Placeholder copy — fuller compatibility guidance lands in a follow-up.
The ecosystems
Most smart home gear in Australia targets one or more of these ecosystems. The right one depends on the devices you already own and how you like to control them.
- Apple Home — control via iPhone, iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV.
- Google Home — control via Android phone or Nest speakers/displays.
- Amazon Alexa — control via Echo devices or the Alexa app.
- Home Assistant — self-hosted, deeply customisable, works with almost anything.
The protocols
Protocols are how devices actually talk to each other. A product can support multiple protocols, and which ones matter depends on your setup.
- Matter — the newer cross-ecosystem standard. Devices that say "Works with Matter" should work across Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung.
- Thread — a low-power mesh network often used alongside Matter for sensors and battery-powered devices.
- Zigbee — established mesh protocol, usually needs a hub or bridge.
- Z-Wave — similar to Zigbee, common in alarm and lighting systems.
- Wi-Fi — simplest to set up; doesn't need a hub.
Quick rules of thumb
- If you're starting fresh and want flexibility, look for Matter support.
- If you're all-in on one ecosystem (Apple, Google, or Alexa), check the product page for the matching badge.
- Zigbee and Z-Wave devices need a compatible hub — confirm you have one before buying.
- When in mixed ecosystems, Home Assistant is often the easiest bridge.
Still not sure?
Every product page on Synced lists the ecosystems and protocols that product supports. If you'd like a hand picking gear that fits your existing setup, get in touch — our team has set up thousands of Australian smart homes and is happy to help.