Ikea, known for its affordable furniture and notoriously challenging assembly instructions, is expanding its product line into the smart home market. While previously offering tech features within existing furniture—like air purifiers built into side tables and speakers integrated into bookshelves—the company is now launching a dedicated collection of 21 smart home devices centered around lighting, sensors, and remote controls. Crucially, all new devices will utilize the Matter-over-Thread protocol, ensuring broader compatibility with various smart home ecosystems.
Why Matter and Thread Matter
This move to Matter certification is significant. Matter is a universal smart home language developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance. Its purpose is to allow devices from different brands – Apple HomePods, Google Homes, and others – to communicate seamlessly, eliminating the need for multiple hubs and streamlining the user experience. Thread, another key technology incorporated into Ikea’s new line, is a low-power mesh network protocol, similar to WiFi, which allows devices to connect and communicate efficiently.
As David Granath, Range Manager at Ikea of Sweden, notes, “Until now, smart home technology hasn’t been easy enough to use for most people — or affordable enough for many to consider. This launch brings us closer to helping everyone feel ready and confident to get started.”
The New Product Lineup
Ikea’s collection is divided into three categories: Lighting, Sensors, and Remotes. While pricing and specific release dates vary by market, here’s a breakdown of the new offerings:
Lighting
The Kajplats smart light bulbs will come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including:
- E27/E26 – standard globe shape (60 mm diameter): Available in white and color options with dimmable versions.
- Color and white spectrum (1055 lm): A color-changing option.
- P45 E14: A compact profile (45 mm diameter), available in white and color with dimmable options.
- GU10 – directional spotlight: Available in white and color, with dimmable versions.
- Clear-glass decorative bulbs: Available only in white, in E14 and E27 standard and large globe sizes.
Sensors
- Myggspray: A motion sensor designed for indoor and outdoor use. It can automatically turn on lights in areas like entrances, staircases, or garages.
- Myggbett: A door/window sensor that detects openings and closings, sending notifications to a smartphone when connected to a smart system. It can also be used in spaces like walk-in closets to trigger lights.
- Timmerflotte: A temperature and humidity sensor that displays both readings sequentially.
- Alpstuga: An air quality sensor that measures CO₂, particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, and humidity. Designed to work with Ikea’s air purifiers and display time.
- Klippbok: A water leakage sensor that alerts with a sound and sends a notification to a smartphone when connected to a hub. Compact enough to be placed under sinks or near appliances.
Remotes
- Bilresa remote control with dual button: A simple remote for basic control of smart products, enabling users to switch lights on/off, adjust brightness, or trigger scenes.
- Bilresa remote control with scroll wheel: Allows for adjustments to smart products with a turn, controlling brightness, color, or preset scenes.
- Bilresa Remote Control Kits (2x): Sets of three colorful remotes (green, red, and beige), with one set featuring scroll wheels and the other featuring dual buttons.
- Grillplats smart plug: Converts ordinary lamps or small appliances into smart products, allowing remote control and tracking energy usage, and pairing with remotes or motion sensors.
Ikea’s foray into Matter-over-Thread smart home devices reflects a broader industry trend towards greater interoperability and affordability, aiming to make smart home technology accessible to a wider audience.
The new collection represents a move towards a more user-friendly and connected smart home experience, driven by the adoption of universal standards and a focus on budget-friendly options
