The rules behind the answers. These are the details that cause most wrong purchases.
B22 bayonet base
The 22 mm push-and-twist bayonet bulb base used in UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India and other Commonwealth homes.
- B22 is not a screw base; E27 bulbs do not fit B22 sockets (and vice versa) without an adapter.
- B22 bulbs are sold for 220-240V markets.
Source: Wikipedia: Bayonet mount
E12 candelabra screw base (North America)
The small 12 mm 'candelabra' screw base used in chandeliers and decorative fixtures in North America.
- Not interchangeable with E26 without an adapter; Europe's small screw base is E14, which is a different size and voltage.
Source: Wikipedia: Edison screw
E26 medium screw base (North America, 120V)
The standard 26 mm screw-in bulb base used for 120V household lamps in North America.
- E26 and E27 are often physically interchangeable, but E26 bulbs are made for 120V and E27 bulbs for 230V; do not put a 120V bulb in a 230V socket or vice versa.
- A19, BR30 and similar names describe bulb shape, not the base; check the base is E26.
Source: Wikipedia: Edison screw
E27 screw base (Europe and most 230V countries)
The standard 27 mm screw-in bulb base used for 230V household lamps in Europe and many other regions.
- Physically similar to E26, but E27 bulbs are built for 220-240V; do not use them on 120V circuits, and do not use 120V E26 bulbs in 230V sockets.
- The UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ and India commonly use B22 bayonet sockets instead; check the socket type before buying.
Source: Wikipedia: Edison screw
GU10 twist-lock mains-voltage spotlight base
Two-pin twist-lock base for mains-voltage spotlights (track and recessed lights).
- Not the same as MR16/GU5.3, which uses push-in pins and low voltage (12V) with a transformer; GU10 runs directly on mains voltage.
- GU10 bulbs come in 120V and 230V versions; match your region's voltage.
Source: Wikipedia: Bi-pin lamp base
GU24 twist-lock bi-pin base
Two-pin twist-lock base with 24 mm pin spacing, common in energy-efficient North American fixtures.
- GU24 sockets do not accept screw-in bulbs; an E26 bulb needs a GU24-to-E26 adapter, which may violate energy-code fixture rules.
- Few smart bulbs come in GU24; check the base before buying.
Source: Wikipedia: Bi-pin lamp base
Aqara Zigbee hub
Aqara's own Zigbee hubs (e.g., Hub M3, Hub M2, Camera Hub G3) that Aqara Zigbee sensors require.
- Aqara states 'An Aqara hub is required' for its Zigbee sensors; third-party Zigbee hubs are not officially supported.
- Each sensor page lists its compatible Aqara hubs; check that your hub model is listed (lists differ by sensor).
- Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and Matter access for Aqara sensors goes through the Aqara hub.
Source: Aqara Door and Window Sensor product page
Philips Hue Bridge (Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro)
Hue's own Zigbee hub; required for Hue sensors and for using Hue lights with Apple Home or Matter.
- Hue products connected only over Bluetooth cannot be used with Matter; Matter support comes via the Hue Bridge.
- The standard Hue Bridge supports up to 50 lights and 12 accessories; the Hue Bridge Pro supports 150+ lights and 50+ accessories.
- The Hue Play HDMI Sync Box and the dial on the Tap Dial Switch do not support Matter.
Source: Philips Hue: Philips Hue and Matter
Thermostat C-wire (24VAC common wire)
Products with this interface need continuous 24VAC power from a common (C) wire at the thermostat, or the maker's power adapter.
- If your wall has no C wire, use the maker's adapter (ecobee Power Extender Kit, included with ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium/Enhanced; Google Nest Power Connector for Nest).
- The Nest Power Connector only works with 24VAC systems (not millivolt or high-voltage systems) and installs at the furnace, air handler or zone controller.
Source: Google Store: Nest Power Connector
Thread border router
A hub with a Thread radio that connects low-power Thread accessories (most battery Matter sensors, locks and plugs like Eve) to your home network.
- Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi-only (64GB) model has NO Thread radio; only the Wi-Fi + Ethernet (128GB) model is a Thread border router.
- Google Nest Hub (1st gen), Nest Mini, Nest Audio and Google Home Mini are Matter hubs for Wi-Fi accessories only, not Thread border routers.
- Echo Dot, Echo Pop and most smaller Echo models support Matter over Wi-Fi but are not Thread border routers; Amazon lists Echo (4th Gen), Echo Hub, Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) and other larger models as border routers.
- Apple lists iPhone 15 Pro and later (iOS 18) as Thread-capable, but a home hub (HomePod mini, HomePod 2nd gen, Apple TV 4K) is still needed for always-on control and automations.
Source: Apple Support: If you see a 'Thread Border Router Required' alert
Zigbee hub
A hub with a built-in Zigbee radio that can pair Zigbee bulbs, plugs, switches, sensors and locks directly.
- Zigbee is not Matter: a Zigbee device needs a Zigbee hub (or a bridge that exposes it to Matter); Matter-only controllers cannot pair it directly.
- Some brands use their own Zigbee hub for full features (e.g., Aqara sensors require an Aqara hub; Hue accessories like the motion sensor require the Hue Bridge).
- Pairing a branded Zigbee bulb directly to a third-party hub such as an Echo generally gives basic on/off/dim/color control only; brand features such as Hue scenes and entertainment need the brand's own bridge.
Source: Amazon Developer: Understand Smart Home Zigbee Support
Amazon Alexa
Can be controlled from the Alexa app and Echo devices.
- Only some Echo models include Zigbee or Thread radios; Wi-Fi/cloud 'skill' devices work with any Echo.
Source: Amazon Developer: Connect Your Device to Alexa with Matter
Google Home
Can be controlled from the Google Home app and Google/Nest speakers and displays.
- Google hubs do not include Zigbee radios; Zigbee devices need their own bridge.
- Matter-over-Thread devices need a Google Thread border router: Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro, Google TV Streamer (4K) or Google Home Speaker (2026).
Source: Google Nest Help: Prepare your smart home for Matter
Apple Home (HomeKit)
Works in Apple's Home app and with Siri, either natively (HomeKit) or via Matter.
- Remote control and automations require an Apple home hub (HomePod mini, HomePod, or Apple TV).
- Thread-enabled Matter accessories require a Thread-enabled home hub such as HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet.
Source: Apple Support: Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV as a home hub
Matter smart home standard
Matter accessories can be added to any Matter controller (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and others) without a brand-specific hub.
- Matter runs over Wi-Fi or Thread. Matter-over-Thread accessories also need a Thread border router somewhere in the home (see radio:thread-border-router); a Wi-Fi-only controller is not enough on its own.
- Each ecosystem supports a subset of Matter device types, so check that your controller supports the accessory's type (e.g., lock, thermostat, sensor).
- Some products reach Matter through a bridge (e.g., Philips Hue Bridge, Aqara Hub M3) rather than speaking Matter themselves.
- Matter-over-Wi-Fi accessories typically need a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
Source: Google Nest Help: Prepare your smart home for Matter
Samsung SmartThings
Can be controlled from the Samsung SmartThings app and SmartThings hubs.
- Local Zigbee/Thread devices need a SmartThings hub (e.g., SmartThings Station, Aeotec Smart Home Hub); cloud-connected devices work through the app alone.
Source: Samsung Newsroom: SmartThings Station announcement