SMLIGHT SLZB-MR1U Review: Two Radios, So Zigbee and Thread Run at the Same Time
A dual-radio PoE gateway pairing EFR32MG21 and CC2652P7, for running Zigbee and Thread, or ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT, in parallel.
The SLZB-MR1U is the multi-radio member of SMLIGHT's range, and that is the whole point: with two independent radios (an EFR32MG21 and a CC2652P7) it supports dual network operation, so it can serve Zigbee and Thread simultaneously instead of making you choose. It connects over Ethernet with PoE, USB or Wi-Fi, so the radios can be placed where the mesh needs them rather than at the server. Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT are both supported, and the two radios can even be split between ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT.
- Running Zigbee and Thread together
- Splitting ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT
- PoE installations
- Matter and Thread accessories
Pros
- Two independent radios: Zigbee and Thread can run simultaneously
- Can dedicate one radio to ZHA and the other to Zigbee2MQTT
- Ethernet with PoE, plus USB and Wi-Fi options
- Thread border router capability for Matter accessories
- Works as Zigbee coordinator and Zigbee router
- Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT support
Cons
- More expensive than single-radio coordinators
- No Z-Wave radio and no Matter bridging of Zigbee devices
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- Overkill if you only need one protocol
- One year warranty
Who is the SLZB-MR1U for?
It is for a smart home that has outgrown one protocol. Most coordinators force a choice: Zigbee or Thread, this integration or that one. With two radios, this gateway runs both at once, so Thread and Matter accessories and an existing Zigbee network can coexist on one device. The other use it enables is splitting integrations, dedicating one radio to ZHA and the other to Zigbee2MQTT, which is otherwise a two-dongle job. PoE means one cable for power and network, so it can be mounted centrally.
What it offers
Dual network operation is the headline, backed by two distinct chips so neither protocol is being time-shared. Connectivity covers Ethernet with PoE, USB and Wi-Fi, so it fits whatever your setup allows, and Thread border router capability is built in for bridging Thread devices to your IP network. As with the rest of the range it works as a Zigbee coordinator and as a Zigbee router, and both Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT are supported explicitly.
What to know before you buy
Placement still decides Zigbee reliability, so plan the mounting position rather than leaving it next to the router. There is no Z-Wave radio, and it does not bridge Zigbee devices to Matter controllers. Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only. If you only need one protocol, the extra radio is money spent on capability you will not use, and the single-radio SLZB-06 or SLZB-07 models cost less. Warranty is one year.
Is the SLZB-MR1U worth it?
It sits at the upper end of SMLIGHT's pricing, and it earns that only if you will actually use both radios. Running Thread and Zigbee in parallel, or separating ZHA from Zigbee2MQTT on one box, are real problems it solves cleanly, and doing either with single-radio hardware means buying two devices anyway. For a plain Zigbee network, buy cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can the SLZB-MR1U run Zigbee and Thread at the same time?
Yes. It has two independent radios and supports dual network operation, which is what separates it from the single-radio SLZB-06 and SLZB-07 models.
Can I use one radio for ZHA and the other for Zigbee2MQTT?
Yes. Having two radios means the integrations can be split across them on a single device.
How does it connect?
Ethernet with PoE, USB or Wi-Fi, so it can be mounted away from the server on a single network cable.
Does it support Z-Wave?
No. It handles Zigbee and Thread only, and it does not bridge Zigbee devices to Matter controllers.
Is it worth it over a single-radio model?
Only if you will use both radios. For a Zigbee-only network, the cheaper single-radio coordinators do the same job.
