Best Matter Hubs and Thread Border Routers (2026)

Matter over Thread devices such as locks, sensors, blinds and many switches need a Thread border router to reach the rest of your network, and every Matter device needs a controller to set it up and run automations. Many homes already have one built into a speaker or display, while dedicated hubs add Zigbee, infrared, Ethernet or Z-Wave on top. This guide compares eight Matter controllers and Thread border routers sold in the US, based on manufacturer specs and listed compatibility, not hands-on testing.

Quick picks

• Best for Apple Home: Apple HomePod mini, which becomes a Thread border router and Apple Home hub automatically when you set it up.
• Best for Alexa: Amazon Echo (4th gen), a speaker with a built-in Zigbee hub, Thread border router and Matter controller.
• Best with a screen: Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen), an 8-inch display with Zigbee, Thread and Matter built in.
• Best for Aqara Zigbee devices: Aqara Hub M3, with up to 127 Zigbee and 127 Thread devices, PoE and an IR blaster.
• Best for SmartThings: Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2, a SmartThings hub with Zigbee 3.0 and a Thread border router.

Matter controller, Thread border router or bridge

These three roles are often combined in one box, but they do different jobs. A Matter controller adds Matter devices to your ecosystem and runs them, which is what a HomePod, Echo or SmartThings hub does for its own app. A Thread border router connects a Thread mesh to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network so Matter over Thread devices can be reached. A Matter bridge exposes devices that do not speak Matter, such as Aqara Zigbee sensors, to Matter ecosystems. Matter over Wi-Fi devices only need a controller. Matter over Thread devices need a controller and a border router.

Apple HomePod mini

The HomePod mini is the simplest way to get a Thread border router into an Apple Home setup. Apple says it becomes a Thread-enabled home hub automatically during setup, and as a home hub it runs Apple Home automations, remote access and Matter devices for everyone in the home. It connects over Wi-Fi and has a built-in temperature and humidity sensor that can trigger Home automations. It does not add Zigbee or infrared, so non-Matter Zigbee devices still need their own bridge. The full-size Apple HomePod (2nd generation) is also a Thread border router and home hub, and the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet model) does the same job from under the TV.

Amazon Echo (4th gen)

The Echo (4th gen) is Amazon's main speaker and doubles as a smart home hub. Amazon lists a built-in Zigbee hub, a Thread border router and Matter controller support, so it can set up Matter over Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread devices directly in the Alexa app. The Zigbee radio lets it pair many Zigbee bulbs, plugs and sensors without a separate bridge. Smaller models such as the Echo Dot (5th gen) and Echo Pop can control Matter over Wi-Fi devices but do not include a Thread border router, so check the model before relying on one for Thread devices. More Alexa speakers are listed under smart speakers.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023) adds a screen to the same hub features. It has an 8-inch HD touchscreen, a 13 MP camera with a shutter, and a built-in smart home hub with Zigbee, Thread and Matter support. The screen gives you a dashboard for lights, locks and cameras, which is useful in a kitchen or hallway. It needs to stay plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi like any border router. Larger Echo Show models are listed under smart displays, but check each model's listed hub radios, since the Echo Show 5 does not include Thread or Zigbee.

Aqara Hub M3

The Hub M3 is Aqara's most capable hub. It is a Matter controller, Thread border router, Zigbee hub and Matter bridge, so existing Aqara Zigbee devices can show up in Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings. Aqara lists capacity for 127 Aqara Zigbee and 127 Thread devices, with repeaters needed to reach the maximum. It connects over dual-band Wi-Fi or a Gigabit Ethernet port with PoE, and it also takes USB-C power. Other features include a 360-degree IR blaster that can detect when a regular remote is used, a 95 dB speaker for alarms and announcements, 8 GB of local storage, and local edge automations that keep running without the internet. It has no camera or microphone.

