Live nowPrime Day 2026October 6 to 7, 2026Starts in--d--h--m--sSee the deals
Dongles · Head to head

Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 vs Smlight SLZB-06

Full Smart Dongles comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Nabu Casa and Smlight sites.
2026 verdict
Counted feature by feature, this Home Assistant radio matchup goes to the Smlight SLZB-06, the more affordable device and the one with Ethernet, PoE and Wi-Fi.
Smlight SLZB-06
Winner
Smlight SLZB-06
$72.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It adds a Zigbee router mode, a Thread border router and a Bluetooth proxy, behind a +5dBi antenna. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a different tool: a Z-Wave Series 800 controller, official Home Assistant hardware that owners rate very highly for range and for fixing dropped devices, and the only Z-Wave radio of the two. So the protocol in your walls decides it: the Smlight SLZB-06 for Zigbee devices you want to cover from a central spot, the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 for Z-Wave locks, switches and sensors.
vs
Deals by email

Dongle prices change while you decide

We follow prices across the catalog and email you the best deals we find.

Smart home deals and news, straight to your inbox

Price drops, new releases and the smart home news worth knowing.

No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Please enter a valid email address.
Your subscription has been successful.
FeatureNabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2Smlight SLZB-06Winner
Price$79.00$72.99Smlight SLZB-06
Rating4.64.2Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2
PowerUSBUSB, PoESmlight SLZB-06
ConnectivityUSBUSB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFiSmlight SLZB-06
Zigbee RouterNOYESSmlight SLZB-06
Z-Wave ControllerYESNONabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2
Thread Border RouterNOYESSmlight SLZB-06
Antenna Gain+3.38dBi+5dBSmlight SLZB-06
Bluetooth ProxyNOYESSmlight SLZB-06
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Matter BridgeNONOTie
Transmit Power+20dBm+20dBmTie

What the differences mean

Protocol

The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 controls Z-Wave devices; the Smlight SLZB-06 coordinates Zigbee and can run Thread instead. They cannot stand in for each other, and homes with both kinds of devices use one of each.

Where it can sit

The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is USB only. The Smlight SLZB-06 connects over Ethernet, Wi-Fi or USB and runs on PoE, so it can be placed centrally, away from the server and its interference.

Extra roles

The Smlight SLZB-06 also serves as a Bluetooth proxy for Home Assistant and a Thread border router. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a dedicated Z-Wave controller.

Antenna

Both have +20 dBm of transmit power with one external antenna, +5dBi on the Smlight SLZB-06 and +3.38dBi on the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2. Owners of each report strong range on their own protocol.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of both say their new radio stabilised a network that used to misbehave, and both groups praise quick setup in Home Assistant. Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 owners credit range: most Z-Wave sensors now connect directly, and devices behind stucco, glass or a metal gate finally hold on. They like the fully local Z-Wave JS setup and name few faults beyond it being Z-Wave only and pricier than generic sticks. Smlight SLZB-06 owners credit placement: on Ethernet or PoE it sits in the middle of the house, fixing problems they had with cheap USB dongles, and it can even work as a remote coordinator over a VPN. They complain that it is large and visible, and a minority had units 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.

  • Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2
  • Smlight SLZB-06

Loading price history...

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 or Smlight SLZB-06?

The Smlight SLZB-06 has more features, including Ethernet, PoE, Thread and a Bluetooth proxy, and is the more affordable one, but it is a Zigbee coordinator. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is the pick for Z-Wave devices.

What is the biggest difference between the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 and the Smlight SLZB-06?

The protocol. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a Z-Wave 800 controller and the Smlight SLZB-06 a Zigbee 3.0 coordinator that can also run Thread.

Can the Smlight SLZB-06 and the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 run together in Home Assistant?

Yes. They cover different protocols, so Home Assistant can use the Smlight SLZB-06 for Zigbee and the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 for Z-Wave at the same time.

Does the Smlight SLZB-06 work with Zigbee2MQTT?

Yes. The Smlight SLZB-06 works with Zigbee2MQTT and with Home Assistant's ZHA. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is Z-Wave only and runs through Z-Wave JS.

Who should buy the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2?

Home Assistant users with Z-Wave devices, particularly in homes where range has been a struggle, who want official and fully local hardware.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-06?

Zigbee users who want to place the coordinator centrally over Ethernet or PoE, with Thread and a Bluetooth proxy available in the same device.

Full comparison table

Compare all 36 Dongles side by side

You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Dongles in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.

  • 36 Dongles
  • 32 specs compared
  • 29 filters
Open the full comparison
More Dongles

Top Dongles to compare next

36 Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave dongles compared: Smlight, Sonoff, Aeotec, Nabu Casa and more. Chipsets, antenna range, firmware and Home Assistant support.

All Dongles
Nabu Casa

More Nabu Casa products

A sharper look at other Nabu Casa products worth comparing.

Explore Nabu Casa
Smlight

More Smlight products

A sharper look at other Smlight products worth comparing.

Explore Smlight
Independent · Not sponsoredBrands never pay for placement or rankings. Affiliate commissions never influence our comparisons.
© 2026 Smart Home Compared
Search