What Matter Smart Home Devices Should a Beginner Start With?

It’s pretty likely you already have some smart home tech. Maybe a TV with a smart speaker integration, or a networked alarm system that can be controlled using an app. You might have done some research and found that Matter is probably the best bet for getting household smart devices to speak to each other, as well as future-proofing your smart home.

But your smart home is just getting started, and while you’re familiar with tech, Matter is something completely new to you. You need to get familiar with it without breaking the bank. Below, we’ve got five Matter devices you should get hold of if you’re new to smart homes.

Why Your Smart Home Should Use Matter

Matter, launched by the Consumer Standards Alliance (CSA) in 2022, is a smart home platform designed to increase interoperability and compatibility between devices from different manufacturers. (The CSA is a collection of well-known tech giants, including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung.)

At one time, manufacturers would establish platforms with their own proprietary technologies. Z-Wave, and later Zigbee, would be used for transmitting data between devices, along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. While these smart home environments worked, they could not communicate with hardware from other manufacturers. The result was a smart home that didn’t feel particularly smart.

The Matter smart home protocol [LINK] aims to move past this limitation, and promises a future where all types of smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) devices can communicate.

Which Matter Devices Are Suitable for Beginners?

Starting with complicated hardware isn’t a good idea if you’re new to smart home tech. Rather than opt for something that needs installing or wiring, choose Matter-compatible tech that you can easily plug in and use. The following five items are straightforward to set up and use, and will give you a good flavor of the Matter smart home experience.

1. Samsung SmartThings TV Hub

Whatever you do with Matter, you need a hub. As the CSA is encouraging device manufacturers to move away from standalone hubs, your best option is to buy a device with the Matter hub built in.

In my experience, a TV like the Samsung DU8000 series is perfect. Not only do these TVs offer excellent picture quality (4K and HDR) and support various uses (including a built-in gaming mode), they also have Samsung SmartThings built in. Samsung’s smart home system is Matter-compatible, and can be accessed via the TV remote or using a dedicated mobile app.

So, rather than having a standalone hub on your sideboard, you have the smart home control center built into your TV. Samsung isn’t alone with this – various Amazon Echo devices also operate as Matter hubs.

2. A Matter Bridge

While Matter encourages interoperability and integration between smart home platforms, this isn’t always possible without help. That’s when a Matter bridge device comes in useful.

Unlike hubs, Matter bridges are standalone devices that you should keep on the wall or a shelf. They allow the smart home tech of a particular manufacturer to be integrated with Matter.

For example, there is the IKEA DIRIGERA, a Matter bridge that enables IKEA’s smart home range to be controlled using Matter. This opens up a range of Matter-compatible IKEA hardware, from curtains and blinds to air purifiers and speakers built into wall art.

Interested? Our review of the IKEA DIRIGERA determined that this is a great way to bring the IKEA smart home range into your home.

3. Smart plug

One of the most inexpensive pieces of smart home tech available, a smart plug provides remote control to dumb devices.

You can do so much with a smart plug, from controlling fans and garden sprinklers to remotely activating lights and even your kettle. A smart plug sits between your device plug and the wall, has built-in Wi-Fi, and usually a physical switch on the side. Matter compatibility allows you to control the plugged-in item via your hub app.

Indoor Matter smart plugs and outdoor Matter smart plugs (for gardens, driveways, etc.) are available.

4. Smart bulb

Often, the smart home can seem functional, rather than stylish. If you need an aesthetic element to show off your smart home to friends without the hassle of complex installation, install some smart bulbs.

These devices simply replace existing lambs (bayonet and screw attachment, along with smaller form factors are available) and can be controlled from your hub app. Smart bulbs can be programmed to switch on or off to schedule, and incorporated into more complicated scenarios or scenes.

Installing a few Matter-compatible smart light bulbs with help to integrate Matter into the fabric of your home. It can also save money, too, as you can program the lights to go off at a specific time.

(Don’t forget to safely dispose of your old lamps.)

5. Motion sensor

If you’re using Matter-compatible lamps, it’s a good idea to team them with motion sensors. You can then use the sensors to trigger the lights on, or combine with a schedule to turn off if movement is not detected after a specified duration.

You have other options with motion sensors, however, such as activating smart radiator themostats when someone enters a room. Or use them to turn off TVs or audio equipment when motion has stopped and a specific time has been reached.

Motion sensors with Matter support can be controlled and schedules created using the usual hub app. Take a look at our list of the best Matter-compatible motion sensors.

Learn the Basics of a Matter Smart Home

Once you’re familiar with these devices, how they work, and how to operate them via your preferred Matter hub app, you should be ready to move to the next level. Smart kitchen tech, robot cleaners, water management, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are all key areas that can be controlled via Matter.

As with the Matter gear for beginners suggested above, these devices will have better functionality via their native apps. However, as new versions of Matter are released, the specification is expanded to include more device types, devices, and functions.

Get to grips with Matter early, and watch as the interoperable and interconnected smart home matures before you.