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Dongles · Head to head

Smlight SLZB-06M vs Smlight SLZB-07 MG26

Full Smart Dongles comparison in 2026

Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Smlight site.
2026 verdict
Among Zigbee coordinators, the Smlight SLZB-06M is the more capable of these two, since it can sit anywhere on your network over Ethernet, PoE or Wi-Fi instead of only in a USB port.
Smlight SLZB-06M
Winner
Smlight SLZB-06M
$72.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It also doubles as a Bluetooth proxy, which the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 cannot do. Both are Zigbee 3.0 coordinators and routers with Thread border router support, +20dBm of amplifier gain and Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT support, so the radios are closer than the connectors. The Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 answers with a newer EFR32MG26 chip in a 9g stick that is far smaller, but it must live next to the server. Choose the Smlight SLZB-06M when the best spot for Zigbee is not where Home Assistant runs, and the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 for a tiny USB coordinator on the host.
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FeatureSmlight SLZB-06MSmlight SLZB-07 MG26Winner
Rating4.64.5Smlight SLZB-06M
PowerUSB, PoEUSBSmlight SLZB-06M
ConnectivityUSB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFiUSBSmlight SLZB-06M
Antenna Gain+5dBi+3dBSmlight SLZB-06M
Bluetooth ProxyYESNOSmlight SLZB-06M
Zigbee Chip ModelEFR32MG21EFR32MG26Different strengths
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Zigbee RouterYESYESTie
Z-Wave ControllerNONOTie
Thread Border RouterYESYESTie
Matter BridgeNONOTie
Transmit Power+20dBm+20dBmTie

What the differences mean

How it connects

The Smlight SLZB-06M takes USB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and PoE, so you can put the radio in the most central spot in the house. The Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 is USB only and must sit at the host machine, wherever that happens to be.

Zigbee chip

The Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 uses the newer Silicon Labs EFR32MG26, and the Smlight SLZB-06M the EFR32MG21. Both run Zigbee 3.0 as coordinator and router, so day to day the chip generation matters less than where the radio sits.

Antenna and Bluetooth

The Smlight SLZB-06M lists a +5dBi external antenna and works as a Bluetooth proxy for BLE sensors. The Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 lists +3dB and has no Bluetooth proxy.

Size

At 9g and 162 mm long the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 is a stick that disappears into a USB port. The Smlight SLZB-06M weighs 101g and is a box you mount.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of the Smlight SLZB-06M write mostly about freedom of placement. Putting the coordinator on Ethernet or PoE, away from the server, is what they credit for ending the disconnects and dropped automations they had with cheap USB dongles, and several replaced ConbeeII sticks or brand bridges with it. They like the quick Home Assistant detection, the snappy web interface for firmware updates and pairing with every major Zigbee brand. Their complaints are that setup assumes some familiarity with ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, that a few saw the Ethernet link drop every few days while USB stayed solid, and that PoE needs a PoE switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Smlight SLZB-06M or Smlight SLZB-07 MG26?

The Smlight SLZB-06M, because it can be placed anywhere over Ethernet, PoE or Wi-Fi and also acts as a Bluetooth proxy. The Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 has the newer chip and a far smaller body but only works over USB.

What is the biggest difference between the Smlight SLZB-06M and the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26?

Connectivity. The Smlight SLZB-06M supports USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and PoE, while the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 supports USB only, so its radio has to stay next to your Home Assistant host.

Do the Smlight SLZB-06M and the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 support Thread and Matter?

Both are listed as Thread border routers and work with Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT. Neither is a Matter bridge, and neither runs Zigbee and Thread at once as a dual network radio.

Does the Smlight SLZB-06M or the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 have a newer chip?

The Smlight SLZB-07 MG26 uses the EFR32MG26 and the Smlight SLZB-06M the older EFR32MG21. Both offer Zigbee 3.0 with coordinator and router roles and +20dBm of amplifier gain.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-06M?

Home Assistant users whose server is far from the middle of the house, homelab users with PoE, and anyone replacing a flaky USB dongle who is comfortable with ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-07 MG26?

Users who want a tiny USB coordinator plugged into the machine that runs Home Assistant or Zigbee2MQTT, with a current-generation chip and no cabling to plan.

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