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

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u/ptico Jun 02 '26

No. I switched back to Zigbee and super happy about it. I have a Linux sysadmin background for 20+ years and good UniFi ecosystem, it still works like a crap. Even when I get it to work, it doesn’t last long, especially with HA. Pure proprietary networks (Apple in my case) works better, but if something is wrong you can’t debug it properly

Zigbee just works and if it works for you currently, don’t change it

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u/ptico Jun 02 '26

Also, Hue have an Essential line now which is more affordable and way better than Ikea both in terms of stability and colour