Matter improved my home in these 5 ways in 2025

I took a chance on many Matter products this year, and my home is better off for it.

My 4 favorite Matter purchases of 2025

Not every Matter product I purchased this year was a winner, but these four have become cherished additions to my home.

Your Matter smart home still needs buttons, and the options are getting better

Matter isn't only for apps and voice assistants.

I just connected my first Matter-compatible smart locks—here's what it's like

Lockly Secure Link adapters add Matter compatibility to existing Wi-Fi smart locks, enabling unified control and automation within major smart home platforms, despite minor limitations.

Things I've learned from upgrading all of the wall switches in my home

Matter smart switches keep regular function (low friction) but have glowing lights; main benefit is checking all lights at a glance for under $1,000 total cost.

Smart home notifications are more curse than blessing

There are many reasons to want smart devices, but notifications may not be one of them after all.

Integrating 50 lights with a smart home ecosystem

It's the smart features that really Matter.

Issues I ran into while installing Matter smart switches

Installing Matter smart switches involves unexpected hurdles: complex 3/4-way wiring, crowded multi-gang boxes, tricky neutral wire bundles, and hidden costs like wall plates.

Installing a smart switch is easier than I thought

Smart switch installation is manageable for homeowners: the process is simpler than expected, but identifying line/load wires and ensuring a neutral wire is essential for Matter switches.

Why I chose Tapo lights

TP-Link Tapo smart switches, chosen for Matter compatibility, low cost, and hub-free Wi-Fi control, prove to be the best-reviewed, unbranded option for whole-home smart lighting.

Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition Review: Open Source, for Better or Worse

As an open and community-backed project, Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition is impressive, but it isn't without its quirks—or its bugs.

How to add a smart bulb to Home Assistant

Adding a Matter smart bulb with Home Assistant is a great way to kick off your smart home

How to add a motion sensor to Samsung SmartThings

The smartest things don't need to wait for your commands.

Are Matter smart home locks secure?

Matter isn't your smart lock's weakest link.

5 Ways my home has improved since I embraced Matter

Matter convinced me to build a smart home, and I'm glad it did.

What is Aliro, and how does it fit in with Matter?

The future of smart locks is Matter-compatible, thanks to Aliro.

What is a Matter bridge?

Understanding the importance of a bridge to what matters.

Here's how I decide which smart home devices are a safe investment

No one wants to regularly replace a light switch.

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?