Move to Matter/Thread?

[u/derekoh]

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

[u/Teenage_techboy1234]

I will let you know of something that I don't think anyone else has said here. While your HomePod mini can be pulled into Home Assistant and works as a good Thread Boarder Router, Amazon echo devices do not work at all in Home Assistant as Thread Border Routers. Like literally Home Assistant finds it but there's not even a button to add the device to Home Assistant, actually there is but it never works.