The smart home industry is going through a big change in 2025. For a long time, both users and makers have had trouble because different brands made devices that didn’t work well together. Each brand’s gadgets needed their own apps and special ways to communicate, and they often couldn’t connect with other brands’ products.
Enter Matter, a universal smart home standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and championed by tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung. Matter aims to eliminate these pain points, offering true interoperability, robust security, and reliable local control—regardless of which smart home ecosystem or device brand you prefer.
- What Are Matter Smart Devices? The Universal Language of the Smart Home
- Global Adoption Trends and Market Statistics for Matter Devices
- Key Matter-Compatible Device Categories in 2025
- Major Brands Supporting Matter and Their Strategies
- Advanced Matter Features and Cutting-Edge Trends in 2025
- Matter-Compatible Devices & Brand Comparison Table
- Challenges and Limitations in the Matter Ecosystem
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What Are Matter Smart Devices? The Universal Language of the Smart Home
Matter, first introduced as Project CHIP in 2019, is a protocol designed to ensure secure, robust, and seamless local communication between smart home devices. Unlike past standards (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), Matter operates as an application layer built on Internet Protocol (IP) and leverages familiar networking technologies—Wi-Fi and Thread for operation, Bluetooth Low Energy for setup. Its core promise is that devices from any certified brand “just work” together out of the box.
Key features include:
- Multi-admin support: The same device can be shared simultaneously across multiple platforms and apps (e.g., a smart light can be controlled by both Google Home and Apple Home).
- Interoperability: Devices from different brands communicate and cooperate regardless of the ecosystem (Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and more).
- Security: Mandatory encryption, device attestation certificates, and a Distributed Compliance Ledger (DCL) provide advanced security and device authentication.
- Local control: Devices work directly on local networks, ensuring reliability and speed even during internet outages.
Global Adoption Trends and Market Statistics for Matter Devices
Explosive Market Growth
The global smart home market reached a value of approximately USD 199.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to increase to over USD 414.2 billion by 2034, with an average yearly growth rate of about 8.5%. This expansion is due to people’s increasing desire for homes that are more energy-efficient, secure, and easy to use. The Matter standard helps by making it easier for different smart devices to work together, which reduces problems with compatibility.
- Shipments: According to IDC, annual smart home device shipments are forecasted to rise from ~891 million in 2023 to 1.23 billion by 2027.
- Installed Base: The installed base is projected to surpass 27 billion IoT units globally in 2025 (including smart home devices).
- Matter Certification: As of mid-2025, over 1,200 hardware and software products have achieved Matter certification or are in the certification pipeline.
Regional Adoption Patterns
- North America: Currently dominates with an estimated 60.4 million households owning at least one smart device. On average, each American home now has 20.2 connected devices.
- Europe: Steadily rising, with 17.4 connected devices per household and over USD 38.1 billion in annual smart home revenue.
- Asia-Pacific: A hot growth region, fueled by urbanization and smart city projects—forecasted to command over 33.2% of the market by 2025.s of mid-2025, over 1,200 hardware and software products have achieved Matter certification or are in the certification pipeline.
Product Category Growth
| Device Category | 2023 Shipments (M) | 2027 Shipments (M) | CAGR 2023–2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Entertainment | 284.4 | 315.4 | 2.6% |
| Home Monitoring/Security | 197.8 | 279.7 | 9.0% |
| Lighting | 111.7 | 243.6 | 21.5% |
| Smart Speaker | 111.7 | 130.9 | 4.0% |
| Thermostat | 25.9 | 31.5 | 5.0% |
| Others | 159.5 | 230.7 | 9.7% |
| Total | 890.9 | 1,231.8 | 8.4% |
*Lighting and security are the fastest-growing Matter device categories, underscoring consumer priorities.
Key Matter-Compatible Device Categories in 2025
Matter’s device support roadmap has expanded rapidly—from basics like bulbs, switches, locks, and thermostats, to a breadth of new types added in recent standard updates.
- Lighting: It includes Smart bulbs, lamp dimmers, and light strips (Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, Govee, Wiz, Linkind, Aqara, IKEA, Yeelight)
- Power: For power control, you can use Smart plugs and energy meters such as TP-Link Kasa, Eve, Leviton, and Aqara.
