How to Build a Matter Smart Home Without Buying Unnecessary Hubs

You likely already have some Connected Home devices you can use to create a Connected Home using Matter, with many being devices you already own (an iPhone bought within the last year or an older Echo device collecting dust). If you are looking for something new to purchase, the most specific thing you will need is actually something much more specific than “hub” implies. For Wi-Fi connected light bulbs and plugs, it might be nothing. Apple’s iPhone with iOS 18 or above will allow you to add and control Matter devices without needing a hub, while Amazon has stated over 100 million Echo devices have been updated via software to work with Matter.

The problem with the term “hub” is that it does not just refer to one specific device type but covers three different types of functions. Most people are unaware of this and therefore when searching for Connected Home devices, many times will see they need a hub and purchase one. A user of Echo on Amazon’s UK forum experienced this first-hand because although his Echo showed it was compatible with Matter, he was told on the Amazon shopping app that he needed a hub. An Amazon representative explained the reason for this is that Thread-based devices need to have Thread Border Router/Border Router functionality. The type of functionality your current hardware offers you will determine if you will have to purchase anything or not.

What Matter Actually Is (and What the Logo Doesn’t Promise)

As a collective communication language shared by all kinds of devices, Matter is not a type of wireless communication; rather, it is a digital system for controlling your smart home through an existing network. According to Home Assistant’s documentation, Matter operates as a control protocol on top of the current infrastructure of your home network. Every Matter-compatible device can communicate via standard IPv6 over a home Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and/or low-power Thread mesh radios (for smart home products). Compared to Zigbee and Z-Wave protocols, which use a single radio and control language as part of the same protocol, Matter presents a more unified means for exchanging data between product manufacturers.

Matter is a standard of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). The CSA states that Matter is based upon the Internet Protocol, thus only those products that pass CSA certification may carry the Matter logo. As such, it signifies that your device communicates via the Matter language; however, it does not denote who may use that device to control it or what networking method it is utilizing.

In addition to the Matter logo, other certification logos usually accompany the Matter brand; these logos also signify different things. The Thread logo denotes the radio protocol, but don’t make any assumptions about Matter being supported just because you see the Thread logo on a device, as and some Thread certified devices utilize HomeKit or may have been designed for a particular vendor’s proprietary communication protocols. The “Works with Alexa” logo identifies a product with Amazon’s own certification program, and “Works with Google Home” is a Google compatibility logo, neither of which are CSA certifications.

Which Matter version is current, and why the number on the box matters less than you think

Matter is a fluid specification that changes over time. The CSA (Consumer Standards Association) publishes new editions of Matter throughout the year, adding device types and refining how products can be set up. The chart below shows the Matter editions that a buyer will likely see on packaging or in online reviews; this information was verified as of 10-06-2026.

What matters most is the gap between when a version is published and when it shows up in your app. With the 1.6 release, the CSA itself said that “the path from specification to products in users’ hands will vary by company and product type.” Cameras are a concrete example. They have been in the spec since 1.5, yet Apple’s list of supported Matter accessory types, last updated 05/07/2026, doesn’t include cameras. Amazon says its Echo devices support only a subset of Matter 1.5 device types. So before you buy a newer device category, check the app you plan to use, not just the spec.

Controller, Border Router, Bridge: The Three Jobs Sold as One “Hub”

The term “hub” can refer to any of the following three jobs. DumbSwitches is a specialized smart home site that summarizes it best by saying that a single hub “can perform any one, two, or all three functions.” Once you understand what each job does, it will clear up most of the confusion surrounding the term hub.

The division between commissioner and controller can be the source of much confusion. SmartThings will have you set up your hub from your smartphone, but “the Matter controller is now the hub responsible for controlling your Matter device after you have added the device to your smart home.” Control can either be performed by a controller, which is usually an app running on a phone, or through the use of an actual controller. According to DumbSwitches, control over Matter devices is available through the Alexa app, but the Alexa app does not send Thread traffic. A border router that does not have an app connected to it is, in the opinion of DumbSwitches, nothing more than just plumbing.

Bridges are a separate type of device. Home Assistant lists several examples of Matter bridges, including the SwitchBot Hub 2, Aqara Hub M2, IKEA Dirigera, and Philips Hue Bridge. These are devices that collect all the devices connected to its radio and then present them to Matter. If you already own one of these, it would be considered an existing Matter bridge, not a reason to purchase one.

