Smart home adoption across the UK is accelerating, and with it comes a very practical problem: how do you retrofit smart control into homes built long before smart switches existed? Older properties often have shallow back boxes, cramped switch enclosures, and no appetite for disruptive rewiring. Choosing the right behind-the-switch smart module isn't just a technical decision — it shapes how discreet your installation looks, how reliably your system runs, and how much visibility you have over your energy consumption day to day.
This guide compares two leading Z-Wave smart switches from Shelly Qubino: the Z-Wave 1PM Mini and the Z-Wave 2PM. By the end, you'll understand exactly how each device works, where it excels, and which one suits your specific setup — whether that comes down to available installation space, the number of circuits you want to control, load requirements, or power metering needs.
At Vesternet, we've spent years helping UK homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and smart home professionals build reliable Z-Wave systems. We stock and support the full Shelly Qubino range and bring hands-on experience to every recommendation — so you can trust this comparison is grounded in real-world knowledge, not marketing copy.
Meet the World's Smallest Z-Wave Smart Switch: The Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 1PM Mini
The Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 1PM Mini is a single-channel smart switch built around the latest Z-Wave Plus V2 standard, powered by the S800 chip — the most advanced Z-Wave chip generation available. It controls one output and accepts one switch input, with an 8A AC load rating that covers a wide range of everyday appliances including LED, Halogen, Incandescent, Resistive, Capacitive, and Inductive loads. Integrated power, voltage, current, and energy monitoring means you get precise consumption data from the very device doing the switching.
What truly sets the 1PM Mini apart is its size. Shelly Qubino describes it as the smallest Z-Wave smart switch in the world — and that's its defining practical advantage. It fits comfortably into the tightest electrical back boxes, including Danish wall boxes that defeat most standard modules. It can even be installed discreetly inside an appliance's own casing, completely hidden from view. For anyone working with older UK properties, compact switch enclosures, or wanting invisible smart control, this compact form factor is a genuine game-changer. Connect it to any Z-Wave gateway and you have full remote control via smartphone, plus access to automations, scenes, and scheduling from anywhere.
Key characteristics at a glance
- Single output channel with one switch input
- 8A AC load rating across LED, Halogen, and Inductive load types
- Ultra-compact design fitting Danish wall boxes and appliance enclosures
- Integrated power, voltage, current, and energy monitoring
- Z-Wave Plus V2 with S800 chip, compatible with any Z-Wave gateway
Dual-Circuit Smart Control Explained: The Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 2PM
The Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 2PM is a two-channel smart switch designed to independently control and monitor two separate electrical appliances or lighting circuits from a single device. Like the 1PM Mini, it runs on Z-Wave Plus V2 with the S800 chip, but it steps up considerably in capacity — offering 10A per channel, a 16A total AC rating, an 18A peak capability, and 10A DC support. It accepts two switch inputs, making it a natural fit for two-gang wall plates where you want physical control of each circuit alongside remote operation.
The 2PM supports both 3-Wire with Neutral and DC wiring configurations, broadening its compatibility across different installation types. It covers the same extensive range of load types as the 1PM Mini — LED, Halogen, Incandescent, Resistive, Capacitive, and Inductive — and delivers per-channel as well as combined power monitoring, giving you granular visibility over what each connected load is consuming. It's a retrofit device designed to sit behind existing switches, upgrading two circuits simultaneously without the need for additional hardware or complex wiring changes.
Key characteristics at a glance
- Two independent output channels with two switch inputs
- 10A per channel, 16A total AC rating, 18A peak, and 10A DC
- Supports 3-Wire with Neutral and DC wiring configurations
- Per-channel and combined power, voltage, current, and energy monitoring
- Compatible with over 4,000 Z-Wave certified devices and gateways
Size, Channels, and Load Capacity: How the 1PM Mini and 2PM Really Differ
The most immediately practical difference between these two smart switches is the number of circuits each one controls. The 1PM Mini handles a single output — one appliance, one light, one circuit. The 2PM manages two independent outputs simultaneously, which means two separate lighting zones, two appliances, or any combination of the two, all governed from one device. For any installation where two circuits run back to the same location, the 2PM removes the need for two separate devices entirely.
Load capacity
Load capacity is where the gap between these devices becomes significant. The 1PM Mini is rated at 8A AC — well-suited to lamps, fans, kitchen appliances, and personal electronics in the small-to-medium range. The 2PM raises that ceiling to 10A per channel, with a 16A total AC load and an 18A peak, plus 10A DC support. That headroom matters when running heavier or multiple loads, and the DC compatibility opens installation scenarios that the 1PM Mini simply cannot support.
