Las Vegas — In a private suite at The Venetian Las Vegas, far from the chaos of the CES show floor, IKEA quietly made what may be the most consequential smart home announcement of the year. The Swedish furniture giant unveiled more than 20 new Matter-compatible devices and confirmed it will completely abandon the Zigbee protocol that has powered its smart home ecosystem for nearly a decade.
For the millions of consumers who have delayed smart home adoption due to compatibility confusion, IKEA's full embrace of Matter — the universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung — could be the tipping point that brings connected homes to the mainstream.
The Matter Revolution, Finally Arriving
Matter has been the smart home industry's great promise since its announcement in 2019 (originally called "Project CHIP"). The standard was supposed to end the fragmentation that has plagued connected devices — the frustration of buying a smart bulb only to discover it doesn't work with your preferred voice assistant or hub.
But adoption has been slower than hoped. Until now, most Matter devices have come from smaller brands or represented incremental additions to existing product lines. IKEA's announcement is different: this is a $50 billion company betting its entire smart home future on Matter.
"We believe in open, affordable smart home technology," said IKEA's head of smart home development during the private presentation. "Matter makes that possible. Zigbee served us well, but it's time to move forward."
What IKEA Is Launching
The product lineup is comprehensive, covering virtually every smart home category:
Lighting (Kajplats Collection)
IKEA's expanded Kajplats smart lamp collection alone features eleven variations, covering E27/E26 globe bases, smaller P45 E14 bulbs, and GU10 spot lights. Light output ranges from 470 lumens to 1521 lumens, all Matter-compatible and priced at IKEA's characteristically accessible price points.
Sensors
- MYGGBETT — Door and window sensor
- TIMMERFLOTTE — Temperature and humidity sensor
- ALPSTUGA — Air quality sensor (measuring CO2 and PM2.5)
- KLIPPBOK — Water leakage sensor
These sensors represent IKEA's first serious push into home monitoring, an area previously dominated by specialized brands like Eve and Aqara.
TEKLAN Audio Products
Perhaps the most unexpected announcement was TEKLAN, a new line of audio products designed to make technology a visible part of home décor rather than something to hide. The collection features bold patterns and color combinations uncommon in the typically monochromatic smart speaker market.
The Dirigera Hub Upgrade
In preparation for the Matter transition, IKEA pushed a firmware update that converted its popular Dirigera hub into a full Matter controller and Thread Border Router. This means existing IKEA smart home customers can manage not only new IKEA products but also Matter-compatible devices from any brand — Samsung, Apple, Google, or anyone else.
The update was notable for its seamlessness. Customers didn't need to buy new hardware; their existing hub simply gained new capabilities. It's a customer-friendly approach that contrasts with some competitors' strategies of requiring new hub purchases for Matter compatibility.
Why This Matters for Investors
While IKEA is privately held, its moves have significant implications for publicly traded smart home companies:
Amazon (AMZN) — As the largest U.S. smart home platform through Alexa and Ring, Amazon benefits from Matter adoption that makes more devices compatible with its ecosystem.
Apple (AAPL) — Apple's HomeKit has historically suffered from limited device availability. Matter dramatically expands the universe of HomeKit-compatible products.
Google (GOOGL) — Google Home similarly benefits from expanded compatibility, and the company has been a leading Matter advocate.
Potential losers include companies that have built competitive moats around proprietary ecosystems. If Matter truly delivers on its interoperability promise, the value of platform lock-in diminishes significantly.
Pricing Strategy
IKEA didn't announce specific U.S. pricing at CES, but the company's track record suggests aggressive positioning. Current IKEA smart bulbs sell for $10-15 versus $20-30 for comparable Philips Hue products. If similar ratios hold for the new Matter lineup, IKEA could significantly undercut established smart home brands.
This pricing power is IKEA's secret weapon. The company's massive furniture business provides the scale and retail distribution that pure-play smart home companies can't match. Smart home products can ride IKEA's existing supply chain and foot traffic at minimal incremental cost.
Timeline and Availability
The new Matter devices will begin appearing in IKEA stores and online throughout Q1 2026, with the full lineup expected by spring. The company will continue supporting existing Zigbee products but won't release new Zigbee devices.
For consumers sitting on the smart home sidelines, IKEA's announcement provides a clear signal: the era of proprietary confusion is ending. The question now is how quickly competitors will respond.
