Thread

Thread is a modern wireless communication protocol designed specifically for smart homes. Like Zigbee or Z-Wave, Thread creates a robust Mesh network where devices pass signals to one another. However, it stands out with its extreme speed, instant response times, and very low power consumption, making it ideal for battery-operated sensors and smart locks.

The biggest advantage of the Thread protocol is that it does not require a proprietary, brand-specific smart home hub. To connect to your home Wi-Fi network, it simply needs a Thread Border Router. The great news is that a Border Router can be a device you already own—such as an Apple TV, a HomePod mini, or select smart displays from Google and Amazon.

Thread goes hand-in-hand with the Matter standard. While Matter acts as the universal language devices use to understand each other, Thread is the "invisible highway" those messages travel on. Today, the combination of Thread and Matter represents the fastest and most future-proof way to build a smart home.