The Matter Controller You Probably Already Own

If you are using iOS 18 or later on an iPhone and have purchased a Matter controller or already have an Echo device (2nd generation and newer), Google Nest device (speaker or display), or SmartThings Hub (2015 or newer), you have purchased a controller. However, border routers are different products altogether. Whether you have one depends on the exact model and generation, not the product name.

Each ecosystem follows its own rules, so here they are one at a time. Any product names below describe which role a model performs. They are not recommendations to buy it. Lineups also vary by country: Apple, for example, notes that HomePod and Apple TV are not available in all countries or regions.

Apple Home: the phone can be the controller

Apple is the one ecosystem where the phone alone can do the job. On iOS 18 or later, you can add and control Matter accessories in the Home app without a home hub. An iPhone 15 Pro or later can also control Thread accessories without a hub. Apple has an older support page, dated 09/15/2025, that still says “You must set up a home hub to add Matter accessories.” The newer, Matter-specific page from 05/07/2026 describes the iOS 18 path, and TP-Link’s and Philips Hue’s own setup guides describe the same thing. The fairest way to read the two Apple pages is that the hub requirement describes setups before iOS 18.

Even if you forgo a hub, you will still incur a cost with TP-Link products. According to TP-Link’s documentation, you will not be able to control accessories remotely, control devices from outside your home or provide multiple users access to your TP-Link devices without a hub. TP-Link recommends using a home hub “for the best experience.”

Apple’s hardware has one well-known trap. The Thread-enabled models Apple lists are the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet, the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), the HomePod (2nd generation), and the HomePod mini. The Wi-Fi-only version of the 3rd-generation Apple TV 4K isn’t on that list, even though it sold under the same name in the same year. DumbSwitches suggests a quick physical check: look for the port on the back, because the name on the box won’t tell you. TP-Link also lists the first-generation HomePod as a Wi-Fi-only Matter hub.

Amazon Alexa: nearly every Echo controls, few route Thread

Amazon’s controller compatibility is wider than any other ecosystem’s, with the oldest of these products being the Echo (2nd Gen) and Echo Dot (2nd Gen), models going back to the Echo (2nd Gen) and Echo Dot (2nd Gen). In addition, a number of Eero routers offer Matter support, but there are fewer available options for Thread-compatible routers. The only products identified in Amazon’s documentation as ready for use as Thread Border Routers are the Echo (4th Gen) and a select group of Eeros: Eero Pro 6e, Pro 6, 6 Plus, 6 PoE, PoE Gateway, Pro, and Beacon. DumbSwitches has also included the Echo Hub, as well as several recently released Echo Show and Echo Studio devices. Before you purchase an Amazon product, it’s best to double-check its generation in the Alexa app.

The breakdown of this item provides a recap of events that have occurred in the forum record. The statements made by both the shopping app “hub required” statement and by the speaker about the app being able to “support Matter” do not conflict with one another (as reported by Amazon staff). They stated that you need a device (in your home) to control the Matter-enabled device that you are trying to add to your Matter setup, and that a device must be within 9m (30ft) of your Matter-enabled device to work. Amazon staff explained that all Thread devices need a controller that is either an integrated Thread border router or has an external Thread border router. For example, the Echo Dot can be a Wi-Fi plug on its own, but in order to use a Thread device it will require a Thread border router. A controller within 30 ft (9 m) of the device is needed.

Google Home: a hub is required

Google’s methodology is opposite that of Apple’s. A user must first install “a Matter-enabled hub device connected to their home Wi-Fi network before being able to add Matter devices” to Google Home. There is no option for users to connect Matter-enabled devices to their Google Home using only their phones. Wireless/Wi-Fi-only hubs made by Google are as follows: Nest Audio, Nest Mini, Google Home Mini, and Nest Hub (1st generation). The products which also work as Thread border routers are: Nest Hub (2nd generation), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wi-Fi Pro, Google TV Streamer (4K) and Google Home Speaker (2026). The Nest Hub carries a similar trap as Apple TV; only the 2nd generation version is capable of supporting Thread devices.

SmartThings and independent controllers

SmartThings employs your mobile phone during the initial setup process, and subsequently utilises a central hub for device control. According to the support site, the SmartThings 2018 Hub and Aeotec Smart Home Hub incorporate Thread, whereas the SmartThings Hub that was released in 2015 “is compatible with Matter devices over WiFi/LAN connections but does not contain Thread router functionality.” The charts released by TP-Link in March 2026 list the SmartThings Station and some Samsung televisions released in 2023 or later as SmartThings Matter hubs as well.

