What is Protocols?

A protocol is the wireless standard a device uses to talk to its hub or to other devices, and matching standards are what let two brands work together. Aqara's hub supports matter, thread and zigbee, giving you several routes into the same system. Beasen Smart Window Shades lists matter, thread and zigbee, and Carrier's thermostat lists wi fi alone. Trade-off: more protocols mean more choice of partner kit, but a device that speaks only one of them narrows what you can add later.