The Best Matter-Compatible Window Blinds

With Matter, you can seamlessly control your blinds from a single app or voice command, regardless of the manufacturer or platform. In this article, we will explore the top Matter-compatible window blinds that are currently available on the market.

IKEA's Matter-compatible Smart Home Products

One of the easiest ways to start building a Matter-compatible smart home is to head to IKEA. But it’s not immediately clear which IKEA devices will work with Matter, and which ones are tied to IKEA’s previous smart home platform, TRADFRI. So, to help you out, we’ve collected all of IKEA’s smart home devices with Matter compatibility in one place.

When Did Smart Home Technology First Appear? An In-Depth History

Having lights that switch on when you enter, or a robot cleaner that detects mess as soon as it hits the floor, and voice-controlled living room environmental settings, were once the stuff of fiction. But smart home technologies in the real world have been with us longer than you might imagine. How did we get from basic electronic appliances to voice controlled robot cleaners?

The Best Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs

With the prices of indoor Matter-compatible smart plugs falling rapidly, you may be tempted to place one outside for tasks like holiday lighting. And, although it may get by for a while, chances are, it won't last more than a few seasons—especially if it gets hit by rain or snow. To get the job done safely, you'll want to invest in a Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug.

The 5 Best Matter-Compatible Plugs

Today, we're going to look at Matter-compatible smart plugs, showcasing the top 5 picks that stand out for their ease of use, feature set, and compatibility with multiple smart home platforms.

Does Matter Require mDNS?

As with most smart home protocols, Matter relies on wireless networking. But there is an aspect of Matter’s Wi-Fi requirement that might just impact its implementation on your network: multicast DNS (mDNS), a stand-alone protocol intended for small networks. Does Matter demand mDNS, or can you use Matter without it?

The Best Matter-Compatible Under Cabinet Lights

We've previously discussed how Matter-compatible strip lights with their flexibility and easy installation are an excellent fit for kitchen lighting—especially for cabinets. However, they aren't the best choice for those with existing under cabinet lighting or for those that want a clean integrated look. For these situations, consider a Matter-compatible under cabinet light.

What Can We Expect to See in Matter 1.4?

The release of the Matter 1.3 specification in Spring 2024 saw a range of new device types and features supported in the breakout smart home platform. Matter has a bi-annual release cycle, with a new specification released every Spring and Autumn. Matter 1.4 is imminent, therefore, promising new features and functionalities. But what new device support can we expect from Matter 1.4?

6 Smart-Home Device Types That Would Not Benefit From Matter Integration

Smart home tech has been around for a while, but Matter is relatively new. The Matter specification aims to unify smart home development into a single standard. But while embracing Matter seems likely to move us closer to the smart home of our dreams, there are devices that don’t really need to be integrated with the smart home protocol – they work just as well without it.

Will Matter Make Smart Home Devices More Energy-Efficient and More Environmentally Friendly?

Energy management is being added to Matter, the smart home protocol supported by an increasing number of manufacturers. Matter 1.3 adds various smart home energy management features, but does this support for smart thermostats and smart radiator valves make the standard more energy efficient and environmentally friendly?

The Best Matter-Compatible Air Purifiers

Whether it is VOCs, allergens, or smoke, there are a lot of things in the air that can make an impact on your health. To make managing your home's air a breeze, consider a Matter-compatible air purifier.

The Best Matter-Compatible Radiator Valves

Radiators are great for keeping costs down by heating just the rooms or areas around them. However, they are not so great when it comes to convenience and controls, as most require making a trip over to the unit to make a simple adjustment. To reduce the number of trips, consider installing a Matter-compatible radiator valve.

Can Matter be Used with Smart Ceiling Fans?

One of the ways a smart home can make life easier is to ensure the devices that make you feel good are interconnected. Take ceiling fans, for example, particularly important in warmer months and often found where air conditioning is unsuitable or impractical. As smart home technology becomes more popular, devices like smart ceiling fans become more enticing.

The Best Matter-Compatible In-Wall Smart Outlets

Even though the best smart plugs have decreased in size over the years, they can still be an eyesore. If you are tired of seeing unsightly boxes hanging from your walls, consider installing a Matter-compatible in-wall smart outlet.

What is a Smart Lighting Controller and is it Matter Compatible?

One of the main benefits of a smart home system is the ability to control lighting. Whether standard lamps or LED strips and panels, smart lighting can be used as a welcoming glow, an ambient theme, or even a security measure.

What is OpenTherm and How is it Important for Managing Heating in Smart Homes?

If you’re building a smart home or have already started, one area that you’ve either implemented or are considering is energy management and heating control. But you can’t simply go out and buy a smart thermostat and get instant results from your heating system. You need OpenTherm.

iOS 18 is Now Available. Here’s What’s New in the Apple Home App

iOS 18 is officially here and with it come some small, but significant changes to the Apple Home app. This year, Apple has introduced new ways for managing your smart home, expanded the capabilities of the Energy tab, and opened its doors to a whole new category of devices.

Nest Thermostat vs Nest Learning Thermostat

Even though Matter has been around for a while now, Nest is still the only game in town when it comes to thermostats that support the smart home standard. However, with two options to choose from, how do you know which is the best Matter-compatible thermostat for your home?

Do Matter Devices Work Without the Internet?

In theory, Matter smart home devices should work fine without the internet—the specification says so. But theory and reality don't always match up.

What is Samsung SmartThings?

A collection of big name companies are members of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group that publishes the Matter smart home standard. Among them are Google, Apple, Amazon, IKEA… and Samsung SmartThings. You’ve heard of Samsung, but what on earth is SmartThings? And how can it help to encourage the use of Matter as a smart home technology?