Matter 1.3 is finally delivering on the promise of a unified smart home. Here's what changed, what's compatible, and why it matters for your setup.
April 2, 2026 | 14 min readMatter is a new smart home protocol backed by Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and hundreds of manufacturers. Think of it as a universal language — a Matter-certified device works with any Matter-compatible ecosystem without needing separate bridges or hubs.
Launched in late 2022, Matter has matured significantly. With Matter 1.3 (released mid-2024) and ongoing updates through 2026, the protocol now supports:
Matter 1.3 refined the experience with better multi-admin support, improved commissioning, and native device firmware updates over the network. Key improvements:
Mandatory device certificate verification and improved onboarding flows prevent rogue devices from joining your network.
New onboarding protocol reduces pairing time by 60%. Most devices connect in under 30 seconds now.
| Platform | Matter Support Level | Max Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung SmartThings | Full Controller | 200+ |
| Apple Home | Full Controller | 100+ |
| Google Home | Full Controller | 150+ |
| Amazon Alexa | Full Controller | 100+ |
| Home Assistant | Full Controller | Unlimited |
| Hubitat | Via Bridge | 200+ |
In 2026, we recommend prioritizing Matter-certified devices for new purchases. The certification ensures broad compatibility and easier troubleshooting. However, established ecosystems like Hue (via Bridge) and SmartThings still offer richer features through their native platforms.
Matter 1.3 in 2026 delivers on its core promise: a device that works everywhere. For smart home beginners, Matter removes the "will it work with my system?" anxiety. For enthusiasts, Matter + SmartThings Hub provides both broad compatibility AND deep automation capabilities. The smart home fragmentation problem isn't fully solved, but Matter is the biggest step forward we've seen.