IKEA has unveiled a sweeping, low-cost lineup of 21 Matter-over-Thread devices designed to make smart homes more affordable and interoperable. The new range—spanning bulbs, sensors, remotes and a smart plug—arrives as IKEA upgrades its Dirigera hub into a full Matter controller and Thread border router, closing the loop between budget hardware and broader smart-home ecosystems.
What's new: cheap, native Matter devices
The collection introduces the Kajplats lighting family (11 bulb variants), Bilresa remotes (two styles), a smart plug called Grillplats, and a suite of sensors for motion, doors/windows, temperature/humidity, water leaks and air quality. IKEA says the bulbs offer wider intensity ranges and smoother dimming than the outgoing Tradfri models, and the remotes include both a simple two-button control and a scroll-wheel version for finer adjustments.
Key devices (brand names from IKEA):
- Kajplats – 11 smart bulbs in multiple sizes, white-tunable and full-colour options
- Bilresa – two remote styles (two-button and scroll-wheel)
- Grillplats – smart plug with power monitoring
- Myggspray – indoor/outdoor motion sensor
- Myggbett – door and window sensor
- Timer/Timmerflotte – temperature and humidity sensor (names vary in coverage)
- Alpstuga – air-quality monitor (CO₂ and fine particles) with a clock
- Klippbok – water-leak sensor
- Direct management of Matter devices from other brands
- Support for water-leak sensors and energy-measuring plugs from third parties
- Improved Adaptive Lighting behavior (option to keep it as a default after manual changes)
- Thread credential sharing (making Dirigera a more capable node in multi-controller homes)
- If you want inexpensive Matter devices today: IKEA’s lineup is one of the most affordable routes in, especially for simple lighting and basic sensors. Watch for local launch dates and check the Dirigera firmware status if you plan to use the IKEA hub.
- If you already have a Thread border router (HomePod mini, Nest hub, Echo, etc.): IKEA’s devices should integrate into your ecosystem, but verify that your controller supports the device types you plan to use (for example, some controllers exposed different feature sets at launch).
- If you prioritize longevity and advanced features: consider mixing IKEA hardware for broad coverage with higher-end brands for locks, cameras and advanced automations.
- Keep security in mind: apply firmware updates promptly, secure your home network, and review privacy settings for any cloud services you enable.
IKEA positions the new range as native Matter devices that do not require the Dirigera hub to function—any Matter controller that also acts as a Thread border router should be able to join them to an existing smart home.
Pricing and availability
IKEA has published indicative UK pricing that underscores the affordability of the launch: Kajplats bulbs from roughly £4–£9, Bilresa remotes at about £3–£4, temperature/humidity sensors near £5, the Alpstuga air-quality monitor around £25, and other sensors roughly £7. Global rollout will be sequential: some European markets will see stock this month, the company targets a US start in January (with lighting expected in April), and timing may vary by country due to inventory and logistics.
U.S. pricing has not been confirmed at launch.
The hub upgrade: Dirigera becomes a true Matter controller
Alongside the hardware launch, IKEA pushed a major firmware update for its Dirigera hub. The update converts Dirigera from a Matter bridge for IKEA hardware into a Matter 1.3-capable controller and Thread border router, enabling:
The update (firmware 2.866.3) rolls out automatically or can be triggered in the IKEA Home Smart app. Filings also indicate Dirigera has certification activity for Matter 1.4, though broader deployment of those features will take more time.
Why this matters: interoperability and accessibility
By shipping inexpensive, native Matter devices and turning Dirigera into a full Matter controller and Thread border router, IKEA is attempting to lower two of the biggest barriers to smart-home adoption: cost and fragmentation. Matter—backed by major players including Apple, Google and Amazon—aims to make devices work across platforms. Thread provides a low-power mesh network that improves range and reliability for many small devices.
"Until now, smart home technology hasn’t been easy enough to use for most people—or affordable enough for many to consider," said David Granath, IKEA of Sweden range manager. "This launch brings us closer to helping everyone feel ready and confident to get started."
Analysts and industry reporters note the move is a vote of confidence for Matter and could accelerate mainstream adoption by offering plug-and-play compatibility at rock-bottom price points.
Trade-offs, concerns and context
There are caveats. Cheap hardware often trades off build quality and long-term support for lower upfront cost; buyers with complex automations or high-security needs may still prefer established, premium brands. The rollout is staggered by region, and U.S. customers must wait for confirmed pricing and availability.
Security and privacy questions also follow Matter’s evolution. Features such as Thread credential sharing, which IKEA has added to Dirigera, make multi-controller homes easier to manage but raise questions about how credentials and user data are handled across ecosystems. Experts advise consumers to keep hubs and devices up to date, use reputable controllers, and review vendor privacy policies.
IKEA’s smart-home effort also arrives as the company seeks new growth channels: it reported a slight revenue dip even as unit sales rose, and expanding an affordable smart-home line is a logical way to broaden reach without new retail footprint.
How it fits with what you may already own
Because the new devices are native Matter-over-Thread, they should work with other Matter controllers that also act as Thread border routers. Many common products already fulfill that role, including several models of Apple HomePod mini, Google Nest hubs, recent Amazon Echo devices, and select Wi‑Fi/mesh routers and hubs from other brands. That makes IKEA’s range attractive to buyers who already have one of those controllers and want low-cost sensors or bulbs to expand coverage.
If you have an existing IKEA Dirigera hub, the firmware update broadens its usefulness as a home controller. If you do not, the devices can still be used with other Matter controllers.
Buying guidance
Bottom line
IKEA’s 21-device Matter push is an important moment for the smart-home industry: it combines aggressive pricing with native support for the cross-platform Matter standard and upgrades to the Dirigera hub that increase interoperability. For consumers, it promises a cheaper, simpler entry point into a broader, more device-agnostic smart home—while also prompting sensible questions about support, quality and data handling as Matter matures.
For more about IKEA’s smart-home program, see the company homepage: IKEA.