While standard smart plugs and bulbs are perfect for quick upgrades, the true potential of a smart home often lies in the devices you cannot see. For the enthusiasts and DIYers who are not afraid of a screwdriver or some basic wiring, specialized gear offers a level of customization and polish that plug-and-play gadgets simply cannot match.
These advanced options allow you to hide the technology behind your existing switches, automate custom LED lighting projects, or retrofit “dumb” appliances into your Matter smart home ecosystem. Black Friday is traditionally the best time to stock up on these components, making it the perfect opportunity to tackle those more complex renovation projects you have been planning.
Here are some top picks that would fit your advanced needs:
*Switch and outlet options listed are mostly in US versions, you can find EU or UK versions for some models.
Wall switches and outlets
TP-Link Tapo Matter Smart Light Switch (21% off for $18.93)
This Matter-compatible switch works across Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings, featuring direct local communication that doesn’t rely on the cloud. Multi-admin support lets you control it from multiple ecosystems at once. Setup is guided through the Tapo app and requires a neutral wire and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
Check out our article on the wall switches installation experience for tips and insights.
Eve Energy Outlet (20% off for $43.95)
For a clean, permanent installation, the Eve Energy Outlet replaces your standard wall receptacle. It connects via Thread for robust mesh-networking capabilities and features two individually controllable outlets. Power users will appreciate the advanced energy monitoring that tracks consumption for each socket. Note that this requires a standard 120V setup with a neutral wire, and a deep wall box is recommended for easier installation.
Aqara Smart Light Switch H2 (20% off for $35.99)
The H2 is a versatile powerhouse for retrofits. It supports both “Matter-over-Thread” (native) and Zigbee (via an Aqara hub), giving you the freedom to choose your connection method. A standout feature for older homes is its ability to work with or without a neutral wire, making it compatible with almost any wiring configuration. It also supports “decoupled mode,” allowing you to keep smart bulbs powered while using the switch buttons to trigger wireless automations.
Retrofit blinds
Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit for Roller Blinds (25% off for $164.95)
Instead of buying entirely new shades, this kit retrofits your existing roller blinds with a smart motor. It slides directly into the tube of your blinds, making the installation invisible and wire-free. It runs on a rechargeable battery and connects via Thread, offering smooth local control without the need for a proprietary bridge.
SONOFF Matter Smart Roller Shutter Switch (MINI-RBS) ($16.90, $10 Off Over $79)
This is one of the few native Matter-over-Wi-Fi solutions designed specifically for motorized roller shutters and curtains. The MINI-RBS installs behind your existing wall switch, instantly upgrading your dumb motor with precise percentage control, voice commands, and automation schedules. It supports Apple Home, Google, Alexa, and SmartThings directly without a dedicated hub, making it a highly cost-effective retrofit for automated shading.
Light drivers
Zemismart Matter Over WiFi RGBCW Led Strip Light Controller (40% off for $63.46)
For custom lighting projects, like kitchen cabinets or cove lighting, this driver is an excellent choice. It connects directly via Wi-Fi and supports RGBCW (color + tunable white) LED strips. This controller handles the power and logic, exposing your custom LED runs to Matter platforms as a standard light, allowing for color and brightness control alongside your other smart lights.
Zemismart Matter Over WiFi CW Led Strip Light Controller (35% off for $60.38)
Similar to the RGBCW version, this model is dedicated to tunable white (Cold/Warm) strips. It is ideal for bias lighting behind a TV or functional workspace lighting where color temperature accuracy is more important than RGB effects. It connects via Wi-Fi and integrates seamlessly into Matter ecosystems.
Smart relays
Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi In-Wall Switch (18% off for $17.99)
If you want to keep your existing toggle or rocker switches but add smart control, this rounded module installs invisibly inside the electrical box. It supports Matter-over-Wi-Fi, meaning it works with all major platforms without a hub. It handles standard lighting loads and converts your traditional wall switch into a smart input trigger, keeping the look of your room unchanged while adding voice and app control. Note that a neutral wire is required for installation.
Shelly 1PM Gen4 (25% off for $20.99)
The gold standard for retrofit relays, the Shelly 1PM Gen4 fits behind your existing light switches or outlets. It is Matter-upgradeable via firmware and operates over Wi-Fi. This “PM” model includes precise power metering, allowing you to monitor the energy usage of the connected circuit. It is perfect for making dumb appliances smart while retaining the original physical switch. The switch is rated for 16A.
Shelly 1PM Mini Gen4 (25% off for $14.62)
If your wall boxes are crowded with wires, the “Mini” version is a lifesaver. It packs the same punch as the standard 1PM, including power metering and Matter-over-Wi-Fi support, but in a significantly smaller form factor. It is designed to float easily behind switches where space is at a premium. The switch supports up to 8A at 240 VAC.
SONOFF MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch (15% off for $15.29)
This is a specific tool for specific jobs. Unlike standard relays that output voltage, this “Dry Contact” version acts as a simple isolated switch. This makes it the perfect solution for triggering garage doors, gate motors, or low-voltage systems that just need a momentary contact closure to activate. It connects via Wi-Fi and exposes the relay to Matter for easy control.
Our guide to using Matter to control your PC power demonstrates some of the custom integrations you can build.
SwitchBot WiFi Smart Garage Door Opener (56% off for $21.99)
While SwitchBot is known for its mechanical bots, this device is a dedicated wired controller for your garage motor. It connects to the “push button” terminals on your opener. This specific model supports Matter over Wi-Fi, allowing you to open and close your garage door directly from your preferred smart home app without needing a complex bridge setup (check specific firmware/hub requirements for full Matter exposure). It also includes a sensor to report the open/closed status so you are never left guessing.
DIY and development
Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C6 3-Pack (10% off for $13.49)
For the ultimate tinkerer, this thumb-sized board is a powerhouse for DIY Matter projects. It features the ESP32-C6 chip, giving you native support for both Thread and Wi-Fi 6. It is perfect for building custom Matter nodes using Arduino IDE. You can easily pair it with the modular Grove system from Seeed Studio to add sensors or actuators without any soldering. As a bonus, compatible Grove sensors are also seeing a 10% discount, making this an affordable entry point into custom hardware development.
(Source: Amazon, Sonoff, Shelly, Meross, Seeed Studio, Zemismart; Image Source: Shelly)
