 42.6 mm square it hides behind an existing switch or inside a junction box and converts the circuit it sits on, leaving the original switch working exactly as before.
Why fit a sonoff mini instead of a smart switch
Three situations make this the right choice. Your switch plates are part of the decor and you do not want to change them. There is no neutral at the switch position but there is one at the light fitting, which is common in older buildings. Or you are automating something that is not a wall switch at all, such as a gate motor or an extractor. The module keeps physical control intact, so anyone in the house can still use the wall switch normally, which matters more than it sounds when guests or older family members are involved.
Key features
- Fits behind existing switches and inside junction boxes
- Existing manual switch keeps working
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, no hub required
- eWeLink app on Android and iOS
- Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
- AC 100 to 240V worldwide voltage support
- 10A maximum load
Wi-Fi requirements
The radio is 2.4 GHz only, the band covered by ETSI EN 300 328, and it will not join a 5 GHz network. On a dual-band router, split the SSIDs or disable 5 GHz while pairing. Because eWeLink runs through a vendor cloud, remote access and voice control depend on your internet connection, while the physical switch keeps working regardless. Our guide to smart device security covers what cloud-connected devices send and how to limit the exposure.
Specifications
| Model | MINI R2 |
| Input voltage | AC 100 to 240V, 50/60 Hz |
| Maximum current | 10A |
| Wireless | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz |
| Dimensions | 42.6 x 42.6 x 20 mm |
| App | eWeLink |
| Colour | White |
In the box
- SONOFF MINI R2 module
- Jumper cap
- Quick installation guide
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a neutral wire?
Yes, the module needs live and neutral. Its advantage is that it can be fitted at the light fitting or junction box, where a neutral is usually present, rather than at the switch, where it often is not.
Will my existing switch still work?
Yes. That is the main reason to choose this over a smart switch.
What is the maximum load?
10A. For heavier loads use our 20A RF touch socket.
Where to fit it
The sonoff mini goes wherever there is space and a neutral: behind the switch plate if the box is deep enough, inside the ceiling rose, or in a junction box above the fitting. In older buildings the switch box is often shallow and already crowded, so in practice the ceiling rose is usually the easier and tidier location of the two. That also puts the module where a neutral is normally present, which is the practical advantage of an in-line module over a smart switch in a property that was never wired for one.
Keeping the manual switch working
The sonoff mini wires so that the existing switch continues to operate the light directly. This matters more than the specification suggests. Automation that removes the ordinary way of doing something creates friction for everyone who did not install it, and a house where guests, children or older relatives cannot turn a light on without reaching for a phone is a house where the automation quietly gets removed within a year. Keeping the wall switch live means the smart layer is an addition rather than a replacement.
Browse all smart switches and modules.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.