Matter: The Universal Smart Home Standard – Everything You Need to Know
Different apps for every device, systems that don't talk to each other, cloud dependencies that take everything offline when they fail – that was the reality of smart homes for a long time. Matter aims to change all that. The open communication standard, backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and hundreds of other manufacturers, makes a simple promise: one device, one setup, all platforms. This guide explains what's behind it, how Matter works technically, and what the standard means specifically for electricians and facility managers.
What is Matter?
Matter is a royalty-free, cross-manufacturer communication standard for smart home devices, developed and maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). The idea is straightforward: whether you buy a lamp from IKEA, a thermostat from Bosch or a blind motor from Somfy – with Matter, all these devices should work together without proprietary hubs, without siloed solutions and without cloud dependency.
The project started in 2019 under the name Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP), initiated by Amazon, Apple, Google and the CSA (then still the ZigBee Alliance). Matter 1.0 launched on 4 October 2022 – and since then the standard has gained enormous momentum. Today over 500 companies are CSA members, including heavyweights like Samsung, LG, Philips Hue, ABB and Schneider Electric.
- Interoperability: Devices from different manufacturers work together seamlessly
- Local & cloud-independent: Core functions run without an internet connection
- Platform freedom: A single Matter device works with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and others simultaneously
- Security: Every device has a unique cryptographic certificate
- Easy setup: Commissioning via QR code and smartphone
How does Matter work technically?
Matter is not a radio or transport protocol – it is an application layer standard (OSI layers 5–7). Matter defines how devices communicate and what they communicate, but not necessarily which radio path carries the signal. Matter uses the following transport media:
| Transport | Use case | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Thread | Battery-powered sensors, actuators | Mesh network, very energy-efficient, no hub required |
| Wi-Fi | Smart plugs, cameras, appliances | High bandwidth, higher power consumption |
| Ethernet | Stationary devices, bridges, controllers | Maximum stability, wired |
| Bluetooth LE | Setup phase (commissioning) | Used only for initial device pairing, not for ongoing operation |
All transport paths use IPv6 as the network protocol – enabling direct device-to-device communication without a central server.
Thread: The backbone of Matter
For battery-powered Matter devices, Thread is the preferred radio protocol. Thread forms a self-healing mesh network based on IEEE 802.15.4 (2.4 GHz), in which each device can act as a router for others. The advantage over classic ZigBee: Thread is IP-native and requires no proprietary hub – only a Thread Border Router, which is already built into many modern smart speakers (Apple HomePod, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo 4th generation).
Matter Fabric: The encrypted local network
All Matter devices in an installation together form a so-called Matter Fabric – an encrypted, local communication network. Each device receives a unique cryptographic certificate during setup (similar to HTTPS on the web). Communication within the Fabric is end-to-end encrypted.
Multi-Admin: One device, all platforms
One of Matter's biggest advantages is the Multi-Admin feature: a single Matter device can be integrated into Apple Home, Google Home and Amazon Alexa simultaneously. All three platforms control the device directly – without any mutual dependency. For end users this means: no more vendor lock-in.
Which device types does Matter support?
With each new version, the list of supported device categories grows. As of Matter 1.4, the standard currently covers:
| Category | Examples | Since version |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting & switches | LED lamps, dimmers, wall switches, sockets | 1.0 |
| Shading | Roller blinds, venetian blinds, awnings | 1.0 |
| Heating & climate (HVAC) | Thermostats, air conditioning units | 1.0 |
| Security & sensors | Door/window sensors, motion detectors, smoke alarms, CO sensors | 1.0 / 1.2 |
| Major household appliances | Refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, robot vacuum cleaners | 1.2 |
| Kitchen & household | Microwaves, hobs, extractor hoods, tumble dryers | 1.3 |
| Energy & networking | EV charging stations, heat pumps, battery storage, Wi-Fi routers | 1.3 / 1.4 |
| Air quality | Air quality sensors, air purifiers, fans | 1.2 |
Matter covers connectivity – not automation automatically. Scenes, schedules and voice control are still provided by the respective platform (Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant etc.). Matter is the foundation, not the complete building.