- Security: Door locks, sensors, and motion detectors (Nuki, Yale, Schlage, Aqara, SwitchBot, Level, Eufy, Bosch, SmartThings)
- Hubs & Controllers: Smart home bridges, hubs, and displays (Apple HomePod, Google Nest Hub, Samsung SmartThings, Aqara Hubs, IKEA Dirigera, Aeotec, Home Assistant)
- Climate: Smart thermostats, radiator valves, and climate sensors (Ecobee, Nest, Eve, Honeywell, tado°, Aqara, SwitchBot)
- Shades & Blinds: Roller shades, curtain motors, and blind controllers such as SmartWings, Eve MotionBlinds, IKEA, and SwitchBot
- Appliances: Air purifiers, kitchen appliances, robot vacuums, fans, and air conditioners from brands like LG, Samsung, Xiaomi, Roborock, Midea, EcoFlow, Dysons, and Shelly
- Entertainment: Smart TVs, streaming devices, and speakers (Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Sonos, Samsung TV, LG TV, Philips Hue Sync)
- Sensors: Environmental, motion, contact, leak, carbon, gas, occupancy, presence (Bosch, Eve, Shelly, Sonoff, Aqara, Heiman, Tuya)
Matter Protocol’s latest versions (v1.3–1.4) have introduced support for even more categories—solar panels, batteries, energy management systems, water heaters, EV chargers, advanced climate controls, and more.
Major Brands Supporting Matter and Their Strategies
Below is a summary table of major brands and select 2025 flagship Matter-compatible devices:
| Brand | Supported Platforms | Device Examples | Matter Roles | 2025 Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS, macOS, tvOS | HomePod mini, Apple TV (4K), iPhones, iPads | Controller, Speaker | Native multi-admin, Thread/Border Router on HomePod Mini, camera support expanding |
| Android, iOS | Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest WiFi Pro, Nest Thermostat | Controller, Hub, Border Router | Fast Pair for Matter, Google TV with integrated Hub, Matter runtime for local control | |
| Amazon | Android, iOS | Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 5, eero Routers | Controller, Speaker, Hub | Works With Alexa badge via Matter, broad device bridging via Zigbee, Thread Border Router |
| Samsung | Android, iOS, Tizen | SmartThings Hub, TVs, Smart Monitors | Hub, Controller | Advanced automation, SmartThings Pro for business, new Hub 2 with improved Thread/Zigbee |
| Philips Hue | All via Bridge | Hue Bridge Pro, bulbs, Festavia | Bridge | Matter-over-Thread bulbs, Pro bridge supports 150 lights, scene storage, faster automations |
| IKEA | All via Dirigera | Dirigera Hub, Smart lights, Blinds, Sensors | Bridge, Hub | 20+ new products launched, affordable, Matter controller in 2025 |
| Aqara | All via Hubs | Hub M3, Panel hub S1 Plus, Plugs, sensors | Bridge, Controller, Thread Border Router | Zigbee/Thread bridge, multi-protocol, 8GB edge storage, 127+ device support |
| Govee | Wi-Fi/Matter | Light strips, Table Lamp 2 Pro | Light/Sensor/Accessory | Expanded lineup with AI pixel control, Matter over Wi-Fi, new releases every quarter |
| Eve | Thread, Wi-Fi | Energy plugs, Motion/Weather sensors, smart switches | Sensor, Plug, Switch | Native Thread, rapid OTA updates, advanced energy monitoring, deep iOS integration |
| Shelly | Wi-Fi, Zigbee, BLE | Gen 4 Flood, Presence Sensors, Plugs | Sensor, Plug, Relay | Instant Matter update, appliance integration, and new Pro controllers |
| TP-Link/Kasa | Wi-Fi, Thread | Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, TP-Link Tapo bulbs | Plug, Light | High-volume, affordable, cross-ecosystem, Amazon FFS-certified |
| Samsung | Multiplatform | Smart Monitor M9, TVs, appliances | Hub, Appliance | Matter in Smart Monitors, TV-as-hub, AI-powered appliances |
| Bosch | Zigbee, Thread | Smart Home Controller II, air purifiers, motion sensors | Controller, Sensor | Instant Matter update, appliance integration, new Pro controllers |
Brand Strategies
- Apple has automatically recognized certified devices and extended HomeKit’s reach, tightly integrated Matter into the Home platform. In 2025, Apple joined the CSA’s “FastTrack” validation, so Matter-certified devices are instantly eligible for Apple’s “Works with Home” badge.
- Google is pushing Matter runtime to Android TVs, Chromecasts, and speakers, making them Matter Hubs and Thread Border Routers via over-the-air updates. The Google Home app supports Fast Pair and Enhanced Multi-Admin, making multi-platform setups truly practical.
