What Is Matter? The Complete Guide to the Smart Home Standard

A Smart Home Standard Backed by the Major Platforms

If you've been shopping for smart home devices lately, you've probably seen the word "Matter" on packaging. But what exactly is Matter, and why should you care?

Matter is an open-source smart home connectivity standard created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and hundreds of other companies. Its goal is simple: make smart home devices work together, regardless of which ecosystem you use.

The Problem Matter Solves

Before Matter, buying a smart light bulb was complicated. A Philips Hue bulb worked with Alexa and Google Home but might not work with Apple Home. A Wemo smart plug worked with some apps but not others. Customers had to check compatibility charts and hope for the best.

Matter reduces this confusion. A device that supports Matter works with any Matter controller that supports its device type — Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and more. Each platform adds device types on its own schedule, so check that yours supports the kind of device you are buying.

How Matter Works

Matter uses your existing home IP network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) as its backbone, with optional support for Thread — a low-power mesh networking protocol designed for battery-operated devices like sensors and locks.

The QR Code Setup

Every Matter device has a unique QR code (or numeric setup code). Scan it with any Matter controller app and the device is added. Most devices need no brand-specific app for setup, although some makers ask you to use their app first or for firmware updates.

Local Control

Matter devices can communicate locally on your home network without a cloud server, so control can be faster and can keep working when the internet is down.

Multi-Admin

Matter's multi-admin feature lets you add a single Matter device to multiple ecosystems simultaneously: one Nanoleaf bulb in both Apple Home and Google Home at the same time.

Which Devices Support Matter?

As of October 2026, MatterCatalog lists 1,111 Matter products sold in the US, out of 2,745 catalog records (the others are reference records, unverified listings and products sold outside the US). Categories and brands include:

• Smart bulbs and lights — Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, LIFX, Govee
• Smart locks — Yale, Schlage, Level, Kwikset
• Smart plugs — Eve, Kasa, Meross, Amazon
• Thermostats — ecobee, Mysa, Google Nest
• Sensors — Eve, Aqara, SwitchBot
• Blinds and shades — IKEA, Eve MotionBlinds
• Hubs and bridges — HomePod mini, Nest Hub, Echo

Browse 1,111 Matter devices sold in the US →

Matter vs. Other Protocols

Matter is not a rival to Thread or Wi-Fi: it runs on top of them (or Ethernet), and one Matter device can join several platforms. Zigbee and Z-Wave are separate ecosystems with their own radios; their devices reach a Matter platform only through a bridge. The CSA says Matter and Zigbee devices have no native interoperability, and that Matter supports bridges for Zigbee or Z-Wave devices.

Sources, read October 11, 2026: CSA: Matter FAQ, CSA: Zigbee FAQ, Thread Group: Thread benefits and Z-Wave Alliance: technology overview.

Existing Zigbee and Z-Wave setups can stay: a bridge brings supported devices into Matter, so there is no need to replace devices that work. Every difference, with its source: Matter vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave and Matter vs Thread.

Getting Started with Matter

1. Check your controller — Apple TV 4K, HomePod, Google Nest Hub, Echo (4th gen), or SmartThings Station all work as Matter controllers
2. Buy devices that support Matter — look for the Matter logo or "Works with Matter" on packaging
3. Scan the QR code — open your preferred app and scan
4. Done — Thread devices also need a Thread border router, which many of these controllers include

Find Matter devices for your setup →

See also: What is Matter? The smart home standard explained, our longer explainer: what Matter does not do, the roles of controllers, border routers and bridges, and a source for each claim.

Sources

• Connectivity Standards Alliance: Matter
• Connectivity Standards Alliance: Matter FAQ
• Apple Support: pair and manage Matter accessories
• Google Nest Help: Matter hubs
• Amazon: Matter support on Echo devices
• SmartThings: everything you need to know about Matter

How we wrote this

This guide was first published in March 2026 and is based on the CSA and platform documentation above. On October 1, 2026 we corrected it: a Matter device works with a platform only when that platform supports its device type (the earlier text said every Matter device works with every controller); every Matter setup needs a Matter controller, and Thread devices also need a border router (the table said Matter needs no hub); some devices do ask for the maker's app; the product count now comes from the live catalog instead of a fixed figure; and we removed advice not to add Zigbee or Z-Wave devices. MatterCatalog does not test devices; see our editorial policy.