HomeFeature
Matter promised to fix the smart home. Three years in, did it?
The universal standard is finally inside most new gear. Setup is easier and apps matter less — but a few old frustrations refuse to die.
By Sofia Marchetti
The pitch for Matter was simple: buy any smart plug, lock or light, and it would work with whatever ecosystem you already use. No more checking the side of the box for the right logo.
Three years after the first certified devices shipped, that promise has mostly — mostly — come true. Of the 24 recent devices we tested, 21 paired on the first try with all three major platforms we use in the lab.
What got better
- Setup is a single QR code scan, and it works the same way on every platform.
- Devices keep working locally when your internet connection drops.
- One device can be controlled from several ecosystems at the same time.
What still hurts
Advanced features are the gap. Matter covers the basics — on, off, dim, lock — but anything clever, like a robot vacuum’s room maps or a camera’s person detection, still lives inside the manufacturer’s own app.
“Matter fixed the plumbing. It didn’t fix the ideas. The smart home still needs a reason to be smart.”
Our advice: starting fresh, buy Matter-certified gear and pick the platform whose app you like best. If you already have a setup that works, there’s no need to rip it out — just prefer Matter for anything new.
Written by
Sofia Marchetti
Audio & Home Editor
Sofia tests headphones, speakers and smart-home gear from a flat that is now more hub than home. She studied acoustic engineering in Milan.
More from Sofia
