What is the Matter smart home standard?
Matter is an open, IP-based standard designed to unify smart home devices across platforms, with local-first control and strong security baked in. It eliminates vendor lock-in by ensuring interoperability between certified accessories, regardless of brand or ecosystem.
Why are manufacturers using Matter over Wi-Fi, and not Thread?
Despite Thread being a technically superior protocol for Matter devices, most manufacturers and consumers still prefer Wi-Fi due to confusing setup requirements, extra certification costs, and the need for additional hardware like Thread Border Routers.
Philips Hue prices have gone up: here are the best alternatives with Prime Day deals!
Philips Hue once led the smart lighting game, especially with immersive Ambilight TV setups—but skyrocketing prices and vendor lock-in make it hard to recommend today. With Matter-compatible alternatives from Govee, Linkind, and Aqara offering similar features for a fraction of the price, it’s time to switch.
