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Dongles · Head to head

Aeotec Z-Stick 7 vs Smlight SLZB-06

Full Smart Dongles comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Aeotec and Smlight sites.
2026 verdict
Out in a hallway or up on a shelf rather than stuck in a server port, the Smlight SLZB-06 is the more capable radio than the Aeotec Z-Stick 7, with Ethernet, PoE, Wi-Fi and USB to choose from.
Smlight SLZB-06
Winner
Smlight SLZB-06
$72.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It also works as a Zigbee router, a Thread border router or a Bluetooth proxy, and pairs +20 dBm of transmit power with a +5 dBi external antenna. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is cheaper and is a different tool: a tiny Z-Wave Series 700 controller for Home Assistant, openHAB or ioBroker, with no Zigbee. So protocol comes before features: the Smlight has no Z-Wave and the Aeotec has no Zigbee or Thread. Buy the Smlight SLZB-06 for a Zigbee network run from the middle of the house, and the Aeotec Z-Stick 7 when your devices are Z-Wave.
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FeatureAeotec Z-Stick 7Smlight SLZB-06Winner
Price$39.99$72.99Aeotec Z-Stick 7
Rating4.54.2Aeotec Z-Stick 7
PowerUSBUSB, PoESmlight SLZB-06
ConnectivityUSBUSB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFiSmlight SLZB-06
Zigbee RouterNOYESSmlight SLZB-06
Z-Wave ControllerYESNOAeotec Z-Stick 7
Thread Border RouterNOYESSmlight SLZB-06
Transmit Power+9.3dBm+20dBmSmlight SLZB-06
Bluetooth ProxyNOYESSmlight SLZB-06
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Matter BridgeNONOTie
Dual NetworkNONOTie

What the differences mean

Protocol

The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 controls Z-Wave devices; the Smlight SLZB-06 coordinates Zigbee or Thread. They do not overlap, and Home Assistant can run both side by side.

Placement

The Smlight SLZB-06 connects over Ethernet with PoE, Wi-Fi or USB, which lets it sit away from the server and its interference. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is a 37 mm USB stick on the host.

Radio hardware

The Smlight SLZB-06 has +20 dBm of transmit power and a +5 dBi external antenna. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 has +9.3 dBm of transmit power and no external antenna, and owners note a USB extension cable sometimes helps it see every device.

Extra roles

The Smlight SLZB-06 can also be a Zigbee router or a Bluetooth proxy for Home Assistant. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is a Z-Wave controller and nothing else.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of both radios report long, stable runs with Home Assistant once they are set up. Aeotec Z-Stick 7 owners single out years without dropouts across a dozen mixed-brand Z-Wave sensors and locks and a snappier response than older sticks, but they complain about old firmware on arrival (and the EU frequency on some US units), an update that can brick the stick and a flimsy USB connector. Smlight SLZB-06 owners talk about central placement over PoE fixing a flaky Zigbee mesh and firmware updates pushed from inside Home Assistant, while their complaints are its size next to a dongle and, for a minority, errors that needed frequent power cycling.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Aeotec Z-Stick 7
  • Smlight SLZB-06

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Aeotec Z-Stick 7 or Smlight SLZB-06?

The Smlight SLZB-06 has more features: Ethernet, PoE, Wi-Fi, Zigbee router, Thread border router and Bluetooth proxy. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is cheaper and remains the right choice for Z-Wave devices, which the Smlight cannot control.

What is the biggest difference between the Aeotec Z-Stick 7 and the Smlight SLZB-06?

The protocol. The Aeotec Z-Stick 7 is a Z-Wave Series 700 controller, while the Smlight SLZB-06 is a Zigbee and Thread coordinator that connects over the network.

Can I run the Aeotec Z-Stick 7 and the Smlight SLZB-06 together?

Yes. They cover different protocols, so Home Assistant can use the Aeotec Z-Stick 7 for Z-Wave and the Smlight SLZB-06 for Zigbee at the same time.

Who should buy the Aeotec Z-Stick 7?

Home Assistant, openHAB or ioBroker users with a Z-Wave network who want a small, stable controller and do not mind updating its firmware first.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-06?

Zigbee users who want the coordinator placed centrally over PoE or Ethernet, with the option of Thread or Bluetooth proxy duties.

Full comparison table

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