SMLight SLZB-Ultima3 - Overview & Upgrade

…this is the kind of device that makes you go “wow”…the SLZB-Ultima is a true multi-radio, multi-peripheral hub: Zigbee + Thread, optional Z-Wave 800, optional 4G LTE, PoE power, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB host, IR receiver and IR transmitter, plus RGB ambient lighting and a built-in buzzer…what really stands out is how expandable it is - you can add PoE, Z-Wave and LTE modules yourself, and the process is straightforward even for a first-timer…it feels like a no-compromise smart home controller built for enthusiasts and integrators who want maximum protocol coverage in one device…

Transcript

<section class="review-transcript"> Hi, I’m Tim, and thanks for watching this video. Today we’re taking a look at a new release from SMLIGHT: the SLZB-Ultima. It’s presented as an all-in-one device that can do “basically everything.” In this video, I’ll take a closer look at the hardware, go through key specifications, and also install several optional add-ons that SMLIGHT sent me: a PoE add-on, a 4G add-on, and a Z-Wave add-on. Installing these modules is something the user can do themselves, and this is my first time doing it. On the box, the SLZB-Ultima is described as a multi-radio, multi-peripheral smart adapter. It supports Zigbee/Thread, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB ports, optional microphone, optional 4G, buzzer, optional PoE, optional Z-Wave, infrared receiver and transmitter, UPS readiness, ambient lighting (WS2812), and 3.5 mm audio out. Inside the package, you get the device, two standard antennas, and any add-ons you purchased. The 4G add-on includes an antenna connector, the module itself, a header to plug into the main board, and a SIM card slot on the back. The Z-Wave add-on is a small board with an antenna connector and header pins. The PoE add-on is another small board with its own header connector and circuitry. With the add-ons, you also receive additional antennas, including a 900 MHz antenna for Z-Wave and a dedicated 4G antenna. To install the modules, the SLZB-Ultima casing must be opened. There are no screws, so the lid is held by internal clips. The documentation suggests opening near the rear USB-C area, but I preferred starting at a corner and carefully working around the device to release the clips more gently. You need to be careful not to damage the plastic clips. Inside, the main board exposes labeled header areas for expansion. Some side cut-outs must be popped out so the add-on antenna connectors can protrude through the housing. These breakouts release quite easily when pushed from the inside. I installed the modules in sequence: <ul> <li>PoE add-on in the center slot, connecting across the labeled PoE header pins.</li> <li>4G add-on on one side, including fitting the threaded antenna connector through the housing and securing it with washers and a nut.</li> <li>Z-Wave add-on on the opposite side, also with its own antenna connector.</li> </ul> Once everything was seated properly, I reassembled the case and attached the antennas: the dedicated 4G antenna, the 900 MHz Z-Wave antenna, and the two standard antennas for Zigbee/Thread. Now assembled, the device includes a front USB-C downstream port, an ambient LED light area, an infrared receiver and another USB-C port, a USB-A port, an infrared transmitter, three recessed buttons, system LEDs, and a buzzer behind a grill. At the rear, there is an upstream USB-C port, RJ45 Ethernet (with PoE when the add-on is installed), and a 3.5 mm audio output. I powered the device using PoE. On startup, it emitted a beep and illuminated a green LED bar, confirming it powered on successfully. In a follow-up video, I’ll go through the web interface and explore features in more depth. On the product website, the SLZB-Ultima is described as an ESP32-S3–based smart home powerhouse designed for advanced users, system integrators, and enthusiasts who want maximum protocol coverage. It highlights support for Zigbee/Thread radios, optional Z-Wave and 4G LTE add-ons, IR receiver/transmitter, USB host functionality, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an I2C/GPIO DIY connector, and compatibility with an optional UPS and solar power setup. The site also lists features such as WireGuard VPN support, OTA updates, WS2812B RGB ambient lighting, and a modular design for add-ons and expansion. Pricing depends on configuration. The base model is lower cost, and the price increases with add-ons like PoE, 4G LTE, Z-Wave, microphone, or UPS modules. The manuals are updated frequently and include guides for opening the device and installing add-ons. That concludes this overview. In the next video, after I spend more time with the web interface, I’ll share a deeper walkthrough of its features and capabilities. </section>