Switch inputs and physical control
- 1PM Mini: one switch input for single-gang physical control
- 2PM: two switch inputs for independent two-gang physical control
- Both support Momentary and Toggle switch types
Form factor and installation space
The 1PM Mini's defining characteristic is its ultra-compact footprint — purpose-built for the tightest spaces, including Danish wall boxes and the internal cavities of appliances themselves. The 2PM has a larger footprint, which is entirely expected given its dual-channel architecture, but it remains a retrofit-friendly device designed to fit behind standard switches. For the most space-constrained installations, the 1PM Mini holds a clear advantage.
Shared foundations
Despite their differences, both devices share the same Z-Wave Plus V2 standard and S800 chip, meaning equivalent mesh networking performance and gateway compatibility. They also share identical load type support across LED, Halogen, Incandescent, Resistive, Capacitive, and Inductive categories, as well as the same comprehensive load protection suite.
- Overheating, overcurrent, and overvoltage protection on both devices
- Configurable power failure output state on both
- Automatic On and Off timers on both
- NO/NC output configuration available on both
Speed, Reliability, and Day-to-Day Usability: How Each Switch Performs in the Real World
Both the 1PM Mini and the 2PM are built on the Z-Wave S800 chip — the latest generation of Z-Wave technology — which brings meaningful real-world benefits over older Z-Wave hardware. Mesh network reliability is stronger, communication range is extended, and response latency is lower. Whether you're triggering a scene from a smartphone or firing an automation from your hub, both devices respond with the sharpness that modern smart home users expect. They both support Z-Wave Associations and react to Z-Wave Notifications, enabling fast, direct device-to-device communication without necessarily routing through a hub.
For daily routines, both devices offer the same smart scheduling and automation toolkit — Automatic On and Off timers, configurable power failure behaviour, and scene participation via any compatible Z-Wave gateway. Shelly Qubino's compatibility with over 4,000 Z-Wave certified devices and gateways means neither device is a walled garden; they slot into whatever Z-Wave ecosystem you already have or plan to build.
1PM Mini in tight-space installations
The compact design of the 1PM Mini reduces physical installation stress considerably. In shallow back boxes where even small modules struggle, less bulk means fewer contorted cable arrangements and a lower risk of connection issues caused by cramming too much hardware into too little space. Its integrated power metering tracks consumption in real time for the single connected load.
2PM in dual-circuit scenarios
- Independently controls two circuits from one device with no shared switching
- Per-channel power monitoring shows exactly what each load is drawing
- Combined monitoring gives a total consumption figure across both channels
- Two switch inputs allow physical two-gang control without extra hardware
Strengths and Trade-Offs of the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 1PM Mini
The 1PM Mini earns its place as a genuinely unique product in the Z-Wave smart switch market. Its world-leading compact size is not a minor convenience — it unlocks installation scenarios that are physically impossible with standard-sized modules. Whether that means fitting into a narrow Danish wall box or hiding discreetly inside a lamp or kitchen appliance, the 1PM Mini goes where others cannot. Pair that with integrated power, voltage, current, and energy monitoring on its single channel, broad load type support, and the full suite of protective features, and it's a remarkably capable device for its size.
Pros
- World-leading compact size, fits Danish wall boxes and appliance enclosures
- Integrated power, voltage, current, and energy monitoring on a single channel
- Full load protection: overheating, overcurrent, and overvoltage
- Z-Wave Plus V2 with S800 chip, compatible with any Z-Wave gateway
Cons
The trade-offs are real and worth understanding before committing. The single output channel means it cannot independently control two circuits — one device, one load. Its 8A AC ceiling rules out higher-draw appliances, and it accepts only one switch input. Crucially, it supports only 3-Wire with Neutral wiring, with no DC support, which narrows the installation scenarios where it applies compared to the 2PM.
- Single output channel only — cannot control two circuits
- 8A AC load limit excludes higher-draw appliances
- No DC wiring support
- One switch input only
Strengths and Trade-Offs of the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 2PM
The 2PM's dual-channel architecture is its headline strength. The ability to independently control and monitor two separate circuits from a single device is enormously practical — it halves the hardware needed for two-circuit upgrades and keeps installation tidy. With a 10A-per-channel rating, a 16A total AC capacity, an 18A peak, and DC support alongside 3-Wire with Neutral, the 2PM handles a broader range of loads and wiring scenarios than the 1PM Mini. Per-channel and combined energy monitoring delivers detailed consumption insight that's particularly useful when managing multiple loads from one location.
