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

Your Zigbee USB dongle is in the computer running Home Assistant. That computer is located in the meter cupboard or a corner of the house, far from the Zigbee devices you want to control. Result: poor coverage, devices dropping out, or a long extension cord stretched across the room to get the dongle to a better spot. And if your server restarts, the dongle is also temporarily unavailable, interrupting automations. A USB dongle works fine in a small apartment or on a desk, but for serious Home Assistant users with devices throughout the house, it's a structural bottleneck.

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06MG24 fundamentally solves this. 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 meter cupboard 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 its position for maximum Zigbee coverage, without compromising your server's position.

EFR32MG24: the most powerful Zigbee chip currently available

The heart of the SLZB-06MG24 is the EFR32MG24 chip from Silicon Labs. This is the successor to the widely used CC2652P and features more processing 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 is rotatable in three directions, allowing you to always position it optimally. This combined signal range makes the SLZB-06MG24 suitable for larger homes, 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 you don't 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 by 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 autoboot flashing via USB-C without additional tools or button-press 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 for immediate use after connecting 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 link multiple SLZB-06MG24 coordinators in parallel to a single Home Assistant instance by running a separate Zigbee2MQTT instance for each coordinator. Handy for large homes or multiple buildings.

🔧 Practical automation example

Imagine: you have Zigbee devices in the living room, bedrooms, and a shed. With one centrally located SLZB-06MG24, connected to a PoE switch in the meter cupboard, you can cover the entire property thanks to its powerful antenna and amplifier. Home Assistant communicates with the adapter via the local network. Your Zigbee mesh automatically extends further via 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 in Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA within Home Assistant. The adapter is pre-flashed, so no manual firmware installation is required. Mounting can be done with double-sided tape or screws, 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 needed
• ✅ +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, also remotely
• ✅ Web interface secured with password
• ✅ Multiple coordinators can be combined with one Home Assistant
• ✅ Optoelectronic isolation between USB and Ethernet
• ❌ More expensive than a simple USB dongle
• ❌ PoE switch or injector required for PoE use (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 automatically detects it. Use Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA as an integration.

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

Yes. Run a separate Zigbee2MQTT instance for each coordinator. Users have successfully linked 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 via USB-C as a power source. PoE is useful 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 use are not simultaneously possible.

Can I update 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 places.

What is the difference from 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 processing 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 straight out of the box.