- Amazon continues expanding “Works With Alexa” to Matter, driving certification at scale. All new Echo and eero products released in 2025 support both Matter-over-Thread and Matter-over-Wi-Fi out of the box.
- Samsung SmartThings is targeting business and consumer verticals with the new SmartThings Pro and Next-Gen SmartThings Hub, focusing on high device counts, advanced automation, and enterprise-grade integrations.
- Philips Hue (Signify) leverages the Pro Bridge, adding capacity (up to 150 bulbs) and Thread connectivity to bring legacy Zigbee devices into Matter effortlessly.
- IKEA positions itself as the budget-friendly Matter leader, rolling out 20+ new products in 2025 and transforming the Dirigera Hub into a full-featured Matter Controller and Bridge.
Note: LG, Bosch, Midea, Tuya, Yeelight, and Xiaomi, bringing the standard into everyday appliances, air quality monitors, and sensors, have all introduced devices and gateways that support Matter.
Advanced Matter Features and Cutting-Edge Trends in 2025
Matter 1.4: Major Technical Enhancements
The recent Matter 1.4 update marks a leap forward in the standard:
- Enhanced Multi-Admin: Now enables easy sharing of Matter devices across multiple platforms—scan a QR once, and the device is available in Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and more simultaneously.
- Certified Home Routers and Access Points (HRAP): Routers now bundle Thread Border Routers and Wi-Fi APs, ensuring robust mesh networks and easier device addition—solving prior fragmentation issues.
- Energy Management: New support for solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, water heaters, EV chargers, and more, with device-level energy optimization, dynamic scheduling, and cloud integration for smart grid participation.
- Expanded Device Types: New support for in-wall switches, advanced occupancy sensors, radar/vision ambient sensing, and even direct device-to-device messaging without hubs.
- Improved Commissioning: Faster onboarding via NFC and better support for multi-device setups and firmware updates.
These features reflect user demand for simplicity, energy savings, and resilience, supporting use cases from basic lighting to complex home automations.
Key Industry Trends
- Matter ecosystem maturity: Buyers now expect Matter compatibility on nearly every new smart home device; major brands vigorously market this feature as a seal of interoperability and future-proofing.
- Bridging the old and new: Leading brands supply bridges/adapters to bring legacy Zigbee, Z-Wave, and proprietary devices into the Matter ecosystem.
- AI and automation: Integration of AI assistants and routines (Apple and Google) to craft energy- and context-aware experiences based on Matter device data (e.g., vacation scheduling, presence detection, proactive energy management, and customized automations).
- Security: With strict security requirements—unique device certificates, encrypted local traffic, and blockchain-based compliance verification—Matter sets the bar for trustworthy IoT deployments.
- Open-source and developer velocity: The open-source Matter SDK and GitHub library have led to rapid iteration, frequent updates, and an influx of innovative third-party devices.
- Sustainability: Matter supports “green” applications (solar, EV management); several brands now market Matter’s energy-saving automations as a selling point.
Matter-Compatible Devices & Brand Comparison Table
| Brand | Matter Device Categories | Top Devices (2025) | Special Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Controllers, Speakers, Sensors, Locks, Lights | HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, iPhone/iPad | Thread Border Router, Remote Access |
| Hubs, Controllers, Thermostats, Sensors | Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Chromecast, Nest Thermostat, Google TV | Fast Pair, Matter-native on all hubs | |
| Amazon | Hubs, Speakers, Sensors, Plugs, Locks, Cameras | Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 5/8/10, eero Wi-Fi routers | Alexa Multi-Admin, Bridge for Zigbee |
| Samsung | Hubs, TVs, Appliances, Monitors | SmartThings Hub, Family Hub Refrigerator, M9 Smart Monitor | Tizen OS, SmartThings Pro |
| IKEA | Lights, Blinds, Sensors, Plugs, Air Quality | Dirigera Hub, JETSTROM panels, TREDANSEN blinds, PARASOLL sensor, STARKVIND air | Low-cost, mass-market, FastTrack cert |
| Philips Hue | Lights, Switches, Sensors, Bridge | Hue Bridge Pro, Hue E27/Essential, Hue Lightstrip, Secure Camera/Chime | Bridge supports Zigbee & Thread bulbs |
