Ikea has embraced smart home tech—so much so that it is becoming one of the more interesting tech companies.I've bought quite a few IKEA gadgets over the past year, and now that I have firsthand experience, let me tell you which ones I would buy again.KLIPBOK A leak detector that is just as useful without an internet connection Close Some of the best aspects of a smart home aren't particularly exciting, but they can prove to be the most valuable additions.
Case in point —leak detectors, which can save you thousands of dollars in repairs by alerting you to water that's pooling on the floor before it becomes a problem.IKEA's KLIPPBOK leak detector is affordable enough that you can build a whole home leak detection system by placing them all over.They're battery-powered, so you don't need to worry about running wires to hard-to-reach places or paying for a pricey installation.
Since an alarm chimes off whenever the sensors get wet, they're useful even if you never connect them to a smart home hub.IKEA Klippbok water leak sensor Connectivity Matter over Thread Wi-Fi No This water leakage sensor keeps track of water leaks by beeping when it comes into contact with water – helping you make life at home smoother, more comfortable and safer.When connected to a hub, the sensor sends a notification to your smartphone with information about the water leak.
The small size makes it easy to position under the sink, appliances or other places where a water leakage can occur.$10 at Ikea Expand Collapse TIMMERFLOTTE A cute climate sensor that completely fades into the background Close I've been fortunate as a smart home journalist to have been sent enough climate sensors to put one in every room of my home.Of the ones I've tried, the IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE is my favorite.
It doesn't look like a thermometer stuck to the wall or sitting on a shelf.Instead, it is a cute little plastic circle that merely looks decorative.When you tap it, the room's temperature and humidity appear in white digital numbers.
After a few moments, the TIMMERFLOTTE goes back to being an unassuming white circle.Yet thanks to its existence, you can now see the temperature and humidity of the room its in whenever you open your smart home app.IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE Brand IKEA Type Sensor The IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE is a puck-shaped temperature and humidity sensor.
The device comes with Matter-compatibility, allowing it to connect to your smart home hub of choice.It's powered by two AAA batteries. $10 at Ikea Expand Collapse ALPSTUGA A climate sensor that improves your Thread network Close The TIMMERFLOTTE only measures temperature and humidity.The ALPSTUGA can also detect carbon dioxide and the presence of particulate matter in the air.
Plus, it functions as a digital clock.Yet what would compel me to buy the ALPSTUGA the most is the fact that it extends the range of my Thread network.While all of IKEA's current smart home line utilizes Thread, the battery-powered devices merely connect to the network.
Hardwired ones, like the ALPSTUGA, strengthen your network so that other devices have a more reliable connection.IKEA Alpstuga air quality monitor Displays your air quality at home by measuring carbon dioxide (CO₂), particles (PM2.5), temperature and humidity – helping you make life at home smoother, more comfortable and safer.Place it in the living room, bedroom or other rooms where you spend a lot of time.
You can also set it to display the time and use it as a clock. $30 at Ikea Expand Collapse KAJPLATS A light bulb that also improves your Thread network Close There isn't much that sets one smart bulb apart from another, since they all have the same core features—you can dim them and pick a specific color from a full spectrum.But IKEA's smart bulb happens to utilize Matter-over-Thread.
While there isn't a wire running directly to the light bulb, it still counts as a hardwired Thread device, which means it has the benefit of expanding and strengthening your network.So, if you need to fill your house with smart bulbs, choosing IKEA's bulb will land you a stronger Thread network in the process.IKEA KAJPLATS LED bulb E26 1600 lumen, smart white spectrum Need lighting for both homework sessions and cozy dinners? No worries – this smart bulb can be dimmed wirelessly and adjusted to suit any need and occasion.
Based on the universal standard Matter.$14 at Ikea Expand Collapse BILRESA A smart button that lets you reach for your phone less Close If you could only choose one IKEA product from this list, there's a strong case to make that it should be the BILRESA.Here is a smart switch that you can task with doing just about anything in your smart home.
Any short or long press on either of the two buttons can trigger whatever action or automation you wish.I have one set up in my bedroom so that I can turn off lights and control the ceiling fan from my headboard without needing to pull out my phone.Thanks to the included 3M sticker, you can stick this smart button just about anywhere, making it a perfect addition to an office or living room.
You can even stick one by the door as a quick way to turn off all the lights as you leave home.IKEA BILRESA Connectivity Matter-over-Thread Color White The IKEA BILRESA is a smart remote with two buttons that can control Matter devices or trigger automations.It's powered by a AAA battery and comes with optional adhesive on the back for mounting to a wall or furniture.
$6 at Ikea Expand Collapse Not every purchase has made the cut I don't want to imply that every IKEA smart home purchase has been a banger.IKEA's MYGGBETT door and window sensor works, but it doesn't fit on the trim around any of my doors.I find the DIRIGERA to be underwhelming as a smart home hub.
I also have to deal with all of these devices becoming unavailable when my Thread network goes down, introducing a headache I haven't encountered with my Wi-Fi-only products.But despite this, if you're just beginning to build a smart home for the first time, I highly recommend you start at IKEA.
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