Smart homes keep getting more expensive — and Europe may have made it worse
Interoperability may be making smart homes more capable, but it’s also making them more expensive.
Christian Cawley
Explainer
266 articles
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Don’t trash your fans: How to bridge "dumb" ceiling fans into your Matter home
I could replace my ceiling fans with Matter-compatible ones, but there's a growing likelihood that the ones I already have with integrate with my smart home hub someday.
Bertel King
Why you shouldn't buy a Matter ceiling fan (and what to get instead)
Don’t buy a pricey Matter ceiling fan just yet. A simple smart switch can automate your existing setup for an absolute fraction of the retail cost.
Bertel King
Matter version history: every update and new feature explained
From a shaky 1.0 start to a camera-powered powerhouse, here is our regularly updated guide to every version of the Matter smart home standard.
Christian Cawley
The end of cheap tech: 5 hidden reasons your smart home just got more expensive
From the "RAM tax" to geopolitical tariffs, your Matter smart home is getting pricier. Here are the 5 factors hitting your wallet and how to stay within budget.
Christian Cawley
Top Matter Bridge projects you can use at home other than Homebridge
Quick upgrade your home to Matter with a used PC.
Ward Zhou
I tried switching my Matter setup to Home Assistant—then this happened
Home Assistant is a powerful smart home platform, but it's also fragile.
Bertel King
Matter.JS Server now offers ultimate tool to troubleshoot Matter and Thread
Troubleshooting Thread is now easier with Home Assistant.
Ward Zhou
The smart home "RAM tax" is real—here’s how to avoid it
The $199 Home Assistant Green price hike is a warning: the RAM tax is here. Build a cheaper smart home by using "invisible" hubs in your TV, fridge, or router.
Christian Cawley
I didn’t expect de-Googling my phone to break parts of my smart home
Google is entangled into more parts of our lives than you might think.
Bertel King
Here’s how to easily bridge IKEA devices to SmartThings
Recent revisions to the IKEA Dirigera makes bridging lights, sensors, and smart plugs almost effortless.
Christian Cawley
Aqara Presence Soft Sensor now simplifies complex Matter automations
Group up your Matter sensors with Aqara
Ward Zhou
One of the best reasons to switch to this Matter thermostat has nothing to do with Matter
I'm glad this thermostat has Matter, but there's another aspect that makes it even more accessible.
Bertel King
Smart home security in the Matter era: What's still missing?
Matter is finally a viable security platform. From Aliro locks to native cameras, here is how to protect your home without relying on the cloud.
Bertel King
How to plan your trip to IKEA for Matter devices
IKEA’s Matter gear is a bargain, but finding it is a maze. Here is how to navigate the aisles—and the meatballs—to find the smart home tech.
Christian Cawley
What is mmWave and how does it make your home smarter?
mmWave presence sensors use radar instead of old-school motion detection, letting your smart home know when someone is actually still in the room, not just when they wander past it. Here’s how mmWave works, where it shines, and why it’s one of the best upgrades for smarter lighting and automation.
James Bruce
4 ways Matter multi-admin quietly fails
A Matter device can be controlled by two smart home platforms at once, but that doesn't mean it's easy—especially if you own a bunch.
Bertel King
Ultimate guide to pick up IKEA lamps and Matter smart bulbs
This guide saves you from countless options.
Ward Zhou
What is the difference between Matter and Thread?
Matter and Thread. What are they in their simplest terms? How do they differ from one another? Do you need Thread to use Matter?
Christian Cawley
Here’s what I learned about building a Matter smart home in the UK
From navigating "no-neutral" light switches to optimizing OpenTherm heating against some of the highest energy tariffs in the world, building a smart home in the UK requires a bit of regional research to ensure your Matter gear actually fits your walls.
Christian Cawley