Matter of Time: Which Devices Will You Control in August 2024?

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The Matter of Smart Homes: A Guide to Compatibility and What You Need to Know

Two years after its launch, Matter, the smart home standard developed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung, is finally showing signs of life. This ambitious project aims to solve a key frustration in the smart home space: device compatibility. Imagine a world where your smart lock effortlessly integrates with your phone, your smart lights respond seamlessly to your smart speaker, and your entire smart home ecosystem works in harmony. With Matter, that vision is no longer a dream, it’s becoming a reality.

But what exactly is Matter?

In essence, Matter is a common language for all your smart home devices, streamlining the purchase, setup, and usage process. The standard ensures that devices from different manufacturers can communicate with each other, eliminating the need to worry about whether a particular lamp will work with your phone or your speaker. If it’s Matter-enabled, it should work with any Matter-enabled device or platform.

Key aspects of Matter:

  • Open Connectivity: Matter was founded by major industry leaders (Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung) and supported by hundreds of companies, making it an open initiative accessible to a wider range of manufacturers.
  • Local Control: Matter operates locally, leveraging Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread (a low-power mesh networking protocol specifically designed for smart home devices), to ensure speedy and reliable device interaction.
  • Increased Security: Matter incorporates strong security measures, giving users peace of mind regarding their connected devices.
  • Universal Compatibility: Devices that are Matter-enabled can seamlessly integrate with any Matter-compatible smart home platform, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home.
  • Multi-Admin Feature: While still under development, Matter’s Multi-Admin feature promises to grant users control over their devices across various platforms, giving them more flexibility and freedom.

The current state of Matter:

While the standard has made great strides with its recent spec release in May 2024, Matter is still in its infancy. The number of manufacturers implementing the standard in their products remains limited. Additionally, while the major platforms support some device types, none cover them all.

Current limitations of Matter:

  • Unsupported Device Types: Cameras and home security systems are not yet supported by Matter, and though energy management is on the roadmap, crucial devices like water heaters and heat pumps are still absent.
  • Limited Feature Support: Some device type functionalities within Matter are still basic. You can’t add a PIN to door locks connected via Matter, and features like dynamic light scenes or adaptive lighting are not supported yet.
  • Thread Border Router Issues: While Matter boasts the advantages of Thread, the integration of Thread border routers with other smart home ecosystems can still present challenges.
  • Multi-Admin Development: The promised Multi-Admin feature is still in development, delaying the ability to manage devices across multiple platforms.

Despite these challenges, Matter represents a promising future for the smart home. Its benefits – local control, improved security, and universal compatibility – are undeniable. If you’re eager to experience the advantages of Matter in your smart home, read on to discover what is possible today.

Device types supported by Matter:

Implemented Device Types:

  • Air Purifiers
  • Air Quality Sensors
  • Blinds and Shades
  • Bridges (connecting other protocols like Zigbee)
  • Door Locks
  • Fans
  • Light Bulbs and Switches (including smart buttons)
  • Plugs and Outlets
  • Robot Vacuums
  • Room Air Conditioners (window units)
  • Safety and Security Sensors (motion, contact)
  • Televisions and Media Devices
  • Thermostats and Other HVAC Controllers

    Announced Device Types:

  • Refrigerators/Freezers
  • Washing Machines
  • Water Management Devices: leak and frost detectors, rain sensors, controllable valves
  • Smoke and CO Alarms
  • Microwave Ovens
  • Dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

Smart Home Devices that Work with Matter:

  • Smart Door Locks: While Matter supports smart door locks, the number of compatible locks is still limited due to the standard’s current lack of support for battery-powered devices connecting via Wi-Fi.

    • Aqara U100
    • Schlage Encode Plus (can be added to Matter through a HomeKit compatible device)
    • Yale Assure Lock (can be added to Matter through a HomeKit compatible device)
  • Smart Thermostats and HVAC Devices:

    • Nest Thermostat (recently enabled for Matter)
    • Ecobee (has announced its commitment to Matter, but a timeline for support is yet to be announced)
  • Robot Vacuums:

    • Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo
    • Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra (to be enabled by the end of the year)
    • Roomba Combo 10 Max (to be enabled in Q4 2024)
    • SwitchBot K10 Plus and S10 (with a SwitchBot Hub)
  • Home Appliances: While Matter supports several appliance types, only a handful of manufacturers have released Matter-enabled devices, and none are yet available for purchase.

