Amazon Basics has made a significant step into the Matter ecosystem with the recent certification of its first Matter smart home device, the Amazon Basics Smart Indoor Plug. The plug has surfaced on the Matter certification list on CSA’s website, indicating it will work with major smart home platforms, with a strong competitiveness in price.
New Amazon Basics Matter smart plug variations
The new certified batch from Amazon Basics are all smart plugs, possibly in five variations for different regions. One of them has a product picture showing a single US type-B socket and a power toggle button.
They have been certified under the older Matter 1.1 specification. So they lack advanced features like power monitoring – which is exclusive for devices certified with Matter 1.3 or higher. But at least you will experience fewer issues with setups and unresponsiveness that are popular with Matter 1.0 Wi-Fi devices.
The compliance files suggest that the plug may offer group control and scene features through Matter. According to the certification details, it supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, which should offer a hub-free experience. Either way, Matter smart plugs are easy to set up.
Amazon Basics smart home gear matters
Amazon Basics is known for providing affordable products, including consumer electronics, and the introduction of Matter-enabled devices could mark a pivotal shift in smart home accessibility for mainstream consumers. Matter-over-WiFi smart plugs from brands like TP-Link have been at a bargain price, and Amazon Basics’ joining the team should bring them even more affordable. For reference, a similar non-Matter version from Amazon Basics is listed at $14.99 with a discount for a two-pack on the Amazon store.
Furthermore, this development aligns with Amazon’s broader strategy to enhance its Alexa ecosystem through the integration of paid AI-powered features. As the company seeks to populate its ecosystem with more devices conducive to personalized user experiences, the introduction of budget-friendly smart plugs will serve as an accessible entry point for new users.
(Source: CSA and Amazon Basics)
