SwitchBot, renowned for their innovative smart home devices that push, turn, press, and measure, has embraced the future by introducing their first devices with Matter support. The upgraded SwitchBot Hub 2 not only offers Matter compatibility over Wi-Fi, but also includes a temperature and humidity sensor, as well as enhanced infrared range.
Outshining the predecessor: SwitchBot Hub 2's elegant design and features
The SwitchBot Hub 2's predecessor, the Switch Bot Hub Mini, pales in comparison to its elegant and unobtrusive design. The temperature and relative humidity are neatly displayed on a seven-segment display beneath a white panel, while two capacitive buttons below allow for scene activation or individual device control.
Retrofitting Bluetooth devices for Matter compatibility
Taking a cue from other manufacturers, the SwitchBot Hub 2 will retrofit devices that don't or can't support Matter, such as the SwitchBot Curtain, SwitchBot Lock, and SwitchBot Bot. However, new firmware will be required for these devices, with the SwitchBot Curtain being the first in line for updates. For Wi-Fi enabled devices, SwitchBot pledges firmware updates that will introduce Matter support without the need for a hub.
To harness the power of Matter, a Matter controller is necessary – a role the SwitchBot Hub 2 does not fulfil. Compatible controllers include various Google Nest devices, Amazon's Echo devices, and Home Assistant. Regrettably, the SwitchBot Hub Mini cannot upgrade existing devices to the new standard due to hardware constraints.
The perks of SwitchBot's Matter support
By adopting Matter, SwitchBot ensures compatibility with major smart home ecosystems like Home Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. Customers can continue using the SwitchBot app if they prefer, with certain devices like the SwitchBot Curtain still requiring the app for calibration. Exclusive app features, such as auto-locking the SwitchBot Lock and pairing it with a Keypad Plus, will remain app-dependent.
