EV Chargers and More Supported by Matter

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Matter is a smart-home connectivity standard that lets devices from different brands work together locally. Yes, Matter supports EV chargers, and it also supports a growing list of other device types including smart locks, sensors, climate controls, and media devices. This article explains exactly what Matter covers, how EV charging fits in, and what it means for your home setup.

What Matter Is and Why It Exists

Matter is a royalty-free connectivity standard launched in late 2022 by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), whose members include Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and hundreds of other companies. Before Matter, smart-home devices often required specific hubs or apps—a smart plug might work with Alexa but not with Google Home, and a lock might require its own bridge. Matter was designed to solve this fragmentation by defining a common set of rules for device discovery, communication, and control over existing networks like Wi-Fi and Thread.

Matter uses the Internet Protocol (IP) as its foundation, so devices can talk to each other directly on your local network without needing a cloud service. This means faster responses and continued operation even if your internet goes down. The standard is also local-first: your phone, voice assistant, or app controls the device through a Matter controller (like a smart speaker or hub), and the device itself doesn’t need to phone home to a manufacturer’s server.

Which Device Types Matter Supports

Matter 1.0 launched with a core set of device types, and each subsequent release has added more. The full list as of Matter 1.3 (released May 2024) includes:

Smart plugs and outlets
Light bulbs, switches, and dimmers
Locks (door, deadbolt, and smart lock systems)
Thermostats and HVAC controllers
Window coverings and shades
Sensors (motion, contact, temperature, humidity, occupancy)
Doorbells and security cameras (with video streaming)
Media devices (TVs, speakers, streaming boxes)
Robotic vacuums
Air purifiers and air quality sensors
Refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry machines, and other major appliances
EV chargers (electric vehicle supply equipment)
Water leak detectors, freeze detectors, and rain sensors
Energy management devices (including solar inverters and battery storage)

Not every product in these categories is Matter-certified—the device must be built and certified to the standard. But the standard itself now covers these categories, and manufacturers are gradually adding Matter support to new models via firmware updates.

How Matter Supports EV Chargers

Matter 1.2 added EV charging as a device type. In Matter, an EV charger is treated as an energy-management device with specific features. The core functions are:

Start and stop charging
Set charging current (in amps) or power (in watts)
Read the current charging status (idle, charging, paused, fault)
See the total energy delivered (in kWh) and the present power draw
Set a charging schedule or target time

This means a Matter-certified EV charger can be controlled by any Matter-compatible app or voice assistant—say, “Hey Google, start charging at 8 PM” or “Alexa, set the charger to 16 amps.” The charger also reports its data back to the controller, so you can see how much energy you’ve used in the same app you use for your lights and thermostat.

Importantly, Matter does not handle the high-level logic like dynamic load management or solar-aware charging—that’s left to the manufacturer’s app or a separate energy management system. Matter provides the basic control and monitoring, but the smart scheduling that optimizes for your utility rates or solar production is typically proprietary.

What “Matter Support” Actually Means for You

When a product says “Works with Matter,” it means the device has been certified to interoperate with other Matter devices and controllers. For a consumer, this translates to:

Setup is simpler: you scan a QR code or use NFC to pair the device with your phone, and it appears in all Matter-compatible apps on your network.
No need to buy a specific hub: if you have a Matter controller (like a smart speaker or hub from Apple, Google, Amazon, or Samsung), the device works with it.
Multiple controllers can control the same device: you can use Alexa at home and Google Home on your phone, and both will see the same state.
Local control: commands go directly over your network, not through the cloud, so they’re faster and work even if your internet is down.

However, “Matter support” does not mean every feature of the device is exposed through Matter. A manufacturer might include basic on/off in Matter but keep advanced settings (like a custom charging curve or load balancing) in their own app. Always check what the Matter implementation covers—usually listed in the product’s spec sheet.

