What smart home products currently support the Matter protocol?

Two Years Later: A Look at Smart Home Products Supporting the Matter Protocol

Two years after its introduction, the Matter smart home standard—co-developed by industry giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung—is finally gaining traction. At a recent Matter Open Day event in Guangzhou, there was noticeable interest from more domestic smart home manufacturers. In this article, we’ll explore the smart home devices currently supporting the Matter protocol.

What Is Matter?

Matter is a universal language for the smart home industry, designed to streamline the purchasing, setup, and use of connected devices. With Matter, consumers no longer need to worry if a smart lock will work with their other smart home products or if their smart bulbs will be compatible with their smart speaker. If a device supports Matter, it should work seamlessly with any other Matter-compatible platform or device.

Created by major industry players like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung, Matter is an open connectivity standard developed and backed by these companies, along with hundreds of others. Matter enables easier, more secure, and reliable communication between IoT devices, allowing manufacturers to build devices that work across multiple ecosystems while adhering to a single standard.

In essence, if a smart device supports Matter, it can be integrated with any Matter-compatible platform, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home. Moreover, it can connect to multiple platforms simultaneously, enabling users to control their smart home through iOS or Android devices, or with their preferred voice assistant. For example, if someone uses an iPhone while their family members use Xiaomi phones, everyone can still control the smart bulbs in the house.

Matter works locally via Ethernet and two wireless protocols—Wi-Fi and Thread, the latter being a low-power, low-bandwidth mesh network protocol specifically designed for smart homes. Since it doesn’t require a cloud connection, Matter can theoretically switch on smart lights as quickly as a physical light switch. Additionally, Matter enhances security within its standard, significantly reducing cybersecurity risks associated with smart home devices.

The Current State of Matter

With the release of its latest specification (1.3) in May 2024, Matter now supports most smart home device categories. For instance, energy management is a key focus for many users who adopt smart home systems to reduce household energy consumption. While it may take time to see widespread adoption, this is an important step forward for Matter.

However, merely supporting certain categories isn’t enough. Matter offers a more flexible foundation for building smart homes, but as of August 2024, only a handful of manufacturers have incorporated Matter into their devices. Additionally, although all major platforms support some device types, no single platform supports them all.

Another challenge is that cross-platform controls are still problematic, leading to a less-than-ideal user experience. Moreover, many manufacturers have yet to fully commit to the standard, which is understandable, as they don’t want to make it easier for competitors.

Currently, Matter doesn’t support cameras or home security systems, and while energy management is a promising addition, essential energy control devices like water heaters and heat pumps aren’t yet included in the standard.

Some functionalities are still basic for specific device types. For instance, users cannot add PINs to door locks connected via Matter, and features like dynamic lighting scenes or adaptive lighting are not supported. Issues also persist with Thread border routers, and the highly anticipated multi-admin feature, which allows users to control smart home devices across platforms, remains unstable.

These challenges indicate that Matter is not yet ready to become the primary method of connecting all smart home devices. However, if you’re eager to start experiencing the benefits of a smart home, such as local control, improved device security, and the flexibility to use your preferred platform, it’s essential to know which devices currently support Matter.

Device Types Supported by Matter

As of August 2024, Matter supports the following device types:

Available Types:

These device types are fully supported by the Matter specification and by some or all Matter-compatible platforms:

- Air purifiers

- Air quality sensors

- Blinds and shades

- Bridges (for bridging other protocols like Zigbee)

- Door locks

- Fans

- Light bulbs and light switches (including smart buttons)

- Plugs and outlets

- Robot vacuums

- Room air conditioners

- Safety and security sensors (motion, contact)

- Televisions and media devices

- Thermostats and other HVAC controllers

Supported but Unavailable Types:

These device types are included in the Matter specification but currently lack platform support or available products:

- 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

At present, Matter supports basic functions for most device types. This means users will experience similar control across platforms like Apple Home and Amazon Alexa, with the potential for additional features on top of Matter. However, for advanced features—such as dynamic lighting scenes, robot vacuum mapping, or PIN codes for smart locks—users may still need to rely on the manufacturer's app.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance has plans to expand support to security cameras, garage door controllers, ambient motion and presence sensors, Wi-Fi routers, and access points, while also enhancing the functionality of existing device types. In short, progress is steady, but with so many smart home manufacturers involved, reaching consensus has been a significant achievement.

Smart Home Products Supporting the Matter Standard

Matter-compatible products can be identified by the Matter logo on the packaging and the Matter QR code on the device itself. There are exceptions, such as existing devices that have been upgraded to Matter via firmware updates or devices that can be added to Matter through proprietary hubs or bridges, like Philips Hue.

To use Matter devices, consumers need a Matter controller and a smart home platform that supports Matter. Most major smart home ecosystems have already announced their support for the Matter protocol. Now, let’s explore the devices that currently support the Matter standard.

Smart Door Locks:

All major platforms now support smart door locks via Matter, but only a few locks on the market currently support this standard. This is because most smart locks rely on Wi-Fi, which Matter does not yet support for battery-powered devices.

For instance, Aqara’s U100, unveiled at CES last year, was the first smart lock to support both Matter and Home Key. The lock connects to Apple Home Hub via Bluetooth or to an Aqara Hub via Zigbee for remote control and integration with platforms like Google Home and Alexa. With a Matter-supported hub (such as the Aqara M2 Hub), the lock can be connected to these platforms.

In addition to Aqara, brands like Yale, SwitchBot, Level Home, and Nuki have also launched smart locks that support the Matter standard:

- Aqara Smart Lock U100 (with Aqara hub)

- Aqara Smart Lock U50 (with Aqara hub)

- Aqara Smart Lock U200 (Thread)

- SwitchBot Lock (with SwitchBot Hub)

- SwitchBot Lock Pro (with SwitchBot Hub)

- Yale Assure Lock SL (with Matter module)

- Nuki 4th gen (Europe only)

Smart Thermostats and HVAC/Purification Devices:

It’s unclear why more thermostats don’t yet support Matter. So far, only the Nest Thermostat (2020) is available for purchase, although Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat (4th generation) is expected to launch soon with Matter support.

Smart thermostat company Ecobee has announced plans to support Matter but has not provided a timeline. The company has mentioned that Matter support will likely be enabled through a wireless update, though no further details have been released.

- Aqara Radiator Thermostat E1 (via Aqara hub)

- Google Nest Thermostat

- Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)

- GoveeLife Smart Tower Fan 2 Max

- Midea U-shaped Window Air Conditioner

- SwitchBot Battery-operated Circulator Fan (via SwitchBot Hub)

- Tado X (EU only)

Air Purifiers:

Air purifiers gained support in Matter 1.2, but as of August, only Samsung SmartThings supports this version. While platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa support air purifiers, they have yet to integrate Matter support for these devices.

- Midea 2-in-1 Purifier Fan

- Welov Air Purifier P200 (AiDot)