Aqara Hub M200

The Hub M200 is a smaller, newer option with most of the M3's roles. It is a Matter controller, Thread border router and Thread mesh extender, plus an Aqara Zigbee hub and Matter bridge. Aqara lists capacity for 40 Aqara Zigbee and 40 Thread devices. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6, PoE through an RJ45 port or 5V USB-C power, a 360-degree IR blaster and a 90 dB speaker. It can be placed flat or mounted on a wall or ceiling with a standard 1/4-inch threaded bracket. The USB power adapter is not included.

Aqara Hub M100

The Hub M100 is a USB-A stick that plugs into a router, power bank or USB adapter. It is a Matter controller, Thread border router, Zigbee hub and Matter bridge, and Aqara lists support for up to 20 Aqara Zigbee and 20 Thread devices. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 with WPA3 and runs automations for Zigbee and Matter over Thread devices locally. There is no Ethernet, IR blaster or speaker, so it suits smaller setups or adding a border router and Zigbee bridge to a room that lacks one.

Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2

The Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2 (V4) is a SmartThings hub made with Samsung's Works with SmartThings program. It supports Matter, Zigbee 3.0 for up to 150 devices, and has an integrated Thread border router, so Matter over Thread devices can join without extra hardware. It connects over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, uses Bluetooth for onboarding, runs on 5V USB-C power and can be wall mounted. Aeotec says most automations run locally on the hub. Unlike the older Aeotec Hub (V3), it does not support Z-Wave.

Homey Pro

The Homey Pro is a standalone smart home hub with its own app and automation engine. It combines Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth LE, Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave Plus (700 series), 433 MHz RF, infrared, Matter and Thread in one device, and Homey says it acts as a Thread border router for Matter over Thread devices. A wired connection is available through Homey's Ethernet adapter, and Homey Bridge units can extend coverage in larger homes. It suits households that want one hub for Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter devices together. The smaller Homey Pro mini drops Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, 433 MHz and infrared but keeps Zigbee, Thread and Matter.

Comparison

How to choose

Start with your ecosystem

If you mainly use Apple Home, a HomePod mini, HomePod or Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) is the natural controller and border router. For Alexa, an Echo (4th gen) or Echo Show 8 covers Matter, Thread and Zigbee. For Google Home, the Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max and Nest Wifi Pro include Thread border routers. For SmartThings, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2 is a dedicated hub. Aqara and Homey hubs are for people who want their own app, local automations and extra radios, and can still share devices to the big ecosystems through Matter.

Thread vs Wi-Fi devices

Matter over Wi-Fi devices such as many plugs, bulbs and dimmers connect straight to your router and only need a Matter controller. Matter over Thread devices such as locks, sensors, blinds and some switches form a low-power mesh and need a Thread border router. Mains-powered Thread devices act as repeaters, so the mesh usually gets stronger as you add plugs and switches. See Matter vs Thread vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave for how the protocols fit together.

One Thread network or several

Border routers from different brands can end up running separate Thread networks, and a Thread device joins the network of the ecosystem you first add it with. Adding a second border router from the same ecosystem improves coverage and gives you a backup if one goes offline. If you mix ecosystems, set devices up in your main one first and use Matter multi-admin to share them to the others.

Zigbee, Z-Wave and infrared

Matter does not replace older radios. If you already own Zigbee devices, an Echo (4th gen), Echo Show 8, Aqara hub, Aeotec hub or Homey Pro can keep using them, and an Aqara hub can bridge Aqara Zigbee devices into Matter. Only the Homey Pro here supports Z-Wave. Aqara's M3 and M200 add IR control for TVs and air conditioners.

Placement and power

Border routers need constant power and a good Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, so put them centrally rather than in a closet corner. PoE on the Aqara M3 and M200 lets you mount a hub on a ceiling with a single cable. For more devices that pair with these hubs, see Matter hubs, the Matter smart dimmer switches guide and the Matter smart thermostats guide.