Hello,
I’m looking for smart relays that use threads, but it seems almost impossible to find them. How is this possible?
Would anyone know how to help me in my search?
Thank you.
Thread, as in the shiny new Matter integration?
You may find the Chinese manufacturers may have avoided it as it requires licencing fees.
What are you trying to achieve? What is your end goal?
Thank you for your reply. I am currently planning to install a series of devices to make my home smart. I was thinking of using the current IKEA Thread-based sensors to control temperature, humidity, and perhaps movement. To remain consistent with the same protocol, I would like to install Thread relays to control the lights in my home.
I also expect relays that use Wi-Fi to consume more power. Is that correct?
Finally, I would like to avoid having to base my home on cloud and third-party apps.
Most Matter/Thread (note my pairing of words) based power switches do so by way of a relay. Matter/Thread based light switches are already available.
As a general comment, you appear to have a very large amount of research in front of you to answer your questions and have a good solid understanding of the underlying fundamental concepts.
Welcome to Home Automation. You are in for a bumpy ride. Rewarding, yes. Bumpy, definitely.
HomeAssistant is just the puppeteer, pulling the strings, the threads together (couldn’t resist 
). Other ecosystems exist, but probably won’t fit your ‘non-cloud based’ criteria. Sadly, Matter/Thread also relies on the cloud too. Disappointed? Me too.
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Esphome has open thread component, you could try that with compatible board.
First of all, thank you for your reply!
You’ve raised a question in my mind. Why do you say that Matter/Thread devices are cloud-based? Why would they need to go through the cloud? If they were connected to Wi-Fi, I would agree, but they go through Thread, and with Home Assistant as the server, they shouldn’t need any cloud connections. Right?
You’re welcome to scan the QR code and configure it without web access.
Comment: You can’t.
If you’re looking for a small in-box relay module similar to a Shelly or Sonoff, there are still very few Thread options. Looking at this database of Matter products, I can see two:
- Elko EP / iNels RFSAI-62B-SL/MT dual switch is Matter-over-Thread
- Sunricher SR-MT9101SAC-HP-SWITCH-B dual switch is Matter-over-Thread
- Alternative: Shelly gen4 relays (1PM and 2PM at least) ship with WiFi but can be flashed with esphome which can then enable the esp32-c6’s Thread radio. While this is not Matter, an “Esphome-over-Thread” device still functions as a repeater to strengthen your mesh.
The vast majority of Matter devices (both WiFi and Thread) never access the cloud. In fact, features in the spec require local-only device traffic. Sadly, the spec doesn’t prevent manufacturers from adding “extra” cloud-based features, so it’s a buyer-beware situation.
There’s additional confusion because the Matter server does require cloud access to verify firmware authenticity the same way your phone verifies that apps are valid, using digitally signed certificates (note this not a manufacturer-specific cloud but a distributed blockchain hosted by CSA members). Since most HA servers already have Internet access, this usually isn’t an issue. If you are the kind of person upset by this type of verification, Matter is not for you.
(One final note, some say your phone needs cloud access during commissioning, but I’ve commissioned multiple Matter devices using my iPhone in airplane mode on a private vlan, plus there is also an option to commission new Matter devices without a phone, direct to the server).