SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24 – Zigbee Ethernet PoE Coordinator for Home Assistant

Please note: this product is End of Life (EOL)

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24 is no longer being produced. It has been replaced by the virtually identical SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24U.

The only difference: the new U version has an additional USB-C port with USB passthrough. This allows you to connect a second USB device (e.g. a Z-Wave stick or additional coordinator) and use it over the network, as if it were connected directly to your server. More functionality, same price.

We recommend choosing the SLZB-06MG24U.

Your Zigbee USB dongle is in the computer running Home Assistant. That computer is in the fuse box or a corner of the house, far from the Zigbee devices you want to control. Result: poor coverage, dropping devices, or a long extension cable that you have to run through the room to get the dongle into a better position. And when your server restarts, the dongle is also temporarily unavailable, which interrupts automations. A USB dongle works fine in a small flat or on a desk, but for serious Home Assistant users with devices throughout the house, it is a structural bottleneck.

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24 solves that fundamentally. This is not a USB stick but a full-fledged network Zigbee coordinator: it connects to your network via Ethernet, WiFi, or USB and communicates wirelessly with all your Zigbee devices from there. You can mount it on the wall in the fuse box or place it in the middle of the house on a PoE switch. Home Assistant communicates with it over the network as if it were a local USB dongle. Optimize the position for maximum Zigbee coverage without compromising your server location.

EFR32MG24: the most powerful Zigbee chip at the moment

At the heart of the SLZB-06MG24 is the EFR32MG24 chip from Silicon Labs. This is the successor to the widely used CC2652P and offers more computing power, more memory, and better support for future protocols, including Matter-over-Thread. The chip supports both Zigbee Coordinator mode and Router mode (for use as a Zigbee repeater), switchable via the web interface without manual intervention.

+20dB amplifier and +5dB external antenna

The built-in amplifier boosts the Zigbee signal by +20dB, while the included external SMA antenna adds another +5dB. The antenna can be rotated in three directions, so you can always position it optimally. This combined signal range makes the SLZB-06MG24 suitable for larger homes and devices behind concrete walls, sheds, and garages.

Three connection modes, one device

The adapter works via Ethernet (including PoE), WiFi, or USB, switchable via the web interface or by simply pressing the physical button. PoE according to the IEEE 802.3af standard means that you do not need a separate power cable if you connect it to a PoE switch or injector. Both chips (EFR32MG24 and ESP32) can be fully updated remotely via OTA, without physical access to the device.

Stable and secure

The USB and Ethernet connections are isolated using an opto-isolator, allowing you to connect RJ45 and USB-C simultaneously without risk of interference or damage. The web interface is secured with a username and password and includes an internal whitelist firewall. The ESP32 supports auto-boot flashing via USB-C without additional tools or button combinations.

🏠 Home Assistant integration

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24 works out-of-the-box with Home Assistant via Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA. It comes with pre-flashed Zigbee and ESP32 firmware and is ready to use immediately after connecting it to the network. Home Assistant automatically detects the adapter. Through the official SMLIGHT integration in Home Assistant, you can manage the adapter, view its status, and perform firmware updates from the HA dashboard. You can connect multiple SLZB-06MG24 coordinators in parallel to a single Home Assistant instance by running a separate Zigbee2MQTT instance for each coordinator. Ideal for large homes or multiple buildings.

🔧 Practical automation example

Imagine you have Zigbee devices in the living room, bedrooms, and a shed. With a single centrally located SLZB-06MG24 connected to a PoE switch in the fuse box, you cover the entire property thanks to the powerful antenna and amplifier. Home Assistant communicates with the adapter over the local network. Your Zigbee mesh automatically expands further through the router devices in your network. No more signal problems in the corners of the house, no more dropping smart contacts or sensors.

📦 Installation

Connect the SLZB-06MG24 via Ethernet (with or without PoE) or USB-C. Open the web interface via the local IP address. Set the desired connection mode (LAN, WiFi, or USB) and add the adapter to Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA in Home Assistant. The adapter is pre-flashed, so no manual firmware installation is required. Mounting can be done with double-sided tape or screws, both included in the box.

Pros and cons

• ✅ EFR32MG24 chip from Silicon Labs: powerful and future-proof
• ✅ Three connection modes: LAN, WiFi, and USB, switchable via software
• ✅ PoE support (IEEE 802.3af): no separate power cable required
• ✅ +20dB amplifier on the chip and +5dB external SMA antenna
• ✅ Works with Home Assistant via Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA
• ✅ Matter-over-Thread support via firmware
• ✅ Pre-flashed, plug-and-play out of the box
• ✅ OTA updates for both chips, even remotely
• ✅ Web interface secured with a password
• ✅ Multiple coordinators can be combined with a single Home Assistant
• ✅ Optoelectronic isolation between USB and Ethernet
• ❌ More expensive than a simple USB dongle
• ❌ PoE switch or injector required when using PoE (not included)

Frequently asked questions

Does the SLZB-06MG24 work directly with Home Assistant?

Yes, plug-and-play. The adapter is pre-flashed and Home Assistant detects it automatically. Use Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA as the integration.

Can I connect multiple SLZB-06MG24 coordinators to a single Home Assistant?

Yes. Run a separate Zigbee2MQTT instance for each coordinator. Users have successfully connected six coordinators in parallel to a single Home Assistant instance.

Do I need a PoE switch?

Only if you want to use the PoE power option. The adapter also works with USB-C as a power source. PoE is convenient if you want to mount it in a location without a power outlet.

Does the SLZB-06MG24 support Matter?

Yes, via Matter-over-Thread. This requires flashing the Thread Border Router firmware via the web interface. Zigbee and Thread cannot be used simultaneously.

Can I update the firmware without physical access?

Yes. Both the EFR32MG24 chip and the ESP32 can be fully updated remotely via the web interface or the Home Assistant integration. Ideal for installations in hard-to-reach locations.

What is the difference with the SLZB-06M?

The SLZB-06MG24 uses the newer EFR32MG24 chip from Silicon Labs instead of the CC2652P from Texas Instruments. The MG24 has more computing power, more memory, and supports Matter-over-Thread.

Comparison table

Specifications

✅ slimhuisje.nl has tested the SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24 itself on Home Assistant, so you know it works right out of the box.