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The new Matter smart home standard is slowly coming together. Launched over half a year ago, Matter now has a number of devices you can actually buy — a big milestone for a new standard. There is also an (almost) complete rollout of support on the major platforms. We’re mainly just waiting on Amazon, which still only supports a few device types.
However, there are disappointments. There are no new device types since launch, so it’s still largely just plugs, lights, and shades, although we now finally have some smart locks working with Matter. And that cross-ecosystem support that’s such a key part of Matter’s promise is still spotty at best. But, as I’ve heard repeatedly from those involved, changing the infrastructure of the smart home is a journey — not a quick fix.
We’re keeping tabs on everything slated to work with Matter right here, so read on if you are eager to get started with the new common language for smart home devices.
If you’ve got this far and aren’t exactly sure what Matter is, here’s a quick summary:
Matter is a new standard developed by all the major players in the smart home, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and more. It’s designed to simplify the smart home and make it easier to buy, set up, and use products. Its primary purpose is to help connected gadgets work with each other across platforms and ecosystems, so you won’t have to look to see if it works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home when buying a smart gadget.
With Matter, you can control your smart lighting, smart locks, and more simultaneously with any Matter-compatible platform using iOS or Android devices or your voice assistant of choice. So, if you have an iPhone and your roommate has a Google Pixel, you can both control all your smart home devices.
For more details on how Matter will work with each smart home platform, what you will need to get started with Matter, and how Matter actually works, read my explainer, “What Matters about Matter.”
Here, you’ll find a list of Matter-compatible products divided into categories and separated by whether you can buy them now or if they are coming soon. We’ll keep this updated as new information comes out.
Device types that Matter supports
Matter controllers, Thread border routers, bridges, and Wi-Fi routers
Smart devices that work with Matter
How to add Matter devices to your smart home
The Matter standard provides a common language and a set of actions for smart home devices. Right now, it only supports a few categories of devices, and only certain features are available for each of those categories — although, depending on which platform or app you run them on, you may have access to more features on top of the Matter integration.
As of June 15th, 2023, the following device categories are supported in Matter: light bulbs and light switches; plugs and outlets; locks; thermostats and other HVAC controllers; blinds and shades; sensors (motion, contact); media devices; wireless access points; and bridges (more on these later).
Home appliances (such as fridges and washing machines) and robot vacuums were slated to come in the first update, but Matter 1.1, which was released in May, came and went with no new device types. The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which runs the Matter standard, says the following device types are on the road map but hasn’t provided details on timing:
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The HomePod Mini is both a Matter controller and a Thread border router.Photo by Jennifer Tuohy / The Verge
A Matter controller onboards Matter devices to your home network, controls them, manages communications and automations, and facilitates remote access (when enabled). A Matter controller needs to be a device that is always in your home, always powered, and has a Wi-Fi or ethernet connection to your home network. This means a smartphone won’t work as a Matter controller.
You’ll need a Matter controller for each smart home platform you plan to use; an Apple HomePod or Apple TV for Apple Home, a Google Nest Hub for Google Home, an Amazon device for Alexa and so on. Every major smart home platform has updated its existing hubs and smart speakers to make them Matter controllers. Some controllers are also Thread border routers, which you will need if you add any Thread devices to your home. Thread is one of the main wireless protocols Matter runs over, along with Wi-Fi.
Amazon’s Matter controllers currently only support plugs, switches, and sensors. Spokesperson Connor Rice told The Verge in mid-June that Amazon is adding thermostat and lock support “soon” and plans to add more device categories in the coming months.
Apple Home
Google Home
Samsung SmartThings
Amazon Alexa
Samsung SmartThings
Other platforms
Apple Home
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
Samsung SmartThings
Other platforms
Other platforms
To add Matter devices to a smart home ecosystem, you’ll need to use that platform’s smartphone or tablet app — these act as Matter commissioners, connecting the Matter device to a Matter Controller. The following smart home apps are Matter commissioners and can add and control devices, as well as set up automations and routines. Matter is also built into the latest versions of Android and Apple’s operating systems, enabling apps to access the local infrastructure required by Matter.
*Tuya Smart is an IoT development platform service provider that supports over 446,000 developers with schematics for over 1,100 smart home products, from robot vacuums to smart lights. It already has Matter certification for a number of light bulbs and smart plugs, as well as a Matter controller. Brands that use Tuya include Teckin, Gosund, Nooie, Lidl, and Iotty.
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The Philips Hue Bridge will bring Matter to existing Hue devices, though the devices themselves will not be updated. Image: Philips Hue
Smart home devices that use a bridge, such as Philips Hue smart bulbs, can be “bridged” into Matter so that their connected devices can be controlled in a Matter smart home platform.
As of June 26th, 2023, only Apple Home and Google supports Matter bridges. Amazon and SmartThings confirmed that bridge support isn’t live yet on their controllers but that both companies plan to enable it. This means even if you have a bridge that’s been updated to Matter, the devices connected to it won’t work in Matter until the platform you are using supports bridges.
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The Google Nest Wifi Pro works with Matter and Thread.Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
If you have a Matter and Thread-enabled Wi-Fi router, you shouldn’t need any other Matter controller in your home, assuming it’s a Matter controller for the platform you want to use. Amazon (which owns Eero) told The Verge it’s bringing Matter support to Eero 6 series devices soon. Google routers are already Thread-enabled and work with Matter.
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Smart plugs and sensors — such as these Eve devices — are some of the first devices that work with Matter.Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Most companies that have announced Matter devices say they will start shipping in 2023. When you buy a new product that is compatible with Matter, it will have the Matter logo (it looks a bit like a stick person wearing bikini bottoms). Some manufacturers are adding Matter support to existing devices with over-the-air firmware updates; those devices won’t have the Matter logo yet. Below are the products that currently support Matter or will in the future, according to the companies.
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TP-Link’s Tapo Smart Wi-Fi light switches are the first to work with Matter.Image: TP-Link
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The new Eve Motion motion sensor works with Matter; existing devices can be updated to Matter with a firmware upgrade.Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
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The Yale Assure Lock 2 smart lock will get Matter via an upcoming Matter-over-Thread networking module. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
As of June 2023, there are no home appliances or televisions that work as Matter devices (some Samsung refrigerators and TVs are Matter controllers, see above). Several manufacturers have promised Matter support in some upcoming and existing products.
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Adding Matter devices to your smart home is similar to using Apple’s HomeKit platform. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
You will need a Matter controller from the platform you’re using to set up a Matter device. If the device uses Thread, you will also need a Thread border router (this does not have to be platform-specific).
Matter uses numeric and QR setup codes over Bluetooth to add a device to your network. Open your smart home platform or device maker’s app, scan the QR code or manually enter the numeric code written on the device, and follow the prompts.
NFC pairing will be an option for some devices, letting you tap the device with your phone. And some platforms will support auto-detection, so your phone will just see there is a device ready to be paired and prompt you to add it.
Once your device is set up in one platform, you can add it to other apps and platforms using Matter’s multi-admin feature (up to five). The process of sharing is similar to onboarding, but you don’t have to have the device in hand.
Access the pairing code from the device settings in the app you first set it up with. Go through the steps to add a new device to the new platform, then scan or copy and paste that code when prompted.
Once paired to another platform, you can now control that device from both platforms simultaneously.
Ahead of its annual developer conference, Samsung has revealed details about how Matter smart home devices will work on its Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. The company announced you’ll soon be able to ...
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