The Thread logo on a blue background.
Thread Group

“Constructed on Thread” logos and the associated variations point out a sensible house machine makes use of the low-power mesh community protocol Thread for connectivity.

For those who’re looking for good house gear, you’re certain to come back throughout merchandise with little logos that say “Constructed on Thread” usually with adjoining textual content like “Required Border Router.” Right here’s what you could know.

What Is Thread?

Thread is a low-power IP-based mesh community protocol constructed from the bottom up for the Web of Issues (IoT) good house.

The advantages of Thread over different protocols like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi embody extraordinarily low energy consumption, web connectivity built-in into even small and low-power gadgets that historically wouldn’t have a community connection (like good house sensors), and improved safety because of the safety protocols current on the community layer of the protocol.

As well as, Thread is especially effectively fitted to a sensible house atmosphere as a result of Thread-based gadgets kind a self-healing mesh community that grows and turns into stronger the extra gadgets you add.

Though Thread and Matter, the good house customary, are carefully associated in that Thread-based local mesh networks are a significant component of Matter, the 2 are unbiased of one another and shouldn’t be confused.

Thread, for instance, performs a task in Apple’s HomeKit system independently of any Matter integration.

Constructed on Thread, Requires Border Router, and Extra

Examples of Thread logos.
Thread Group

Among the many many logos you’ll see on good house gadgets, you’ll more and more see Thread logos. There are a number of variants with completely different meanings. Understanding what every brand means will aid you store extra successfully for good house merchandise.

What Does “Constructed on Thread” Imply?

Merchandise with the “Constructed on Thread” brand are Thread licensed, and the emblem signifies that the product was designed to be used with a Thread good house community.

You will notice this brand on consumer-facing merchandise, such because the number of good house merchandise from Eve (like the Eve Energy smart plug).

Amazon Eero 6+ (3-pack)

The three-pack Eero 6+ is a superb mesh router system for big properties, or some other space that struggles with robust Wi-Fi indicators. It features a built-in Thread border router for good house integration.

You’ll additionally see it on a few of the extra superior good home-integrated mesh routers available on the market, just like the eero 6 and eero 6+. Each are good buy if you wish to integrate Thread into your home and be Matter ready.

What Does “Thread Licensed Element” Imply?

Whereas “Constructed on Thread” is used for consumer-facing merchandise like good plugs, sensors, and such, the “Licensed Element” designation is used for the person Thread parts discovered inside these merchandise. You’re unlikely to see any merchandise with the “Thread Licensed Element” on the cabinets of your native Finest Purchase.

For those who’re constructing your personal DIY good house machine, you would possibly come throughout a “Thread Licensed Element” as you’ll be buying only a radio dongle or add-on board and never a completed consumer-ready product.

What Do “Border Router” and “Requires Border Router” Imply?

Within the topography of a Thread community, a Thread border router is a tool that serves as a member of the native Thread mesh community and as a gateway between that native mesh community and the higher networks past.

If the machine you’re has the emblem “Constructed on Thread: Border Router” then the machine in query features as a border router. The aforementioned eero 6 and eero 6+, for instance, are border routers.

If the machine has the emblem “Constructed on Thread: Requires Border Router” then that machine, corresponding to Onvis Smart Contact Sensor, requires a reference to a Thread border router.

Per the guidelines laid out by the Thread Group, using the extra “Border Router” or “Required Border Router” flag on the first brand is elective. So it’s greatest to double-check if a specific machine requires a border router—particularly when small sensors and such.


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