How to Choose a Matter-Enabled EV Charger

If you’re shopping for an EV charger and want Matter compatibility, here are the key factors to consider:

Check for the Matter logo or certification: The CSA maintains a certification database, but a simpler check is to look for “Matter” in the product description or on the box. If it’s not mentioned, assume it’s not Matter-certified.
Confirm the Matter controller you own: Matter requires a controller (like Apple HomePod, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo, or a SmartThings hub). Make sure the charger is compatible with your ecosystem.
Look at the Matter feature list: Some chargers only expose on/off via Matter; others expose current, energy, and scheduling. Decide which features you need in your main app.
Check for future updates: Some chargers may gain Matter support via firmware update later. If that matters to you, look for a brand that has committed to Matter updates.
Consider your electrical setup: Matter doesn’t change the physical installation. You still need a dedicated circuit, the right amperage, and possibly a permit.

Also note that Matter does not handle payment or billing—that’s still done through the charger’s app or a network like ChargePoint. Matter is about home control, not public charging networks.

Common Questions and Misconceptions

Myth: “Matter means my charger works with every app.” Not exactly. Matter ensures the device works with any Matter controller, but the app you use must also be Matter-compatible. Most major apps are, but some older smart-home apps are not.

Myth: “Matter replaces Wi-Fi.” No. Matter uses Wi-Fi, Thread, or Ethernet as the transport. Your EV charger will likely use Wi-Fi (since it needs high bandwidth for updates and control). Thread is a low-power mesh network for sensors and small devices.

Myth: “Matter is cloud-based.” No. Matter is local-first. The cloud is optional and only used for remote access when you’re away from home.

Question: “Do I need a hub for Matter?” Yes, you need a Matter controller—a hub-like device that runs the Matter protocol. This can be a smart speaker, a dedicated hub, or in some cases, your phone (but only when the app is open). For EV chargers, you’ll likely want an always-on controller so you can control the charger when you’re not at home.

Limits and What’s Not Supported

Matter does not cover every smart device. As of Matter 1.3, there’s no support for:

Cameras with continuous recording (only video streaming and snapshots)
Pet feeders or pet cameras
Garage door openers (though some use a generic “door” type)
Irrigation controllers
Pool equipment
Whole-home energy management systems (though individual components like solar inverters are supported)

Also, Matter does not handle security features like encryption of video streams—that’s left to the manufacturer. And while Matter supports multiple administrators, it does not yet support multi-user permissions (like “guest” access).

For EV chargers specifically, Matter does not include:

Load management across multiple chargers (that’s a separate protocol like OCPP)
Integration with utility demand-response programs
Payment processing or authentication for public charging
Bidirectional charging (vehicle-to-home) control—that’s still proprietary

These are advanced features that manufacturers may add on top of Matter, but they won’t be standardized yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Matter work with my existing smart home? If you have a Matter-compatible controller (Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings), yes. You can add Matter devices to any of those ecosystems, and they’ll work together. You might need to update your controller’s firmware to the latest version.

Can I use a Matter EV charger without a smart home hub? No. You need a Matter controller to set up and control the charger. However, many EV chargers also have their own app that works without Matter, so you could use that app instead. Matter is an additional layer, not a replacement for the charger’s native app.

Is Matter secure? Matter uses modern encryption (AES-128) and device authentication certificates. It’s designed to be secure against common attacks, but like any network protocol, it’s not immune to vulnerabilities. Keep your devices updated and use strong Wi-Fi passwords.

Will Matter work with Thread or Zigbee? Matter works over Wi-Fi, Thread, and Ethernet. Zigbee is a different protocol and is not directly compatible, but some hubs (like Amazon Echo Plus) can bridge Zigbee devices into Matter via a bridge. However, the bridge must be Matter-certified.

Do I need to buy a new charger to get Matter? Not necessarily. Some existing chargers have received Matter support via firmware updates (e.g., certain models from Wallbox, ChargePoint, and others). Check your charger’s manufacturer website for Matter support announcements.

Can Matter control multiple EV chargers in one home? Yes, you can add multiple Matter EV chargers to your system, and each will appear as a separate device. However, Matter does not coordinate them to share a circuit’s capacity—that’s still up to the chargers’ own load management features.

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