What Is Matter? The New Smart Home Standard Explained

Matter is a connectivity standard for smart home devices. Its purpose is simple: let a device from any Matter-certified brand work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and Samsung SmartThings simultaneously — without workarounds, custom integrations, or manufacturer-specific apps.

Before Matter, a smart lock from Brand A might work with Alexa but not with Apple Home. A sensor from Brand B might work with Google Home but not with SmartThings. Compatibility was fragmented and inconsistent. Matter was created to fix that.

Who created Matter?

Matter is maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), a consortium of technology companies. Its founding members include Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and hundreds of device manufacturers. The standard was developed collaboratively, which is why all four major ecosystems support it — they helped design it.

Matter 1.0 was released in October 2022. Subsequent versions have expanded the list of supported device types.

What devices does Matter support?

As of 2026, Matter supports:

• Smart lights and switches
• Smart plugs
• Smart locks
• Thermostats
• Blinds and shades
• Sensors (temperature, humidity, contact, occupancy)
• Security cameras (added in Matter 1.3)
• Robot vacuums (added in later versions)
• Smart speakers and displays (as controller devices)

Not all product categories are supported yet. The list expands with each version of the standard.

How Matter works

Matter runs on IP (internet protocol) — the same foundation as Wi-Fi and Ethernet. This means Matter devices can be addressed directly over your home network, similar to how you access a local printer or a NAS device.

Matter operates over two physical layers:

Wi-Fi

Devices connect directly to your router. This works for always-powered devices (plugs, cameras, thermostats) where battery consumption isn't a concern.

Thread

Thread is a low-power mesh protocol designed for battery-operated devices like sensors and smart locks. Thread devices connect to a Thread Border Router — a device that bridges Thread traffic to your Wi-Fi network. Border routers are already built into Apple TV 4K, HomePod, HomePod mini, Amazon Echo (4th gen), and Google Nest Hub (2nd gen).

Multi-admin: the key advantage

The most important thing Matter enables is called multi-admin: a single device can be simultaneously controlled by multiple ecosystems without choosing one exclusively.

In practice: you buy a Matter-certified smart lock. You add it to Apple Home on your iPhone. Your partner adds the same lock to Google Home on their Android phone. Both apps can control the lock. Neither person needs to change ecosystems, and neither loses access.

This is a significant change from the pre-Matter model, where a device was typically paired to one ecosystem at a time.

Does Matter eliminate all compatibility problems?

No. Matter improves compatibility significantly, but it has limitations:

• Not all features are included in the standard. A smart camera may be Matter-certified for basic on/off control but deliver advanced features (person detection, package alerts) only through its own app.
• Older devices are not retroactively compatible. A Zigbee bulb you bought two years ago does not become Matter-compatible through a firmware update unless the manufacturer specifically released one (some have).
• Not all Matter devices support Thread. Some Matter devices only support Wi-Fi. Check the packaging before assuming Thread support.
• Multi-admin setup requires steps. Adding a device to a second ecosystem requires initiating a pairing process from that ecosystem's app. It's not automatic.

How to identify a Matter device

Matter-certified devices display the Matter logo on their packaging — a stylized "M" shape resembling a house. You'll also see it in product listings on Amazon and other retailers. The product specification should list "Matter" under connectivity or compatibility.

Should you prioritize Matter when buying?

It depends on your situation:

Yes, prioritize Matter if:

• You're building a setup from scratch and want maximum flexibility.
• You use multiple ecosystems at home (e.g., Apple and Google in the same household).
• You're not sure which ecosystem you'll stick with long-term.
• The device category you need is well-supported by Matter.

Matter is less critical if:

• You're already committed to one ecosystem and have no plans to change.
• The specific device you need isn't available with Matter certification yet.
• You need a device category not yet in the Matter specification.

Matter-certified devices are increasingly mainstream and not significantly more expensive than equivalent non-Matter devices. When two comparable products exist, the Matter version is worth choosing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a hub for Matter devices?

For Matter over Wi-Fi devices: no hub required. For Matter over Thread devices: you need a Thread Border Router. If you already have an Apple TV 4K, a 4th gen Echo, a HomePod, or a 2nd gen Nest Hub, you already have one.

Is Matter the same as Thread?

No. Thread is a wireless communication protocol. Matter is a software standard that can run over Thread (or Wi-Fi). A device can support Thread without supporting Matter, and a Matter device can use Wi-Fi instead of Thread.

Can older devices be updated to support Matter?

Some can. Several manufacturers (Philips Hue, Eve, Aqara) released firmware updates that added Matter support to existing products. This is not universal — most older devices do not and will not support Matter.

Does Matter mean I no longer need a bridge or hub?

For Matter over Wi-Fi devices, yes — no additional hardware is needed beyond your router. For Matter over Thread, a border router is required (and many people already have one). Existing ecosystems may still require their own hubs for non-Matter devices in the same setup.

What happens to my Zigbee and Z-Wave devices?

They continue to work as before. Matter does not replace Zigbee or Z-Wave — it's a parallel standard. If you have a hub that supports Zigbee (like SmartThings or Amazon Echo), those devices keep working through that hub.