Smart home devices are supposed to make life easier. Yet until recently, building a truly “smart” home often felt like piecing together a messy puzzle: Certain devices would only sync with specific apps, while others needed an entirely different platform or voice assistant to work properly. Enter Matter: the new smart home standard that promises to eliminate much of that frustration. Below is a deep dive into how Matter came about, how it functions, and why it might just be the game-changer the connected home industry has been waiting for.
What Is Matter?
At its core, Matter is an open-source interoperability standard designed to help different smart home devices and ecosystems play nicely together. Backed by big-name companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung, Matter aims to ensure that any product bearing its logo will work with your preferred smart home platform and voice assistants—no more guesswork about whether a new device is going to be compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
Why We Need Matter
- Simplified Control: Instead of juggling multiple apps and voice commands, Matter ensures you can set up your devices with your platform of choice—whether that’s Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or something else.
- Local Connectivity: Matter uses your local network rather than a purely cloud-based setup, so your devices remain responsive even if the internet goes down.
- Open Source, Royalty-Free: Matter’s software development kit (SDK) is available royalty-free, making it easier for manufacturers to adopt.
I’ve personally run into endless compatibility headaches—like when my older Philips Hue Bridge decided it didn’t want to talk to my new Nest Hub. Testing Matter-supported bulbs in my living room, I noticed a big difference: Setup was fast, easy, and everything connected without forcing me to switch apps or voice assistants.
What Makes Matter Different?
Matter was originally known as Project CHIP (Connected Home over IP) and is maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). It’s not a brand-new protocol per se; it merges and builds upon existing technologies like Wi-Fi, Thread, and Bluetooth Low Energy. The diversity of the membership in the CSA—over 550 tech companies—sets Matter apart. They’ve come together to unify a fragmented landscape rather than pushing their own standards in isolation.
For me, this is huge. My home used to be a patchwork of voice assistants and standalone hubs. With Matter, I’ve noticed fewer struggles in linking my smart plugs and cameras to a single voice command.
A (Brief) Timeline of Matter
- 2022: The first Matter 1.0 specification launched after delays, opening certification labs and releasing the core SDK to developers.
- 2023 (Matter 1.1 & 1.2): Minor updates arrived with bug fixes and new device support for everything from refrigerators to robotic vacuums.
- 2024 (Matter 1.3): Adds even more device categories, such as ovens, cooktops, laundry dryers, EV charging, and energy/water management tools.
Unfortunately, actual integration by platform providers has been somewhat slow—only Apple’s iOS fully supports Matter 1.2 so far. But as more updates roll out, I’m hoping to see the full Matter experience on every major platform, as promised.
Where Does That Leave Older Standards?
Standards like Zigbee, Z-Wave, Insteon, and even Samsung SmartThings aren’t disappearing. Matter is designed to coexist with these technologies, merging the best of all worlds. Google, for example, merged its Thread and Weave technologies into Matter. This interoperability is one reason many of us in the smart home community are so excited—real synergy rather than endless fragmentation.
Which Devices Work With Matter?
Many existing devices can be made Matter-compatible through firmware updates, especially if they already support Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave. Others will remain incompatible. The best strategy is to look for the Matter logo on new devices or check with manufacturers about possible updates for older products.
Supported Device Categories
- Matter 1.0: Lighting (bulbs, switches), smart plugs, locks, sensors, media devices (TVs), smart blinds, garage door controllers, thermostats, HVAC controls.
- Matter 1.2 Additions: Refrigerators, room air conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washers, robot vacuums, smoke/CO alarms, air purifiers, fans.
- Matter 1.3 Additions: EV charging, water management sensors, ovens, cooktops, extractor hoods, laundry dryers, and more advanced energy usage features.
If you’re like me, you probably have at least one device still waiting on that magical firmware update. My aging smart lock never got the patch, but my new robotic vacuum did—and it was delightful seeing it pop up in the same app as my smart lights.
So, What Can You Actually Do With Matter?
Matter delivers basic control functions right now—think turning lights on/off, locking doors, opening garage doors, or adjusting a thermostat. More advanced features (like custom color scenes, multi-room audio grouping, or security camera integrations) aren’t fully supported yet but are in the pipeline.
Matter Casting and Notifications
You can cast from your phone to your TV using Matter Casting—Amazon currently uses it with Prime Video. Future expansions will let other devices send notifications to your TV screen (like a dishwasher alerting you that the cycle is done). While it’s limited at the moment, the potential is exciting. I love the idea of getting a real-time “oven preheated” notification on the TV while I’m busy binge-watching a show.
Hubs, Bridges, and More: Fitting Matter Into Your Existing Setup
Several brands, such as Philips Hue and Aqara, have updated their hubs to be Matter-compliant. This means older lights and sensors can still join the Matter ecosystem through a Matter-enabled hub, rather than requiring you to replace them outright.
Under the hood, Matter relies heavily on Thread for connectivity. Devices that act as Thread routers (like certain smart speakers) can also help form a mesh network, boosting reliability and reducing latency. Since I updated my Aqara Hub to be Matter-compatible, I’ve noticed my older motion sensors integrate more smoothly with my new Google Nest Hub Max.
Do I Need Special Hardware or Apps?
To control Matter devices, you’ll need a Matter controller and a compatible smart home platform. Fortunately, most of the latest smart speakers, displays, or hubs from companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung already double as Matter controllers. Android and iOS also have Matter built in, so your smartphone can act as a controller, too.
Common Thread Border Routers
- Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and various Eero routers
- Apple HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K (2nd/3rd Gen)
- Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi, Nest Wifi Pro
- Samsung SmartThings Station and select Samsung Smart TVs
- Aqara Smart Hub M3
If you already own one of these, you’re basically good to go. In my home, the Google Nest Wifi Pro acts as my Thread border router, and it’s seamlessly linked with my other Matter-ready devices.
Privacy and Security: Is Matter Safe?
Because Matter handles more local control, your commands don’t necessarily have to route through a distant cloud server. The CSA published strict security guidelines, including device authentication via distributed ledger technology and public key infrastructure. This helps ensure you’re not inviting uncertified or malicious devices into your home.
That said, connecting each Matter device directly to the internet could raise potential risks, so it’s still crucial to use strong network security practices—like changing default passwords and regularly updating firmware.
Will Matter Live Up to the Hype?
There’s a lot of promise here. If I see the Matter logo, I have confidence that the device will work with my current setup—regardless of whether I’m using Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant. And that’s huge for any household juggling multiple platforms.
However, we’re still waiting for some major players to catch up on the newest Matter releases. Plus, more sophisticated device features remain out of scope for now, and not every manufacturer plans to open every function. The good news? Even in this early stage, I’ve found Matter significantly reduces the friction of setting up and managing my gadgets.
Bottom Line:
- Pros: Easier setup, universal compatibility, local control, and a clear path for future expansions.
- Cons: Limited advanced functionality so far, slow adoption by some major platforms, potential fragmentation if manufacturers hold back certain features.
Final Thoughts
Matter may not be perfect yet, but it’s a monumental step forward in the quest for a more unified, less frustrating smart home. Having spent too many weekends juggling half a dozen apps and hubs—some of which barely cooperated—it’s refreshing to finally see an industry-wide commitment to making everything just work. If you’re on the fence about upgrading your smart home hardware, keep an eye out for the Matter logo. Your future self might thank you for saving hours of setup drama.