Matter vs. KNX, DALI, ZigBee & Co. – the comparison
Matter is not intended to replace all existing standards – but rather as a complement and simplification layer for the consumer and semi-professional market. The following comparison shows where the boundaries lie:
| Criterion | Matter | KNX | DALI | ZigBee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Residential, SME | Building automation, commercial | Professional lighting control | Smart home, consumer |
| Wiring | Wireless (Thread/Wi-Fi) | Wired (twisted pair) | Wired (2-wire) | Wireless (2.4 GHz) |
| Scalability | Medium | Very high | High (up to 64 devices/segment) | Medium |
| Planning effort | Low | High (ETS software) | Medium | Low |
| Manufacturer independence | ✅ Very high | ✅ High (open standard) | ✅ High | ⚠️ Medium (profile variants) |
| Cloud dependency | None (local) | None | None | Often present |
| Entry costs | Low | High | Medium | Low |
| Professional certification required | No | Yes (KNX Partner) | No | No |
| Matter Bridge possible | – | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (in development) | ✅ Yes |
Matter and KNX: Competitors or complements?
KNX remains the standard for complex commercial buildings and demanding residential projects – with its reliable bus wiring, proven ETS planning and virtually unlimited scalability. Matter targets a different market: fast, flexible installation without prior planning, retrofitting smart home functionality and the consumer segment. The two standards are not mutually exclusive – through Matter-KNX bridges, existing KNX installations can be integrated into a Matter environment.
Matter and ZigBee: Related standards
ZigBee and Matter share common DNA: both are based on IEEE 802.15.4, the CSA developed ZigBee and is also the custodian of the Matter standard. Many ZigBee manufacturers (Philips Hue, IKEA) are delivering Matter support via firmware updates. Via Matter-ZigBee bridges, existing ZigBee devices can be integrated into Matter networks – without replacing hardware.
Matter in professional use: What electricians need to know
Matter is primarily designed for the consumer market – but that doesn't mean it's irrelevant for electricians and facility managers. On the contrary: precisely because end customers are increasingly asking for Matter-capable devices, you as an installer need to understand what you're dealing with.
Commissioning: How Matter devices are set up
Setting up a Matter device typically involves a QR code or numeric PIN printed on the device. A smartphone scans the code and adds the device to the local Matter Fabric via Bluetooth LE. The device then communicates via its actual transport protocol (Thread or Wi-Fi). A separate app or cloud-based account from the manufacturer is not required for basic functions.
- Power up the Matter device (or insert battery)
- Open smartphone app (Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant etc.)
- "Add device" → scan QR code on the device
- Bluetooth LE handles the initial handover to the network
- Device appears in the app, immediately ready to use
- Optional: add additional ecosystems via Multi-Admin
Matter Controller: What acts as the hub
Every Matter installation needs at least one Matter Controller – a device that manages the Fabric and executes automations. Options include:
- Apple HomePod (mini or 2nd generation) – also acts as Thread Border Router
- Google Nest Hub (2nd generation), Nest WiFi Pro – also Thread Border Router
- Amazon Echo (4th generation) – Thread Border Router
- Home Assistant (on Raspberry Pi or dedicated hardware) – particularly recommended for professional installations, maximum control and flexibility
- Apple TV 4K, Amazon Fire TV Cube
Matter Bridge: Bridging existing systems
Existing smart home installations with ZigBee, KNX or Bluetooth don't need to be torn out for Matter. A Matter Bridge translates communication between the existing system and the Matter Fabric. The Philips Hue Bridge, IKEA DIRIGERA and Home Assistant, for example, act as ZigBee-Matter bridges. For KNX, first bridge solutions are available from manufacturers such as MDT and Intesis.
Do you have an existing Casambi lighting installation and want to integrate it into a Matter environment? The Casambi Matter Bridge does exactly that: it connects the wireless Casambi Bluetooth mesh network with the Matter standard, enabling control via Apple Home, Google Home or other Matter controllers – without replacing existing luminaires or drivers. Ideal for professional retrofitting in commercial and residential buildings.
