Ikea's 2026 leap into the smart home world is full of promise. Very affordable promise.

Tyler Lacoma Editor / Home Security

For more than 10 years Tyler has used his experience in smart home tech to craft how-to guides, explainers, and recommendations for technology of all kinds. From using his home in beautiful Bend, OR as a testing zone for the latest security products to digging into the nuts and bolts of the best data privacy guidelines, Tyler has experience in all aspects of protecting your home and belongings. With a BA in Writing from George Fox and certification in Technical Writing from Oregon State University, he's ready to get you the details you need to make the best decisions for your home. On off hours, you can find Tyler exploring the Cascade trails, finding the latest brew in town with some friends, or trying a new recipe in the kitchen!

Expertise Smart home | Smart security | Home tech | Energy savings | A/V

3 min read

While Ikea is famous for its affordable, piece-it-together furniture gracing apartments, dorms and first homes, you rarely hear about the company in the tech sphere. While Ikea has dabbled in smart home technology in past years, its offerings have been limited, temporary and often required partnerships with third parties. At CES 2026, all that changed.

This was Ikea's first CES, which is a statement in itself. The Swedish furniture (and meatball) company came well-prepared, bursting onto the scene with ambitious lighting and security options. It could change the smart home world, and I'm not sure other brands are ready.

Smart lights with a friendly glow

Ikea's new smart lights and plugs are a bold step for the company.

Ajay Kumar/CNET

One of the most visually impressive products from Ikea was the Varmblixt smart home lights (yes, the classic Ikea names remain even in its tech endeavors). You may have heard of the Varmblixt line before, but now Ikea is adding smart technology to these stylish lamps.

The lights come in two varieties. One is a doughnut-like ring that you can hang from a wall or place on a nearby table, casting a warm light throughout the room in any color you choose. The other is a draping LED pendant lamp, more at home hanging in a corner, with shades available across the entire white spectrum.

Ikea's newest lights are app and remote-controlled.

Ajay Kumar/CNET

Both lights impressed me, not only because of their unique and very Ikea appearance, but also for the new app controls that allow you to adjust the brightness and color at will. They also come with remotes that include a dozen presets, in case your phone isn't handy. For some of the first proprietary smart lights Ikea has made, it's an impressive showing.

If you're thinking a little smaller, Ikea's new smart home has that covered, too. The Kajplats line offers 11 styles of smart bulbs you can screw into sockets you already have, converting your old lights to smart, app-controlled versions. 

Then there's the Grillplats, a smart plug that allows you to use app controls on any existing plug-in lamp, as well as other devices like fountains or heaters. What we saw of these app controls at CES looked easy to master and effective.

Ikea's smart lights have bold designs and easy app controls.

Ajay Kumar/CNET

One last note: While it's not technically part of the smart home, Ikea also announced Bluetooth cube speakers, which you can link, stack and experiment with to fill a small space with customizable sound as well as light.

The most affordable home security I've seen

Ikea's security sensors are highly affordable. Ajay Kumar/CNET

While Ikea isn't releasing any security cameras (at least not yet), the company did unveil a line of security sensors, a particularly bold move that offers enough options for most people to convert their home security into a fully Ikea-managed zone.

Sporting wonderful names like Timmerflotte, Alpstuga, Klipbok and Myggspray, Ikea's smart sensors are all Matter-compatible, which means you can use them with Ikea's app or popular platforms like Apple Home and Google Home. They include motion sensors, access sensors for doors or windows, air quality sensors, water leak detectors and other options.

Ikea's sensors include door and motion sensors as well as leak detectors and temperature sensors. Ajay Kumar/CNET

Especially impressive are the prices. One of Ikea's draws is affordability, and that same selling point applies to home security. These devices, including smart bulbs and smart plugs, are all under $10 each (Varmblixt lamps are an exception, starting at $100).

That makes IKEA one of the most affordable ways I've ever seen to set up your own smart security system, even compared to the lowest-cost budget systems and DIY kits. If device performance impresses me over time as I test it, Ikea could become one of my go-to recommendations for first-time buyers of home safety tech.

Most of these products are available for sale this month, with minor exceptions, such as the air quality sensor, which is scheduled for release in April. If you're interested, you can start building your Ikea smart home in short order.

Is this the year of Ikea in the smart home?

Along with smart home tech, Ikea is also releasing Bluetooth speaker cubes.

Ajay Kumar/CNET

I've rarely discussed Ikea in my home tech recommendations. You won't find Ikea on any home product recommendation lists, outside of its years-old smart blinds. They haven't had a significant presence in this field before, particularly in the US. However, 2026 could be the year that changes, as these new offerings appear to be seriously competitive.

As I start testing Ikea's smart lineup as new products become available, I'll let you know if they offer budget-friendly security alternatives and if any end up on our best product lists. Right now, things look promising for the Swedish titan. 

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