LEFT TO YOUR OWN DEVICES
Matter supports a number of home devices – but a few are still to come
Bear in mind that we’re only up to Matter 1.0 right now, so there’s plenty more to come. The current standard supports most smart home device types, but not all of them – so if you’re wondering why our selection of gadgets isn’t as comprehensive as it might be, that’s the reason why.
Lighting and electrical categories are already catered for, which is why you’ll see smart plugs and smart lights on these pages. Window coverings and shades are included in Matter 1.0 as well, so you’ll be able to find products that can keep the daylight out, or give you some privacy.
The Matter 1.0 standard also covers sensors of multiple types, which means you can use Matter-enabled devices to keep tabs on doors and windows opening, or when there’s movement in a room. This is useful for protecting your property of course, but you could also use a sensor and smart light combination to illuminate a flight of stairs when someone approaches, for example.
Sticking with the security theme, smart door locks are supported by Matter: they mean you can open doors with a tap of your phone or smartwatch, though they can also support PIN code entry as well. You can see when certain people come and go (so you know when the kids get home, for example), and temporary passes can be granted to friends, family and tradespeople.
Media devices (including TVs) are covered by Matter 1.0, as are HVAC devices – covering Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning – though there aren’t too many of these around right now. In looking for products for your Matter-enabled smart home, it’s also worth checking for devices that are coming soon, or that have Matter support being added soon.
Matter devices can operate directly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth without the aid of any kind of hub, but you are going to need a Matter controller of some description to get your smart home gadgets set up in the first place. This can be a smart speaker, a smart display, or something that you plug into your TV – check the examples we’ve included in this article.
So what’s left out? Security cameras, so you can’t yet hook up your video doorbell or the camera on the back garden. Robot vacuums don’t work with Matter yet either, though they should do at some point in the future – a sign of the versatility and flexibility of the nascent smart home standard.