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Last updated: March 2026. Matter 1.5 launched in November 2025, bringing cameras, energy management, and soil sensors to the standard. This guide covers everything UK buyers need to know.
What Is Matter?
Matter is a universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung. It means a Matter-certified device works with any Matter-compatible platform — whether that’s Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Samsung SmartThings.
Before Matter, buying a smart plug meant checking if it worked with your specific ecosystem. A Zigbee device needed a Zigbee hub. A HomeKit device might not talk to Alexa. Matter eliminates that fragmentation. One standard, every platform.
The protocol runs over three connection types: Wi-Fi, Thread (a low-power mesh network), and Ethernet. Thread is particularly important for battery-powered sensors and buttons, as it’s far more energy-efficient than Wi-Fi.
Matter 1.5: What Changed in Late 2025
Matter 1.5, released in November 2025 by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), was the biggest update yet. Here’s what it added:
Cameras Finally Arrived
The most requested feature since Matter launched. Matter 1.5 includes a full camera device type with support for video streaming. This means your security cameras can now be controlled from any Matter platform without being locked to one app. Early Matter camera products are expected throughout 2026.
Energy Management Gets Smarter
Matter 1.5 expanded the energy reporting and management clusters introduced in 1.4. Smart plugs, EV chargers, and solar inverters can now report detailed energy usage data across platforms. For UK homes with smart meters and time-of-use tariffs (like Octopus Agile), this could be genuinely useful for optimising when you run high-energy appliances.
Closures and Soil Sensors
Garage doors, gates, blinds, and window openers now have proper device definitions. Soil moisture sensors also arrived — useful for smart garden irrigation systems.
How Many Matter Devices Exist in 2026?
As of early 2026, there are over 750 Matter-certified products from hundreds of manufacturers. Key brands with strong Matter support include:
- IKEA — 21+ new Matter-compatible products, many under £10. The most affordable way into Matter.
- Philips Hue — full Matter support across their lighting range via Thread.
- Eve — Thread-based sensors, plugs, and switches. Excellent privacy focus (no cloud required).
- Aqara — wide range of sensors, switches, and hubs with Matter bridging.
- Meross — budget-friendly plugs and switches with Matter support.
- Yale/August — smart locks with Matter over Thread.
- Nanoleaf — lighting panels and Thread border routers.
Browse Matter-compatible devices on Amazon →
Matter vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave: Which Should UK Buyers Choose?
| Feature | Matter | Zigbee | Z-Wave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform | ✅ All major platforms | ❌ Hub-dependent | ❌ Hub-dependent |
| Hub required | Sometimes (Thread border router) | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | Good (improving) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Device range | 750+ and growing fast | Thousands (mature) | Hundreds |
| UK availability | Widespread | Widespread | Limited |
| Future-proof | ✅ Industry standard | Being replaced | Niche |
Our recommendation: For UK buyers starting fresh in 2026, Matter is the obvious choice. If you already have a Zigbee setup (Hue, Aqara), many of those devices can bridge to Matter, so you’re not starting over.
The Elephant in the Room: Platform Fragmentation
Matter promises “works with everything,” but the reality in 2026 is still uneven. Samsung SmartThings has moved fast and already supports Matter 1.5 features. Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa are still on older Matter versions (broadly 1.2–1.4), meaning not all 1.5 features work everywhere yet.
This isn’t a dealbreaker — basic device control works across all platforms. But advanced features like camera streaming or energy management clusters may only work on certain platforms initially. This gap should close through 2026 as platforms catch up.
Thread: The Radio Behind Matter
Thread is a mesh networking protocol that many Matter devices use instead of Wi-Fi. Key advantages for UK homes:
- Low power consumption — battery-powered sensors and buttons can last months or years
- Mesh networking — devices relay signals to each other, improving coverage in larger homes
- No single point of failure — if one Thread border router goes offline, others take over
- Local control — Thread devices can work without internet access
Thread border routers are built into many devices you might already own: Apple TV 4K, HomePod Mini, Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), and some Amazon Echo devices.
How to Get Started with Matter in the UK
You probably already have what you need. If you own any of these, you have a Matter controller:
- Apple: HomePod Mini, Apple TV 4K (2nd gen+), iPad (10th gen+)
- Google: Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wi-Fi Pro
- Amazon: Echo (4th gen), Echo Show 10/15, Echo Hub
- Samsung: SmartThings Station, SmartThings Hub v3
From there, any device with the Matter logo will pair with your chosen platform. Setup uses a QR code — no app hunting, no account creation with the device manufacturer (though some features may still need it).
Best Starter Devices
- Smart plug: Eve Energy (Thread, energy monitoring) or Meross Matter plug (Wi-Fi, budget)
- Lighting: Philips Hue starter kit (bridges to Matter) or IKEA DIRIGERA hub + bulbs
- Sensor: Aqara door/window sensor (Thread)
- Lock: Yale Linus L2 (Matter over Thread)
What’s Coming Next for Matter
The CSA has signalled that Matter 1.6 and beyond will focus on:
- Robot vacuums — device type definitions for autonomous cleaning
- Major appliances — washing machines, ovens, dishwashers
- Enhanced automation rules — cross-platform scenes and routines
- Improved multi-admin — better handling of devices shared across platforms
The pace of releases has accelerated — Matter went from 1.0 (October 2022) to 1.5 (November 2025) in just three years, with each update adding significant new device categories.
