Last updated: October 2026 · Compatibility changes with software updates. Confirm a device's "Works with Apple Home" or Matter badge on the box before you buy.
Buying smart home gadgets used to mean picking an ecosystem first and hoping everything worked with it. Matter, the cross-brand standard, has made that much less of a gamble, and for iPhone owners it means a lot more devices now work with the Apple Home app. It is not magic, though. You still need the right hub, and a few Apple-specific features are not covered by Matter at all. This guide explains what you actually need, in the order to buy it.
- Buy first: a home hub. A HomePod mini is the cheapest Apple option that also acts as a Thread border router.
- Easiest start: a Matter smart plug or a bulb. They are the most mature category.
- Look for the label: "Matter" or "Works with Apple Home" on the box.
- The catch: Apple Home Key (tap your iPhone to unlock) is separate from Matter, and only some locks support it.
Matter, Thread and Apple Home in plain words
- Matter is the shared standard. A Matter device can be added to Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa, and even more than one at once.
- Thread is a low-power mesh network that some Matter devices use instead of Wi-Fi. Thread devices need a Thread border router to connect to your home network.
- Wi-Fi Matter devices don't need a Thread border router, but they still need your Wi-Fi to be reliable.
- A home hub is the device in your house that lets Apple Home work when you are away and runs your automations.
Step 1: The hub (buy this first)
For Apple Home, a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV can serve as the home hub. For Thread devices, the hardware matters. Apple's Thread-capable options include:
| Device | Home hub | Thread border router |
|---|---|---|
| HomePod mini | Yes | Yes |
| HomePod (2nd generation) | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) and (3rd gen, Wi-Fi + Ethernet) | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, Wi-Fi only) | Yes | No, needs a separate border router |
Older Apple TVs and the first-generation HomePod can be hubs, but they need a separate border router for Thread. Check the exact model in your cupboard before you assume it is enough. Apple's Home support pages list current hub requirements, and they can change with software updates.
Choose the HomePod mini if you have no Apple hub yet and want the cheapest way to get both hub and Thread support. Choose an Apple TV 4K if you already want a streamer. Put the hub near the middle of your home, because Thread works as a mesh and more powered devices make it stronger.
Step 2: Smart plugs and bulbs (the safest first buy)
Plugs and bulbs are the most mature Matter category, and a good place to learn how Apple Home works. Examples that 2026 roundups recommend for Matter plugs:
- Eve Energy: a Thread plug with a power meter. It works without a cloud account but needs a Thread border router such as a HomePod mini.
- Meross Matter Wi-Fi plug mini: a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi plug that needs no hub for the Matter connection itself.
- TP-Link Tapo P125 Mini and similar Wi-Fi plugs: reliable and simple, but without extra features like energy monitoring.
Catch: Matter plugs sometimes cost a little more than non-Matter ones, and older devices can have compatibility quirks. Prices change often, so check them before you buy. We cover the plug-only angle in more detail in a separate guide on the blog.
Philips Hue: the Hue Bridge can expose your Hue bulbs to Apple Home through Matter, so they show up as one connected bridge rather than a set of bulbs you pair one by one. If you already own Hue, you probably don't need to replace anything.
Step 3: Locks (and what Matter does not cover)
Matter locks can be added to Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa. But Apple Home Key, the feature that lets you tap an iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock, is a separate Apple feature and Matter certification does not guarantee it. Only a limited set of locks support it. One example is the Aqara Smart Lock U300, which Aqara says adds Apple Home Key and works with Matter over Thread. It needs a Thread border router, such as Aqara's M3 hub or an Apple one.
Before you buy a lock:
- Check whether the product page says "Apple Home Key" specifically, not just "Matter."
- Check how your door is built. Some locks fit only certain lock types, and a wrong match means a return.
- Keep a physical key or a backup code. A smart lock is a convenience, not a replacement for a way in during a power or network failure.
- Ask what happens if the internet goes down. Locks that unlock locally over Bluetooth or Thread behave better than ones that need the cloud.
Step 4: Cameras and thermostats
Cameras: Matter 1.5 added a camera device type, with live video, two-way audio, pan-tilt-zoom and local or cloud recording. That sounds like a big step, but the standard says nothing about when each platform will use it. New Matter features usually take time to appear in real products, so for now, buy a camera that already advertises Apple Home support (HomeKit Secure Video, for example) and don't assume any "Matter camera" will behave the same way in Apple Home. Look for options that process footage on the device or locally, since that reduces how much video leaves your home.
Thermostats: Compatibility is generally good across the major brands, but always confirm the model works with Apple Home, and that it works with your heating system. That second part is where most thermostat returns happen.
A sensible buying order
- Hub: a HomePod mini or compatible Apple TV.
- Two or three plugs or bulbs: learn how rooms, scenes and automations work.
- One sensor or button: for automations that don't need your phone.
- A lock or thermostat: only after you trust the setup.
- Cameras last: they have the most privacy and setup trade-offs.
FAQ
Do I have to pick Apple, Google or Amazon first?
Much less than before, because Matter devices can be added to more than one ecosystem. The app and automation experience still differs from one to the next.
Is HomeKit being discontinued?
No. HomeKit remains the framework behind the Apple Home app, and Apple Home also supports Matter.
Do I need a hub for Matter devices?
For the standard Apple Home experience, including away-from-home control and automations, Apple says you need a home hub. Thread devices also need a Thread border router.
What's the best first device?
A smart plug or bulb. They are cheap, simple and easy to return.
Will a Matter device work if I switch to an Android phone later?
Usually yes, because Matter devices can be added to Google Home as well, but check the features each app supports.
My pick
Start with a HomePod mini and two Matter plugs, then add a lock or thermostat only once the basics feel reliable. If you want tap-to-unlock, shop for "Apple Home Key" specifically. For iPhone tips that complement a smart home, see 10 iPhone Settings You Should Change Right Now and Best Budget Earbuds for iPhone Under $50.
Sources: Datawire: HomePod vs Apple TV for Matter and Thread · 9to5Mac: Matter 1.5 adds cameras · CE Pro: Aqara U300 and Apple Home Key · Matter Alpha: best Matter plugs