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Matter is arguably the biggest thing to happen to smart homes since their inception. The interoperability feature lets devices from different ecosystems interact with each other, giving you the freedom to shop for your favorite products regardless of manufacturer. Unfortunately, not all devices have rolled out support for Matter – and not all of them will.
Only a few notable products support Matter as of today, although dozens more are expected to add the functionality in the coming months. For now, here are the five best smart home products that support Matter. For a full list, head over to the official Matter website.
Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)
Pros
Compact footprint
Vastly improved sound quality
Clock shows more useful info
New temperature sensor
Added Wi-Fi features
Cons
Only works as Wi-Fi booster if you’re already on Amazon eero network
Amazon recently brought Matter support to a slew of devices, but the Echo Dot with Clock is arguably one of the most exciting. Available for just $60 (and often on sale), the Dot is a surprisingly great smart speaker. Not only does it sound good, but the simplistic HUD allows you to quickly check the time or get the current weather forecast. Toss in Matter and the availability of various color options, and it’s easy to see why the Echo Dot with Clock is one of the best smart speakers around.
Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
Pros
Accurate sleep tracking
Tons of data about your sleep
$100 starting price
Cons
Few new features over previous model
Just like Amazon, Google pushed a Matter update to many of its devices at the tail end of 2022. The Nest Hub was included in that wave of updates, giving the popular smart display the ability to interact with other Matter devices. Google Assistant is just as powerful as ever, and the vibrant 7-inch display lets you stream your favorite shows, load up your calendar, play music, or get a quick tutorial on how to cook up a new dish.
Echo Show 15
Pros
Huge 15.6-inch screen
Widget functionality makes it easy to see tasks, smart home, and more at a glance
Different orientation options
Visual ID swaps between users
Cons
Lacks customization and personalization options
Software crashes without explanation
Need something a bit larger than your standard smart display? Check out the Amazon Echo Show 15, which boasts a gorgeous 15-inch display and fully supports Matter. It’s a bit expensive, but you won’t find many other products like the Echo Show 15 (let alone one that also supports Matter).
Eve Door & Window Sensors
Pros
Easy to use
Tons of versatility
Sleek design
Now that the Eve Door & Window Sensor supports Matter, keeping your home secure has never been easier. Beyond knowing whether your doors (or windows) are open or shut, you can trigger various events based on their status — such as turning on lights or shutting off your furnace. You’ll need to join the Early Access program to make use of the features, but that’s a minor inconvenience for a lot of nifty smart home tech.
Eve Door & Window Sensors
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Apple HomePod mini
Pros
Computational audio optimizes the experience
Clean-sounding highs and mids
Compact size makes it discrete
It’s the most affordable HomeKit home hub
Cons
Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors
Short power cord
Another entry on this list, another smart speaker to discuss. This class of products has been widely updated to support Matter, as they serve as central hubs for most smart homes. The Apple HomePod mini rounds out the big three (Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri), giving you the option to use just about any ecosystem as the center of your Matter-connected smart home. Siri might not be quite as versatile as the competition, but no doubt iOS fans will be glad to have the new functionality offered by Matter.
Zeke Jones/Digital Trends
HomePod
Pros
Great sound quality
Incredible bass performance
Dazzling Spatial Audio surround
Plug and Play wireless
Slick design
Cons
Limited connection options
No direct Spotify playback
Take everything that makes the HomePod mini so great, mix them together with a larger design and better speakers, and you’ve built the new HomePod. The latest member of Apple’s smart home family offers full support for Matter, making it a great central pillar for anyone piecing together a connected network of devices. Beyond Matter, you’ll benefit from high-fidelity audio powered by a four-inch high-excursion woofer, five tweeters, and Spatial Audio along with Room sensing to optimize performance based on the acoustics of your home. It’s not cheap, clocking in at $299, but few Matter products are as powerful and versatile as the HomePod.
Google Nest Thermostat
Pros
Affordable cost
Smart functions mean minimal interaction
Stylish Apple-like design
Simple DIY installation
Cons
Capacitive controls are only on one side
If you’re looking for a Matter-enabled smart thermostat, look no further than the popular Google Nest Thermostat. It’s the first product in its class to gain support for Matter, and seeing as it’s a well-reviewed (and reasonably affordable) gadget, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone looking to built the ultimate smart home. With the ability to automatically adjust temperatures to help you save money, an easy installation process, and a robust smartphone app, the Nest Thermostat is a great way to upgrade from a traditional thermostat.
Editors’ Recommendations
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