Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 vs Smlight SLZB-MR5U comparison

Data from Amazon and official Nabu Casa and Smlight sites.

2026 verdict

The Smlight SLZB-MR5U wins this dongle comparison as the more versatile, better-connected coordinator, layering Zigbee, Thread, dual-network operation and a Bluetooth proxy on top of USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and PoE placement that the USB-only Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 has no answer for. Two external antennas at +5dBi also beat the ZWA-2's single +3.38dBi antenna. The two do split cleanly on protocol, however: the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a dedicated Z-Wave 800 controller (the SLZB-MR5U has no Z-Wave) and earns high owner ratings for its rock-solid, long-range Z-Wave performance. Both integrate with Home Assistant. Choose the Smlight SLZB-MR5U for a flexible Zigbee/Thread coordinator you can place anywhere with a Bluetooth proxy and dual networks; choose the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 when Z-Wave is what you need.

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Feature	Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2	Smlight SLZB-MR5U	Winner
Price	$79.00	$119.99	Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2
Rating	4.5	5.0	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Power	USB	USB, PoE	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Connectivity	USB	USB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFi	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Zigbee Router	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Z-Wave Controller	YES	NO	Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2
Thread Border Router	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Antenna Gain	+3.38dBi	+5dBi	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Dual Network	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Bluetooth Proxy	NO	YES	Smlight SLZB-MR5U
Warranty	1 year	1 year	Tie
Matter Bridge	NO	NO	Tie

Nabu Casa

Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2

$79.00

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Price: $79.00
+ Z-Wave Controller: YES
- Rating: 4.5 vs 5.0
- Power: USB vs USB, PoE

Winner

Smlight

Smlight SLZB-MR5U

$119.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Rating: 5.0
+ Power: USB, PoE
+ Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFi
- Price: $119.99 vs $79.00
- Z-Wave Controller: NO vs YES

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coordinator is better overall, the Smlight SLZB-MR5U or the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2?

For Zigbee and Thread the Smlight SLZB-MR5U is more capable, with network connectivity, dual networks and a Bluetooth proxy. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a Z-Wave-only controller, so it is the pick strictly for Z-Wave devices.

What is the biggest difference between them?

Protocol and connectivity. The Smlight SLZB-MR5U runs Zigbee/Thread over USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi or PoE with dual-network support and a Bluetooth proxy, while the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a USB-only Z-Wave controller with none of those extras.

Can either run Zigbee and Z-Wave together?

No. The Smlight SLZB-MR5U is Zigbee/Thread only (it can run those two networks simultaneously), and the Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is Z-Wave only. Neither covers the other's protocol.

Which has the stronger radio hardware?

The Smlight SLZB-MR5U, with two external antennas at +5dBi and a +20dB amplifier, plus Ethernet/PoE placement freedom. The Nabu Casa Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 uses a single +3.38dBi antenna, though its own Z-Wave range is well regarded.

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

Buy the ZWA-2 if you run Z-Wave and want a highly rated official controller with strong range and fully local Z-Wave JS control. It has no Zigbee or Thread.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-MR5U?

Buy the Smlight SLZB-MR5U for a flexible, network-placed Zigbee/Thread coordinator with dual networks and a Bluetooth proxy, positionable anywhere via Ethernet or PoE. It has no Z-Wave.

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