Thread at a glance
- Frequency
- 2.4 GHz (IEEE 802.15.4)
- Range
- Its mesh covers a normal home; no official distance
- Mesh network
- Yes: self-healing, with no single point of failure
- Hub-free
- No: it needs a Thread border router, built into many speakers, displays and routers
- Power efficiency
- Works with
- Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant
Is Thread right for you?
Pros
- Low power: battery devices can last years
- Speaks IP, so devices reach your network through a border router
- Self-healing mesh with no single point of failure
- The native network of Matter, supported by every major ecosystem
- Several border routers can serve one network
Cons
- Needs a Thread border router
- Shares the 2.4 GHz band with Wi-Fi and Zigbee
- Fewer devices than Zigbee in our catalog so far
Locks, sensors and blinds that should last on their batteries and work with whichever ecosystem you use, through a border router you may already own.
What you need to start
Thread devices need a Thread border router. You may already own one; if not, these are:
- Voice Assistants
Home Speaker
4.2(89)$99.99For Google Home: a speaker that is a Thread border router and Matter hub.
- Displays
Echo Hub
3.9(1.8K)$179.99For Alexa: a wall panel that is a Thread border router, Zigbee hub and Matter controller.
- Routers
18% OFF
7
4.4(2.3K)$139.99$169.99A Wi-Fi router that is also a Thread border router.
- Hubs
7% OFF
Hub M3
4.1(1.7K)$129.99$139.99A Matter controller and Thread border router that works with several ecosystems.
Products that work with Thread
79 products, the best sellers first.
Door Locks that work with Thread
See all 24 door locks- Door Locks
20% OFF
Bolt SE
4.3(10.4K)$79.99$99.99 - Door Locks
Encode Plus
3.7(1.2K)$297.09 - Door Locks
Bolt Mission
4.2(1.4K)$299.99 - Door Locks
Smart Lock U400
4.2(470)$269.99 - Door Locks
Smart Lock E31
3.9(308)$149.99 - Door Locks
36% OFFFamiLock E34
4.2(239)$179.99$279.99 - Door Locks
Lock Pro
3.9(163)$349.00 - Door Locks
Bolt (Matter)
3.5(85)$199.00 - Door Locks
Smart Lock U300
3.9(84)$199.99 - Door Locks
Aura Reach Smart Lock
3.3(83)$153.00 - Door Locks
Sense Pro
3.4(70)$338.74 - Door Locks
Latch 5 Pro
4.0(34)$249.99 - Door Locks
22% OFFFamiLock E32
4.7(33)$139.99$179.99 - Door Locks
Lock (Matter)
3.5(33)$249.00 - Door Locks
Smart Lock C34
4.1(10)$79.99
Ceiling Lights that work with Thread
- Ceiling Lights
Hue Tento Round Ceiling Panel Small
4.4(7)$119.99 - Ceiling Lights
Smart Ceiling Light E1 12 in
4.2(55)$59.99 - Ceiling Lights
Smart Ceiling Light E1 16 in
4.2(55)$79.99 - Ceiling Lights
Hue Tento Round Ceiling Panel Extra Large
4.4(7)$199.99 - Ceiling Lights
Hue Tento Round Ceiling Panel Medium
4.4(7)$149.99 - Ceiling Lights
12% OFF
Skylight Starter Kit
3.8(30)€220.41€249.99
Plugs that work with Thread
Radiator Valves that work with Thread
![Smart radiator thermostat II [+M]](/img/item-types/radiator-valves/bosch-smart-radiator-thermostat-2-thumb.webp)
More categories
- Door & Window Sensors4
- LED Bulbs4
- Motion Sensors4
- Wall Switches4
- Window Coverings4
- Smoke & CO Detectors3
- Temperature & Humidity Sensors3
- Buttons2
- Presence Sensors2
- Thermostats2
- Air Quality Monitors1
- IR Remote Controls1
- Lamps1
- Vibration Sensors1
- Wall Outlets1
- Water Leak Sensors1
- Water Timers1
How Thread connects and compares
 ThreadLow-power IP mesh behind Matter |  Wi-FiUniversal connectivity, no hub needed |  ZigbeeLow-power mesh for large networks |  Z-WaveInterference-free dedicated frequency |  BluetoothShort-range direct connections |  MatterUniversal standard for interoperability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 800-900 MHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 / 5 GHz |
| Range | ~10-20m (mesh extends) | ~30m indoors | ~10-20m (mesh extends) | ~30m (mesh extends) | ~10m | ~15-30m (mesh extends) |
| Mesh network | ||||||
| Max devices | 250+ | ~30-50 practical | ~300 | ~230 | ~7 active | ~250 |
| Power usage | ||||||
| Hub-free | ||||||
| Latency | ||||||
| Interference | ||||||
| Maturity | ||||||
 Google Home | ||||||
 Alexa | ||||||
 Apple Home | ||||||
 Home Assistant | ||||||
| Best for | Battery-powered Matter devices | Simple setups with few devices | Large device networks with sensors | Reliable interference-free setups | Proximity devices & sensors | Cross-ecosystem compatibility |
Thread in our catalog
Where they are
Frequently asked questions
What is Thread in a smart home?
A low-power mesh network for smart home devices that speaks IPv6. Battery devices such as locks and sensors use it, and Matter runs on it natively.
Do I need a Thread border router?
Yes: it connects the Thread network to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Many devices you may already own are one: HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet), Nest Hub (2nd gen), many Echo models and some routers.
Is Thread the same as Matter?
No. Thread is a network; Matter is the standard devices speak on top of it (or on top of Wi-Fi and Ethernet). Many Matter devices use Thread.
Thread or Zigbee?
Both use the same low-power 2.4 GHz radio. Thread speaks IP and is a native Matter network that every major ecosystem supports; Zigbee needs its own coordinator and has more devices today.
How many devices can a Thread network have?
The Thread Group says more than 250 devices in one low-power mesh network.
What are the best Thread devices?
Locks, sensors, blinds and other battery devices benefit most. Each category on this page lists the Thread products in our catalog, the best sellers first.