There are other options to consider other than one of the four major brands listed above. Home Assistant is marketed as a Matter controller and Homey has stated that they have been certified as Matter 1.5 controllers by CSA as being a Matter 1.5 controller for both their Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini products. There will be additional articles available to view later in this guide where you can confirm the CSA’s validation of these devices using their database as a reference.

Wi-Fi, Thread, or Ethernet: What Each Connection Requires

You will first want to determine what controllers you have before figuring out how each controller will connect to your new devices. This will be part of what decides whether or not you need to buy something. There are three types of connections for Matter, and for each connection type, different hardware requirements exist.

Connecting via Wi-Fi for Matter is the simplest option available. DumbSwitches points out that dumb switches, plug-in lights, and plugs connect to your Wi-Fi directly and therefore “do not require a border router” and need no border router. Ethernet devices, however, connect to your wired network through Ethernet cables. As shown by Home Assistant’s network map, Ethernet devices are connected directly through the wired connection, without any wireless networks in between. When using either a Wi-Fi or Ethernet Matter device, there will only be one hardware requirement—your controller.

Matter over Thread is primarily used for battery-operated items, like door sensors or locks, and there is an additional hardware requirement. Home Assistant indicates that you will require “at least one Thread border router connected to your network to use the Thread device(s).” Philips Hue indicates the same for its Thread-enabled bulbs; if you do not use the Hue Bridge, then your controller that supports Thread will need to support the Thread connection type. Apple has provided a support page that addresses the Thread border router error that appears when a Thread accessory cannot communicate with a Thread border router. The first step outlined in this document is to ensure that the device is indeed Thread-compatible.

Typically at first glance, it should be fairly easy to tell what device you’re about to open. SmartThings displays the Matter logo on the device box as a special indicator for devices that have a Matter controller associated with them (these devices must include a Thread border router). Meanwhile, Google states on the packaging or their website that shoppers should locate either the Wi-Fi or Thread logos. SmartThings says the Matter badge on the packaging will indicate if the device needs a Matter controller with a Thread border router.

Border routers work across brands, with one caveat

You do not have to match the brand of the border router to your controller. According to the information published by DumbSwitches, the HomePod mini operates using Thread networks and can route signals from devices added to the Google Home or SmartThings platforms just as readily as it can with its own Thread network. Therefore, as stated by Home Assistant, a border router does not modify the packet being routed; it merely passes the data along and routes packets based on their destination. The limitation that was discussed in the previous sentence comes from DumbSwitches’ analysis of Thread technology from 2018 through 2020. Historically, border routers from different manufacturers would build independent Thread networks (for example, if your home contained both Nest Hubs and HomePods mini, your home would have two distinct Thread mesh networks). However, in 2026, Thread technology version 1.4 added support for sharing credentials among homes that have devices connected via different types of Thread border routers—DumbSwitches reported that Google TV received the credentials sharing as a part of the 2026 firmware update. The rollout of support for other devices will depend on each individual manufacturer. In addition, the second guide for understanding the basics of Thread border router technology will detail which manufacturers have already released firmware updates for Thread border router compatibility.

The network settings that quietly break setup

If the router settings are incorrectly entered during setup, the setup may fail even if the hardware meets the expected specifications. Here are the conditions the platforms themselves document:

• IPv6 turned on. Google warns that without it, setup “may initially appear to succeed,” but control eventually fails. Amazon’s setup help also tells you to make sure IPv6 is active in your router settings.
• The right Wi-Fi band. Home Assistant notes that Wi-Fi Matter devices often use 2.4 GHz and tells you to keep your phone on that same network during pairing. SmartThings says a “Network not compatible” message points to a frequency mismatch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
• Bluetooth turned on. Apple and TP-Link both list Bluetooth as a first check when setup fails.

The internet outage will also impact which of your smart devices continue to function and which do not. Google states the commands that are given from inside your home are executed directly via your Wi-Fi or Thread network, whereas commands rendered from outside the home will be sent via the cloud back to your hub. A home automation system that is setup correctly should still respond during an Internet outage but will not be able to use remote access.

When You Genuinely Need to Buy a Hub

A hub is only necessary when you meet any of these criteria: you’re looking to integrate Google Home or SmartThings, and neither of these platforms currently has any of their respective hubs in your home; you want to use Thread-compatible devices, but do not have access to a border router; and/or you want access to remote functionality or automation features available from Apple Home; or any capabilities that are normally only available with a bridge; or if you want a centralized device, independent from any particular ecosystem.

Here’s what each case looks like:

• No qualifying controller for your ecosystem. Google requires a Matter-enabled hub, and SmartThings uses its hub as the controller. A phone alone won’t do in either one.
• Thread devices without a nearby border router. DumbSwitches says a single border router at one end of the house won’t reach a sensor at the other end until enough Thread devices exist to extend the mesh.
• Apple Home features beyond local control. Remote control, shared control, and automations need a hub, even though an iOS 18 phone can handle setup.
• Features that only a bridge provides. Philips Hue lists gradient lighting, dynamic scenes, and entertainment sync as Hue Bridge features, and the bridge is also the only way to use older Hue bulbs that don’t have Matter.
• An ecosystem-neutral controller. DumbSwitches suggests the Aqara Hub M3 and Homey Pro for people who want a setup not tied to Alexa, Google, or Apple.

If you currently own Zigbee or Z-Wave equipment, it is important to note that the new Matter protocol does not render your old hardware useless. According to DumbSwitches, “Your devices will still work through their own hubs as they did with their original hubs.” Some hubs can also serve as a bridge in some cases, such as the Aqara Hub M2. With an Aqara Hub M2 you can expose your existing Zigbee devices through Matter over a Wi-Fi connection, although it does not come with a built-in Thread radio. The decision to use either a Zigbee or Z-Wave hub should be a separate consideration, as discussed in the aforementioned guides on this site regarding those two protocols.

A complete working setup with no hub can be achieved with the two Apple facts stated above: an iPhone running iOS 18 or later and a Wi-Fi Matter plug. The above two Apple facts lead to an inference based on the two Apple facts, as well as Apple’s limits with remote access and automations. If you need Thread coverage, DumbSwitches recommends purchasing whatever works with the ecosystem you currently have in place. Within the Apple Home environment, DumbSwitches states that you can add Thread coverage most cost effectively by using a HomePod mini [the cheapest way]. Due to frequent price fluctuations, we cannot give a specific price in this article; however, be sure to check at least two different stores for the latest prices. Our same analysis for one-purpose boxes gives a cautionary note regarding Starling’s Home Hub that was discontinued in September 2025. While there are still many, many units still operating, they are no longer available for purchase.

What Matter Doesn’t Standardize: Apps, Accounts, and Features

Matter standardizes how smart devices communicate with one another, while leaving the manufacturer’s application(s) and account, as well as any other features, as they are currently assigned by manufacturers.

TP-Link “strongly recommends” setting up its Matter devices in the Tapo or Kasa app first, so you get every feature. It also warns that removing a device from the Tapo or Kasa app triggers a factory reset, and the device then stops responding in every other connected app. Home Assistant notes that some vendors require you to set up an account before Matter support can be turned on, particularly for their own gateways and bridges.

Features are the bigger gap. Home Assistant says Hue over Matter “only provides the basic controls over lights,” while Hue’s own integration offers scenes and entertainment mode. Homey, which has a commercial interest in multi-protocol hubs, describes the same pattern more broadly: advanced, proprietary features “remain locked in the manufacturer’s native app.” Platform support adds another gap. Google says every Matter platform updates to support new device types “at different times.” That’s why the camera example earlier in this guide matters for anyone buying a newer device category.

Privacy depends on the platform. Apple says pairing keys stored in iCloud Keychain are end-to-end encrypted. Home Assistant says Matter communication passing through a border router is encrypted. The CSA’s consumer description of the logo talks about devices working reliably together. It doesn’t cover what a manufacturer’s app or cloud does with your data, so check each brand’s privacy policy separately. Local control has limits too. TP-Link says that if your Matter hub loses its connection to the router, the device becomes unresponsive until the hub reconnects.

From QR Code to Multi-Admin: How Matter Setup Actually Works

Commissioning is the process of adding an individual Matter device and can be thought of as the Matter equivalent of pairing in each of the universal apps. Though the process of doing this is quite consistent across the different apps, the naming conventions for the menus and options may differ from one app to the next.

Before you scan anything

It is very important that you obtain and create a backup for your Matter device Setup Code from the very beginning. Each Matter device will come with a QR code that includes either an 11 or a 21 digit Setup Code that you can manually enter in the event that it does not scan correctly, according to SmartThings. In addition, Home Assistant notes that you will need your Setup Code to re-commission the device if you reset it and that without it “commissioning won’t be possible.” Home Assistant recommends that you take a photo of your Setup Code so that you have a backup of it. TP-Link includes a sticker with the Setup Code in addition to the code printed on the casing of the device.

The pairing itself

1. Put the device in pairing mode, which usually just means powering it on for the first time.
2. Open your controller’s app and choose to add a device. In Alexa, the path is Devices, plus, Add Device, Other, Matter.
3. Scan the QR code or type in the numeric code, keeping your phone close to the device.
4. Pick the room, and the hub if the app asks for one, then name the device.

As Amazon explains, the app uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to send your Wi-Fi Credentials or Thread Credentials to the device when it is commissioned. Home Assistant confirms that after the initial commissioning of your device, Bluetooth is not used to control that device after the initial commissioning process is completed. The Matter 1.6 Specification has also added the ability to commission your device via NFC, though this will only apply to apps and products that have actually implemented that capability.

Sharing one device across apps (multi-admin)

Multi-admin enables you to add the same Matter device into several apps. You must generate and use a unique sharing code in the app that you used to initially commission the Matter device, rather than using the code generated from the printed QR code or created on your device. According to SmartThings, it specifies that the Sharing Code generated by its app is “different than the QR code physically on your device” whereas Hue has provided the same instructions for each of the additional platforms. Keep these limits in mind:

• Five connections per device. SmartThings allows each device 5 different services, and Home Assistant says the standard requires devices to support at least 5.
• A hub for every app. Google says you need “one Matter-certified smart home hub for each Matter-certified app” that you want to control the device from.
• A short time window. TP-Link gives you a 15-minute window after power-on to add a Tapo-configured device to a second app.

Your iPhone will display a complete list of all connected services for your device in the Settings app under General > Matter Accessories.

Checking that a product is really certified

The CSA offers a public Certified Products Search that allows users to search for approved Matter products by name, company or certificate ID. In addition, you can also narrow your search according to the CSA’s consumer link via the filter feature found on the CSA’s website. All certifications can also be accessed via the CSA’s Distributed Compliance Ledger. Having a certification does not guarantee that your app supports any specific feature(s) of that product.

The Matter Preflight Checklist and Controller–Transport Matrix

Two tables have been provided below to assist with verifying your decision to purchase. They include both a table (matrix) that lists each ecosystem’s current capabilities and a table (checklist) that summarizes each ecosystem’s capabilities into questions to ask yourself prior to purchasing. Both tables will be updated since the last time they were verified (10/06/26) and the list of Controllers may change as new firmware updates are made, so please refer to the links provided again just prior to making your purchase decision.

When reviewing the matrix, take note of how the Controller fills in just about every row. Conversely, the Border Router fills in only certain models. Therefore, when making a hardware purchase decision, it is much more likely that you’ll be buying a Thread product than a Wi-Fi product.

Matter Setup Checklist

Before you begin shopping for hardware, perform a hardware audit of what you already have. In many cases, you probably already own the main controller needed to manage the devices you want to buy; the only open question at this point is whether or not the devices can communicate with each other via Thread protocol. If your entire shopping list contains Wi-Fi-connected devices and you’re using an iPhone running iOS 18, or have a recent Echo or Nest speaker, you don’t need to purchase anything additional to set up your smart home. However, if any of those devices will operate using the Thread protocol, then make sure you have the appropriate border router. To determine whether or not you have a compatible border router, refer to the actual model number of the item, not what it says on the box. Once you’ve verified that, take an additional minute before purchasing and check that specific item in the CSA Certified Products Search tool prior to completing the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an Apple TV connected by Ethernet cause Thread pairing errors?

Yes. According to an Apple troubleshooting document titled Thread Troubleshooting, if you have an Ethernet connected Apple TV Home Hub, try connecting it to Wi-Fi instead, on the same network as your iPhone. Re-attempt pairing after this adjustment.

Will an older Echo Dot run a Thread door lock by itself?

No. Amazon’s Echo Dot is listed by Amazon as a Matter Controller and the only thing you will find on Amazon’s list of Built-in Border Routers are the Echo (4th Gen) and eero routers. To use Matter Devices, you need a Border Router of any manufacturer that is in close proximity to your devices.

If I share a device with Google Home, do I need a Google hub too?

Yes. Google says each Matter app you control a device from needs its own compatible hub, so sharing a device into Google Home requires a Google hub even if Apple or Alexa already controls it.