Since the official release of eWeLink CUBE, it’s been great to see many users easily build their local, self-hosted software systems and bring legacy devices into Matter — using multiple platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings at the same time.
As eWeLink CUBE continues to grow with the community, we’d like to share what we’re focusing on next in 2026.
eWeLink CUBE 2026 focus areas
Matter Bridge Upgrade: Matter 1.5+ & More Device Types
Upgrade to the latest Matter versions (1.5+) and bridge more device types such as cameras, garage doors, and energy meters into Matter.
Broader Zigbee → Matter Compatibility
Support more Zigbee brands and device types with stronger, more reliable bridging to Matter platforms.
SONOFF Dongle Auto-Detect & One-Click OTA Update
Automatically detect SONOFF dongles and update firmware with a single click directly in CUBE.
No Add-ons Needed to Add eWeLink-Supported Devices
Add eWeLink-supported Wi-Fi devices to Matter without installing any additional add-ons.
Docker Installation for Simplified Setup
Simplify installation and lower the setup barrier with Docker-based deployment.
Expanded Open APIs with HTTP & MQTT Support
Enable broader integrations by expanding Open APIs with both HTTP and MQTT support.
Matter Hub Upgrade: More Native Matter Devices
Enhance Matter Hub capabilities to support a wider range of native Matter devices.
Faster, More Capable Local Scenes
Improve local scenes with broader device support and faster, low-latency performance.
Open MCP Interface for AI-Powered Scenes
Enable AI-powered scenes by connecting local devices through the MCP interface.
Enhanced Local Data Storage & Visualization
Store data locally with greater reliability and provide richer charts and insights.
CAST UI Customization & Improved Remote Access
Offer more flexible interface customization and a smoother remote access experience.
Which of these matter most to you?
Feel free to vote and share your thoughts below We truly appreciate anything you’d like to share as we shape what comes next together！
Matter Bridge Upgrade: Matter 1.5+ & More Device Types
Broader Zigbee → Matter Compatibility
SONOFF Dongle Auto-Detect & One-Click OTA Update
No add-ons needed to add eWeLink-supported Devices
Docker Installation for Simplified Setup
Expand Open APIs with HTTP & MQTT Support
Matter Hub Upgrade: More Native Matter Devices
Faster, More Capable Local Scenes
Open MCP Interface for AI-powered Scenes
Enhanced Local Data Storage & Visualization
CAST UI Customization & Improved Remote Access
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I think additional apps are unnecessary.
Everyone already uses applications on their phones such as: SmartThings, Google Home, Apple Home, Alexa.
CubeOs’s primary purpose is to support a large number of ZigBee devices and make them accessible via Matter Bridge to the platform we already use at home (in devices like TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, and vacuum cleaners). CubeOs will always be behind the curve when it comes to supporting home devices.
I think iHost2 won’t be there because it’s quiet and there’s no information available. The only option is to host CubeOS on your own hardware. They’ve made CubeOS great and the plan is pretty nice, except for a few details.
It doesn’t make commercial sense for an enterprise like Sonoff (or whatever you want to call it) to develop an OS and not sell their own hardware to host it, when they are primarily a hardware developing company.
I believe the increase in memory prices has thwarted plans to build IHOST V2..
I’m afraid that in a few days, we’ll see price increases for current products like nspanel pro, ihost, etc. And this could be an increase of 30-40%
I am a supporter of the fact that when I install Sonoff, everything from them and iHost. But the customer doesn’t care, he wants it at an affordable price. And if he has to pay 170e for iHost or Raspberry Pi will cost him 100e with everything, then we all know what he will choose. And in our country they still prefer a local solution.
In this situation around expensive chips, the option to host CubeOS on your own hardware is the right choice. Although I personally prefer iHost, in the end it is up to the person who pays.
From a marketing point of view they sre not directly comparable. The iHost is a hybrid DIY + consumer market — simple local automation for average users and extensibility for advanced ones. 
Smart homes will become much more mainstream in the next few years and Sonoff want a
• a controlled OS on their hardware
• with just enough openness to stop users defecting to HA
Their objective is not just the power user.
If they really want to compete with HA, they should consider better integration of other products. We all want to have all devices under one system. That means the ideal situation would be if I could add Panasonic Cloud to iHost and control the heat pump through iHost or add Huawei Cloud and have access to the inverter for photovoltaics and other devices. If they don’t do that, they can only fantasize about competing Home Assistant.
Why is Home Assistant so successful when it has a disastrous graphical environment that is a conglomeration of multiple attempts? It’s because of HACS and support for everything possible.
I don’t think their intention is to compete with Home Assistant at all.
Based on the description and positioning of CUBE OS on GitHub, eWeLink CUBE is currently much more focused on a different problem space.
CUBE OS is mainly about locally onboarding Zigbee devices and eWeLink-supported Wi-Fi devices, and then bridging them locally via Matter into the platforms users already rely on — such as Apple Home, Google Home, and even Home Assistant itself. This is fundamentally different from Home Assistant’s philosophy, which aims to centralize everything into one single system.
I think their goal is not to act as a central hub system itself, but to help users easily onboard devices and bridge them to the hub platforms they already prefer — in a way that feels intuitive and requires little to no learning curve.
I actually received an official price increase notice by email about two weeks ago covering these devices. According to that notice, the NSPanel Pro is expected to increase to close to USD 130.
This also helps explain why they are pushing a self-hosted software version. If users feel the official hardware has become too expensive, they can choose their own hardware to run it on instead. At the same time, SONOFF can still continue selling their dongles. I’d expect those products to be far less affected by memory cost increases and overall price pressure.
Let’s face it, the matter bridge in iHost doesn’t work, so how can I connect something when the only option doesn’t work? I waited 5 months, but finally solved it another way.
Which of these matter most to you?
We truly appreciate anything you’d like to share as we shape what comes next together！
New to eWeLink CUBE?
Click here to learn more and install