    • Midea: Matter-enabled dishwasher and microwave
      • (Not yet available for purchase)
  • Televisions and Media Streaming Devices:

    • TCL
    • Hisense
    • Toshiba
    • Universal Electronics
    • LG: Matter-enabled controllers
    • Samsung: Matter-enabled controllers
    • Amazon Fire TV: (running Fire OS 7 or higher) with Matter Casting for Prime Video
  • Smart Shades, Blinds, and Shutters:

    • Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 (through Aqara Hub)
    • Aqara Curtain Driver E1 (through Aqara Hub)
    • Aqara Roller Shade Controller (through Aqara Hub)
    • Eve MotionBlinds (Thread)
    • Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit (Thread)
    • SwitchBot Curtain Motor (through SwitchBot Hub 2)
    • SwitchBot Blind Tilt (through SwitchBot Hub 2)
    • SmartWings (Thread)
    • Zemismart Roller Shade Motor (Thread)
    • Zemismart Curtain Motor (Thread)
  • Smart Lighting:

    • Smart Bulbs and Lights:

      • Nanoleaf Essentials
      • Aqara
      • Eve
      • Philips Hue (can be added to Matter through a Hue Bridge)
      • Wiz
      • IKEA Tradfri (can be added through a Tradfri Gateway)
      • Lifx (can be added through a Lifx Mini)
      • Lutron Caseta
      • GE C by GE
      • Signify
    • Smart Switches and Buttons:

      • Aqara
      • Eve
      • Lutron Caseta
    • Smart Dimmer Switches:

      • Lutron Caseta
    • Smart Plugs and Outlets:
      • Aqara
      • Eve Energy (with energy monitoring)
      • Nanoleaf Essentials
      • TP-Link
      • Meross Smart Plugs
      • Wemo
      • Wyze
  • Smart Sensors:
    • Aqara
    • Eve
    • Philips Hue (can be added through a Hue Bridge)
    • SwitchBot
    • SmartThings
    • Xiaomi
    • Tuya

Matter Controllers and Thread Border Routers:

To take advantage of Matter-enabled devices, you need a Matter controller and a smart home platform that supports Matter. Matter controllers are devices that are permanently connected to your home network and act as a bridge for Matter devices. They manage communication and allow for remote access (when enabled).

Matter Controllers:

  • Apple:

    • Apple TV 4K (2022 version)
    • Apple HomePod (first-gen & Mini)
    • Apple HomePod Mini (also a Thread border router)
  • Amazon:

    • Echo Dot (third-gen and newer)
    • Echo Dot with Clock (third-gen and newer)
    • Echo Pop
    • Echo Spot
    • Echo Studio
    • Echo Show 5
    • Echo Show 8 (second-gen)
    • Echo Show 10 (third-gen)
    • Echo Show 15
    • Echo Input, Flex, and Plus (v2)
    • Eero 6 series: Eero Pro 6E, Pro 6, 6 Plus, 6, PoE 6, and Eero Max 7 (also Thread border routers)
  • Google:

    • Nest Hub (first-gen)
    • Nest Mini (second-gen)
    • Google Home (original smart speaker)
    • Google Home Mini
    • Nest Hub Max
    • Nest Audio
    • Google Nest Wifi Pro (also a Thread border router)
  • Samsung:

    • Aeotec SmartThings Smart Home Hub
    • Samsung SmartThings Station
    • Samsung SmartThings Hub Dongle
    • Samsung SmartThings Hub v3
    • Samsung SmartThings Hub v2
    • Samsung Family Hub fridge (2017 and newer, can add Thread with a dongle)
    • Samsung Smart TVs
      • 2022 models: Matter controllers (no Thread)
      • CU8000 and CU7000 (2023 and newer): Matter controllers with Thread border routers)
      • MicroLED MNA89MS1BA (2023 and newer): Matter controllers with Thread border routers)
      • Smart Monitor M80C (2023 and newer): Matter controllers with Thread border routers)
      • Soundbar HW-Q990C (2023 and newer): Matter controllers with Thread border routers)
      • NEO QLED 8k and 4K (2023 and newer): Matter controllers with Thread border routers)
    • Samsung Bespoke Family Hub refrigerator (models RF29CB9900QKAA, RF23CB9900QKAA, RF85C9581APW)
  • Comcast:

    • xFi gateway: Matter-compatible (no Thread)
  • Other Manufacturers:
    • TP-Link
    • Aqara
    • SwitchBot

Smart Home Platforms that Support Matter:

  • Apple Home
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Home
  • Samsung SmartThings
  • Home Assistant
  • Eve
  • Aqara
  • SwitchBot
  • TP-Link Tapo
  • Tuya Smart Life

Matter is still evolving, but its potential is undeniable. The arrival of Matter-enabled Wi-Fi routers could be a game-changer, making smart home setup easier than ever before. As more manufacturers embrace the standard, a future where our smart homes work seamlessly across platforms, powered by a common language, feels closer than ever.

Article Reference

David Green
David Green
David Green is a cultural analyst and technology writer who explores the fusion of tech, science, art, and culture. With a background in anthropology and digital media, David brings a unique perspective to his writing, examining how technology shapes and is shaped by human creativity and society.