Matter is a cross-platform protocol that promises a hassle-free future filled with devices that work with leading open source and proprietary smart home systems. So far, the vision has yet to come true.
If you’re new to the smart home thing, you might want to hold off on Matter a little longer.
What’s happening?
An idyllic vision of a smart home
Matter is a smart home technology designed with the future of the multi-platform smart home in mind. All the major proprietary smart home platforms are on board (including Google, Amazon, Apple and Samsung), as are Home Assistant, Homey and other local platforms.
The Matter protocol can work over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but also using mesh networking technology called Thread. Not all Matter devices are compatible with Thread, but Thread primarily partners with Matter. If you’re a little confused, think of Matter as a language and Thread (or Wi-Fi) as the medium through which the conversation takes place.
Matter was designed to solve the incompatibility problem of purchasing a smart home device and locking it to one or two platforms. Native support at the platform level means not having to open manufacturer-specific apps to control it, using it in automations with devices from other brands, and having the freedom to migrate elsewhere if you want.
Thread is an open mesh network and has been introduced into all types of devices, known as Thread Edge Routers—particularly smart speakers and hubs. Both technologies are easily recognizable by their respective logos, which you should find emblazoned on boxes and web pages.
It’s hard to ignore Matter’s complaints.
Internet will warn you
Unfortunately, Matter is off to a rocky start. Like any new technology, the standard took years to take off. This was followed by a slow trickle of comparatively expensive devices. We’re finally reaching a stage where Matter and Thread are being widely adopted, but things haven’t gone as planned for everyone.
The subject is a standard around which hardware manufacturers design their hubs and devices. This model depends on hardware manufacturers keeping up with the standard, and some have been slow to react. Google Home is particularly bad In this sense, with Google Developer Center Reveal support only extends to version 1.0 (with some limited support for 1.2).
For context, Matter is at version 1.5 (which notably added camera support), and version 1.6 is expected in 2026. This version discrepancy is not obvious to anyone investing in smart home equipment, so it could be an unpleasant surprise. The reality is that you will have to resort to the manufacturer’s applications, which will limit the automation potential and defeat the purpose of the Matter project.
Few communities have expressed as much criticism of the standard as those that use Home Assistant. One could argue that Matter (and by extension, Thread) aims to solve a problem that doesn’t exist in Home Assistant, and the cacophony of complaints is difficult to ignore.
Some of these include devices leave the network forever, continue dependence on manufacturer applications to add devices, stories with happy endings abandon the subject and going back to Zigbee, and unpredictable levels of compatibility between different combinations of hubs and devices.
The stuff is getting there (slowly)
So close, no matter how far
I’m a happy Home Assistant user with a house full of old Zigbee devices from IKEA. I have no complaints (other than I can’t buy them anymore). But I’m also a big proponent of expanding my smart home and don’t need much convincing to add more devices or protocols to my server.
At this point, I see no reason to move away from Zigbee. Fortunately, Home Assistant means I don’t have to, but I wonder why I would invest in a device like the Home Assistant ZBT-2 radio When could you spend the money on more Zigbee light switches and sensors?
- Dimensions (exterior)
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83x83x179mm
- Weight
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157g
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 supports Zigbee and Thread, although it must be configured for use with either protocol. It offers 4x more responsiveness than the previous model and is designed to be easy to open for modification, with accessible pins and pads.
The stuff has come a long way and 2025 brought IKEA into the fold. Their Matter over Thread line of devices has made technology finally seem affordable. IKEA even went so far as to sell these devices for less than the previous range of Zigbee accessories, and there are some notable inclusions.
Until recently, the IKEA range lacked two of the most common electrical devices: smart plugs and light bulbs. That has changed with the recent launch of the barbecue area ($8) smart plug and Dock (from $9) lighting range. These devices are essential for building healthy Thread networks, as they act as repeaters, expanding the reach of the mesh network.
Right now, there is no spectacular new IKEA device that still not working with my existing Zigbee network. I find myself patiently waiting for a reason to add a Thread edge router to my smart home to use with Matter devices, and who knows how long that will take?
Mesh nets to use instead
For me, Thread is the most attractive part of the Matter system. IKEA hit the nail on the head when the company adopted mesh networking technology for all of its smart home devices, from eliminates dependence on Wi-Fi. If you opt for a Matter smart home, convert it to a Matter over Thread smart home.
Until then, consider Zigbee instead of Thread if your main concern is the price and availability of the device. There are many Manufacturers continue to make Zigbee devices that are not IKEA.with price and selection being the main selling points. Z-Wave is another solid alternative that can avoid the interference issues associated with Zigbee and Thread, and also enjoys longer ranges than either.
Hopefully in a few years the Matter protocol will have matured to the point where the vision becomes fully a reality and The IKEA smart home will not have problems for reasons beyond its control.
