{ "caption": "Consumer Thread border routers on sale in the United States, September 2026. Thread version reflects the newest publicly documented firmware, not necessarily what shipped in the box.", "version": "2026.09", "updated": "2026-09-07", "license": "CC BY 4.0, Smart Living Web", "columns": [ { "key": "name", "label": "Hardware" }, { "key": "ecosystem", "label": "Primary ecosystem" }, { "key": "thread", "label": "Thread version" }, { "key": "br", "label": "Border router" }, { "key": "notes", "label": "What to know" } ], "rows": [ { "name": "Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, Wi-Fi + Ethernet)", "ecosystem": "Apple Home", "thread": "Thread 1.4 (June 2026 tvOS update)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "The 64 GB Wi-Fi only model is not a border router. Buy the 128 GB Wi-Fi plus Ethernet model if you want Thread." }, { "name": "Apple TV 4K (2nd gen)", "ecosystem": "Apple Home", "thread": "Thread 1.3", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Still a working border router, no Thread 1.4 credential features." }, { "name": "HomePod mini", "ecosystem": "Apple Home", "thread": "Thread 1.3", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Works well inside Apple Home. HomePods had not moved to Thread 1.4 as of September 2026, so they cannot share credentials." }, { "name": "HomePod (2nd gen)", "ecosystem": "Apple Home", "thread": "Thread 1.3", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Works well inside Apple Home. HomePods had not moved to Thread 1.4 as of September 2026, so they cannot share credentials." }, { "name": "Google TV Streamer (4K)", "ecosystem": "Google Home", "thread": "Thread 1.4 (June 2026 update)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Currently the strongest Google border router, and it can share credentials by QR code." }, { "name": "Nest Wifi Pro", "ecosystem": "Google Home", "thread": "Thread 1.4", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Border router built into the mesh router, so coverage follows your Wi-Fi." }, { "name": "Nest Hub (2nd gen)", "ecosystem": "Google Home", "thread": "Thread 1.3 (1.4 in preview)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Thread 1.4 firmware was still preview only as of September 2026." }, { "name": "Nest Hub Max", "ecosystem": "Google Home", "thread": "Thread 1.3 (1.4 in preview)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Same status as the Nest Hub 2nd gen." }, { "name": "Echo (4th gen)", "ecosystem": "Alexa", "thread": "Thread 1.3 reported", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Amazon publishes little Thread diagnostic detail. Treat version claims as unconfirmed." }, { "name": "Echo Hub", "ecosystem": "Alexa", "thread": "Thread 1.3 reported", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Wall panel with Zigbee, Thread and Matter controller roles." }, { "name": "Echo Show 8 / 10 / 11 / 15 / 21", "ecosystem": "Alexa", "thread": "Thread 1.3 reported", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Border router role varies by generation, check the model page before relying on it." }, { "name": "eero 6+, Pro 6E, 7, Pro 7, Max 7", "ecosystem": "Alexa", "thread": "Thread 1.3 reported", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Widely deployed but opaque: no user visible Thread diagnostics." }, { "name": "SmartThings Station", "ecosystem": "SmartThings", "thread": "Thread 1.4", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Doubles as a 15 W phone charger. Zigbee and Thread in one puck." }, { "name": "SmartThings Hub (2024+ Samsung TVs and Family Hub fridges)", "ecosystem": "SmartThings", "thread": "Thread 1.4", "br": "Yes", "notes": "The hub is inside the appliance, which ties your smart home to a TV replacement cycle." }, { "name": "Aeotec Smart Home Hub (v3 / v4)", "ecosystem": "SmartThings", "thread": "Thread 1.4", "br": "Yes", "notes": "The standalone SmartThings hub for people who do not want a Samsung TV." }, { "name": "Home Assistant Yellow", "ecosystem": "Home Assistant", "thread": "OpenThread BR 1.4 (HA 2026.6)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Runs OTBR as an add-on with full diagnostics, which is why most Thread debugging guides use it." }, { "name": "Home Assistant Green + Connect ZBT-2", "ecosystem": "Home Assistant", "thread": "OpenThread BR 1.4 (HA 2026.6)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "ZBT-2 runs either Zigbee or Thread, not both at once. Budget two dongles if you need both." }, { "name": "Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 (SkyConnect)", "ecosystem": "Home Assistant", "thread": "OpenThread BR 1.4 (HA 2026.6)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Production ended, software support continues." }, { "name": "Aqara Hub M3", "ecosystem": "Aqara (multi platform)", "thread": "Thread border router", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Zigbee 3.0, Thread, Matter controller, PoE and an IR blaster in one box." }, { "name": "Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro / Doorbell G410", "ecosystem": "Aqara (multi platform)", "thread": "Thread border router", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Camera first, border router second. Useful if it is already going outside." }, { "name": "Homey Pro (2023 / 2026)", "ecosystem": "Homey", "thread": "Thread border router", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Also carries Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, infrared and 433 MHz radios." }, { "name": "IKEA DIRIGERA", "ecosystem": "IKEA", "thread": "Thread border router (firmware update)", "br": "Yes", "notes": "Became a Matter controller and border router by firmware update rather than at launch." }, { "name": "Nanoleaf Shapes / Lines / Elements", "ecosystem": "Nanoleaf", "thread": "Thread router (some models border router)", "br": "Partial", "notes": "Mains powered Thread devices act as routers and extend the mesh even when they are not border routers." }, { "name": "Hubitat Elevation C-8 / C-8 Pro", "ecosystem": "Hubitat", "thread": "Not a Thread border router", "br": "No", "notes": "Zigbee and Z-Wave onboard, Matter over Wi-Fi supported, but Thread devices need a separate border router." }, { "name": "Philips Hue Bridge", "ecosystem": "Hue", "thread": "Not a Thread border router", "br": "No", "notes": "Zigbee only. It bridges Hue into Matter, it does not carry Thread." }, { "name": "Google Home Speaker (2026)", "ecosystem": "Google Home", "thread": "Thread 1.3", "br": "Yes", "notes": "$99.99, shipped June 2026. Matter controller and border router in one, but on Thread 1.3 rather than 1.4." } ] }