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    The 10 best smart home products that support Matter | Digital Trends
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    Matter is arguably the biggest thing to happen to smart homes since their inception. The interoperability feature lets devices from different ecosystems interact with each other, giving you the freedom to shop for your favorite products regardless of manufacturer. Unfortunately, not all devices have rolled out support for Matter – and not all of them will.

    Only a few notable products support Matter as of today, although dozens more are expected to add the functionality in the coming months. For now, here are the 10 best smart home products that support Matter. For a full list, head over to the official Matter website.


    Image used with permission by copyright holder

    Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)

    Pros

    • Compact footprint
    • Vastly improved sound quality
    • Clock shows more useful info
    • New temperature sensor
    • Added Wi-Fi features

    Cons

    • Only works as Wi-Fi booster if you’re already on Amazon eero network

    Amazon recently brought Matter support to a slew of devices, but the Echo Dot with Clock is arguably one of the most exciting. Available for just $60 (and often on sale), the Dot is a surprisingly great smart speaker. Not only does it sound good, but the simplistic HUD allows you to quickly check the time or get the current weather forecast. Toss in Matter and the availability of various color options, and it’s easy to see why the Echo Dot with Clock is one of the best smart speakers around.

    All-New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) with clock

    Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)

    google nest hub 2nd gen review on table

    John Velasco / Digital Trends

    Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

    Pros

    • Accurate sleep tracking
    • Tons of data about your sleep
    • $100 starting price

    Cons

    • Few new features over previous model

    Just like Amazon, Google pushed a Matter update to many of its devices at the tail end of 2022. The Nest Hub was included in that wave of updates, giving the popular smart display the ability to interact with other Matter devices. Google Assistant is just as powerful as ever, and the vibrant 7-inch display lets you stream your favorite shows, load up your calendar, play music, or get a quick tutorial on how to cook up a new dish.

    Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
    amazon echo show 15 review large screen larger utility

    Image used with permission by copyright holder

    Echo Show 15

    Pros

    • Huge 15.6-inch screen
    • Widget functionality makes it easy to see tasks, smart home, and more at a glance
    • Different orientation options
    • Visual ID swaps between users

    Cons

    • Lacks customization and personalization options
    • Software crashes without explanation

    Need something a bit larger than your standard smart display? Check out the Amazon Echo Show 15, which boasts a gorgeous 15-inch display and fully supports Matter. It’s a bit expensive, but you won’t find many other products like the Echo Show 15 (let alone one that also supports Matter).

    Amazon Echo Show 15
    The Eve Door and Window installed on an interior door.

    Image used with permission by copyright holder

    Eve Door & Window Sensors

    Pros

    • Easy to use
    • Tons of versatility
    • Sleek design

    Now that the Eve Door & Window Sensor supports Matter, keeping your home secure has never been easier. Beyond knowing whether your doors (or windows) are open or shut, you can trigger various events based on their status — such as turning on lights or shutting off your furnace. You’ll need to join the Early Access program to make use of the features, but that’s a minor inconvenience for a lot of nifty smart home tech.

    Eve Door & Window - Apple HomeKit Smart Home Wireless Contact Sensor for Windows & Doors, Automatically Trigger Accessories & Scenes, App Notifications

    Eve Door & Window Sensors

    apple homepod mini review 12 of

    John Velasco / Digital Trends

    Apple HomePod mini

    Pros

    • Computational audio optimizes the experience
    • Clean-sounding highs and mids
    • Compact size makes it discrete
    • It’s the most affordable HomeKit home hub

    Cons

    • Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors
    • Short power cord

    Another entry on this list, another smart speaker to discuss. This class of products has been widely updated to support Matter, as they serve as central hubs for most smart homes. The Apple HomePod mini rounds out the big three (Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri), giving you the option to use just about any ecosystem as the center of your Matter-connected smart home. Siri might not be quite as versatile as the competition, but no doubt iOS fans will be glad to have the new functionality offered by Matter.

