Smlight SLZB-MR5U vs Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24

The Smlight SLZB-MR5U is the more capable choice, running Zigbee and Thread at once on two radios with Ethernet placement and a Bluetooth proxy. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is the better value, far cheaper and plug-and-play, and plenty for a single-protocol network.

Whether the two protocols can run together and where the radio can live. The Smlight SLZB-MR5U has two radios and an Ethernet with PoE connection; the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 is a USB stick with one radio that serves Zigbee or Thread, one at a time.

Only the Smlight SLZB-MR5U, which carries two EFR32MG24 radios and supports dual network mode. The Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 can be flashed to run Thread, but it works as Zigbee or Thread rather than both simultaneously.

Yes. The Smlight SLZB-MR5U and the Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 both work with Home Assistant through Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA, and both offer a Thread border router. The Sonoff is the more plug-and-play of the two out of the box.

Homes that need Zigbee and Thread running at the same time, want the radio on the network rather than in a USB port, and would use its Bluetooth proxy.

Anyone who wants a modern, cheap, plug-and-play coordinator for Zigbee or Thread alone and does not need dual-radio operation, Ethernet placement or a Bluetooth proxy.