IKEA Offers New Smart Home Gadgets That Work Together Easily

IKEA has released a new line of smart home products. These devices use a new system called Matter over Thread, which helps them work with gadgets from different companies. They are also designed to be easy on your wallet, making smart homes more accessible.
By Newsroom | Smart Home, Technology |

IKEA has launched a significant update to its smart home offerings, introducing a new range of devices built around the Matter over Thread protocol. This move signals IKEA's commitment to an open standard designed to simplify smart home integration across different brands. The new products, which include lighting, sensors, and control devices, are being presented as affordable solutions for a connected home, aiming to make smart technology more accessible. However, questions are being raised about the full scope of compatibility and the underlying technology within some of these new gadgets.

Strategic Shift to Matter Over Thread

IKEA is rebuilding its smart home system from the ground up, with the latest rollout centering on Matter over Thread devices. This protocol is designed to create a more unified smart home experience, allowing devices from various manufacturers to communicate with each other. The Dirigera hub appears to be a key component in this strategy, enabling users to manage and automate these new devices through IKEA's app or other compatible smart home ecosystems like Apple Home and Google Home. This aligns IKEA with a broader industry trend towards interoperability.

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6 new IKEA Matter over Thread smart home gadgets that are worth the money - 1

  • The new lineup consists of 21 Matter-compatible devices.

  • Products cover lighting, sensors, and control gadgets.

  • The initiative aims to provide affordable smart home solutions.

Product Range and Features

The new IKEA smart home range spans several categories, emphasizing both new releases and updates to existing product lines.

  • Lighting: This includes a variety of smart bulbs with different shapes and functionalities, such as color-changing and dimmable options. Examples include the KAJPLATS and updated bulb ranges.

  • Available in E27, E14, and GU10 fittings.

  • Offerings include color and white spectrum options, as well as white spectrum only models.

  • Various lumen outputs and dimming capabilities are detailed.

  • Sensors: Several types of sensors have been introduced, designed for different environmental monitoring needs.

  • Myggspray motion sensor: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, intended to automate lighting.

  • Timmerflotte temperature and humidity sensor: A minimalist-designed sensor to detect changes in environmental conditions, potentially alerting users to issues like leaks.

  • Reports suggest these sensors appear to be Thread-only.

  • Controls: The lineup also features devices for managing smart home functions.

  • Bilresa remote: A Matter-over-Thread remote control.

  • Smart plugs (e.g., Grillplats): These allow ordinary lamps or small appliances to be controlled remotely, turning them into smart devices.

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IKEA's new smart home offering emphasizes a broad selection of affordable devices built on the Matter over Thread standard, covering lighting, sensors, and control mechanisms.

6 new IKEA Matter over Thread smart home gadgets that are worth the money - 2

Underlying Technology and Compatibility

A significant aspect of IKEA's new smart home devices is their adoption of Matter over Thread. This protocol uses Thread, a low-power mesh networking technology, for device communication. However, an intriguing detail has emerged regarding the technology within some of these new devices.

  • Matter over Thread focus: IKEA is reportedly moving away from its previous Zigbee protocol in favor of Matter over Thread.

  • Potential Zigbee compatibility: Some reports suggest that certain new IKEA devices, particularly those utilizing "Touchlink" technology, may also be compatible with the older Zigbee protocol. This could imply a dual-protocol capability within specific devices.

  • Need for separate radios: If users wish to utilize both Zigbee and Thread capabilities, it might necessitate having two separate radios or hubs.

  • Matter Controller requirement: To use Matter devices, a Matter Controller is required, which could be a dedicated hub or integrated into other smart home systems.

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While IKEA's new devices are primarily marketed as Matter over Thread, there is evidence suggesting some may retain Zigbee compatibility, presenting a potential for dual-protocol functionality but possibly requiring additional hardware for full utilization.

6 new IKEA Matter over Thread smart home gadgets that are worth the money - 3

Performance and User Experience

Initial evaluations indicate that IKEA's new smart home devices offer reliable performance and are designed for ease of use, making them suitable for individuals new to smart home technology.

  • Reliability: During testing, the devices demonstrated consistent and reliable performance.

  • Simplicity: The ecosystem is characterized by its emphasis on simplicity, making it a good choice for beginners.

  • Limitations: A noted limitation is the lack of advanced automation features such as geofencing and complex conditional logic. This means users seeking more granular control over their smart home setups might find the offerings somewhat basic.

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IKEA's new smart home devices are assessed to be reliable and user-friendly, particularly for those new to smart home technology, though they may lack the sophisticated automation capabilities desired by advanced users.

6 new IKEA Matter over Thread smart home gadgets that are worth the money - 4

Industry Reception and Broader Implications

The introduction of IKEA's Matter-compatible devices is seen as a positive development for the smart home industry and consumers.

  • Support for Matter: IKEA's substantial entry into the Matter ecosystem is considered a significant win for the standard, increasing its adoption and potentially driving down costs.

  • Platform Agnosticism: The devices are designed to work with multiple smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Apple Home, Home Assistant, and IKEA's own ecosystem.

  • Affordability: IKEA's reputation for offering low-cost products is expected to extend to its smart home range, making advanced smart home technology more accessible to a wider audience.

IKEA's new range is positioned as a key contributor to the widespread adoption of the Matter standard, offering affordable, broadly compatible smart home devices that benefit consumers and the industry alike.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is new with IKEA's smart home products?
IKEA has new smart home gadgets that use a system called Matter over Thread. This helps them work with devices from many different brands. They also have new lights, sensors, and controls.
Q: Are these new IKEA devices easy to use?
Yes, the devices are made to be simple and reliable. They are good for people who are new to smart homes. However, they do not have very advanced features for complex setups.
Q: Can these new devices work with other smart home brands?
Yes, they are designed to work with many brands thanks to the Matter over Thread system. This means they can connect with systems like Apple Home and Google Home.
Q: Are the new IKEA smart home gadgets expensive?
No, IKEA is known for making things affordable, and these new smart home devices are also priced to be easy on your budget. This makes smart home technology more available to more people.
Q: Do these devices only work with the new Matter system?
Most of the new devices work with Matter over Thread. Some reports suggest certain devices might also work with the older Zigbee system, but this may need extra equipment.