SLZB-MR5U Zigbee+Thread Ethernet PoE USB LAN WIFI Adapter

• Aliexpress 1 – click here – available!
• Aliexpress 2 – click here – available!

FEATURES DUAL EFR32MG24

Use it for Zigbee, Thread, + Z-Wave, or any USB-based protocol — all from a single, compact, Ethernet-connected device (see "USB passthrough" section for usage config).

✅ Key Features

• DUAL!!! EFR32MG24 SoC
• Zigbee 3.0 support via first  Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 (also could work in Thread Border Router mode)

• Thread Border Router capability via second  Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 (also could work in Zigbee mode).
• USB Passthrough over TCP/IP — connect and access USB devices over the network (e.g., Z-Wave dongles). (see "USB passthrough" section for usage config).

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in (ESP32)

• Modular architecture — connect any USB device via port or USB hub (see "USB passthrough" section for usage config)

• LAN + PoE support for stable power and network

• Fully compatible with:

  • Zigbee2MQTT

  • Home Assistant

  • OpenThread

  • Z-Wave JS (via USB stick) or other protocol

• Plug-and-play, SLZB-OS powered

What Makes MR5U Unique?

Unlike typical LAN coordinators, SLZB-MR5U includes a USB host interface that allows you to:

• Connect USB dongle (e.g., Z-Wave, Matter, BLE, custom RF, etc.)

• Access that USB device over Ethernet using TCP/IP passthrough

• Use a USB hub to run multiple devices simultaneously (e.g., Zigbee + Thread +  Z-Wave + ) (see "USB passthrough" section for usage config).

• Expand your smart home setup without changing hardware

Ideal for power users, integrators, and future-proof installations.

Connectivity Options

• Ethernet (with PoE) — stable & wired

• Wi-Fi — for flexible placement

• USB-C — alternative power input

• USB-A host port — for radio/module expandability (see "USB passthrough" section for usage config).

One of the most powerful features of SLZB-MR5U is its USB passthrough capability over TCP/IP. This allows you to connect external USB devices — such as Z-Wave sticks, additional Zigbee coordinators, or custom UART-based modules — and access them over Ethernet just like they were locally plugged into your PC or smart home server.

✅ Compatible USB-to-UART chipsets:

• CP210x (Silicon Labs)

• PL2303 (Prolific)

• CH340 / CH341 (WCH)

• CH9102 (WCH, newer alternative to CH340)

These are the most commonly used chipsets in USB Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread dongles — making MR5U compatible with virtually all modern USB-based smart home radios.

Use Case Example:
Plug a Z-Wave USB stick into the MR5U, and connect it from Home Assistant using tcp://192.168.1.100:6638 – no local USB ports needed!

⚠️ Power Considerations

Some USB devices (especially high-powered dongles or hubs) may require external power to function reliably.
If you're connecting:

• Power-hungry radios like Z-Wave long-range sticks

• Or USB sticks with internal LEDs or extra features

We recommend using a powered USB hub to ensure stable operation.

⚠️ Can I power the device using both PoE and USB-C at the same time?
A: ❌ No — never power the SLZB-MR5U with both PoE and USB-C simultaneously.

Unlike the SLZB-MR5, the SLZB-MR5U features a direct internal connection between PoE power and the USB port. This design enables USB passthrough to function correctly when powered via PoE — delivering power to connected USB devices.

If you add USB-C power while PoE is already active, you risk damaging the board due to conflicting power sources.

Use only one power method at a time:

• PoE (if available),

• or USB-C (when PoE is not available).

Protect your hardware — never combine both

Q: Wait… I can actually connect a USB Z-Wave stick to this and use it over Ethernet?
A: ✅ Yes — just plug the stick into the MR5U, and connect to it using tcp://<device_ip>:8638 from Z-Wave JS or Home Assistant. No drivers, no tricks. It works.

Q: Will it work with my Zigbee dongle based on CH340 or CP2102?
A: ✅ Absolutely. The MR5U supports the most common USB-UART chipsets: CH340/CH341, CP210x, PL2303, CH9102.

