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Is the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator worth it?

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator is recommended with a 8.5/10 consensus score. Experts highlight poe places the radio anywhere on the lan, away from usb3 and wi-fi interference and web management ui with remote ota and one-click zigbee/thread mode switching. Best for: Large 50-to-200-device meshes wanting PoE placement freedom and a web UI on actively-developed silicon.

SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator — Recommended per expert consensus
Recommended
Price Range
$72.99
$72.99 listEFR32MG21 radio, Zigbee or Thread firmware-switchable
Check price

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SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator

NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner

Zigbee/Thread Coordinator

Expert consensus

How we score
08.5/1010

Expert Consensus

Updated this week

Key Features

  • EFR32MG21 radio, Zigbee or Thread firmware-switchable
  • Ethernet + USB + Wi-Fi with PoE
  • Web management UI with remote OTA
  • Vendor spec: up to 200 devices

Best For

Large 50-to-200-device meshes wanting PoE placement freedom and a web UI on actively-developed silicon

SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator vs. the alternatives

How the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator stacks up against other Automation options on price, expert consensus, and ecosystem support.

Comparison of SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator and alternative Automation products by price, expert consensus score, ecosystem support, and verdict
ProductPriceConsensusWorks WithVerdict
SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE CoordinatorThis page$72.998.5/10Recommended
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus MG24 (Thread & Zigbee)$35.908.9/10Must Buy
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E (ZBDongle-E)$26.997.6/10Good Value
SMLIGHT SLZB-07 Zigbee 3.0 / Thread Mini USB Coordinator$34.997.6/10MatterRecommended

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator ($72.99 list) earns a 8.5/10 expert consensus, versus the Aqara Hub M3 at $149.99 list (8.3/10 consensus).

What Experts Agree On

What Experts Love

  • PoE places the radio anywhere on the LAN, away from USB3 and Wi-Fi interference
  • Web management UI with remote OTA and one-click Zigbee/Thread mode switching
  • First-class ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT support on mature EmberZNet silicon
  • Optoelectronic isolation between USB and Ethernet for a clean signal path

Common Criticisms

  • At $72.99 it costs roughly 2.7x a value USB stick
  • EFR32MG21 runs one protocol at a time, not native dual-stack like the MG24
  • Adds a network dependency the USB sticks do not have

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator worth it?

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator earns a 8.5/10 consensus score and is rated "Recommended". At $72.99, it is best for Large 50-to-200-device meshes wanting PoE placement freedom and a web UI on actively-developed silicon. It ranks among the top picks in its category.

How much does the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator cost?

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator is priced at $72.99. With a 8.5/10 score and a "Recommended" rating, that price represents strong value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Automation products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.

Who is the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator best for?

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator is best for Large 50-to-200-device meshes wanting PoE placement freedom and a web UI on actively-developed silicon. Experts rate it "Recommended" with a 8.5/10 consensus.

How does the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator compare to other Automation options?

Among the Automation products we have aggregated, the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator ranks above average with a 8.5/10 score. See our full category comparison for head-to-head details.

What are the best alternatives to the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator?

If the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator ($72.99, 8.5/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Automation are Aqara Hub M3, Amazon Smart Plug. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.

What are the pros and cons of the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator?

The main strengths of the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator are poe places the radio anywhere on the lan, away from usb3 and wi-fi interference and web management ui with remote ota and one-click zigbee/thread mode switching. The most-cited downside is at $72.99 it costs roughly 2.7x a value usb stick. Overall, experts rate it "Recommended" with a 8.5/10 consensus score.

Decided on the SMLIGHT SLZB-06M Zigbee 3.0 Ethernet/USB/WiFi PoE Coordinator?

$72.99 listEFR32MG21 radio, Zigbee or Thread firmware-switchable
Check price

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Sources & Methodology

Consensus score based on available data. See how we build consensus scores.

Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.This is a consensus review — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.

Independence notice: Smart Home Explorer is an independent publication. SMLIGHT and other product names, logos, and brands referenced on this page are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This review is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by SMLIGHT or any other manufacturer named in this article.