Matter in 2026: Progress and Growing Pains
When Matter launched, it promised to end the smart home fragmentation that forced consumers to choose between Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa ecosystems. Two years later, the reality is more nuanced. Matter has delivered genuine improvements for certain device categories, while others remain stuck in the same proprietary silos they have always occupied.
What Works Well
Lighting and Switches
Matter-over-Thread has become the standard for smart lighting. Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, and Eve all ship Matter-native bulbs and switches that pair seamlessly with any major platform. Thread's mesh networking means no hub dependency and reliable performance even with dozens of devices. If you are buying new smart lights in 2026, Matter compatibility should be a baseline expectation.
Plugs and Energy Monitoring
Smart plugs with Matter support are abundant and affordable. The energy monitoring feature added in Matter 1.3 lets you track power consumption directly in your preferred platform without relying on manufacturer cloud services. Eve Energy and TP-Link Tapo both offer excellent Matter plugs under $25.
Locks and Garage Doors
Matter's security requirements (end-to-end encryption, local control) make it ideal for access control devices. Schlage, Yale, and August all offer Matter-compatible locks that work across platforms without proprietary bridges.
What Still Falls Short
Cameras and Video Doorbells
Matter's camera support remains limited. Most manufacturers continue using proprietary protocols for video streaming because Matter does not yet support the bandwidth and low-latency requirements of real-time video. You will still need separate apps for Ring, Nest, and Eufy cameras.
Robot Vacuums and Lawn Mowers
Complex devices with mapping, scheduling, and zone management have been slow to adopt Matter. iRobot and Roborock still rely on proprietary cloud integrations for their full feature sets.
Automations Across Platforms
While devices themselves are interoperable, automation sharing between platforms remains impossible. An automation you create in Apple Home cannot be transferred to Google Home — you have to rebuild it from scratch.
What Is Coming in Matter 2.0
- Camera and video doorbell support with streaming capabilities
- Robot vacuum control with mapping data
- Energy management and EV charger integration
- Automation sharing between platforms
