Zemismart introduces M1 Pro with Matter, Zigbee, Thread, IR support

Zemismart has added the M1 Pro Matter bridge to its product line. The hub is well positioned to connect a range of smart home devices to matter-certified smart ecosystems, including Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings, Tuya, and Home Assistant. This reflects the ongoing shift to Matter as a common layer of collaboration in connected homes.

The M1 Pro combines Zigbee, Thread and Matter support in a single unit intended to bring a variety of devices into Matter-based control. It is designed to act as a bridge for non-Matter Zigbee and Thread devices for use in Matter-aware platforms. The hub can support a maximum of 128 Zigbee devices, although how this works when Thread devices are added, and how many, is unclear.

One of the particular points of interest for many users is the built-in IR transmitter. That adds basic support for traditional infrared appliances such as air conditioners and televisions in the same control area as smart devices, possibly reducing the need for separate IR hubs or controllers in the room, as offered by the Aqara M3, but at a lower price.

The M1 Pro connects to a local network and makes supported devices visible to Matter controllers on the same network. In the Apple Home setup this means that the hub can make devices that would only work on the Tuya or Smart Life apps available for HomeKit activation and control, depending on the capabilities exposed by Matter itself.

Another new feature is that while the previous ZemiSmart Matter Bridges and/or Controllers only offer wired connection, the M1 Pro allows wireless connection in the 2.4 or 5.0GHz band.

For Apple Home users the arrival of Matter bridges like the M1 Pro represents something familiar but different from the traditional hub. Apple Home already has built-in Matter control with the HomePod, Apple TV and HomePod mini-devices, which act as local Matter controllers and Thread border routers. A third-party bridge does not replace these functions but increases the range of devices that Apple Home can recognize. However, it adds another Thread Border Router to your setup, which can help strengthen and expand your Thread network.

In practical use this means:

• Devices connected to the M1 Pro can appear in Apple Home when paired with Matter
• Automation and control can be centralized in Apple Home alongside native services
• Some device features specific to the manufacturer’s applications may not be available once installed in Matter

This is a common situation with Matter bridges, where product-specific functions that do not fall into the core Matter spec can be exposed to Apple Home.

M1 Pro supports:

• Matter-certified smart ecosystems with Matter
• Zigbee and Thread protocols for compatible devices
• Integrated infrared control

It’s clearly aimed at users with mixed device portfolios who want a single point to make those devices accessible under Matter. For owners of new traditional Matter devices the bridge adds little, but for people with existing Zigbee or Thread devices that don’t have Matter support it can reduce reliance on multiple different hubs and applications. The installation of IR control shows the common sense that many homes still use old appliances and modern smart devices. Bringing those controls to a common logical interface can make day-to-day use feel more unified.

Zemismart’s M1 Pro doesn’t reinvent Matter, but acknowledges the current state of smart home innovation. Many devices still lack native support for Matter, and integrating them allows users to benefit from a common control layer without a wholesale hardware replacement. For Apple Home users the result could be a wider set of devices that are visible in the Home app and usable in automation, albeit with some limitations compared to the original native Matter devices. As Matter grows and more products adopt the standard, bridges like the M1 Pro are likely to evolve in role rather than disappear entirely.

You can purchase the M1 Pro now from the Zemismart online store, priced at US$69.00 (or local equivalent) plus shipping.