Smart Home Starter Guide 2025: Matter, Thread, and What to Buy First

By Amanda Foster November 22, 2024 8 min read

Building a smart home in 2024 is both easier and more confusing than ever. New standards like Matter promise universal compatibility, but the smart home ecosystem remains fragmented. This guide cuts through the confusion and helps you start smart home automation the right way.

Understanding Matter: The Future of Smart Homes

Matter is a universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and over 200 other companies. The goal is simple: any Matter-certified device works with any Matter-compatible smart home platform, regardless of brand.

Why Matter Matters

Before Matter, buying a smart bulb meant choosing an ecosystem: HomeKit, Google Home, or Alexa. That bulb was locked to your choice. Switch platforms? Replace all your devices.

Matter changes this. A Matter-certified smart bulb works with HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings simultaneously. You control it from any platform you prefer, and switching platforms later doesn't require replacing devices.

Matter's Current State

As of late 2024, Matter supports basic device categories: lights, switches, plugs, locks, thermostats, sensors, and blinds. More complex devices like cameras and vacuums are coming in future Matter specifications but aren't supported yet.

Matter adoption is growing but not universal. Many established smart home brands now offer Matter-compatible devices, while others provide firmware updates to add Matter support to existing products. Always verify Matter certification before purchasing if compatibility is important to you.

Understanding Thread: The Network Backbone

Thread is a wireless networking protocol designed specifically for smart home devices. Think of it as an alternative to Wi-Fi and Zigbee, optimized for low-power devices that need reliable connections.

Why Thread Is Better for Smart Homes

Wi-Fi is power-hungry and congests easily when you have dozens of smart devices. Thread uses less power, creates a self-healing mesh network where devices relay signals to each other, and operates on a less crowded frequency.

Thread devices form a mesh network, so each device extends the network range. Unlike Wi-Fi where devices must connect directly to your router, Thread devices can connect through other Thread devices, improving reliability and coverage.

Thread Border Routers

To use Thread devices, you need at least one Thread Border Router—a device that bridges your Thread network to your home network. Many smart home hubs include Thread Border Router functionality:

If you already have one of these devices, you have Thread support built-in. If not, factor a Thread Border Router into your smart home budget.

Choosing Your Smart Home Platform

Apple HomeKit

Best for: iPhone users prioritizing privacy and seamless integration with Apple devices

HomeKit offers excellent privacy—automation runs locally on your devices without sending data to Apple's servers. The Home app is intuitive, and Siri integration works well for voice control.

Downsides: Device selection is more limited than Google Home or Alexa, though Matter is improving this. HomeKit requires an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as a home hub for remote access and automation.

Google Home

Best for: Android users and those prioritizing Google Assistant's intelligence

Google Assistant is the smartest voice assistant for answering questions and understanding context. Google Home integrates seamlessly with Google services like Calendar, YouTube, and Nest products.

The Google Home app is functional but less polished than HomeKit. Privacy-conscious users should note that Google's business model relies on data collection, though you control what's shared.

Amazon Alexa

Best for: Those wanting the widest device compatibility and most affordable entry point

Alexa supports more devices than any other platform. Amazon's Echo devices are affordable, and Alexa's skills system provides extensive third-party integrations.

Alexa's intelligence trails Google Assistant, and the Alexa app is cluttered with shopping promotions. However, for device compatibility and budget-conscious builds, Alexa is hard to beat.

Samsung SmartThings

Best for: Power users wanting advanced automation and multi-protocol support

SmartThings is the most technically capable platform, supporting Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, and Matter simultaneously. Advanced automation capabilities exceed other platforms.

The learning curve is steeper, and SmartThings requires more technical knowledge. It's ideal for enthusiasts willing to tinker but potentially overwhelming for beginners.

Recommended First Devices

Start with Lighting

Smart lighting is the best entry point—visible, useful, and relatively affordable. You have two approaches:

Smart bulbs: Replace existing bulbs with smart versions. Best for lamps and fixtures where you want color-changing capability. Philips Hue remains the gold standard, but LIFX, Nanoleaf, and GE Cync offer Matter-compatible alternatives at lower prices.