Q: Can I use more than one USB device at the same time?
A: ❌ Not now.

Q: I don’t have PoE. Can I still use Ethernet mode if I power the device via USB-C?
A: ✅ Yes — absolutely!
You can run the SLZB-MR5U in Ethernet mode while powering it through USB-C.

Here’s how to do it right:
Use a powered USB hub — plug your USB stick (e.g., Z-Wave) into the hub, and also connect a power supply to the hub’s power input.
Then plug the hub into the MR5U’s USB port. Ethernet stays active — no PoE needed.

Q: Is this just some sort of trick or tunneling workaround?
A: ✅ No tricks. The passthrough is native. The USB device becomes available over TCP just like with ser2net or USBIP, but embedded directly into the SLZB-MR5U hardware.

Q: Will I need to install anything special on the USB device?
A: ✅ No. The MR5U presents the device exactly as-is. If it works over USB on your PC, it’ll work over the network with MR5U.

Q: Do I need to configure anything to make this work?
A: ✅ Very little — simply enable USB passthrough in the web interface, and connect using the exposed IP:Port. That’s it.

Q: Can I flash devices like Z-Wave via this USB port?
A: ✅ Technically yes — but flashing over TCP is more sensitive to timing. For production or critical flashing, we still recommend direct USB.

Q: What happens if my USB stick draws too much power?
A: ✅ Use a powered USB hub. MR5U provides limited current via USB - high-power devices (like long-range Z-Wave sticks) may need external power.

Q: ⚠️ Can I power the device using both PoE and USB-C at the same time?
A: ❌ No — never power the SLZB-MR5U with both PoE and USB-C simultaneously.

Unlike the SLZB-MR1, the SLZB-MR5U features a direct internal connection between PoE power and the USB port. This design enables USB passthrough to function correctly when powered via PoE — delivering power to connected USB devices.

If you add USB-C power while PoE is already active, you risk damaging the board due to conflicting power sources.

Use only one power method at a time:

• PoE (if available),

• or USB-C (when PoE is not available).

Protect your hardware — never combine both

Technical Specifications – SLZB-MR5U

Radio Chips:

• 2x Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 

• • Zigbee 3.0 support (Zigbee2MQTT & ZHA compatible).
  • Thread (Matter-over-Thread) support (Open Thread Border Router).
  • +20 dBm TX power.

Supported Protocols:

• • Zigbee 3.0 (Zigbee2MQTT, ZHA), at the same time with Thread.
  • Thread (Matter-over-Thread), at the same time with Zigbee.
  • Supports simultaneous or switchable operation for multiradio environments.
  • Wi-Fi.
  • Other protocols based on External USB sticks.

Connectivity:

• USB-C for data and power
• Ethernet connection
• USB-C passthrough

Firmware:

• Radio firmware support
  • • Compatible with SL Ember/EZSP stack (for EFR32MG24).

• Radio firmware Updating via web-interface
• SLZB-OS
• Compatible with SLZB-OS versions 3.2.1 and up).
• SLZB-OS supported functionality:
  • • VPN, 20+ languages, Scripts support, Network settings, Security, Dashboard, zHub mode, mode switcher, OTA firmware updates etc.

Antenna:

• Dual external antenna SMA female connectors (one for each radio SoC)
• PCB antenna for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 2x pre-packed high-gain 2.4 GHz antennas included

Power Supply:

• PoE powered, POE 48V supported
• Powered via USB-C (5V DC)
• Low power consumption up to 1.5W (if both radio SoCs are running)
• !!! CANNOT be powered by Type-C and PoE at the same time. CAUTION!

Enclosure:

• Compact, durable ABS case with ventilation
• DIN rail and wall-mount compatible (3D models)
• Easy sticking with two-sided adhesive tapes
• Easy mounting with screws with screw set (screws, screw driver, ruler) included.

LED Indicators and peripheral:

• Independent status LEDs for each radio (6 service LEDs in total: 2 LEDs for Core SoC, 2 LEDs for CC2652P SoC, 2 LEDs for EFR32 SoC,)
• Multibutton: supports many functions (mode switch, reset etc).