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302 buying reviews

Matter device reviews

Find a product for your home, then compare what is good, what is frustrating and whether it is worth buying.

Showing 12 of 17 reviews

Apple HomePod mini 2 smart speaker in green

Apple HomePod mini 2

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.

Thread$149
No brand hub or Thread router required
Graphite Amazon Echo Dot (6th Gen) on a closed book on a wooden shelf, its blue light ring glowing at the base

Amazon Echo Dot (6th Gen, 2026)

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.

Thread$99.99
No brand hub or Thread router required
Google Home Speaker in Hazel showing its microphone switch, illuminated base and attached power cable

Google Home Speaker (2026)

Smart speaker, Google Home hub and Thread border router

Google Home Speaker is an appealing $99.99 addition when you want music, voice control and a Thread hub in the same room.

Thread$99.99
No brand hub or Thread router required
Black Sonos Play portable speaker

Sonos Play

Portable stereo speaker with a charging base and replaceable battery

Play is the most balanced Sonos portable for moving between a regular home listening spot and the patio.

Wi-Fi$299
No brand hub or Thread router required
Graphite Amazon Echo Dot Max smart speaker

Amazon Echo Dot Max

Alexa smart speaker, Matter Controller and Thread Border Router

A sensible Alexa speaker for a small room where music matters.

Thread$119.99
No brand hub or Thread router required
Pink JBL Charge 6 portable speaker with fabric grille and top playback buttons

JBL Charge 6

Portable Bluetooth speaker

A sensible $149.95 outdoor speaker when long battery life, phone charging and a carry strap matter more than minimum bag weight.

Bluetooth$149.95
No brand hub or Thread router required
Glacier White Amazon Echo Studio 2025 smart speaker

Amazon Echo Studio (2025)

Premium Alexa smart speaker, Matter Controller and Thread Border Router

Worth considering when an Alexa room needs a more ambitious music system or a matching Fire TV speaker setup.

Thread$219.99
No brand hub or Thread router required
Black Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar

Sonos Arc Ultra

Wide premium TV soundbar with adjustable dialogue emphasis

Arc Ultra is worth shortlisting when you want a substantial TV upgrade in one bar and will use its adjustable dialogue features and Sonos music system.

Wi-Fi$1,099
No brand hub or Thread router required
Black Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker

Sonos Roam 2

Small travel speaker with Bluetooth and home Wi-Fi audio

Roam 2 is the Sonos portable to choose when the speaker has to earn its place in a small bag.

Wi-Fi$179
No brand hub or Thread router required
Black Sonos Move 2 portable speaker

Sonos Move 2

Large portable stereo speaker with a replaceable battery

Move 2 is worth considering as a substantial Sonos room speaker that occasionally goes outside.

Wi-Fi$499
No brand hub or Thread router required
Black JBL Authentics 200 with gold trim, square grille and three top control knobs

JBL Authentics 200

Wi-Fi smart speaker

A characterful room speaker whose physical knobs, wired input and broad streaming options justify considering it.

Wi-Fi$379.95
No brand hub or Thread router required
Black Sonos Era 100 speaker

Sonos Era 100

Compact mains-powered stereo music speaker

Era 100 is a sensible compact music speaker for an existing Sonos home.

Wi-Fi$219
No brand hub or Thread router required