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Dongles · Head to head

Smlight SLZB-06p7U vs Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24

Full Smart Dongles comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Smlight and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
Sick of Zigbee devices dropping off? The Smlight SLZB-06p7U is the more capable coordinator here.
Smlight SLZB-06p7U
Winner
Smlight SLZB-06p7U
$78.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It connects over Ethernet, PoE or Wi-Fi instead of plugging straight into a server, and owners specifically credit that placement flexibility with fixing dropped devices, on top of a stronger antenna and a Bluetooth proxy the USB-only Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 does not have. The Dongle Plus MG24 counters with genuine plug-and-play ease and a lower price: it's recognized instantly by Home Assistant with no configuration, and it rates higher. Both are Zigbee 3.0 coordinators and routers for Home Assistant that also run Thread, and neither does Z-Wave. Choose the SLZB-06p7U for network placement and the Bluetooth proxy; choose the MG24 if you want the simplest possible USB stick.
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FeatureSmlight SLZB-06p7USonoff Dongle Plus MG24Winner
Price$78.99$35.90Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24
Rating4.64.7Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24
PowerUSB, PoEUSBSmlight SLZB-06p7U
ConnectivityUSB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFiUSBSmlight SLZB-06p7U
Antenna Gain+5dB+4.5dBiSmlight SLZB-06p7U
Bluetooth ProxyYESNOSmlight SLZB-06p7U
Zigbee Chip ModelCC2652P7EFR32MG24Different strengths
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Zigbee RouterYESYESTie
Z-Wave ControllerNONOTie
Thread Border RouterYESYESTie
Matter BridgeNONOTie

What the differences mean

Connectivity

The SLZB-06p7U connects over Ethernet, PoE, Wi-Fi or USB, so it can sit centrally on the network. The MG24 is USB-only, tying its location to wherever the host machine is.

Bluetooth proxy

The SLZB-06p7U works as a Bluetooth proxy for Home Assistant, relaying BLE sensor signals. The MG24 has no Bluetooth proxy capability at all.

Antenna

The SLZB-06p7U's external antenna is rated slightly higher than the MG24's fixed one, part of why owners report it reaching further into a large mesh.

Setup and recovery

The MG24 is recognized instantly with no configuration. The SLZB-06p7U needs a little more setup for network connection, and some owners have had to reflash a unit that arrived pre-configured.

Which one to buy if

  • Zigbee devices keep dropping because the coordinator sits far from them
    Smlight SLZB-06p7U

    PoE or Ethernet placement lets it move to the center of the mesh, which owners credit with fixing exactly this.

  • you want the simplest possible USB stick with zero configuration
    Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24

    It's recognized instantly with nothing to set up; the SLZB-06p7U needs a bit more network configuration.

  • you want to relay Bluetooth sensors into Home Assistant too
    Smlight SLZB-06p7U

    Its Bluetooth proxy does that; the MG24 has no such capability.

  • budget and simplicity matter more than placement flexibility
    Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24

    It costs less and needs no network setup at all.

What owners say

Owners of both coordinators describe stable Zigbee networks once they're running, handling dozens of devices without issue. What each group singles out reflects how differently the two connect. Smlight SLZB-06p7U owners repeatedly credit moving the coordinator onto Ethernet or PoE with fixing devices that used to drop off a USB stick tucked behind a server, and value the Bluetooth proxy on top, though several mention receiving a unit that had clearly been opened or wrongly flashed. Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 owners praise how instantly it's recognized with zero configuration and how much cooler it runs than older Sonoff dongles, with no real complaints about its actual function.

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.

  • Smlight SLZB-06p7U
  • Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Zigbee dongle wins, the Smlight SLZB-06p7U or the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24?

The Smlight SLZB-06p7U is more capable, adding Ethernet, PoE and Wi-Fi placement plus a Bluetooth proxy. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is a truly plug-and-play USB-only stick, the easier pick for a simple setup.

What is the biggest difference between the Smlight SLZB-06p7U and the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24?

Connectivity and extras. The SLZB-06p7U is a network coordinator with a Bluetooth proxy, while the Dongle Plus MG24 is a USB-only stick with a fixed antenna. Both do Zigbee and Thread; neither does Z-Wave.

Is one easier to set up than the other?

The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is the more hands-off option, recognized instantly with no configuration needed. The Smlight SLZB-06p7U needs a bit more setup for network connection but rewards you with central placement.

Can either device relay Bluetooth sensors?

Only the Smlight SLZB-06p7U, which works as a Bluetooth proxy for Home Assistant. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 has no such capability.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-06p7U?

Buyers who want to place the coordinator centrally over Ethernet or PoE for better range, with a Bluetooth proxy and Thread built in.

Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24?

Buyers who want a truly plug-and-play USB Zigbee coordinator with zero configuration, and don't need network placement or a Bluetooth proxy.

Full comparison table

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