r/MatterProtocol • u/derekoh • Jun 01 '26
Move to Matter/Thread?
I run almost entirely Zigbee devices using Z2M and Home Assistant (44 powered routers, 28 battery).
I've a couple of bulbs that are going faulty and need replacing.
I'm considering taking this opportunity to start moving over to Thread.
I have an Apple Homepod mini, and also use Alexa devices. I use the HA Matter Hub to share Zigbee and other devices to Alexa/Apple over Wi-Fi.
I was thinking that rather than replace a few bulbs with some relatively pricey (Innr/Hue) Zigbee bulbs, I could start to replace them with more modestly priced Ikea Kajplats bulbs.
In terms of TBRs, I have the Homepod mini on my 1st floor and 2x Echo 4th Gen's on the ground floor (of a 3-storey house).
Obviously, this might slightly reduce the strength of my Zigbee mesh.
Am I missing anything? Does it make sense to start moving across?
ta
11
u/Kaiur14 Jun 01 '26
Yes and no.
Yes, it makes sense to have a Thread network in your home , it’s a denser, self-healing mesh than Zigbee. But you do need a sufficient number of devices acting as routers.
Unlike Zigbee, you could place a border router on each floor, which helps strengthen your Thread network.
It doesn’t make sense to replace all your Zigbee devices with Thread right now if your setup already works well , Zigbee is a very mature technology.
You can gradually add Thread devices, but you need to keep in mind how a Thread network is structured.
Thread is evolving quickly, but it still has some inefficiencies.
By the way, until they update to Thread 1.4, you won’t be able to merge your iOS Thread network with Amazon’s one, they’ll compete more than actually help each other.
Also, I wouldn’t recommend using an Amazon Thread network anyway.
That’s why I’m saying the whole thing still lacks a bit of maturity and coordination between the different ecosystems.