When is Matter the right choice – and when isn't it?
| Matter recommended | KNX/DALI better suited |
|---|---|
| Single-family homes, owner-occupied apartments | Office buildings, hotels, complex commercial construction |
| Retrofitting smart home without structural work | New builds with planned bus wiring |
| Rental properties (no access to in-wall installation) | Systems with high reliability/failsafe requirements |
| Customer wants to retrofit and expand independently | Professional lighting control with individual addressing (→ DALI) |
| Mixed product ecosystems (Apple + Google + Amazon) | Systems with >100 light points and complex group control |
Version history: Matter 1.0 to 1.4
The Matter standard continues to evolve. The CSA plans regular updates that add new device classes and features:
| Version | Date | Key additions |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | October 2022 | Market launch. Lighting, switches, sockets, thermostats, blinds, door locks, security sensors |
| 1.1 | May 2023 | No new device classes – bug fixes, SDK and API improvements |
| 1.2 | October 2023 | 9 new device classes: refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, robot vacuum cleaners, smoke/CO detectors, air quality sensors, air purifiers, fans |
| 1.3 | May 2024 | Microwaves, hobs, extractor hoods, tumble dryers. New: water, energy and EV charging management |
| 1.4 | November 2024 | Wi-Fi routers as Matter devices, extended Thread mesh networking, heat pumps, battery storage, smart energy appliances |
Frequently asked questions about Matter
What is Matter and what is it used for?
Matter is an open, royalty-free smart home communication standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). It enables devices from different manufacturers – lamps, thermostats, blinds, sensors and more – to communicate independently of any manufacturer and without cloud dependency. A single Matter device works simultaneously with Apple Home, Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Which transport protocols does Matter use?
Matter uses several transport paths: Thread (mesh radio, ideal for battery-powered sensors and actuators), Wi-Fi (for mains-powered devices with higher data requirements) and Ethernet (for stationary devices and controllers). Bluetooth LE is used for initial setup (commissioning). All variants use IPv6 as the network layer.
Do I need a central hub for Matter?
For Wi-Fi-based Matter devices, no separate hub is needed – a router is sufficient. For Thread-based devices, a Thread Border Router is required to connect the Thread mesh network to the IP home network. This is already built into many modern smart speakers (Apple HomePod, Google Nest Hub 2nd gen., Amazon Echo 4th gen.). A proprietary manufacturer hub is fundamentally not required with Matter.
Can I integrate existing ZigBee or KNX devices into Matter?
Yes, via so-called Matter Bridges. These bridges translate the protocol of the existing system (ZigBee, KNX, Z-Wave etc.) into Matter communication. Well-known examples: the Philips Hue Bridge and IKEA DIRIGERA act as ZigBee-Matter bridges. For KNX, first solutions are available from manufacturers such as MDT and Intesis. This allows an existing installation to be extended without replacing hardware.
Can Matter be used without an internet connection?
Yes. The basic control functions in Matter run completely locally – without an internet connection and without the manufacturer's cloud server. This means: switching lights, dimming, controlling thermostats all work even during an internet outage. Extended functions such as remote access from outside the home network or voice control via cloud assistants are excluded from this.
How secure is Matter?
Matter uses a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): each certified device receives a unique cryptographic certificate signed by the manufacturer. Communication within the Matter Fabric is end-to-end encrypted. Unauthorised devices cannot join the Fabric without valid certificates.
How does Matter differ from KNX in practice for electricians?
Significantly. KNX requires structured advance planning with ETS software, dedicated bus wiring and a KNX Partner certification for commissioning. Matter devices, by contrast, are set up via a smartphone app without any special tools – no programming, no dedicated bus cable. KNX remains the better choice for complex commercial buildings and large residential projects. Matter is ideal for retrofitting, smaller properties and situations where the end customer wants to set up and expand the system themselves.
Which Matter versions exist and what has changed?
Since the launch in October 2022, four major versions have been released: Matter 1.0 (lighting, thermostats, blinds, locks), Matter 1.1 (bug fixes), Matter 1.2 (household appliances, air quality sensors, smoke detectors), Matter 1.3 (kitchen appliances, EV charging management) and Matter 1.4 from November 2024 (Wi-Fi routers, heat pumps, battery storage, extended Thread networking).
Whether KNX, DALI, ZigBee, Bluetooth or Matter – our range includes professional light control systems for every application. For connecting existing Casambi installations to Matter, we recommend the Casambi Matter Bridge. Our team is happy to advise you on system selection.