Matter: the standard that lets smart home devices from different brands talk to each other
A bulb from one brand, a plug from another and a voice assistant from a third. Here is what Matter and Thread are, and what to look for on the box.
Anyone who has tried to build a smart home knows the drill. The bulb works with Alexa but not with your iPhone. The plug wants its own app. The sensor only talks to a hub from the same brand. You end up with five apps on your phone and none of them talk to each other.
Matter was created to end that mess.
What Matter is
Matter is a communication standard built jointly by the biggest names in the industry, including Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung, under an organization called the Connectivity Standards Alliance. The first version shipped in late 2022.
In practice, a Matter device works with any compatible platform: Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and SmartThings. You can even use the same device on more than one platform at once, a feature called multi-admin.
Another perk is that much of the control happens on your local network. Commands don’t have to travel to a server on the other side of the world and back, so responses are faster and devices keep working when the internet goes down.
Matter, Wi-Fi and Thread
Matter is the “language” devices speak. To actually talk, they need a way to carry the message, and there are three options:
- Wi-Fi: common on devices that use more power and stay plugged in, like cameras and smart plugs.
- Ethernet: a network cable, used by hubs and some fixed equipment.
- Thread: a wireless network designed for small, battery-powered gadgets such as door sensors and locks. It sips power and forms a mesh, so every device helps extend the signal.
To use Thread devices you need a Thread border router at home. Several smart speakers and displays already play that role, including some Echo models, the Nest Hub and the HomePod mini. Check your device’s spec sheet.
What to check before you buy
- The Matter logo on the box.
- Whether the device uses Thread, and whether you have a compatible border router.
- Which features work over Matter. On some products, advanced options still live only in the manufacturer’s app.
Matter hasn’t solved every smart home headache, and not every device type is supported yet. But for the first time, buying a new gadget no longer means betting on which brand will win.
