SMLIGHT SLZB-MR5U | Dual EFR32MG24 Multi-Radio Zigbee 3.0 & Thread Coordinator

SMLIGHT | SLZB-MR5U | Ethernet, Wi-Fi & PoE Dual EFR32MG24 Multi-Radio Coordinator

Take your smart home network to an absolutely professional level with the SMLIGHT SLZB-MR5U. This all-in-one multi-radio coordinator is specially designed for demanding home automation installations that require maximum stability. With two powerful Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 chips on board, this station runs a Zigbee 3.0 network and a Matter-over-Thread network simultaneously. This allows you to seamlessly connect all your smart sensors and actuators to your central server, regardless of where your Home Assistant hardware is located in your home.

Homogeneous Dual Radio Architecture: 2x Silicon Labs EFR32MG24

Unlike traditional network dongles, the SLZB-MR5U contains two separate, identical Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 radio SoCs. Both chips feature +20 dBm transmit power, 256 KB RAM, 1024 KB Flash, and a hardware-based AI/ML accelerator. This allows you to assign one radio chip as a dedicated Zigbee 3.0 coordinator and the other as a full-fledged Thread Border Router (OTBR). This separate hardware architecture guarantees that both networks perform simultaneously at maximum capacity without mutual interference or bandwidth loss.

Flexible Connectivity: Ethernet with PoE, Wi-Fi, and USB-C

With the SLZB-MR5U, you can choose the ideal physical location in your home for optimal wireless range. The coordinator supports power supply via IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (48V PoE), a standard LAN cable, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, or a USB-C data cable. The advanced SLZB-OS operating system offers a comprehensive web interface with OTA firmware updates, WireGuard VPN, support for 20+ languages, and the option to switch to ESPHome. With a power consumption of just 1.5W at maximum load, this is the most efficient multi-radio solution available today.

Ecosystems & Compatibility

• Home Assistant: Fully supported via native Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation) with the SL Ember/EZSP stack. It also works directly as a Matter-over-Thread Border Router. View our Home Assistant category for suitable hardware and add-ons.

Pro-Tip from slimhuisje.nl: Power the SLZB-MR5U via a PoE switch and place it centrally on the first floor, either on the wall or on a DIN rail. This keeps it far away from interference sources in your fuse box and instantly creates an extremely robust Zigbee and Thread mesh network throughout your entire home! Also check out our Zigbee controllers for additional options.

Features & Physical Actions

• Dual EFR32MG24 Radio SoCs: Simultaneous support for Zigbee 3.0 and Thread 1.3 (Matter-over-Thread) on dedicated chips.
• Multi-protocol & Multi-connection: Choose freely between Ethernet PoE (802.3af), LAN cable, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, or USB-C data transfer.
• Dual External High-Gain Antennas: Includes 2x 2.4 GHz antennas with SMA female connectors (one for each radio).
• 6 Status LEDs & Multi-button: Independent status LEDs per radio SoC (2 for Core, 2 per EFR32) and a physical button for mode switching and resets.
• Durable Housing: Ventilated ABS housing, suitable for wall mounting, double-sided adhesive tape, or DIN rail mounting.
• Built-in SLZB-OS: Rich web UI for network settings, VPN, OTA updates, zHub mode, and optional ESPHome flashing.

Package Contents and Dimensions

• 1x SMLIGHT SLZB-MR5U multi-radio coordinator
• 2x High-gain 2.4 GHz external antennas (SMA)
• 1x Screw set (including screws, screwdriver, and mounting ruler)
• 1x Double-sided adhesive strip
• 1x QR code instruction card
• Product dimensions: 160 x 24 x 28 mm

Please note: A USB-C power cable and PoE injector/switch are not included by default. To use the adapter via network power, an 802.3af PoE-enabled switch or injector is required.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the advantage of two identical EFR32MG24 chips in the SLZB-MR5U?

By using two exactly identical powerful Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 chips, no radio capacity needs to be shared. One chip works purely as a Zigbee 3.0 coordinator (via ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT) and the other chip as a dedicated Matter-over-Thread Border Router. Both wireless networks thus run at full speed without delay.

How do I connect the SLZB-MR5U to Home Assistant?

The coordinator communicates via the network (IP socket) or USB-C. Once the SLZB-MR5U is connected to your network, you read the IP address via the SLZB-OS dashboard. You then connect this with one line to Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA via the EZSP/SL Ember stack, and to the Matter/Thread integration.

Do I need Power over Ethernet (PoE) to use the coordinator?

No, PoE is optional. If you do not use a PoE switch, you can easily power the device via a standard USB-C cable (5V DC), while the data traffic runs via Wi-Fi or a regular Ethernet cable.

Can I also flash the SLZB-MR5U with ESPHome?

Yes! Because the system is powered by an ESP32-S3 microchip and the built-in SLZB-OS features a built-in flasher, you can easily switch to ESPHome if that is your preference.

Does the SLZB-MR5U work as a standalone hub or do I need a smart home platform?

The SLZB-MR5U functions as a coordinator and network interface. To execute automation rules and control devices, you connect the adapter to an overarching platform such as Home Assistant with Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA.

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