What Is Thread? Matter’s Smart Home Network Protocol, Explained

• Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
• Amazon Eero 6, 6 Plus, Pro 6E, Eero 7, Pro 7, Max 7, PoE 6, and PoE Gateway
• Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), Echo Show 15 (second-gen), Echo Show 21 (second-gen), and Echo Hub
• Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
• Apple HomePod Mini
• Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen with Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
• Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
• Google Nest Hub Max
• Google Nest Wifi and Nest Wifi Pro
• Google TV Streamer 4K
• Samsung SmartThings Station, Hub v3, and Hub Dongle
• Samsung Smart TVs (CU8000, CU7000, NEO QLED 8K and 4K)
• Aqara Smart Hub M3
• Homey Pro

A Brief History of Thread

Originally developed by Nest (before the Google acquisition), Thread has existed since 2011. Devised as a power-efficient mesh networking technology for internet-of-things (IoT) products, Thread gathered pace after the 2014 formation of the Thread Group, which develops the technology and drives its adoption as an industry standard. Founding members like ARM, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm have been joined by Apple, Amazon, and many other big companies over the years.

The Thread specification is available for free, but there is an end-user license agreement (EULA) for adopters. Thread has evolved, with new versions and features rolling out every couple of years. New versions are backward compatible, so new devices can work alongside older ones. Sometimes older Thread devices can be upgraded to the latest version, but not always.

The latest version, Thread 1.4, landed in 2024, bringing credential sharing, which allows for networks formed in different ecosystems (such as Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa) and different Thread Border Routers to form one big mesh, instead of several separate meshes. Unfortunately, although the Thread 1.4 specification is available, it takes a while for manufacturers to adopt it and go through certification.

To learn more about Thread, check out the official Thread Group website.

How Does Thread Work With Matter?

Thread is what enables devices to connect to each other, and Matter is the language they use to communicate. Thread actually supports various application layers, like Matter, that sit on top. It can even support multiple application layers simultaneously. Matter uses Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet for device connectivity. If the device is battery-powered and bandwidth requirements are low, it will pick Thread. For high-bandwidth and always-on (plugged-in) devices (like security cameras), it will choose Wi-Fi. Matter also uses Bluetooth LE for the initial setup of some devices. You can find out more in my Matter guide.

Thread vs. Zigbee

Zigbee has been around longer than Thread and is based on the same wireless technology. It can also create robust mesh networks, features secure encryption, and is great for low-power devices. Because Zigbee has its own application and network layers, it requires a proprietary hub that acts as a gateway for connections, whereas Thread is IPv6, so it can seamlessly integrate with existing IP-based networks through any Thread Border Router. Thread is also lower latency than Zigbee, so smart home devices respond more quickly.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.