Buying reviews for Matter smart home devices: what each one does well, what will frustrate you, and the hub or Thread hardware it quietly needs.
The newest buying reviews, each with a clear verdict, the drawbacks and the hardware a device needs.
Plug-and-play Home Assistant hub with Ethernet and no built-in radios
The simplest way to start a Home Assistant home for Matter: Home Assistant OS comes installed, and that is the only setup Home Assistant supports for its Matter Server.
Smart speaker, Matter Controller and Thread Border Router
HomePod mini 2 is the Apple home hub to buy if you need one: it is the cheapest device Apple sells that runs Matter-over-Thread accessories in Apple Home, with a small room speaker included.
Alexa smart speaker, Matter controller and built-in Zigbee and Thread hub
A good first hub for an Alexa home that has no hub-equipped Echo or eero yet: the basic Dot now carries a Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub for about $100.
Tree string light with color and warm white LEDs, 20 to 100 m (66 to 328 ft)
Worth buying for a Christmas tree that should look good in steady warm white as well as in color, thanks to dedicated white LEDs and one continuous string sized to the tree.
Trimmable roofline light kit with color and 2200 to 6500K white, 49 to 147 ft
The best middle choice for a roofline that needs trimming or warm evening white: the strings can be cut to fit and every puck has dedicated warm and cool white LEDs, for well under Govee's Pro price.
8.7-inch Alexa smart display, Matter controller and Thread border router
A good Alexa kitchen display when you want a bigger screen, better sound and a full smart-home hub in one box, ideally bought on sale.
Battery roller shade with a built-in Matter-over-Thread motor
GE Smart Shades are a sensible buy for an ordinary US window that one of the six standard widths fits.
Fingerprint and keypad lever lock with Aliro wallet tap for single-bore doors
Latch 5 Pro is a good lever lock for a Samsung Galaxy household that already runs SmartThings, because its wallet tap works with Samsung Wallet today, alongside a fingerprint reader and keypad.
HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K: what Apple's new hubs change for Matter homesApple's three new home devices all include Thread and work as Apple home hubs. HomeView adds a shared touchscreen for Apple Home, but prices rise, Siri AI arrives in stages and HomeView skips the EU.
Google Home for Android starts showing energy readings from Matter plugs
Amazon's new Echo Dot is the first basic Dot with a Thread and Zigbee hub
Aqara's Matter-over-Thread outdoor plug arrives in Europe, but IKEA's costs less
Nanoleaf's Matter-over-Thread lights get Apple Adaptive Lighting in firmware 5.1.45
SwitchBot's Matter permanent outdoor lights go on sale with adjustable white light
Choosing the best smart home ecosystem for MatterA practical comparison of Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, Homey, Home Assistant, and Aqara for Matter homes, including automation depth, hubs, Thread, and hybrid setups.
Smart bulb, wall switch, or lamp?
HomePod mini 2 vs the original HomePod mini
New vs old Apple TV 4K: should you upgrade?
IKEA's Matter range: do you need DIRIGERA?
Best smart speakers by roomIncludes AI editorial illustrations.
New to Matter?
A Matter logo does not tell you the whole setup path. Learn how a device connects, what controls it and when extra hardware sits in the middle.
Start with Matter 101
