IKEA has launched its biggest smart home push ever: 21 new Matter-compatible products, rolling out through 2026 — and it may be the most important smart home news of the year, precisely because of how cheap it all is.
What is in the lineup
Three fronts: lighting (bulbs in multiple shapes and sizes, colour and white-spectrum, dimmable), sensors (motion, air quality, humidity, water leakage) and control (remotes and a smart plug that makes any dumb device smart). The first wave arrived in January 2026, with more landing in April and beyond — and leaks already point to new “neon”-style smart lights later this year.
The prices are the story
Smart bulbs from around $5. Remotes from $3. Sensors and plugs at prices no other Matter manufacturer touches. IKEA has effectively set a new price floor for the entire Matter accessory market.
No hub lock-in — and that is the revolution
These devices are Matter-over-Thread natively. They do not require IKEA’s DIRIGERA hub or IKEA’s app. Any Thread border router you already own — a HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, Nest Hub 2nd gen, Echo 4th gen or a Home Assistant box — pairs them straight into Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings.
What is still missing
No cameras or locks in the lineup yet, and availability is rolling out gradually by region — check local stock before planning a whole-house install.
Our take
For beginners this changes the maths completely: a room full of smart lighting now costs less than one premium bulb did three years ago. Combined with a $99 border router, the sub-$200 whole-apartment smart home is finally real. See our $200 starter kit guide to put it into practice.