The price of RAM is affecting everything and the new world of “Trump tariffs” and AI datacenters is having an effect on the affordability of a Matter smart home. We’ve already seen how RAM and component costs have pushed up the price of Home Assistant Green, and this is just one example of how devices are becoming more expensive as the US attempts to detach itself from a perceived over-reliance on Chinese technology.
It’s a scenario that is happening in real-time, and isn’t being mitigated by the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the costs of shipping. In short, everything is becoming more expensive: smartphones, consoles, laptops… and smart home tech.
With all of that in mind, this guide is designed to help you choose the most cost-effective controllers for a budget-conscious Matter-compatible smart home build in this high-RAM-cost era.
Option 1: Check you need a new controller
The most budget-friendly option is to confirm whether you really need a new controller or not.
Various household devices – both smart devices, media devices, and even some “white goods” – have a Matter controller built in. In essence, you might already have a hub that you didn’t know about.
So, you can avoid the RAM price spikes by using the hardware that already has the now-expensive RAM (and appropriate networking radios) inside. So, what sort of thing are you looking for? Well, it depends on your preferred smart home ecosystem.
Samsung SmartThings
Samsung QN990F Neo QLED 8K TV
Many Samsung Smart TVs (models from 2022 and later, such as the Samsung QN990F Neo QLED 8K), soundbars, and even refrigerators now act as Matter-over-Thread border routers. If you already own such a TV, or are in the market for a replacement of an older device, then this is a very cost-effective option. It does have a minor downside (you might lose some local processing power for things like game streaming) but this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Apple Home
Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, 128 GB)
Best Price
Also available at
If Apple Home (previously HomeKit) is your preferred environment, and you own the Apple TV 4K (128GB version), not only is the device a high-end media streamer, it is also a Thread border router. So, if you have one of these media streamers, you’ve got a Matter hub with TBR support, all in once device.
Look around your home
Other devices you may already own that can act as a controller for Matter and offer Thread border router functionality include:
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Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers, for example the TP-Link Deco BE85 or eero Max 7 -- these work because the Matter-compatible app on your phone is essentially the Matter controller
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Smart displays such as the Google Nest Hub Max or Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen / 2025 release)
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High-end smart speakers like the Echo Studio (2025) or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
And if you own a Samsung Family Hub fridge, there is a good chance it is also a Matter controller – so no need for a new one at this point. (However, Thread border router support is limited, so this might not be the best solution if you plan on using a lot of sensors.)
Option 2: Choose an optimized proprietary hub
Some manufacturers are absorbing the RAM costs better than others by using highly optimized, low-power chipsets that don't require massive memory overhead.
IKEA Dirigera
DIRIGERA
Retailing at around ($110), the Dirigera has had quite the evolution, starting off as a Zigbee hub and bridge for other Matter systems. With firmware updates, it has become a full Matter smart home hub, complete with Thread support.
The Dirigera has a lightweight embedded operating system within, optimized for its limited RAM capacity and processor. This – and the fact it is mass-produced for one of the world’s biggest retailers – helps keep the cost down. If you want to make your home smart and future proofed without looking like (or paying as) a tech enthusiast, the Dirigera is the answer.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Best Price
Also available at
It’s very difficult to walk into a home that doesn’t have an Amazon Echo, and the more recent models don’t just play your favorite music. They are all-in-one smart home controllers with Matter support, Matter-over-Thread, Zigbee bridging, and of course are optimized for assembling a smart home within the Alexa ecosystem.
An Amazon sale will offer a noticeable discount on these devices, essentially subsidizing the RAM cost. That makes it a good option as the hub of your smart home.
Option 3: Go for the DIY vector
Proprietary systems might offer a more affordable smart home experience, but if you’re keen to stamp your own identity over the way your home operates, the enthusiast market is more expensive.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good price.
Raspberry Pi 4
The 4GB model of the Raspberry Pi 4 is available for around $100, and offers a good mix of affordable, older RAM with a flexible SBC that can be dedicated as a smart home controller. Home Assistant OS can be installed on the Raspberry Pi 4, but keep in mind that Thread border router compatibility isn’t possible without third-party peripherals.
The Pi 4 is considerably more affordable than the Pi 5, which has experienced considerable price rises in the age of the "RAMpocalpyse."
Thin clients
One other option to consider is a cheap PC or thin client – the type of machine used for virtualized computing (typically used with Citrix and VMware) – which has the network capabilities, RAM, and CPU for repurposing as a Matter smart home controller. Again, you’ll be missing out on Thread border router functionality, but it is an affordable solution.
As these devices essentially become e-waste, adapting one as a controller isn’t just saving money, it’s playing your part in saving the environment.
| Controller | Primary Cost | RAM Reliance | Best Use Case |
| Samsung TV | Included | High (Shared) | Casual users / Matter-only |
| IKEA Dirigera | Low/Mid | Low (Optimized) | Budget-conscious Zigbee/Matter |
| HA Green | Mid/High | High (Dedicated) | Privacy & Power Users |
| Apple TV 4K | Mid | High (Shared) | Apple users / Streamers |
| Used Thin Client | Low | High (Pre-installed) | DIY / Hardware Hackers |
The future is Matter-over-Thread
Matter has been with us since 2023, and while it may feel it as though the platform has matured, there remains a long way to go. However, one of its strengths is its early support for Thread. If you’re assembling a smart home in 2026, the “golden rule” you should follow is to prioritize Matter-over-Thread devices.
As manufacturers increasingly switch to Thread support – particularly for smaller devices – this affords some important future proofing. It also means you can switch controllers (perhaps from a SmartThings TV to an IKEA Dirigera) without worrying about replacing any bulbs, sensors, and similar.
If you want a personal take, even as a big fan of DIY electronics solutions, I am happy with my own setup of a SmartThings TV and an IKEA Dirigera. For a developing smart home where new components are added piecemeal, the Dirigera is an affordable hub and bridge, and I already owned the Samsung TV with SmartThings integrated.
(Image credit: Photo by Sergei Starostin from Pexels.)
