I hope Matter devices are the "dumb" products of the future

Let's start with Matter and build from there.

All of my Matter devices work as regular 'dumb' devices

My house still functions when the internet goes down: Does yours?

Here's one added cost of Matter smart switches I didn't plan for

Make sure you're aware of everything you need before you finish planning your budget.

The underdogs of the smart home: 5 Matter brands worth watching

Sometimes the biggest ideas that Matter come from the smallest companies.

How Matter will help us solve our e-waste problem

Smart devices that don't depend on the cloud.

How smart homes are becoming more energy efficient with Matter and AI

I love a smart home, but I value an energy-efficient one even more. Fortunately, we can have both.

What is AES encryption, and can a Matter device be hacked?

Matter is designed to be private and secure, but that depends on how you use it.

This is how I add Matter devices in Home Assistant

Home Assistant is great, once you know what you're doing. Let us help you get started.

The Umbra Cono smart lamp shows the importance of Matter

Thanks to Matter, these unsupported lights are still a decent purchase.

Home Assistant reviewed: Is this the Matter smart home solution we need?

It's not for the masses yet, but if you're ready to give Home Assistant a try, this is as easy as it gets.

Matter and cloud services: The role of cloud platforms

Matter doesn't rely on the cloud, but many Matter-compatible devices and services do.

Why your Matter smart home needs newer, mesh Wi-Fi

Traditional Wi-Fi routers are units that you stick in a single place in your home. Times have changed.

The 5 biggest smart home trends that Matter is enabling in 2025

If Matter is the future of the smart home, these are the trends you should be following.

Honeywell Home Smart X2S Thermostat review: Is this a smart thermostat for the masses?

The Honeywell Home Smart X2S Thermostat looks functional enough, but does its Matter-compatibility deliver the smart home integrations you need?

Switchbot Motion Sensor review: an affordable automation building block

Compared to some of the alternative Matter-compatible motion sensors, SwitchBot's is rather basic. But does this mean you should't buy it?

Too many Matter devices still require you download another app first

Matter promises a smart home that you can set up and manage entirely offline - but are we there yet?

Installing a smart switch or outlet is easier than you think

Installing smart switches doesn't mean rewiring your house.

SwitchBot Meter Plus review: A smart way to monitor comfort

SwitchBot Meter Plus offers simple temperature/humidity readings and Matter compatibility via a SwitchBot hub. But does this make it the reliable, affordable smart home addition you're looking for?

Smart relays vs smart switches: which is right for you?

If you're looking for a new smart home lighting solution, the answer isn't as straightforward as you might think.

Which smart home platform is best on a Google Pixel?

Pixel users have multiple Matter smart home hub options: Google Home, SmartThings (Samsung hub needed), Home Assistant (privacy-focused), Amazon Alexa, or TP-Link Deco routers.