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Dongles · Head to head

Smlight SLZB-MRW10 vs Sonoff Dongle-PZG23

Full Smart Dongles comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Smlight and Sonoff sites.
2026 verdict
Two very different jobs are on the table here: the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is a dedicated Z-Wave stick, the Smlight SLZB-MRW10 is a three-radio network gateway, and the Smlight SLZB-MRW10 covers more.
Smlight SLZB-MRW10
Winner
Smlight SLZB-MRW10
$100.00
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It adds Zigbee and Thread radios plus a Bluetooth proxy on top of its Z-Wave Series 800 controller, and it connects over Ethernet with PoE, USB or Wi-Fi, where the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is a USB-only Z-Wave coordinator. Both work with Home Assistant and both put +20 dBm of transmit power behind their radios, and the Sonoff is described as truly plug-and-play for Z-Wave. Choose the Smlight SLZB-MRW10 for a Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave home in one unit, and the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 if Z-Wave is all you need.
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FeatureSmlight SLZB-MRW10Sonoff Dongle-PZG23Winner
Price$100.00$39.90Sonoff Dongle-PZG23
Rating5.04.6Smlight SLZB-MRW10
PowerUSB, PoEUSBSmlight SLZB-MRW10
ConnectivityUSB, Ethernet, 2.4 GHz WiFiUSBSmlight SLZB-MRW10
Zigbee RouterYESNOSmlight SLZB-MRW10
Thread Border RouterYESNOSmlight SLZB-MRW10
Antenna Gain+5dB+2dBiSmlight SLZB-MRW10
Dual NetworkYESNOSmlight SLZB-MRW10
Bluetooth ProxyYESNOSmlight SLZB-MRW10
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Z-Wave Chip ModelEFR32ZG23EFR32ZG23Tie
Z-Wave ControllerYESYESTie

What the differences mean

Protocol breadth

The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 covers Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave with a Bluetooth proxy. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is Z-Wave only, so Zigbee or Thread devices need a second dongle beside it.

Placement

The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 connects over Ethernet with PoE, USB or Wi-Fi, so it can be mounted centrally. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is a USB stick that stays with the host, relying on its extension cable for the same job at shorter reach.

Z-Wave generation

Both use a Z-Wave Series 800 controller, so the Z-Wave radio itself is a tie. The decision is whether you need the extra Zigbee and Thread radios the Smlight carries.

Antennas

The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 uses two external antennas at +5 dBi gain with +20 dBm of transmit power. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 uses one adjustable 2 dBi antenna at +20 dBm and includes a USB extension to place it well.

Price and simplicity

The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is the cheaper and more plug-and-play of the two, a true Z-Wave-only stick. The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 costs more and gives you the extra protocols and the network placement for it.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 owners describe the easiest kind of install: plug it in and Home Assistant recognizes it quickly, with no flashing or firmware update, often up and running in under ten minutes. Range and stability come up constantly, with owners crediting the Z-Wave 800 chip, Z-Wave Long Range and the adjustable 2 dBi antenna for better reach than cheaper dongles, and reporting no dropped devices over long runs. They like the bundled roughly one-meter USB extension cable for keeping the antenna clear of noisy USB 3 ports, and that it pairs cleanly with a wide mix of older and newer Z-Wave gear, including locks and thermostats migrated from a retired Vera hub. Their only real note is scope: it is Z-Wave only.

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-MRW10
  • Sonoff Dongle-PZG23

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Smlight SLZB-MRW10 or Sonoff Dongle-PZG23?

The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 is the broader device, covering Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave with a Bluetooth proxy and Ethernet placement. The Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is the better pure Z-Wave buy, cheaper, truly plug-and-play and strong on range with an adjustable antenna.

What is the biggest difference between the Smlight SLZB-MRW10 and the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23?

How many protocols each handles. The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 covers Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave in one box, while the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is a Z-Wave-only USB coordinator. If your home is Z-Wave alone, the Sonoff is the simpler, cheaper choice.

Do the Smlight SLZB-MRW10 and the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 both work with Home Assistant?

Yes. The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 works through Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA for its Zigbee and Thread radios, and the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is recognized by Home Assistant for Z-Wave without flashing. Both use Z-Wave Series 800 hardware.

Which one is easier to place for Z-Wave range?

The Smlight SLZB-MRW10 can sit on Ethernet or PoE anywhere the mesh needs it, while the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23 is USB-only. The Sonoff compensates with an adjustable external antenna and a bundled extension cable that owners recommend using.

Who should buy the Smlight SLZB-MRW10?

A home with Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave devices that wants one network-placed coordinator with a Bluetooth proxy, rather than a dedicated Z-Wave stick plus other radios.

Who should buy the Sonoff Dongle-PZG23?

Anyone whose smart home is Z-Wave only, who wants a cheap, plug-and-play 800 Series coordinator with strong range and no firmware step.

Full comparison table

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