    Apple HomePod mini
    apple homepod 2 review 2023

    Zeke Jones / Digital Trends

    HomePod

    Pros

    • Great sound quality
    • Incredible bass performance
    • Dazzling Spatial Audio surround
    • Plug and Play wireless
    • Slick design

    Cons

    • Limited connection options
    • No direct Spotify playback

    Take everything that makes the HomePod mini so great, mix them together with a larger design and better speakers, and you’ve built the new HomePod. The latest member of Apple’s smart home family offers full support for Matter, making it a great central pillar for anyone piecing together a connected network of devices. Beyond Matter, you’ll benefit from high-fidelity audio powered by a four-inch high-excursion woofer, five tweeters, and Spatial Audio along with Room sensing to optimize performance based on the acoustics of your home. It’s not cheap, clocking in at $299, but few Matter products are as powerful and versatile as the HomePod.

    Apple HomePod 2023
    nest thermostat main

    Google

    Google Nest Thermostat

    Pros

    • Affordable cost
    • Smart functions mean minimal interaction
    • Stylish Apple-like design
    • Simple DIY installation

    Cons

    • Capacitive controls are only on one side

    If you’re looking for a Matter-enabled smart thermostat, look no further than the popular Google Nest Thermostat. It’s the first product in its class to gain support for Matter, and seeing as it’s a well-reviewed (and reasonably affordable) gadget, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone looking to built the ultimate smart home. With the ability to automatically adjust temperatures to help you save money, an easy installation process, and a robust smartphone app, the Nest Thermostat is a great way to upgrade from a traditional thermostat.

    Google Nest Thermostat
    A person unlocking the Aqara U100 smart lock with their phone.

    Image used with permission by copyright holder

    Aqara Smart Lock U100

    Pros

    • Minimalist design
    • Built-in fingerprint sensor
    • Support for Apple home keys

    The Aqara Smart Lock U100 was one of the first smart locks to offer Matter support. It’s also one of the best. Featuring a built-in fingerprint sensor, a keypad to enter a personalized password, and even support for Apple home keys, there’s no shortage of ways to interact with this smart lock. It’s also one of the better-looking locks available today, thanks to a minimalist design with muted blacks and silvers. Toss in additional support for Alexa and Google Home, and you’ve got a well-rounded smart home product that should fit right in with the rest of your setup.

    Aqara Smart Lock U100
    amazon echo buds 2023 review pop 8

    Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

    Echo Pop

    Pros

    • The price is right
    • Decent sound
    • Mostly all the features
    • Bonus Eero extender

    Not only is the Echo Pop affordable at just $40, but it also packs in support for both Amazon Alexa and Matter. This makes it one of the most compelling smart speakers of 2023 for budget-conscious shoppers. Its audio quality can’t quite keep pace with other Matter-enabled smart speakers on this list (like the HomePod and HomePod mini), but it works great as a hub that won’t break the bank. It’s also available in a wide range of colors, giving you an easy way to personalize your home.

    Amazon Echo Pop
    A humidifier plugged into the Tapo Smart Plug Mini.

    Image used with permission by copyright holder

    Tapo Smart Plug Mini

    Pros

    • Full support for Matter
    • Smartphone app is robust and intuitive
    • Slim design

    Cons

    • You can find cheaper smart plugs

    With a simple design, great price, and full support for Matter, the Tapo Smart Plug Mini is one of the best smart plugs around. This no-frills device comes with a single button on its side, allowing you to turn the outlet on or off at will. More importantly, it works with a companion smartphone app to give you remote control of whatever appliance is plugged into it. You can even set schedules and timers to automatically toggle the smart plug at set intervals. Along with Matter, the Tapo Smart Plug Mini supports Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.

    TP-Link Tapo Matter Compatible Smart Plug Mini, Compact Design, 15A/1800W Max, Super Easy Setup, Works with Apple Home, Alexa & Google Home, UL Certified, 2.4G Wi-Fi Only, White, Tapo P125M

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