I just saw an interesting youtube video extolling the virtues of the new Matter devices from Ikea. (Even though I don't have many Apple products in my home).
And then, I just saw the following article from howtogeek, which had exactly the opposite approach.
I'm curious: what's your opinion on the new Matter devices?
(Especially relative to Zigbee.)
Yep, just saw that same video. It's kind of hard to watch. LOL
Definitely, at this time, IKEA’s Matter over Thread devices are an order of magnitude less reliable than their older Zigbee devices. Even when used with IKEA's own DIRIGERA hub.
I'm about as interested as she appears to be, listening to him yacking on about matter and recording a video, while he should be paying attention to driving. Probably not using turn signals either.
It's just another protocol, and one that seems less capable than either Zigbee or Z-Wave. I just got an Aqara mmWave sensor which lets you choose between Matter/Thread and Zigbee and there are features missing on the Matter side. Not the only device where there's less functionality using Matter either.
Who would choose less functionality? I don't get it. If you're going to come up with a new protocol, it ought to be at least as capable as the ones currently out there. And IMO, the world doesn't need even more stuff operating in the already overcrowded ISM band. It's a non-starter for me.
The only reason I have zigbee devices is because I'm heavily invested in Hue bulbs, and they're only available in the zigbee protocol. Therefore, I have to use zigbee switches and dimmers in order to have direct associations between the switches/dimmers and the bulbs. Otherwise, I would choose Z-Wave (preferably LR) every time (unless a needed device isn't available in a Z-Wave version).
I think matters best use case… for now is for devices that zwave and zigbee aren’t a good fit. Things like appliances, vacuum cleaners, TV’s, stereo systems, HVAC and cameras. Once matter/thread hits 2.0 i think it will really hit it’s stride but 1.x feels like a public beta.
Some of us like putting the plane together while we fly it. For those who dont, getting into matter/thread maybe a frustrating experience.
IMHO Matter is just "Big Tech's" attempt at making home automation easier, simpler and increase its appeal. From what I've seen, they have failed. They will likely come around at some point, as being able to capture everyone's personal information is priceless to them. It's going to be tough to compete with affordable & widely available Zigbee devices. I guess their aim is the technologically challenged, who are a dying breed, as most younger folks are tech saavy.
I have quite a few Matter devices that after a few initial hiccups have been great. All were paired with Apple then added to HE.
I bought a few of the IKEA devices as I was curious how Thread would work out and they were cheap enough to try. I had no problem pairing them with Apple and they work fine in Apple home. I could add them to HE but they were nothing but trouble there. Consensus is it’s an IKEA issue. I use virtual switches in HE and Apple automations to interface them. So far as worked out fine.
I did spend quite a bit time researching about TBR’s and location etc. And played around with my setup and got the network very stable.
This.....
The other inevitable outcome is the restriction of capabilities that is almost always required to make everything work for those who don't have the knowledge to troubleshoot.
I like HE and HA because the capabilities aren't handicapped. But, you can read the forums and see where some struggle at the beginning trying to learn how things work.
I think Matter and its users are expecting plug and pray...er uh play. But, if you recall, windows had a rough start with accomplishing the same. Making things universally easy takes time. They literally have to think of how anyone can make a mistake and fix it before they do. And throughout history, it rarely works first try. Unskilled people are experts at breaking solidly tested stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeUyxjLhAxU (Windows 98 BSOD presentation fail)
Oh man, Billy looks like such a little kid there... 
Download the Hubitat app