Pros
- Two independent output channels from a single device
- 10A per channel, 16A total AC, 18A peak, and 10A DC load capacity
- Supports both 3-Wire with Neutral and DC wiring
- Per-channel and combined power, voltage, current, and energy monitoring
- Two switch inputs for two-gang physical control
Cons
The 2PM's larger footprint is the natural consequence of housing two channels, but it does mean it's less suited to extremely tight switch boxes or in-appliance installations where the 1PM Mini would slide in without issue. For simple, single-circuit use cases — a single lamp, a single fan — the 2PM's additional capacity and dual-channel architecture may be more than the job requires, making it a less targeted fit for straightforward single-load applications.
- Larger physical footprint than the 1PM Mini
- Less suited to the tightest switch boxes or in-appliance installations
- Dual-channel design may be unnecessary for simple single-load setups
Matching the Right Switch to the Right Smart Home Setup
Knowing the specs is one thing — knowing which device suits your actual situation is what matters. The 1PM Mini and 2PM serve genuinely different use cases, and picking the right one from the start saves time, effort, and the frustration of a mismatched installation.
The 1PM Mini is the right fit if you
- Have a space-restricted back box where standard modules simply won't fit
- Want to embed smart control directly inside a lamp, fan, or kitchen appliance
- Need precise energy monitoring for a single light or low-to-medium draw appliance
- Are getting started with Z-Wave and want the most minimal, discreet footprint possible
Renters and homeowners in older UK properties will particularly appreciate the 1PM Mini's flexibility. When the back box is the limiting factor — not the ambition — having a truly compact smart switch that doesn't compromise on features is invaluable. DIY enthusiasts who want to build smart control into existing appliances without external wiring changes will also find it a natural fit.
The 2PM is the right fit if you
- Want to upgrade two circuits simultaneously with a single device
- Have loads that exceed the 8A ceiling of the 1PM Mini
- Need DC wiring support for a specialist installation
- Want per-channel energy data to manage multiple loads granularly
Homeowners managing two separate lighting zones, or running two independent appliances from the same location, will find the 2PM a far more efficient solution than installing two separate single-channel devices. For those building more complex automation setups — where understanding the exact consumption of each individual circuit informs scheduling and energy decisions — the per-channel monitoring of the 2PM adds real, practical value. It's also the stronger choice anywhere DC wiring compatibility is required.
Both devices suit anyone already within the Z-Wave ecosystem. Their universal gateway compatibility means they slot into existing setups without conflict, and the S800 chip ensures they'll remain current as the Z-Wave standard continues to evolve.
1PM Mini or 2PM? Choosing the Smart Switch That Works for You
Summing up the comparison: the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 1PM Mini offers unbeatable compact size and precise single-channel control, with integrated power metering and a form factor that fits spaces no other Z-Wave smart switch can reach. The Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 2PM counters with dual-circuit control, a higher load rating of 10A per channel and 16A total AC, DC wiring compatibility, and per-channel energy monitoring — making it the more versatile device for demanding or multi-circuit installations.
Neither device is universally superior. The right choice depends entirely on your installation: how much space you have, how many circuits you need to control, what your appliances draw, and what wiring configuration you're working with. Ask yourself whether you need one circuit or two, whether your load sits comfortably within 8A, and whether hiding the module inside an appliance is a priority. Those three questions will point you clearly towards one device or the other.
- Tight space or in-appliance install? The 1PM Mini is the answer
- Two circuits or heavier loads? The 2PM is the stronger choice
- DC wiring needed? Only the 2PM supports it
Explore both the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 1PM Mini and the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 2PM on Vesternet, where you'll find full specifications, compatible Z-Wave gateways, and expert guidance to help you complete your smart home setup with confidence.
Our Verdict: Compact Precision vs Dual-Circuit Power
For users prioritising installation flexibility in the tightest of spaces — or who want to discreetly embed smart control directly into a single appliance — the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 1PM Mini is the standout choice. Its world-class compact form factor, single-channel power metering, and broad load type support make it ideal for targeted, space-constrained smart home upgrades.
For those who need to control two independent circuits from one device, handle heavier loads, or require DC wiring compatibility, the Shelly Qubino Z-Wave 2PM is the stronger fit. Its dual-channel architecture, higher load rating, and per-channel energy monitoring make it the more powerful and versatile option for more complex or demanding installations.
Both devices share the same trusted Z-Wave Plus V2 foundation, S800 chip performance, and comprehensive protection and automation features — making either a reliable, future-proof addition to any Z-Wave smart home. Browse both products on Vesternet to find the one that fits your home, your wiring, and your smart home ambitions.
