is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.
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Ikea announced 21 new Matter-over-Thread devices that can “connect with a wider range of devices and platforms, making it easier for customers to build a smart home across different brands.” The collection includes both entirely new products and updates to existing offerings introducing new functionality and features.
Earlier this year, Ikea updated its Dirigera hub to become a Matter controller, allowing Matter devices from other companies to be added and controlled using Ikea’s Home Smart app. The company says it’s expecting its new Matter-compatible smart home collection to show up in stores as early as this month in some countries. For the US, the smart remotes and sensors will be available in Ikea stores starting in January 2026, while the smart bulbs will debut in April 2026. Ahead of that Ikea is already updating its app and hub this week to make the Matter controller functionality officially available to all users.
The new Kajplats line features 11 different smart bulbs, including clear decorative and color-changing options. Image: Ikea
Smart bulbs have been one of Ikea’s most popular smart home products, and its new Kajplats collection features a simplified lineup, making it easier for customers to differentiate what’s available. There are 11 variations in the new Kajplats line, including 60mm E27/E26 bulbs with a standard globe shape, compact 45mm P45 E17/E14/E12 bulbs, and GU10 directional spotlight bulbs that are each available in dimmable white spectrum or full color-changing versions.
Ikea will also be offering clear decorative bulbs in three sizes as large as 95mm, but they’re limited to the white spectrum. Despite the company moving away from Zigbee for its smart home products in favor of Matter-over-Thread, the new bulbs will still be compatible with Ikea’s older wireless remotes and can be used without its smart home app or Dirigera hub for customers preferring a simpler setup.
The new Bilresa remotes feature either dual buttons or a scroll wheel and can be used with multiple types of devices, not just smart lights. Image: Ikea
As rumored earlier this year, Ikea is introducing two new Matter-compatible wireless remotes that are no longer designed for specific products and functions. The Bilresa remote will be available in a streamlined two-button version and one with a scroll wheel, and while both can be used to turn on lights and adjust their brightness, they’re designed to be generic and compatible with other product types.
The scroll wheel remote can also control multiple groups, switchable using a button on the bottom. You can use the scroll wheel to adjust the volume on a smart speaker, for example, and then switch to controlling the color of your lights. Ikea will be selling both versions of the remote individually or in red, green, and beige three-packs so you can differentiate their functionality and which devices they control based on their color.
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