Meross introduces its first Matter-certified smart thermostat.
This Matter-compatible thermostat is priced at just $99.
The smart home specialist company, Meross, has introduced its first Matter-certified smart thermostat, specifically designed to work with whole-home heating and cooling systems in North America. The Meross Matter Smart Thermostat is priced at $99.99 and connects via Wi-Fi. This device features a white glass panel that includes a touchscreen, smart scheduling, and the ability to track system usage through the Meross app. For operation, it requires a C-Wire and is compatible with 95% of available heating and cooling systems.
Additionally, it is compatible with Meross's smart temperature and humidity sensors, which are also Matter-compatible and priced at $30 each, although their use requires a Meross hub. Matter compatibility allows this thermostat to integrate with platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings, operating locally over the Wi-Fi network without the need for a cloud connection. This means you can set up and use the thermostat directly from these platforms without relying on the Meross app.
The new Meross smart thermostat can monitor the heating and cooling usage of your HVAC system. Despite the popularity of smart thermostats, there are currently only two Matter-compatible models for HVAC systems in the U.S.: the Nest Thermostat and the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation), both from Google. Recognized brands like Ecobee, Amazon, and Honeywell Home have yet to implement Matter support in their thermostats, making the Meross device the most affordable option for those interested in Matter technology. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the Nest Thermostat that automatically adjust programming, it is the only thermostat that can use Matter-compatible room sensors.
The lack of more thermostats with Matter support can be attributed to the limitations in the controls that this technology allows. Currently, the only available functions are adjusting the temperature and changing modes on compatible platforms. However, the recent version of the Matter specifications (1.4) has added support for scheduling and preset modes, providing a broader experience for setting up and using a Matter smart thermostat once the platform supports this version.
The Meross Matter Smart Thermostat, in addition to its launch price of $69.99 at the Meross store, is part of a standard for interoperability in smart homes known as Matter. This standard is designed to facilitate local communication between connected devices in the home without relying on cloud connections and has been developed by tech giants such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung. Matter is an open-source IP-based connectivity software layer that operates over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and the low-power mesh network protocol, Thread, and currently supports most major types of devices in the home.
