How Will AI Integrate into Matter Devices in the Future?

With the current boom in AI, it won't be long before we all have a HAL9000 to manage our smart homes for us.

The Best Matter-Compatible Garden Equipment

With the Matter standard hitting the scene almost two years ago, we've seen the market flooded with smart home staples like plugs, sensors, and light bulbs. Now with the basics covered, manufacturers have begun turning their attention to other important aspects of our daily lives—which includes the great outdoors.

The Best Matter-Compatible IR Blasters

In our guide to the best smart plugs, we covered how they are a simple, yet effective way to add Matter capabilities to older devices with physical controls. However, smart plugs aren't so hot when it comes to devices that don't save their state after powering down or for those that rely on a remote. For these types of devices, you'll need to turn to a Matter-compatible IR Blaster to get the job done.

The Best Matter-Compatible Power Strips

As great as they are though, smart plugs are not always the best answer for every situation—especially when multiple devices are involved. When you need the versatility of smart plugs for your desk or behind a TV, you'll want to consider a Matter-compatible power strip.

How to Tell Which Version of Matter You’re Using

Knowing which version of Matter your hardware is running can help you to choose the right devices. It will also determine which features your smart home kit can control via a smart hub app, and which ones are restricted to the device’s native app. But there is a problem. You can’t definitively find out which version of Matter you’re using.

Everything You Need To Know About The Matter Pairing Process

Pairing your new Matter accessory should be simple—but behind the scenes there’s a lot going on. Here’s what you need to know about the process.

How Smart Home Devices Will Change With The Matter Standard

The chances are, your smart home isn’t as smart as you would like it to be.  Incompatibility, a lack of interoperability, and perhaps a simple tiff between brands and ecosystems are taking their toll. Multiple apps, dependence on specific hubs, and a collision of ecosystems in an attempt to make things simply work.

Matter vs Z-Wave: What's the Difference?

Arguably the biggest problem with smart homes is the lack of compatibility between devices and hubs. Even where compatibility is used as a selling point, problems can occur down the line. Two possible solutions are the Matter protocol and the Z-Wave mesh networking system. But both are slightly different.

The Best Matter-Compatible Lamps To Light Up Your Life

No smart home is complete without proper lighting that you can control from the couch or from across the world. And while you may think to look for a smart bulb, plug, or switch when building the connected home of your dreams, you may benefit more from an all-in-one solution like a Matter-compatible lamp.

What Is Zigbee? Is Matter Better?

Smart homes cannot work if the smart devices cannot communicate. Having Wi-Fi or Bluetooth support isn’t enough – devices need a way to message each other, a shared language, or protocol. Two prominent protocols are Zigbee and Matter. Current smart home devices and hubs support both protocols, but eventually one of them will be dropped. So which one will it be?

See Who's There, From Anywhere: The Best Matter-Compatible Smart Home Video Doorbells

The plain humdrum doorbell has undergone a high-tech transformation. Smart video doorbells combine the familiar chime with a built-in camera, letting you see who's at your door – even when you're not home. Now Matter has jumped into the ding-dong industry.

Can IKEA Become a Serious Smart-Home Player? An Analysis of Their Matter-Compatible Products

Matter is becoming the most significant smart home standard. But take a trip to IKEA, and things are a little different. Not only does the Swedish retailer have a wide selection of smart lamps and LEDs, it also has a hub. Can the Matter-compatible Dirigera hub and the rest of the Tradfri line turn IKEA into a player in the smart home?

The Best Matter-Compatible Buttons and Remotes

Instead of wading through potential distractions on your phone, or shouting to a voice assistant the next time you need to toggle the lights, consider a Matter-compatible button or remote. With just a click, Matter-compatible buttons and remotes can turn on the lights, close the blinds, or fire up a movie night scene with ease.

What is Matter Casting and Which Devices Support It?

You’ve probably used Chromecast or AirPlay, or any of the other wireless video casting systems. They’re useful for sharing media on your mobile device to a TV, whether video or photos. Smart home protocol Matter has its own casting technology, Matter Casting.

The Best Matter-Compatible Temperature and Humidity Sensors

Keeping an eye on your home's climate is crucial for ensuring the comfortability of everyone in your household. While smart thermostats are a great place to start, they only monitor the room in which they are installed. For expanded coverage, you may want to consider a Matter-compatible temperature and humidity sensor.

The Best Matter-Compatible Strip Lights

LED strip lights are truly a smart home staple - and for good reason. These flexible wonders of light can bring color and ambiance to pretty much anywhere. Whether you are looking for a strip light for underneath the cabinets, or you want to amp up your holiday displays, you've come to the right place.

Matter 1.3 is Coming Out Spring 2024. Here's What to Expect

Spring 2024 is the expected timeframe for the release of Matter 1.3. This revision to the standard is likely to build upon the previous version, adding further interoperability, support for new device categories, and security enhancements.

How to Add a Matter Device to the Google Home app

If you are going with Google for all your smart home needs, you'll spend the bulk of your time managing devices in the Google Home app either on Android or iOS. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about adding your device to Google's smart home platform.

How to Add a Matter Device to the Apple Home App

For iPhone users, Apple's Home app serves as a one-stop destination for controlling and managing your Matter devices. We'll show you how easy it is to add your Matter devices so you can be up and running with Siri voice and Apple Home app controls in minutes.

The Best Matter-Compatible Door and Window Sensors

If you want to enhance your home's security or add an extra touch of automation, consider installing a Matter-compatible door and window sensor. These versatile sensors offer much more than their name or appearance might suggest.