Matter vs Thread vs Zigbee, plus Wi-Fi and Z-Wave, explained
These words get compared as if they were rival standards. They are not. Matter is a shared language; Thread, Zigbee, Wi-Fi and Z-Wave are the roads it and other languages travel on.
Matter is a common language that lets one device work with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and SmartThings. Thread and Zigbee are low-power mesh networks that need a hub and keep working offline. Wi-Fi needs no hub but scales poorly. Look for Matter over Thread on new battery devices.
The five networks side by side
| What it is | Needs | Works offline | Battery devices | Seen on | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matter | A shared language for devices | Runs over Wi-Fi or Thread | Depends on the network under it | Via Thread | Plugs, locks, thermostats |
| Thread | Low-power IP mesh | A Thread border router | Yes, locally | Years on a coin cell | Plugs, locks, sensors |
| Zigbee | Low-power mesh, older and cheaper | A Zigbee hub or coordinator | Yes, locally | Years on a coin cell | Sensors, bulbs, valves |
| Wi-Fi | Your home network | Nothing extra | Usually not | Short battery life | Cameras, plugs, vacuums |
| Z-Wave | Low-power mesh on its own band | A Z-Wave controller | Yes, locally | Good | Locks, alarm sensors |
Matter over Thread or Matter over Wi-Fi?
Both are Matter, so both show up in every major platform. The difference is the road underneath.
Matter over Wi-Fi
- No hub needed; joins your router
- Good for plugs and anything mains-powered
- Each device takes an IP address
- Example: the Tapo P110M plug
Matter over Thread
- Needs a Thread border router
- Best for battery devices such as locks and sensors
- Mains-powered devices extend the mesh
- Examples: the Eve Energy plug and the Aqara U400 lock
Where Zigbee still wins
Zigbee has the deepest catalog of cheap sensors, valves and bulbs, and a mature Zigbee network is very dependable. Its weakness is that each hub tends to keep its devices to itself. Matter bridges are the fix: a hub like the Aqara M3 or the bridge inside the Aqara valve setup exposes Zigbee devices to every platform through Matter.
Gray tags on this site mark devices on other radios, such as SwitchBot's Bluetooth motors or Lutron's Clear Connect switches. They reach your platform through the hub or bridge named next to the tag.
Questions people ask
Is Thread better than Zigbee?
Do I need a hub for Matter?
Can Zigbee devices work with Matter?
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