Matter-Compatible Devices for UK Homes in 2026
Last updated: March 2026. All products available from UK retailers with prices in GBP.
| Category | Product | UK Price | Matter | Thread | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermostats | tado° X | ~£149 | Native | Yes | First Matter thermostat in UK. OpenTherm support. |
| Google Nest (4th Gen) | ~£219 | Native | Yes | Matter update added 2025. | |
| Smart Plugs | Eve Energy (UK) | ~£35 | Native | Yes | Energy monitoring. Thread native. |
| TP-Link Tapo P110M | ~£15 | Native | No (WiFi) | Budget Matter plug with energy monitoring. | |
| Meross MSS315 | ~£14 | Native | No (WiFi) | Cheapest Matter plug in UK. | |
| Light Bulbs | Nanoleaf Essentials A19 | ~£18 | Native | Yes | RGBW, Thread-native. |
| Philips Hue (via Bridge v2) | ~£45 kit | Bridged | Via bridge | Existing Hue gets Matter via bridge update. | |
| IKEA DIRIGERA + bulbs | ~£10/bulb | Via hub | Via hub | Budget option. Needs DIRIGERA hub (£50). | |
| Smart Locks | Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 | ~£170 | Native | Yes | Retrofit. Euro cylinder compatible. |
| Yale Linus 2 | ~£200 | Native | Via bridge | Keypad included. UK multipoint compatible. | |
| Sensors | Eve Motion | ~£40 | Native | Yes | Motion sensor. No hub needed. |
| Eve Door & Window | ~£35 | Native | Yes | Contact sensor. | |
| Aqara Door Sensor P2 | ~£20 | Native | Yes | Budget Thread sensor. | |
| Cameras | Eve Cam (2nd Gen) | ~£90 | Native | WiFi | First Matter camera. |
| Blinds | Eve MotionBlinds | ~£200+ | Native | Yes | Retrofit roller blind motor. |
| IKEA FYRTUR | ~£130+ | Via hub | Via hub | Budget motorised blinds. | |
| Radiator Valves | tado° TRV X | ~£70 | Native | Yes | Per-room heating control. |
| Meross Smart TRV | ~£30 | Native | No (WiFi) | Budget Matter TRV. | |
| Controllers | Apple HomePod Mini | ~£99 | Controller | Border router | Budget Thread border router. |
| Amazon Echo (4th Gen+) | ~£100 | Controller | Border router | Alexa Matter controller. | |
| Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | ~£80 | Controller | Border router | Google Home Matter controller. |
Budget Matter starter setup: Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub (~£80-100) + Tapo P110M plugs (~£15 each) + Nanoleaf bulbs (~£18 each) + Aqara sensors (~£20 each). Total for a 4-room Matter smart home: under £200.
Not sure which devices work together? Try our Smart Home Compatibility Checker to see what’s compatible with your ecosystem.
Should UK Buyers Wait for Matter or Buy Now?
No — don’t wait. The smart home devices available today already work well, and many support Matter via firmware updates or bridge mode. Here’s the practical rule:
- If the best device for your needs happens to support Matter: great, you’re future-proofed.
- If it doesn’t: buy it anyway. A tado° V3+ that saves you £180/year on heating is worth more than a hypothetical Matter thermostat that might launch next year.
- The one exception: if you’re building a whole-house system from scratch, choosing Matter/Thread-native devices where possible will save you bridge headaches later.
For a complete guide to building a smart home from the ground up, see our Start Here page or try the Smart Home Setup Wizard.
Matter vs HomeKit vs Alexa vs Google Home: What Is the Difference?
This is the most common source of confusion for UK smart home buyers. Here is the simple version:
| Matter | Apple HomeKit | Amazon Alexa | Google Home | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A connectivity standard (like WiFi or Bluetooth) | Apple’s smart home platform | Amazon’s voice assistant + platform | Google’s smart home platform |
| Who controls it? | CSA (industry consortium) | Apple | Amazon | |
| Does it replace the others? | No — it works alongside them | No — HomeKit supports Matter | No — Alexa supports Matter | No — Google Home supports Matter |
| Key benefit | Buy once, works with any platform | Privacy-first, local processing | Widest device compatibility | Best routines + Nest integration |
| Weakness | Still early — not all devices support it yet | Smaller device selection | Cloud-dependent, privacy concerns | Google kills products unpredictably |
The practical takeaway: Matter does not replace Alexa, HomeKit, or Google Home — it makes them work better together. A Matter-compatible smart plug works with all three platforms without needing separate apps or hubs. For UK buyers in 2026, the best strategy is to buy Matter-compatible devices wherever possible, then use whichever voice assistant you prefer on top.
For ecosystem-specific guides, see our reviews of Alexa smart home systems and multi-ecosystem integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace my existing smart home devices?
No. Many existing devices (Hue, Aqara, IKEA TRÅDFRI) can bridge to Matter through hub firmware updates. You don’t need to start over.
Does Matter work without internet?
Yes, for local control. Matter devices using Thread or local Wi-Fi can operate without an internet connection. Cloud features (remote access, voice assistants) still need internet.
Is Matter secure?
Matter uses end-to-end encryption and device attestation (each device has a unique cryptographic identity). It’s more secure than many older protocols.
Will Matter devices work with Home Assistant?
Yes. Home Assistant has strong Matter support and is frequently among the first platforms to implement new Matter features.
Can I mix Matter and non-Matter devices?
Absolutely. Most smart home platforms still support their legacy protocols alongside Matter. You can migrate gradually.
Further Reading
- Best Smart Plugs UK 2026
- Best Smart Light Bulbs UK 2026
- Best Smart Door Locks UK 2026
- Best Smart Thermostats UK 2026
- Best Smart Radiator Valves UK 2026
Smart Home UK Team - UK smart home enthusiasts who test, review and compare products. Independent. Honest. No sponsored placements.