What you need first
Matter is a shared language for smart home devices. To use it you need a Matter controller from the platform you pick: Google, for example, says you need a Matter-enabled hub for Google Home, and that devices using Thread also need a Thread border router (Google Home Help). Many recent speakers and displays are both, including the Echo Dot Max, Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and Apple’s HomePod mini (Matter Alpha’s list). Our Matter and Thread explainer covers the jargon.
Best overall smart plug: Kasa Matter Smart Plug KP125M (2-pack)
The easiest first Matter device. Plug it in, scan its Matter code in your home app, and it works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. It also shows each device’s energy use in the Kasa app (Kasa). It needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
- Matter setup works in every major home app
- Energy tracking with cost estimates
- Slim, doesn’t block the second outlet
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- Apple Home remote control needs a HomePod or Apple TV
Skip it if you only use Alexa and never care about energy data. The Amazon Smart Plug is simpler and usually cheaper.
Best budget color bulb: WiZ Full Color A19 (Matter)
A full-color, Matter-certified bulb that needs no hub, for about $13. Each bulb joins your Wi-Fi, so it’s best for a few lamps rather than a whole house. Planning more? Read Philips Hue vs WiZ.
- Low price for a color bulb
- No hub needed
- Matter works with Apple Home, Google and Alexa
- Each bulb takes a spot on your Wi-Fi
- 2.4 GHz only
Skip it if you’re planning 20+ bulbs. A Zigbee or Thread system like Hue keeps your Wi-Fi from getting crowded.
Best Matter motion sensor: Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2
Motion sensors are what make a smart home feel automatic: hallway and bathroom lights that come on as you walk in. The P2 uses Matter over Thread and had zero dropouts in a week of Matter Alpha’s testing, and Aqara rates its two CR2450 batteries for about two years. It has no sensitivity settings, and bright light can occasionally set it off.
- Works with Apple, Google, Alexa and SmartThings
- Reliable in Matter Alpha’s testing
- Automations keep working offline
- No sensitivity or cooldown settings
- Occasional false triggers from sunlight
Skip it if you don’t have a Thread border router yet.
Most private contact sensor: Eve Door & Window (Matter)
Eve’s contact sensor tells you when a door or window opens, with no Eve account, cloud or subscription (Eve). It works over Thread with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant. It costs more per door than rivals and uses a less common 1/2 AA battery.
- Alerts in seconds
- No cloud, account or subscription
- Works with Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant
- Pricey per door
- Uses an uncommon 1/2 AA battery
Skip it if you’re covering lots of windows on a tight budget.
Good next steps
A Matter thermostat such as the Nest Thermostat, or a light strip such as the Govee M1, are easy second purchases. If you already own lots of Zigbee gear, a hub such as the Aqara Hub M3 can bring it into Matter. Not sure you need a hub at all? See do you need a smart home hub?
Adding a Matter device
The same steps in every app:
- 1Update your home app and your speaker or hub first.
- 2In the app, choose to add a device, then scan the Matter QR code on the device or its box.
- 3Keep the code somewhere safe: you’ll need it again if you ever reset the device.
- 4To use the device in a second app too, generate a new pairing code from the first app instead of resetting it (TP-Link).
Where these facts come from
We haven’t tested these devices ourselves. Specs come from the makers and the reliability notes from Matter Alpha, checked on September 29, 2026:
