Hello,
Matter is about to launch, and it already looks very promising that the standard will establish itself in the long term and replace the older systems (especially the isolated solutions).
My question is: Which smart lights would you recommend for Matter?
Lights: complete lamps, bulbs, light strips, etc.
Matter mainly relies on the wireless standard Thread, but Wi-Fi and other wireless standards can also be integrated via bridges.
The largest and best-known provider is Philips Hue. However, Philips Hue has already announced that they will continue to use Zigbee and do not plan to incorporate Thread. Matter compatibility will be achieved through the Hue Bridge.
Which lamps would you recommend?
Would you use Philips Hue despite Zigbee and work with two wireless standards (Zigbee for the lamps and the rest with Thread)?
For light switches, I like the Eve Light Switch (wireless standard Thread). Alternatively, you could also use Friends of Hue switches or standard Zigbee light switches.
Matter is about to launch, and it already looks very promising that the standard will establish itself in the long term and replace the older systems (especially the isolated solutions).
My question is: Which smart lights would you recommend for Matter?
Lights: complete lamps, bulbs, light strips, etc.
Matter mainly relies on the wireless standard Thread, but Wi-Fi and other wireless standards can also be integrated via bridges.
The largest and best-known provider is Philips Hue. However, Philips Hue has already announced that they will continue to use Zigbee and do not plan to incorporate Thread. Matter compatibility will be achieved through the Hue Bridge.
Which lamps would you recommend?
Would you use Philips Hue despite Zigbee and work with two wireless standards (Zigbee for the lamps and the rest with Thread)?
For light switches, I like the Eve Light Switch (wireless standard Thread). Alternatively, you could also use Friends of Hue switches or standard Zigbee light switches.
F
FrankChief16 Nov 2022 10:54Mycraft schrieb:
Why would someone switch to Matter now if they are already comfortable with system XY and have had good experiences with it? We are only talking about the common wireless systems here, such as Bosch, Shelly, Eve, etc.
Premium systems like KNX, Loxone, and so on will obviously remain superior, especially KNX, but KNX requires wiring, which is a major issue when it comes to retrofitting.
Matter and the current standalone systems are basically aimed at retrofit customers only.
If someone already has a working system, they will not switch. But if they want to expand their current system and it is compatible with Matter, then they would most likely choose a Matter-compatible product for the extension (which their system might not have offered before).
Mycraft schrieb:
Making devices compatible doesn’t automatically mean 100% interoperability. Warning: pure speculation – there will likely be many exceptions where everyone will promote their own system as the best. In the future, incompatibilities will still occur despite the agreement. Some devices might still not be fully integrable, and so on. That is supposed to be regulated through Matter licensing.
All products that carry the Matter logo thanks to licensing are meant to be 100% compatible, meaning when searching for a new product, you only need to look for the Matter logo (that’s the plan).
Mycraft schrieb:
The examples you mentioned are still novices in the home automation market despite their size. Which examples would you name for wireless retrofit solutions in the smart home sector?
S
SaniererNRW12316 Nov 2022 11:08FrankChief schrieb:
If someone currently has a working system, they won’t upgrade, but if they want to expand their current system and it is compatible with Matter, they would choose a Matter-compatible product for the expansion. Why would you switch to Matter if your existing system works fine (since it doesn’t change the system itself, only the wireless standard)? Matter is an add-on, but in my opinion, not a decisive factor for purchasing.
FrankChief schrieb:
What examples would you give for wireless retrofit solutions in the smart home sector? What exactly do you want to make “smart”? Wireless or Wi-Fi? If no Wi-Fi, then why not?
F
FrankChief16 Nov 2022 11:22SaniererNRW123 schrieb:
Why would you switch to Matter on an already working system (which doesn’t actually change the system itself, just the wireless standard)? Matter is an add-on, but in my opinion not a key factor in deciding whether to buy. The official wireless standards supported by Matter are
Wi-Fi, Thread, and Bluetooth (only for setup), and there is still Ethernet.
All other wireless standards have to be integrated via the manufacturers' own bridges. This way, for example, a Bosch sensor can control a TP-Link smart plug.
I’m starting from scratch now and want to set up a future-proof wireless system. I thought Matter would be the best choice for that.
I also assumed that manufacturers will all switch to Matter eventually, but that will probably take a long time, since their own systems are already Matter-compatible through bridges and therefore they don’t feel pressured to change quickly.
SaniererNRW123 schrieb:
What do you want to make “smart”? Wireless or Wi-Fi? If not Wi-Fi, then why not? At first, I want to start with roller shutter switches and lighting, then gradually expand later.
Behind the TV, I would like to retrofit Ambilight (without a camera). Probably you can’t avoid Philips Hue for that anyway.
In the dining area, the lights should be dimmable and have adjustable white tones, plus other lamps that can be switched on and off. In the living room, some lights should be color-capable to integrate with the Ambilight.
That would be the initial setup, and I want to keep expanding over time.
Later on, I will add window sensors—preferably those hidden in the handle, like the Hoppe Enocean ones.
S
SaniererNRW12316 Nov 2022 11:28FrankChief schrieb:
I want to start with roller shutter switches and lighting, then gradually expand later. Shellys work great for that. Or Sonoff.
FrankChief schrieb:
I’d also like to retrofit Ambilight behind the TV (without a camera), probably Philips Hue is unavoidable for that anyway. A €20 (about $22) LED strip from Aliexpress works fine. With Wi-Fi, app, Alexa, and even camera integration (currently only from the phone).
FrankChief schrieb:
The lamps in the dining area should be dimmable. Any system can do that. I don’t have dimming myself, as I use different lamps for various scenarios instead.
FrankChief schrieb:
The white tone should be adjustable. That’s where actuators like Shelly don’t work. You’d need Hue lamps (or Ikea or whichever brand) and connect them to Wi-Fi.
FrankChief schrieb:
That would be the initial plan, then keep extending. What do you mean by that?
So far, you’re not doing anything that requires Matter.
FrankChief schrieb:
We’re talking only about standard wireless systems like Bosch, Shelly, Eve, etc. Yes, we’re referring to entry-level systems with limited functions and capabilities.
FrankChief schrieb:
Premium systems like KNX, Loxone, etc. will of course remain superior, especially KNX, but KNX requires wiring, which is a major issue when retrofitting. No, retrofitting isn’t a problem, just to be clear. But this thread isn’t about KNX and similar systems anyway.
FrankChief schrieb:
Matter and the current isolated systems mainly have retrofitters as customers. Yes, certainly. But among them there is a significant number who still need (semi-)professional help. Even just to connect and set up a simple Shelly device.
FrankChief schrieb:
If someone currently has a working system, they won’t switch, but if they want to expand it and it’s Matter-compatible, they would probably choose a Matter-compatible product for the expansion (which their system might not have supported before). Why would they do that? Why choose a Matter-compatible product if the current system already supports it? Only in cases where certain functions are needed that only Matter can provide. But then there are additional costs for the bridge, etc., and some will wonder if that’s really necessary.
FrankChief schrieb:
This should be regulated with the Matter licensing. All products that receive the Matter logo through licensing are supposed to be 100% compatible, meaning when looking for a new product you only need to look for the Matter logo (that’s the plan). That’s the plan...
FrankChief schrieb:
The official wireless standards of Matter are Wi-Fi, Thread, and Bluetooth (only for setup), and LAN is also supported. All other wireless standards have to be integrated via manufacturer-specific bridges. So, for example, a Bosch sensor can switch a TP-Link outlet. You don’t have to explain interoperability to us here. But there are many, many “buts.” It always sounds nice, and yes, you can switch the outlet. But suddenly the status can’t be read or isn’t transmitted when a “foreign sensor” triggers it, or energy consumption data can only be accessed through the TP-Link app, etc.
FrankChief schrieb:
I’m starting from scratch now and want to start as future-proof as possible with wireless, so I thought Matter would be the best choice. Um, no. You would be an early adopter, with all the pros and cons that entails. But yes, there need to be early adopters.
FrankChief schrieb:
I also thought manufacturers would all switch to Matter eventually. Reasons?
F
FrankChief16 Nov 2022 12:46Mycraft schrieb:
No, there are no problems with retrofitting, just to clarify. But this thread isn’t about KNX and similar systems.How can you retrofit KNX without having to open up the walls for the bus cable? Would you equip the whole house with KNX RF? I thought KNX RF was only meant for extending KNX and not as a standalone wireless solution.
Mycraft schrieb:
Why would anyone do that? Why choose a Matter-compatible product if the other one already works? Only in the rare case where a specific feature is needed that can only be solved with Matter. But then there are additional costs for the bridge, etc., and some people wonder if that’s really necessary.If the wireless system doesn’t have a shutter switch, for example, you can use the shutter switch from another manufacturer that is also Matter compatible.
For this kind of setup, you don’t need a bridge—just a border router, which can be devices like Amazon Echo or Google Nest WiFi Router/Access Point.
Matter is mainly about being able to combine different manufacturers’ products flexibly, similar to KNX.
@Mycraft what exactly would you recommend if you were retrofitting a smart home? (without opening the walls)
A wireless connection is necessary anyway.
Should WiFi be used? I imagine problems might arise if too many devices are connected to WiFi.
(What happens if you get a new router—do you have to reconnect every device to the new WiFi?)
Or would you recommend another wireless standard? If so, which one?
Can you specify exactly which system or type of system you would recommend?
Similar topics