IKEA’s highly anticipated Matter-compatible smart home collection, first announced last November, is finally making its way to customers. After some delays and initial connectivity hiccups, the standout feature—Matter-over-Thread smart bulbs—are now available at Ikea’s online store and select retail locations across the U.S.
Smart bulbs have been a hit for Ikea, providing a budget-friendly option that rivals competitors like Philips Hue. The new Matter-compatible bulbs maintain this affordability, offering various bundles, including a wireless remote for added convenience.
Available Products and Pricing
IKEA’s new lineup includes a range of smart bulbs, designed for different preferences and needs:
- Kajplats E26 LED bulb (450 lumen) – $5.99
- Kajplats E12 LED bulb (800 lumen) – $7.99
- Kajplats E12 LED bulb (450 lumen, clear glass) – $8.99
- Kajplats E26 LED bulb (1100 lumen) – $11.99
- Kajplats E26 LED bulb (1600 lumen) – $13.99
- Kajplats E26 Starter Kit (smart white spectrum with remote) – $9.99
These offerings not only provide various brightness options but also come with starter kits, making it easy for users to create their smart lighting setups.
Although the new collection has generated excitement, its rollout has been met with challenges. Early users have reported difficulties connecting the smart bulbs to Ikea’s Dirigera hub and other platforms like Apple Home and Amazon Alexa. Recognizing these issues, Ikea has committed to improving connectivity through ongoing updates. Recently, they released an update aiming to stabilize Matter onboarding, though the effectiveness of this patch remains to be seen.
As the smart home landscape evolves, Ikea’s new product range signals a noteworthy step towards more integrated and user-friendly home automation solutions. Customers eager to enhance their home lighting experience can now explore these affordable options while considering the evolving nature of IoT connectivity.
