When it comes to building a smart home, choosing the right communication protocol is one of the most critical decisions. However, this can be overwhelming for many users.
Terms like Matter, Thread, and Zigbee might sound very confusing to any regular smart home user. And even those who understand them still find it difficult to apply the knowledge in purchasing the ideal product for their smart home.
To help you understand the difference between Matter, Thread, and Zigbee, we’ve created this comparison guide, explaining how these smart home standards work, their pros and cons, and which scenario they excel in.
Key Takeaways
- Network Type: Zigbee and Thread use mesh networking, while Matter can operate over multiple networks (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Thread, and Bluetooth).
- Interoperability: Matter is designed to allow different brands and technologies to work together, while Thread devices can communicate directly with each other, and Zigbee devices require a central smart home hub to communicate.
- Power Efficiency: Thread is the most power-efficient, followed by Zigbee, while Matter’s efficiency depends on whether it runs on Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Thread.
- Use Case: Zigbee is widely used for smart home hubs and low-power devices, Thread is optimized for IoT communication, and Matter acts as a universal protocol to bridge different technologies.
Part 1: What are Smart Home Standards?
Smart home standards are a set of protocols that determine how various devices in the smart home ecosystem communicate. These standards are the “language” that devices within the smart home ecosystem use to interact and exchange information regardless of the manufacturer.
Smart home standards facilitate “interoperability” and “compatibility” among devices from various brands. Matter, ZigBee, and Thread are some of the most used smart home protocols in the industry.
Part 2: What is Matter Smart Home Standard?
Matter changes the game by making smart home devices easier to set up using different wireless protocols, such as WiFi, Ethernet, and Thread wireless protocols.
This smart home protocol, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), previously known as Project CHIP (Connected Home over IP), is designed to unify the smart home ecosystem. It allows manufacturers to develop reliable and secure devices that are compatible with multiple smart home systems at the same time.
Key Features
- Facilitates local communication using IP protocols.
- Matter-certified devices can integrate across major platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings, simplifying user experience.
- Matter ensures quicker and easier device configuration.
- It uses device attestation and encryption to safeguard user data and privacy.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Supports WiFi and Thread networks |
It only works with matter-enabled devices. |
|
Excellent security and encryption |
It’s still a maturing standard |
|
Facilitate seamless interoperability across brands |
eufy Locks are now Matter-compatible
As a smart home device manufacturer, we eufy value our user experience and have released several Matter-enable smart locks.
The new high-end FamiLock S3 Max not only supports Matter but also features an advanced biometric authentication method—palm vein unlocking—to level up the security of your front door. Find out more features below;
Key Features
- It comes with a 5MP head-to-toe 2k camera to monitor your front door area.
- It features a built-in 15,000mAh rechargeable battery that can last up to 6 months and an extra 4AAA backup battery for extended power.
- It features WiFi-6 for a faster and more secure connection.
- It receives BHMA Grade 1 certification, the highest level for security and durability in hardware products.
Part 3: What is Thread?
Thread is one of the smart home protocols that existed before Matter. It’s a low-power, mesh networking protocol designed specifically for smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Thread was developed to make IoT devices work faster and use less power. It’s also built exclusively on IPv6, enabling it to facilitate seamless communication with IP-based networks.
Key Features
- Its built-In IPv6 allows direct communication between devices and cloud platforms without requiring a proprietary gateway.
- Devices in a Thread network form a mesh structure, which makes every device act as a node to extend connectivity.
- The network automatically adjusts to maintain operation when the internet is down.
|
Pros |
Cons |
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Low latency (It can handle over 250 devices) |
It cannot connect to other IP-based devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, etc. |
|
It boasts fast and responsive communication |
It requires a thread border router to work |
|
It uses mesh networking for improved reliability. |
It has limited compatibility with other ecosystems. |
Part 4: What is Zigbee?
Zigbee is a wireless technology designed to address low-power, low-cost IoT data networks. This smart home standard operates on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and it primarily uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band to facilitate reliable and efficient connectivity.
Just like the “Thread protocol”, Zigbee uses a mesh network to communicate data. It supports wireless communications, monitoring, and control of battery-operated devices and sensor networks.
Key Features
- Zigbee devices have low power consumption.
- It supports a self-healing mesh network that enables devices to communicate with each other and extend coverage without relying solely on a central hub.
- It uses AES-128 encryption to safeguard data transmissions.
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Pros |
Cons |
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It allows manufacturers to develop devices with extended battery life |
It has a relatively short communication range. |
|
It supports a large number of devices. |
It’s not suitable for high-bandwidth tasks like video streaming. |
|
It uses mesh networking for smooth communication. |
It has a limited compatibility with other ecosystems. |
Part 5: Zigbee vs. Thread vs. Zigbee
Now that you understand what Matter, Thread, and Zigbee are, let’s take a look at their differences. We’ve compared the three smart home standards based on different features in the table below;
|
Feature |
Zigbee |
Matter |
Thread |
|
Technology Standard |
IEEE 802.15.4 |
Works over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Thread, and Bluetooth |
IEEE 802.15.4 |
|
Network Type |
Mesh |
IP-based, works across multiple protocols |
Mesh |
|
Power Consumption |
Low |
Varies (depends on underlying tech) |
Ultra-low |
|
Data Transmission |
Low-bandwidth, best for simple commands |
Supports high-bandwidth use (over Wi-Fi/Ethernet) |
Low-bandwidth, efficient communication |
|
Interoperability |
Mostly Zigbee-certified devices |
Works across Zigbee, Thread, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices |
Compatible with Matter but not standalone interoperable |
|
Security |
AES-128 encryption |
It supports end-to-end encryption |
Strong security, designed to support Matter |
|
Adoption & Ecosystem |
It is used in smart home hubs (e.g., Philips Hue, Amazon Echo) |
Industry-wide standard backed by major tech brands |
It is designed to improve smart home networking under Matter |
FAQs
Do Zigbee devices work with Thread?
No, Zigbee devices do not natively work with Thread. However, some Zigbee devices can be upgraded to use the Thread network.
Do Thread devices need a hub?
No, Thread devices do not require a traditional hub, but they do need a Thread Border Router to connect to other networks like Wi-Fi or the internet. Some smart home devices (e.g., smart speakers and smart home hubs) have built-in Thread Border Routers.
Does Matter work without a hub?
Yes, Matter can work without a hub. Matter supports multiple networking technologies - Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread - that allow devices to communicate directly with each other. The only catch is that some features, like remote access or automation, may require a Matter-compatible hub or controller.
Is Apple TV a Thread router?
Only Apple TV models (such as Apple TV 4K 2nd generation and later) act as Thread Border Routers.
Conclusion
Matter, Thread, and Zigbee offer unique advantages in the smart home ecosystem. However, understanding the differences between these smart home standards can help you choose the best devices for your smart home setup.
Our Matter vs Thread vs Zigbee review has explained each smart home standard comprehensively and their differences.
Additionally, we recommend checking out the eufy smart devices if you’re looking for smart home gadgets that use the Matter protocol.