How To

Apple Home can show how much energy your Matter devices use — here’s how to set it up

Apple Home can show how much energy your Matter devices are using in real time, track historical consumption, and even connect to supported utilities — if you know where to look.

Christopher Close Thursday, November 5, 2026

Explainer

I replaced almost every IKEA Zigbee device with Matter — here’s what actually changed

After six months replacing almost every IKEA Zigbee device in my home with Matter-over-Thread alternatives, I found better flexibility and lower prices — but not a dramatic improvement in speed or reliability.

Ward Zhou Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Review

Lafaer LWR02 review: great in small spaces, unreliable when you sit still

The Lafaer LWR02 combines Matter over Thread, PIR, mmWave radar and environmental sensing in a compact battery-powered sensor, but its stationary detection is much more dependable in small rooms than larger spaces.

Ward Zhou Tuesday, November 3, 2026

News

Amazon’s new Echo range takes on HomePod mini 2 with Matter, Thread and Zigbee — but there’s a catch

Amazon’s new Echo range offers Matter, Thread and Zigbee alongside Alexa+, making it a compelling alternative to HomePod mini 2 — provided you’re comfortable with Amazon’s approach to ads and privacy.

Christian Cawley Monday, November 2, 2026

Industry News

Matter cameras and two-way talk officially arrive in Home Assistant 2026.11

Home Assistant 2026.11 brings Matter cameras and two-way talk to the frontend, adds the built-in Marketplace, and expands support for climate, covers, lighting, and sensors.

Ward Zhou Friday, October 30, 2026

Review

Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro review: gorgeous rainbow dual-light effects, frustrating installation

Govee’s Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro use a clever dual-light design to create richer, more dramatic effects across your home. Installation can be frustrating, but the results are worth the effort.

James Bruce Thursday, October 29, 2026

Review

HomePod mini 2 first look: Apple’s best Matter smart home hub for the money

I tested Apple’s $149 HomePod mini 2 ahead of launch, and while its audio is merely solid, fast Matter and Thread performance makes it one of Apple Home’s most useful hubs.

Ward Zhou Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Explainer

7 Smart Home Devices That Are Better With Thread

Thread isn't just another smart home protocol. These seven devices show how its low power consumption and mesh networking can make a difference.

Christian Cawley Monday, October 26, 2026

Explainer

Everything I set up in my first month with an all-Matter smart home — and what still doesn’t work

After moving into a new apartment, I replaced almost all of my Zigbee gear with Matter devices to see how an all-Matter smart home holds up in everyday use.

Ward Zhou Monday, October 26, 2026

News

Ubiquiti is putting Thread inside UniFi Wi-Fi 7 access points — turning them into smart home infrastructure

Ubiquiti’s next UniFi Wi-Fi 7 access point appears to include a dedicated Thread radio, bringing Matter networking directly into its wall-mounted Wi-Fi hardware.

Ward Zhou Friday, October 23, 2026

News

Aqara expands its Matter lighting lineup with a rare E14 bulb and multicolor T2 light strip

Aqara has expanded its Matter lighting range with a rare E14 bulb and multicolor T2 light strip, both supporting Thread and Zigbee.

Ward Zhou Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Industry News

Home Assistant’s Matter server adds Matter 1.6.1, camera talkback, and IKEA hardware support

Home Assistant’s Matter Server 1.5.0 beta adds Matter 1.6.1 groundwork, two-way camera audio, new Aqara and IKEA integrations, and faster device status updates.

Ward Zhou Tuesday, October 20, 2026

News

UGREEN Matter camera ID500 Pro opens for preorder with HomeAgent hub

UGREEN’s SynCare Indoor Cam ID500 Pro combines 4K video, Matter 1.5.1 controls, local recording, and on-premise AI through the new HomeAgent hub.

Ward Zhou Monday, October 19, 2026

News

Shelly’s first mmWave sensor can track 10 people across 10 zones — and it works with Matter

Shelly’s first mmWave presence sensor can track up to 10 people across 10 zones, with Matter support, local control, and camera-free automation.

Christian Cawley Saturday, October 17, 2026

Industry News

Apple Home is getting smarter in 5 important ways — from NFC setup to Matter Binding

Apple Home is gaining five important upgrades, including NFC setup, Matter Binding, stronger Thread support, easier Wi-Fi changes, and better camera controls.

Ward Zhou Friday, October 16, 2026

Explainer

My Matter smart home worked brilliantly — until the batteries started dying

Battery-powered Matter sensors made my smart home more capable, but once several started dying at the same time, the hidden maintenance cost became obvious.

Bertel King Thursday, October 15, 2026