Aeotec Zi-Stick vs Smlight SLZB-06 MG26

Data from Amazon and official Aeotec and Smlight sites.

2026 verdict

In 2026, Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 is the better overall pick. Its biggest wins come from power, connectivity, and zigbee router, and thread border router and bluetooth proxy adds more confidence to the verdict. Aeotec Zi-Stick is still relevant if you care most about price and rating, but Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 is the stronger recommendation overall. In practical terms, Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 is the easier product to recommend.

Aeotec

Aeotec Zi-Stick

$34.49

BUY NOW

Winner

Smlight

Smlight SLZB-06 MG26

$85.99

BUY NOW

Feature	Aeotec Zi-Stick	Smlight SLZB-06 MG26	Winner
Price	$34.49	$85.99	Aeotec Zi-Stick
Rating	4.2	2.5	Aeotec Zi-Stick
Power	USB	USB, PoE	Smlight SLZB-06 MG26
Connectivity	USB	USB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz Wifi	Smlight SLZB-06 MG26
Zigbee Router	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-06 MG26
Thread Border Router	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-06 MG26
Bluetooth Proxy	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-06 MG26
Zigbee Chip Model	EFR32MG21	EFR32MG26	Different strengths
Warranty	1 year	1 year	Tie
Z-Wave Controller	NO	NO	Tie
Matter Bridge	NO	NO	Tie
Amplifier Gain	+20dB	+20dB	Tie

Aeotec

Aeotec Zi-Stick

$34.49

BUY NOW

+ Price: $34.49
+ Rating: 4.2
- Power: USB vs USB, PoE
- Connectivity: USB vs USB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz Wifi

Winner

Smlight

Smlight SLZB-06 MG26

$85.99

BUY NOW

+ Power: USB, PoE
+ Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz Wifi
+ Zigbee Router: YES
- Price: $85.99 vs $34.49
- Rating: 2.5 vs 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which is better overall: Aeotec Zi-Stick or Smlight SLZB-06 MG26?: Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 has the stronger overall profile in this comparison, especially for power, connectivity, and zigbee router.
What is the biggest difference between Aeotec Zi-Stick and Smlight SLZB-06 MG26?: Price is one of the clearest differences: Aeotec Zi-Stick lists $34.49, while Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 lists $85.99.
Which one looks better on price?: Aeotec Zi-Stick is listed at $34.49, while Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 is listed at $85.99. Aeotec Zi-Stick (better spec).
Who should buy Aeotec Zi-Stick?: Choose Aeotec Zi-Stick if your priority is price and rating and that matters more than power.
Who should buy Smlight SLZB-06 MG26?: Choose Smlight SLZB-06 MG26 if your priority is power and connectivity and that matters more than price.

More Dongles

Top Dongles to compare next

Compare smart dongles by supported protocols, connectivity, hardware specs, integrations, automations, and compatibility with platforms like Matter, Zigbee, and Thread.

Compare Dongles