| Aqara | Hubs, Sensors, Plugs, Locks, Switches | Hub M3, Hub M100, Panel Hub S1 Plus, Camera Hub G3/G5Pro | Zigbee & Thread bridging, up to 127 devs |
| TP-Link/Kasa | Plugs, Bulbs, Switches | Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, EP40M Outdoor Plug, Tapo L535E Bulbs, KP125M Plug | Energy monitoring, affordable, Wi-Fi/Thread |
| Nanoleaf | Lights, Strips, Switches | Essentials bulb, Matter A19, Skylight, Multicolor Floor Lamp | Thread mesh lighting, dynamic RGB scenes |
| Shelly | Sensors, Switches, Plugs, Environmental | Gen4 Flood Sensor, Presence Sensor, Plug US, multi-protocol relay | Energy mgmt, Wi-Fi/Zigbee/Thread/BLE |
| Govee | Lights, Strips, Panels, Table Lamp, Sensors | Gaming Pixel Light, Mini Panel, Table Lamp 2 Pro (JBL), AI-assisted strips | Matter over Wi-Fi, visual AI scenes |
| Eve | Switches, Plugs, Radiator, Blinds, Sensors | Eve Energy, MotionBlinds, Weather sensor, Eve Thermo | Full Thread, rapid OTA, HomeKit-first |
| Bosch | Controllers, Sensors, Appliances | Smart Home Controller II, Bosch [+M] Motion, air purifiers, Home Energy Mgmt | Thread, advanced sensing, Matter update |
| Roborock | Robot Vacuum, Appliances | Saros Z70/S10 Robot Vacuum, Saros Series | First robot vacuums on Matter 1.4 |
| SwitchBot | Hubs, Locks, Switches, Motion sensors | Hub 2, Lock Ultra, S20 Pro Robot Vacuum | Bluetooth → Matter bridge, iOS/Android |
| Yeelight | Lights, Panel Controllers, Pro Gateways | Yeelight Pro S Display, Thread-enabled bulbs/gateways | Multi-network, AI voice controls |
| Level | Door Locks | Level Lock+, Bolt, Touch | Over-Thread, Matter OTA, phone unlock |
| Ember | Appliances (Novelty) | Ember Mug (Temp-controlled mug, expected support) | Matter support promised |
| EcoFlow | Energy mgmt, Plugs, Solar, Battery | Oasis power mgmt, Delta 3 Plus battery, River 3 Plus, PowerOcean | Energy mgmt, Matter/Thread cloud control |
Challenges and Limitations in the Matter Ecosystem
While Matter delivers unmatched cross-platform compatibility, some limitations and hurdles remain as of late 2025:
- Feature Parity Lag: Matter covers the essential functions of devices, but advanced options—such as custom light effects, detailed energy reports, enhanced security features, and specific appliance settings—often still require the manufacturer’s own app.
- Ecosystem Rollout Delays: There is a lag between Matter spec release and major ecosystem platform support for new device types—e.g., it sometimes takes months after the CSA adds device type support for Amazon, Apple, or Google to fully integrate it.
- Thread Complexity: Setting up robust Thread mesh networks can be confusing. Homeowners may not understand the difference between Wi-Fi and Thread, or the need for Thread Border Routers to support battery-powered sensors throughout large homes.
- Firmware Broker Confusion: Not every ecosystem supports every new device type with every update, leading to broken expectations for consumers who see the “Matter” logo on products not yet fully operable with their chosen smart home app.
- Bridge & Legacy Device Management: Integration of legacy Zigbee or Z-Wave devices via bridges adds complexity, and debugging these bridges can be tricky.
- Regional Device Access: Some Matter-certified products are not available worldwide; certain ecosystems limit features by geography, creating disparities in rollout.
- Cost Factor: While Matter removes barriers, entry costs can still be high—especially with brands focusing on premium or pro-level devices.
Despite these obstacles, the continual influx of updates, open-source contributions, and rapid support expansion paints a promising future.
FAQs
Conclusion
In 2025, the Matter smart home standard is reshaping the landscape of connected living. What once felt like a pipedream of device harmony is now being realized—and the pace of change is only accelerating. With major brands on board, consumers can confidently buy devices knowing they’ll “just work” together, automations can span ecosystems, and updates continue to bring new device types, smarter energy management, and deeper features to existing households.
Yet, beneath the glossy promise, Matter’s evolution is ongoing. Consumers and professionals should keep in mind that the best experience comes from using certified devices, keeping hubs updated, and staying informed about new platform announcements. Matter is more than just a protocol—it is shaping the foundation of smarter, more sustainable, and user-focused homes for the future.
