What is Matter?

And do you really need that in a smart home?

Matter is a relatively new smart home standard that was developed jointly by major companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung. The aim is to create a uniform protocol so that devices from different manufacturers work better together.

Sounds good. But what is the technology behind it, and is it really the solution to all smart home problems?

What is Matter from a technical perspective?

Matter is a manufacturer-independent communication standard for smart home devices.
It is based on IP, i.e. Internet Protocol, and typically runs via:

• WLAN

• Ethernet

• Thread

Thread is an energy-saving mesh network, similar to Zigbee, but IP-based.

Important: Matter does not necessarily replace WLAN or Bluetooth, but defines a common language with which devices communicate.

Why was Matter developed?

The problem in the smart home was clear for a long time:

• Manufacturer A does not work properly with manufacturer B

• Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit had their own ecosystems

• Users had to commit to one platform

Matter should change that. A device with Matter certification should theoretically:

• work with Apple Home

• work with Google Home

• mit Amazon Alexa funktionieren

• be controllable locally without cloud constraints

At least that's the idea.

What are the advantages of Matter?

• Cross-manufacturer compatibility

• IP-based communication

• Local control possible

• Support from large companies

• Less dependence on proprietary standards

This can simplify setup, especially for beginners.

What are the limits of Matter?

Matter is not a miracle cure.

• It is no substitute for sophisticated automation

• It does not solve network problems

• It does not replace complex smart home systems

• The variety of devices is still under construction

In addition, many manufacturer functions outside the Matter standard remain proprietary.

Do we really need Matter?

Matter can be useful for simple smart home setups.
For more complex systems with their own logic, automation or integration into platforms such as Home Assistant, Matter is more of an additional option than a revolution.

Anyone already operating a functioning system with Zigbee, WLAN or other protocols does not necessarily have to switch.

Conclusion

Matter is a sensible step towards standardization in the smart home.
It reduces compatibility problems and makes it easier to get started.

But it is no substitute for planning, network understanding or sophisticated automation.

As is so often the case in technology, a new standard does not replace thinking.