The Problem Matter Was Built to Solve
Smart home technology has grown rapidly, but so has the confusion that comes with it. For years, consumers faced a frustrating reality: a smart bulb that worked with one voice assistant might be invisible to another, and a lock purchased for one ecosystem could be completely incompatible with a hub from a different brand. As explained in our overview of what 'smart home' really means, this fragmentation is one of the biggest barriers to building a home that genuinely works together.
The result for many households: multiple apps, siloed device groups, and the constant anxiety of buying a device that might not play nicely with what's already installed. Matter, launched officially in late 2022 by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, was designed specifically to eliminate that guesswork.
190+
Companies backing the Matter standard
The Connectivity Standards Alliance reports that Matter's development involved over 190 member companies at launch, including Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and many device manufacturers.
4,300+
Matter-certified devices available
As of figures published by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, thousands of products had received Matter certification across multiple device categories since the standard launched in 2022.
How Matter Actually Works
Matter functions as an application-layer standard—meaning it defines a shared set of rules for how devices identify themselves, communicate commands, and report status. When a device is certified as Matter-compatible, it ships with a standardized data model describing what it is (a light, a lock, a sensor) and what it can do.
Beneath Matter, the actual data travels over wireless protocols. Wi-Fi handles most high-bandwidth or always-on devices. Thread, a low-power mesh protocol, is better suited for battery-operated sensors and smaller accessories. Understanding those underlying protocols is worth a closer look: see our article on Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Thread for a plain-language comparison.
To manage Thread devices, a home needs a Thread Border Router—a device that bridges the Thread mesh network to your standard IP network. Several smart home hubs and even some Wi-Fi routers now include this function built in.
Check for a Thread Border Router in Your Home
If you plan to use Thread-based Matter devices, your network needs at least one Thread Border Router to connect those devices to your Wi-Fi network. Many recent smart home hubs and some Wi-Fi mesh systems include this capability. Before purchasing Thread-reliant devices, verify that your hub or router model supports it—check the manufacturer's product page or app settings.
What Matter Gets Right—and Where It Falls Short
Matter's most practical win is multi-admin: a single certified device can be paired with more than one ecosystem simultaneously. A smart plug could appear in Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa at the same time, controlled by any of them. That flexibility was essentially impossible under the previous proprietary approach.
Device setup has also become more consistent. Matter uses a QR code or numeric pairing code on the device, which any compatible app can scan to commission it onto the network—similar to how Bluetooth pairing has become standardized.
However, Matter doesn't solve every problem. Manufacturers can still layer proprietary features on top of the standard, meaning advanced settings for a specific device may only be accessible through the brand's own app. Complex automation logic—scenes that depend on multiple conditions, or integrations with third-party services—often still requires a capable hub or controller. If you're starting from scratch, our guide to setting up a smart home hub walks through how to choose a hub that supports Matter.
Older Devices May Need a Bridge
Not every smart home device you already own will become Matter-compatible through a software update. Hardware that lacks Wi-Fi or Thread radios cannot be upgraded. Some manufacturers offer bridge devices that translate older proprietary protocols into Matter-compatible signals, which can extend the life of existing investments without full replacement.
What to Check Before Buying a Matter Device
The Matter logo on packaging is a meaningful signal, but it isn't the only thing worth verifying. The underlying wireless protocol, the features included in the standard certification versus those locked behind the brand's app, and whether your current hub supports Matter as a controller all affect the real-world experience.
Use a compatibility checklist before purchasing—our smart device compatibility checklist covers the key questions to ask before opening the box. And if you're evaluating which rooms of your home most benefit from connected devices in the first place, the room-by-room home technology guide offers an honest assessment of practical versus gimmicky choices.
Matter is still maturing. The specification has expanded since its initial release to cover more device types—including appliances and energy management—and the ecosystem of certified hardware continues to grow. For consumers, the clearest near-term benefit is less lock-in and simpler setup, even if the fully seamless smart home remains a work in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Some existing devices from participating brands have received or will receive Matter support through firmware updates. However, older hardware that lacks the necessary wireless capability—particularly Thread support—may not be upgradeable and would require replacement.
No. Matter is an application-layer standard that runs on top of underlying wireless protocols like Wi-Fi and Thread. It doesn't replace those radios; it standardizes how devices communicate once a connection is established. Zigbee and Z-Wave devices can still be bridged into a Matter network via a compatible hub.
They are related but distinct. Thread is a low-power mesh networking protocol that Matter can use as its transport layer. Matter is the higher-level standard that defines how devices discover each other, authenticate, and share commands. A device can be Matter-certified while communicating over Wi-Fi rather than Thread.
It depends on the hub and its manufacturer's update roadmap. Several popular hubs have added Matter controller support through software updates. Check your hub manufacturer's documentation to confirm whether your model supports Matter as a controller, a bridge, or both.
Matter includes strong security foundations—device attestation and encrypted communication—but no standard guarantees absolute security. The overall safety of your smart home also depends on your router security, password practices, and keeping device firmware up to date.
Yes, and this is one of Matter's most significant features. A single device can be added to multiple platforms—such as Google Home and Apple Home—simultaneously through a process called multi-admin. Each platform can then control the device independently.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.