Matter: The In-Depth Guide to the Smart Home Revolution

Published 1 months ago on Guide
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For years, the smart home has been more of a messy concept than a seamless reality. But a monumental shift is underway, driven by a new standard that promises to unify this fragmented landscape

For years, the smart home has been more of a messy concept than a seamless reality. A vibrant but chaotic market led to a frustrating user experience, with devices that refused to communicate, a plethora of single-purpose apps, and a reliance on cloud servers that could leave you in the dark during an internet outage. But a monumental shift is underway, driven by a new standard that promises to unify this fragmented landscape. That standard is Matter. This in-depth guide will explore its history, its backers, its technology, and its future.

The Genesis of Matter: A Brief History

The story of Matter begins in December 2019 with a project of a different name: Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP). In an unprecedented move, arch-rivals Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance (now the Connectivity Standards Alliance - CSA) decided to collaborate. They recognized that the fractured nature of the smart home market was hindering growth and frustrating consumers. Their goal was to create a new, open-source, royalty-free connectivity standard that would be built upon a shared belief in security, reliability, and, most importantly, interoperability.

The CHIP working group expanded rapidly, attracting hundreds of companies from across the smart home industry. In May 2021, the project was officially rebranded as Matter, and the first version of the specification (Matter 1.0) was released in October 2022. This marked a major milestone, a "ceasefire" in the smart home wars, and the beginning of a new era of collaboration.

Who's Backing Matter? The Industry Giants

The success of any standard depends on its adoption, and Matter has the most powerful backing imaginable. The list of over 200 member companies in the Connectivity Standards Alliance reads like a who's who of the tech and smart home world. Beyond the founding members, it includes:

  • Smart Home Brands:
    • Philips Hue (Signify)
    • Samsung SmartThings
    • IKEA
    • Wyze
    • Nanoleaf
    • Eve Systems
    • Ecobee
  • Component Manufacturers:
    • NXP Semiconductors
    • Silicon Labs
    • Infineon
    • Texas Instruments
  • Other Tech Giants:
    • Comcast
    • Huawei
    • Schneider Electric

This widespread support ensures that a vast ecosystem of Matter-compatible products is already available and will continue to grow rapidly.

Available Matter Products

The Matter ecosystem is expanding quickly. Many existing devices have been updated to support Matter via firmware updates, and new products are launching with the Matter logo on the box. Here are some examples of available Matter-compatible products:

  • Hubs and Controllers:
    • Apple HomePod (2nd Gen), HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K
    • Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro
    • Amazon Echo (4th Gen and newer)
    • Samsung SmartThings Hub
  • Lighting:
    • Philips Hue bulbs and bridges
    • Nanoleaf light panels and bulbs
    • Govee light strips
    • Smart plugs from Eve, TP-Link Kasa, and more.
  • Climate Control:
    • Ecobee smart thermostats
    • Google Nest thermostats
  • Locks and Sensors:
    • Smart locks from Schlage and Yale
    • Door/window, motion, and other sensors from Aqara and Eve.

A comprehensive, up-to-date list of certified products can be found on the Connectivity Standards Alliance website.

Matter vs. The Old Guard: Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Proprietary Protocols

How does Matter compare to the technologies that came before it?

Matter isn't designed to replace protocols like Zigbee and Z-Wave, but rather to unify them.
  • Zigbee and Z-Wave:

    These are low-power mesh networking protocols that have been popular in the smart home for years. They are excellent for battery-powered devices. However, they are not IP-based, which means they require a hub or bridge to connect to your Wi-Fi network and the internet. Matter, on the other hand, is IP-based. A Matter bridge can be used to bring existing Zigbee and Z-Wave devices into the Matter ecosystem, allowing them to be controlled alongside native Matter devices.

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

    Many smart devices use Wi-Fi, which is great for high-bandwidth applications but can be power-hungry. Bluetooth is excellent for device-to-device communication but has limited range. Matter leverages both: it uses Bluetooth for easy setup and runs on Wi-Fi for high-speed communication and on Thread for low-power, reliable mesh networking.

  • Proprietary Protocols:

    Many brands developed their own communication protocols, creating closed ecosystems. This is the primary problem Matter was designed to solve. With Matter, manufacturers can focus on creating innovative hardware and features, rather than worrying about which platform their devices will work with.

Challenges and Disadvantages

Despite its immense promise, Matter is not without its challenges:

  • Early Days:

    The standard is still relatively new, and while the core functionality is solid, some advanced features may not yet be standardized across all platforms, leading to inconsistencies in user experience.

  • Phased Rollout of Device Categories:

    Matter is being rolled out in phases. While it now covers a wide range of devices, some highly anticipated categories like security cameras are still in development, meaning users have to wait for full support.

  • Bridging Complexity:

    While bridges are a great way to incorporate older devices, they can add a layer of complexity to the setup process and can sometimes be a point of failure.

  • Firmware Update Dependency:

    Relying on manufacturers to update existing devices to support Matter can be a slow process, and some older devices may not have the hardware required to support the update, leaving them behind.

The Evolution and Future of Matter

Matter is designed to evolve. The CSA plans to release updates to the specification twice a year, constantly expanding its capabilities.

  • Matter 1.0 (October 2022):

    The initial release supported lighting, plugs, HVAC controls, blinds, sensors, and TVs.

  • Matter 1.1 (May 2023):

    Focused on bug fixes and improvements to the developer experience.

  • Matter 1.2 (October 2023):

    Added support for nine new device types, including refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and robot vacuums.

  • Matter 1.3 (May 2024):

    Introduced support for energy and water management devices, EV chargers, and kitchen appliances like microwaves and ovens.

  • Matter 1.4 (November 2024):

    A significant update focused on network infrastructure and energy management. Key additions included certifiable Home Routers and Access Points (HRAPs) to standardize Thread networks, Enhanced Multi-Admin for easier device sharing, and better support for battery-powered devices with Long Idle Time (LIT). It also brought solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps into the fold.

  • Matter 1.4.1 (May 2025):

    A minor release that refined the user experience by improving the device setup process with features like NFC onboarding and multi-device QR codes.

What's Next? The Road Ahead

The future of Matter is bright, with many highly anticipated features on the horizon, likely for Matter 1.5 and beyond:

  • Cameras and Video Doorbells:

    Perhaps the most requested feature, official support for security cameras is actively being developed. This will standardize streaming, recording, and notifications across ecosystems.

  • Advanced Energy Management:

    Future updates will allow for even smarter energy use, with devices able to interact with utility grid data to optimize consumption based on real-time electricity rates and demand.

  • Expanded Device Support:

    The CSA is working on adding more device types, including irrigation controllers, soil sensors for gardening, and a wider range of "closures" like awnings, gates, and garage doors.

As the standard matures, we can expect to see even more innovative and powerful smart home experiences built on the unified and secure foundation of Matter.