IKEA Home Smart
IKEA entered the smart home market over ten years ago with a clear mission: to seamlessly integrate technology into everyday home items and furnishings. Rather than creating complex gadgets for tech enthusiasts, the brand focuses on products that fit naturally into the home environment and everyone can use.
By prioritizing ease of use and simple design, IKEA ensures that its smart devices are approachable for all in the household. The goal is to enhance daily life with connectivity that functions reliably, without drawing attention to itself.
An Affordable Zigbee Ecosystem
For years, IKEA has built a broad and reliable portfolio of smart products using the Zigbee wireless protocol. This extensive range covers the essentials of a connected home, from the iconic TRÅDFRI smart bulbs and drivers to the FYRTUR motorized blinds. Rather than reinventing the wheel, IKEA simply adds additional functionality to devices you are already using.
Because these devices utilize Zigbee for communication, they can communicate directly with Homey Pro or Homey Bridge. This means users can connect IKEA lights, remotes, and motion sensors straight to Homey without needing an IKEA gateway. This direct connection allows for instant control and enables users to incorporate IKEA products into powerful Homey Flows alongside thousands of other smart devices.
New Beginnings with Matter over Thread
IKEA is introducing a new generation of devices built on Matter-over-Thread technology. This shift brings faster response times and improved network reliability through Thread's mesh capabilities. Because Homey Pro or Homey Pro mini acts as a Thread Border Router, these new IKEA devices can connect directly to Homey, ensuring local, low-latency control.
The new line-up covers key aspects of home monitoring and control. For energy management, the GRILLPLATS smart plug offers a simple way to automate traditional appliances. GRILLPLATS is suitable for both small gadgets and larger household appliances, as it has a maximum load rating of 16A. If you are addressing home safety, the IKEA KLIPPBOK water leak sensor provides instant alerts to prevent water damage.
The new Thread range also expands sensing capabilities in your smart home. The MYGGSPRAY motion sensor ensures your automations react instantly to presence, while the TIMERFLOTTE sensor tracks temperature and humidity to keep your indoor climate comfortable. For a healthier home, the ALPSTUGA air quality sensor monitors airborne particles, allowing Homey to trigger purifiers or ventilation automatically when needed.
Accessible Smart Living
IKEA's strategy remains focused on keeping the price difference between standard and smart products as small as possible. By producing in high volumes and prioritizing essential features, the company ensures that building a smart home remains affordable for a broad audience.
This approach lowers the barrier to entry, allowing users to start small—perhaps with a single bulb or sensor—and expand over time. When combined with Homey, these affordable devices become part of a premium smart home experience, offering the perfect balance of IKEA’s accessible hardware and Homey’s advanced software and automation capability.
To learn more about the company's future vision, read our interview with David Granath, Range Manager of Lighting and Home Electronics at IKEA Home Smart.
