Thread early adopter Nanoleaf has just released new beta firmware for most of its Matter-over-Thread lighting products, focusing on stability while upgrading them to Matter 1.4.2.
The update is an encouraging sign that Nanoleaf is still investing in Thread rather than shifting its Matter line up entirely toward Espressif-based Wi-Fi 6 products. The company has introduced more Matter-over-Wi-Fi lighting recently, while new Thread products have become less common.
New momentum for Nanoleaf’s Thread line up
Matter and Thread stability has long been a pain point for Nanoleaf users.
I have used Nanoleaf products since its HomeKit-over-Thread era, and the early Matter versions were some of the most troublesome devices in my home. I lost count of how many times I reset every bulb just to bring the setup back online.
Things improved somewhat after the last major firmware update, but the earlier connectivity problems had already damaged Nanoleaf’s reputation in smart home communities.
The situation became more complicated as the Thread-heavy brand began releasing more Matter-over-Wi-Fi lights, including its 5-meter light strip and floor lamp, while additions to its Thread line up slowed down. That raised questions about whether Nanoleaf still considered Thread central to its product strategy.
Nanoleaf GU10 Smart Bulb
The Nanoleaf GU10 is a smart LED bulb offering over 16 million colors, tunable white light, and compatibility with the Matter smart home standard via Thread technology.
Nanoleaf Matter A19 E26 Smart Bulb
The Nanoleaf Matter A19 E26 is a color-changing LED smart bulb that supports Matter over Thread for compatibility with various smart home ecosystems, offering over 16 million colors and tunable white light.
Nanoleaf Matter Lightstrip
Create stunning backlit illumination in any room with the Nanoleaf Matter-enabled smart color changing LED Lightstrip.
This new firmware batch suggests the company has not given up on it. Nanoleaf is updating much of its existing Thread portfolio while preparing the new FANTAQI-partnered Smart Modular Monitor Stand, which also supports Matter over Thread.
That continued support matters. Early Matter products should not be left behind simply because newer hardware is easier to develop or market. Improving products already installed in users’ homes is just as important as releasing new ones.
What is changing
The new firmware (5.1.27) upgrades supported Matter-over-Thread lights from Matter 1.2 to Matter 1.4.2. Moving to Matter 1.4.2 also brings fixes for underlying issues in the Matter stack and SDK. But the specification upgrade is only part of the work: Nanoleaf says much of this firmware effort is focused specifically on stability, with additional tuning aimed at making the lights more reliable in everyday use.
The Thread stack remains on Thread 1.3 for now, although the team said it plans to update it later. However, Nanoleaf has not provided a firm timeline for that change.
A notable difference from the previous Matter 1.2 firmware is the apparent removal of Matter Binding. Devices running the new beta may therefore lose access to native binding-based functions, such as directly synchronizing the on and off state of compatible lights without relying on platform automations.
It is not yet clear whether Nanoleaf removed Binding temporarily during the upgrade or plans to leave it out of the final release.
How to install the beta
The firmware is currently available only through Nanoleaf’s beta testing program.
Users can join through Nanoleaf’s official Discord server, where the company has created a dedicated #nanoleaf-thread channel for instructions, discussion, and feedback.
Participants need to install the test version of the Nanoleaf app (via TestFlight or Google Play) and submit the serial and model numbers of their eligible products through Nanoleaf’s enrollment form.
Once a device is approved, the 5.1.27 firmware prompt should appear on its device page in the Nanoleaf app.
Since this remains beta software, testing it on one product first would be safer than upgrading an entire lighting setup at once. You may also prefer to wait until Nanoleaf completes internal testing and the required CSA recertification work.
Here are supported models:
- Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Bulbs (NL67)
- Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Lightstrip (NL68)
- Nanoleaf Essentials GU10 Smart Bulb(NL54)
- Nanoleaf Essentials Smart Recessed Downlight (NL65)
- Nanoleaf Essentials BR30 Smart Bulb (NL53)
Wi-Fi products are next
Matter upgrades for Nanoleaf’s Matter-over-Wi-Fi products are also in development as far as we know. That means this Thread update may be the beginning of a broader firmware refresh rather than an isolated release. The more important test will be whether Nanoleaf can carry the promised stability improvements across both connectivity options.
After several difficult years for its early Matter lineup, Nanoleaf does not need another restart. It needs firmware that lets users stop resetting their lights. And that day is actually coming.
(Source: Nanoleaf; Image: Nanoleaf, Matter Alpha/Ward Zhou)
