SMLIGHT SLZB-MR2 Review: Dual-Radio Zigbee and Thread on a PoE Gateway
CC2652P and EFR32MG21 side by side, so both protocols run at once, with Ethernet, PoE, USB and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The SLZB-MR2 pairs two radios, a Texas Instruments CC2652P and a Silicon Labs EFR32MG21, in one PoE gateway, which lets it run Zigbee and Thread simultaneously rather than switching between them. That also means one radio can serve ZHA while the other serves Zigbee2MQTT, on a single device. Connectivity covers Ethernet with PoE, USB and Wi-Fi, so the radios can be mounted where the mesh needs them instead of at the server. It is a coordinator and a Zigbee router, and it works as a Thread border router for Matter accessories.
- Running Zigbee and Thread together
- Splitting ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT
- PoE installations
- Home Assistant setups
Pros
- Two radios (CC2652P and EFR32MG21) running Zigbee and Thread at once
- One radio can serve ZHA while the other serves Zigbee2MQTT
- Ethernet with PoE, plus USB and Wi-Fi
- Thread border router capability
- 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
- Regional availability is uneven
- One year warranty
Who is the SLZB-MR2 for?
It suits a smart home that has both an established Zigbee network and newer Thread or Matter accessories. Single-radio coordinators force a choice between the two; this one runs both at the same time on separate silicon. The second use case is more niche but genuinely handy: dedicating one radio to ZHA and the other to Zigbee2MQTT, which normally means running two dongles. PoE keeps installation to one cable, so it can be mounted centrally where the radios actually perform.
What it offers
Two chips with complementary histories: the CC2652P is the long-standing Zigbee2MQTT workhorse, and the EFR32MG21 is Silicon Labs' widely supported part, so whichever stack you prefer has a native radio available. Dual network mode is supported, Thread border router capability is built in, and the gateway also acts as a Zigbee router. Connection options are Ethernet with PoE, USB, or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and both Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT are supported.
What to know before you buy
There is no Z-Wave radio, and it does not bridge existing Zigbee devices to Matter controllers, so it extends what you can run rather than translating between ecosystems. Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only. As with any coordinator, mounting position matters more than specifications, so plan where it goes. Availability appears uneven across regions, with different listings per country and some not carrying it at all, which is worth checking before you count on a particular retailer. Warranty is one year.
Is the SLZB-MR2 worth it?
It costs more than a single-radio coordinator, and the value is entirely in whether you use the second radio. Running Thread and Zigbee in parallel, or separating two Zigbee integrations, otherwise means buying and powering two devices, so for those cases it is the cheaper and tidier answer. For a plain Zigbee network, the SLZB-06 or SLZB-07 do the same job for less.
Frequently asked questions
Can it run Zigbee and Thread simultaneously?
Yes. It has two independent radios and supports dual network mode, so both protocols work at the same time.
Which chips does it use?
A Texas Instruments CC2652P and a Silicon Labs EFR32MG21, which covers both of the main firmware ecosystems.
Can I split ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT across it?
Yes. With two radios, each integration can have its own, on one device.
How is it powered and connected?
Ethernet with PoE, USB, or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
Does it do Z-Wave?
No. It handles Zigbee and Thread only.
