Smart-home guide

Where Zigbee and bridges still fit

Many existing smart-home products use Zigbee behind a manufacturer or multi-protocol bridge, and they do not become useless simply because Matter exists.

ZigbeeLegacy

Editorial review: August 12, 2026 · Julian M. Carverton

Installed base matters

A working bridged system can remain practical for years.

Bridges can preserve investment

Some bridges expose compatible legacy devices into newer ecosystems or Matter.

Do not assume every old device can be upgraded

Bridge support and exposed features depend on the manufacturer.

Migration can be gradual

Replacing functioning devices only to remove a bridge may add cost without improving the outcome.

Keep in mind. Compatibility is not permanent. Confirm the current manufacturer, platform and certification information before purchasing, resetting or migrating a device.