Smart switches: Replace wall switches to control existing bulbs. Better for overhead lighting and rooms with multiple bulbs in one fixture. Lutron Caseta is premium but rock-solid reliable. Leviton and TP-Link offer more affordable Matter-compatible switches.

Start with 2-3 lights in frequently used rooms. This lets you experience smart home benefits—scheduling lights to turn on before you wake up, controlling lights by voice, automating lights to turn off when you leave—without overwhelming investment.

Smart Plugs for Existing Devices

Smart plugs convert any device with a physical switch into a smart device. Use them for:

Recommendation: TP-Link Kasa Matter smart plugs ($15-20 each) offer excellent reliability and Matter compatibility. Meross and Wemo are solid alternatives.

Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat provides the fastest return on investment through energy savings. Automated temperature schedules, remote control, and learning capabilities can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10-15%.

Nest Learning Thermostat ($250) and Ecobee SmartThermostat ($220) are the leaders, each with strengths. Nest learns your schedule automatically and has a premium design. Ecobee includes a remote sensor for better multi-room temperature management and works as an Alexa speaker.

Budget option: Google Nest Thermostat ($130) offers most features at lower cost, sacrificing the learning algorithm for manual schedules.

Motion and Contact Sensors

Sensors enable powerful automation without requiring you to do anything. Motion sensors can:

Contact sensors detect when doors and windows open/close, useful for:

Recommendation: Aqara sensors offer Matter support, Thread connectivity, and long battery life. Eve sensors are premium alternatives with excellent HomeKit integration.

Building Your Smart Home System

Phase 1: Foundation (Budget: $200-400)

  1. Choose your platform based on existing devices (iPhone = HomeKit, Android = Google Home)
  2. Get a Thread Border Router if you don't have one (or ensure your hub supports Thread)
  3. Install 2-3 smart bulbs or switches in high-traffic areas
  4. Add 1-2 smart plugs for convenient devices

Phase 2: Automation (Budget: $150-300)

  1. Add motion sensors in 2-3 key rooms
  2. Install contact sensors on main entry doors
  3. Create your first automations (lights on at sunset, lights off when leaving home)

Phase 3: Comfort and Security (Budget: $250-500)

  1. Install smart thermostat
  2. Add smart lock for keyless entry and remote access
  3. Consider smart doorbell with camera

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying Too Much Too Fast

Start small. Learn how automation works with a few devices before investing hundreds in a fully connected home. You'll discover your actual needs through use, not by guessing upfront.

2. Ignoring Wi-Fi Network Quality

Smart home devices are only as reliable as your Wi-Fi network. If your current router struggles with coverage or has dead zones, address networking first. A mesh Wi-Fi system may be necessary before adding dozens of smart devices.

3. Mixing Too Many Ecosystems

While Matter helps with compatibility, using multiple apps to control your home is frustrating. Standardize on one or two brands where possible. It's okay to mix brands for different device categories (Philips for lighting, Ecobee for thermostat) but avoid needing seven different apps.

4. Neglecting Security

Smart home devices are potential security vulnerabilities. Always:

5. Overlooking Practical Limitations

Smart home devices require power. Battery-powered devices need recharging or battery replacement. Smart switches require neutral wires (not present in all homes). Smart locks need secure doors and deadbolts. Assess your home's limitations before purchasing.

The best smart home is the one that disappears—automation happens invisibly, enhancing your life without requiring constant interaction or troubleshooting.

Final Thoughts

Building a smart home is a journey, not a destination. Start with devices that solve actual problems or annoyances in your daily life. Avoid automating for automation's sake.

Matter and Thread are making smart homes more accessible and reliable, but the technology still requires patience and occasional troubleshooting. Start small, learn as you go, and expand based on what actually improves your life.

The most successful smart homes are built incrementally, with each addition thoughtfully integrated into daily routines. Focus on convenience and comfort over showing off how many devices you have connected.