This you need to know about smarthome protocol Matter

• Posted on 20 February 2025
• 0

In the world of smarthome, there are many different protocols, home automation/apps and products. The new smarthome protocol Matter ensures that these work together seamlessly. In this article, we explain how it works and what the possibilities are.

What is Matter?

Matter is a smarthome standard. In the future, this standard should replace all other standards (think Zigbee, WiFi, Z-Wave and Bluetooth, among others). Matter ensures that smarthome products from different brands will work better together. In addition, the intention is that products with this standard can be loaded into all smarthome apps and home automation in the future. This will make choosing a smarthome device ever easier. After all, you no longer have to worry that the new device will not be compatible with your smarthome installation.

Communication between Matter products takes place via the Internet protocol. This is done via Thread, for example. Thread is an energy-efficient communication network. It allows all Matter products to communicate with each other. It does not matter if the products come from different manufacturers.

The Matter protocol is still under development. More and more leading home automation systems and manufacturers are joining this new standard. Various product types are equipped with Matter. These include thermostats, air conditioners, lighting/light controls, sensors, sockets, locks and doorbells.

Which systems does Matter work with?

If you want to use Matter products in your project, a so-called Thread Border Router will have to be present anyway. There are various hubs and devices that possess a Thread Border Router. You can load the Matter products into these devices/hubs. The following devices currently have a Thread Border Router:

• HomePod 2023
• HomePod mini (all models)
• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation with 128GB storage)
• Homey Pro
• Nanoleaf Shapes, Lines and Essentials
• Amazon Eero 6 / 6 Pro / Beacon
• Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
• Google Nest Hub MaxGoogle Nest WiFi
• Amazon Echo (4th generation)
• SmartThings Hub v3 / SmartThings Station

So when you own one of these devices, you can start with a Matter smarthome installation.

Dimming with Matter

When you want to control your lighting with Matter, you have several options. For example, you can do this by buying smart bulbs. You can also buy a smart dimmer. The advantage of a smart dimmer is that it is often cheaper than several smart lamps. This is because with one smart dimmer, you control several 'dumb' LED lamps.

EcoDim is the market leader in smart dimming and has three Matter dimmers on the market.

First, the Matter pressure/turn dimmer has been launched. This dimmer can be controlled via Matter as well as with a push/rotate button. The connection capacity of this dimmer is 0-250W LED. Thanks to the RLC dimming technology, all dimmable LED lamps can be connected. Installation is easy, as you do not need a zero wire. In addition, the recessed depth is only 23.8 mm, so it fits easily in the recessed box. Finally, the dimmer is suitable for all A-brands of cover material.

The Matter pressure/turn dimmer also has a Belgian version. This dimmer is suitable for horizontal and vertical installation, all rotary dimmer series by Niko and flush-mounting boxes by Helia, Legrand and all German brands.

The last dimmer is the Matter dimmer module. This dimmer is ideally suited to control with Matter and one/multiple push-button(s). The module has a maximum connection capacity of 250W. The recessed depth is only 19.8 mm, so it fits easily in the flush-mounting box together with a push-button. This is also an RLC dimmer.

The future of smarthome

Matter products bring the future of smarthome into your home. The products work seamlessly together and can also communicate with products from other protocols. So you will never have compatibility problems with smarthome products again.