Why Builders Should Recommend Matter-Enabled Smart Home Devices

By Dave Kaufman, Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives at Resideo

Matter has been making headlines in the smart home space for several years, but the buzz is no longer just hype. Matter is gaining real momentum. With major ecosystem providers supporting it, and more Matter-enabled products hitting the market, builders can leverage Matter to guide customers toward smarter, more future-ready homes. Together with my peers from Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung, I sit on the governing board for the Matter standard – to help guide the work representing consumers and device makers – and I see a huge opportunity we’re on the cusp of unlocking as an industry.

Builders are uniquely positioned to help homeowners navigate this new standard and make smart investments. By installing Matter-enabled devices like smart thermostats, builders can help customers:

• Achieve interoperability with their preferred platforms and devices
• Gain access to enhanced energy management capabilities
• Invest in flexible, future-ready solutions
• Increase privacy and data security, while helping to decrease latency through locally controlled systems

What is Matter?

Matter is an open-source connectivity standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). It was introduced in 2022 to ensure devices from different manufacturers can seamlessly work together across smart ecosystems. According to the CSA, it serves as the “seal of approval that says smart devices work reliably together.”

The list of Matter-enabled products includes smart thermostats, speakers, locks, lights, and more. Today, consumers can monitor and control Matter-enabled devices with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and other popular platforms. This level of interoperability gives customers more flexibility and reduces the chance of compatibility issues.

Notably, leading technology publications have begun recognizing specific Matter-certified products for their real-world value. For example, TechRadar named the Honeywell Home X2S smart thermostat as the “Best Matter-Certified Smart Thermostat,” highlighting its combination of smart home compatibility and ease of use.

Interoperability with major ecosystems

In the past, homeowners who wanted only one smart home app had to choose an ecosystem and then hunt for devices that were compatible with that platform. This often led to frustration, limited options, and messy workarounds.

Today, many homeowners are already using voice commands with Alexa or managing a mix of smart devices through their favorite app. That’s where Matter changes the game. A Matter-enabled smart thermostat, for example, gives homeowners the freedom to control their system through the app or platform they already prefer, often without needing to replace or significantly reconfigure their setup.

Smarter energy management

Matter-enabled smart thermostats and energy devices are compatible with various ecosystems, and many offer advanced features designed to help homeowners manage energy use and optimize comfort. Select products and system configurations could also support indoor air quality (IAQ) goals, with data-driven insights and adaptive features that help improve efficiency over time.

Recent updates to Matter have expanded the standard’s energy management foundation, including support for standardized information around energy pricing, tariffs, and certain grid-related signals, as well as improvements that make it easier for device makers to build high-quality camera and doorbell products. While these capabilities will vary by product, utility program, and ecosystem, they point to a future where connected devices can work together more intelligently to help homeowners understand energy costs, optimize energy used across the home, and strengthen interoperability across all Matter-enabled devices.

As energy costs rise and demand for energy-conscious solutions grows, Matter gives builders a clear value proposition to present to homeowners. It’s a smart way to enhance the performance of HVAC systems while helping deliver long-term savings to customers.

Built for the future

Technology is constantly evolving, and homeowners want solutions that can keep up from a smart home compatibility standpoint. Matter is designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing new features and integrations to be added over time. This can help reduce the risk of obsolescence and may minimize the likelihood of callbacks or costly upgrades.

By recommending Matter-enabled products, builders can position themselves as future-focused advisors, helping customers make decisions that are built to last. Encouraging customers to choose Matter-compatible devices also gives them the freedom to expand or change their smart home setup without needing to replace their connected devices.

Enhanced data security

Security and privacy are concerns for consumers. One of Matter’s key benefits is that it's designed to support local control, meaning many Matter-enabled devices can communicate within the home network for core functions. This can help reduce reliance on cloud connections for everyday commands and support faster response times, while still allowing homeowners to take advantage of cloud-based features when needed.

Matter-enabled devices must meet strict CSA standards for data privacy and security. A report by PSA Certified found that 65% of the more than 1,200 decision-makers surveyed value or look for security credentials when buying connected products.

Why builders should act now

The industry is shifting quickly. There is momentum behind Matter, and it is important for builders focused on smart home integration to get on board or risk being left behind. A Parks Associates study revealed that 37% of U.S. internet households shopping for smart home products consider Matter certification to be important. And according to Berg Insight, more than 88 million homes in North America will be smart homes by 2027. We are seeing a snowball effect – the more manufacturers that adopt the standard, the more others follow suit to compete and play in the smart home space.

Encouraging customers to select solutions that are Matter-enabled helps them simplify decision making because they don’t have to commit to a specific ecosystem. They can have the interface of their choice, decide how they want to organize and connect their smart home now, and will have flexibility to make changes easily in the future.

Matter isn’t just another tech trend – it’s a foundational shift in how smart homes operate. And as more manufacturers embrace Matter, the industry will continue to evolve in that direction.

Connected comfort for every home

At Resideo, we believe Matter has the potential to become as ubiquitous as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®. We’re investing in Matter because we see it as a critical step toward a unified, secure, and adaptable smart home experience. Our Matter-enabled Honeywell Home FocusPRO® S200 smart thermostat is a great example: it brings powerful, connected features to homeowners at an affordable price, proving that smart homes are not a luxury. Our Honeywell Home ElitePRO™ smart thermostat, powered by Pro-IQ™ services, is also Matter-enabled and integrates smart home and style together in one premium device.

Whether it's a new construction project or a renovation, now is the time to bring Matter into the conversation. By recommending Matter-enabled smart thermostats and other home devices, builders can deliver greater value, reduce long-term service needs, and help shape the smart homes of tomorrow.