IFA 2026 wrapped up its Berlin run with a diverse showcase of smart home hardware, highlighted by Third Reality’s Thread soil sensors, Tuya’s modular Matter cameras, and high-capacity hubs from UGREEN and Anker combining local storage with AI automation.
Heiman showcased a new generation of smart home sensors and gateways at IFA 2026, highlighted by what appears to be the first hardware demonstration of Matter 1.6’s zero-power NFC commissioning feature.
A much broader Aqara lighting portfolio is heading global.Aqara has expanded its smart lighting portfolio at IFA 2026 with a global lineup spanning indoor lamps, architectural downlights, and outdoor fixtures, all featuring dual-protocol support for Thread and Zigbee.
Sensereo has opened preorders at IFA 2026 for Airo, a modular indoor environmental monitoring system that separates temperature, humidity, CO2, TVOC, and particulate sensors into wireless pods communicating through a central Matter-over-Thread dock.
Roborock has expanded its automated cleaning lineup at IFA 2026 with the high-clearance Saros 20 Flow Complete and slimline Saros 20 Neo robotic vacuums, alongside new outdoor robotic pool cleaners and LiDAR lawn mowers.
Govee lights up IFA 2026 with three new products: dual-zone permanent outdoor lights, a fake skylight, and ultra-smooth COB strips — all with Matter support.
Homey has introduced Portal, a new room-specific touchscreen controller featuring a stainless steel rotary ring that brings localized smart home device management, lighting control, and custom Flows off mobile apps and onto the wall or desk.
An early Matter 1.7 draft reveals provisional support for proximity ranging, predictive occupancy sensing, electrical infrastructure panels, and post-quantum device attestation.
IKEA is stepping up its smart home ambitions by introducing LILJEBAGGE, a Matter-over-Thread radiator thermostat designed to control water-based heating systems for a budget-friendly 199 Swedish krona.
Although Thread doesn't need a "hub" in the traditional sense, you will still need another piece of hardware—a Border Router—to take advantage of its benefits. Here are all the Thread Border Routers on the market today.
Homey has rolled out support for Matter over-the-air firmware updates, allowing users to patch compatible smart home devices directly through the platform using the official Distributed Compliance Ledger.
Home Assistant’s latest monthly beta release introduces a built-in Matter network topology map directly to the main interface, alongside improved troubleshooting tools for serial hardware and security dashboards.
After spending a year replacing every wall switch in his home with Wi-Fi-enabled smart switches, one homeowner weighs the true costs, unexpected labor, and long-term benefits of the grand DIY smart home project.
The Zemismart M1 Hub Pro tries to be a Matter bridge, Zigbee gateway, Thread controller, and IR blaster all at once, but falls short. Thread support is frustrating, IR devices aren’t bridged into Matter, and Tuya remains a weak point. Most users should look elsewhere.
LIFX has kicked off a public beta enabling its current-generation Matter-compatible smart lights to switch from Wi-Fi to Matter-over-Thread via a simple firmware update.
Apple’s recent open-source code contributions to Matter’s OpenWrt integration have sparked speculation that the tech giant could be quietly laying the groundwork to re-enter the home router market.
Aqara has expanded its H1 full-color lighting lineup in China with new downlights and spotlights, bringing dual Zigbee and Matter-over-Thread connectivity to built-in ceiling illumination.
SwitchBot's Lock Vision Pro brings multi-biometric entry and native Matter support to a secure deadbolt replacement.
Aqara shows how Matter cameras should move forward.
TCL Home Security has launched the D2 Pro Matter, an upgraded smart lock that adds Matter-over-Thread and local control modes to its contactless palm vein recognition system for $199.99.