Ikea Launches Smart Varmblixt Donut Lamp With Matter Integration

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Ikea has released a smart version of its Varmblixt “donut” lamp, priced at $100, introducing color-changing capabilities and smart home integration to the previously static orange glass design. The new hardware replaces the original’s glossy orange finish with a matte white glass exterior, shifting the aesthetic from a fixed amber glow to a versatile accent piece that generates color from an internal bulb.

How the hardware integrates with smart ecosystems

The lamp functions as a Matter device, allowing it to connect with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. Users who pair the device with Ikea’s Dirigera hub ($109) or a Matter-compatible ecosystem can access hundreds of colors, schedule lighting scenes, and integrate the lamp with motion sensors.

The Dirigera hub specifically enables adaptive lighting, which gradually adjusts the white hue throughout the day to mimic natural daylight. This feature is also compatible with Apple Home’s Adaptive Lighting system. For those avoiding hubs, the lamp includes a pre-paired Bilresa remote that cycles through 12 curated colors designed by artist Sabine Marcelis.

Technical specifications and performance trade-offs

Output is limited to 180 lumens, positioning the Varmblixt as an ambient or mood light rather than a task lamp for reading. The internal bulb is user-replaceable and rated for 25,000 hours. Unlike many smart peripherals, the included remote uses standard AAA batteries instead of coin-cells.

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Design trade-offs appear in the device’s off-state, where the matte white finish looks drab compared to the original’s striking orange glass. Some users have reported spotty connectivity with the remote control. The lamp maintains the original’s versatility, supporting both table-top placement and wall-mounting to save surface space.

Why this shift matters for Ikea’s lighting strategy

Transitioning a viral design from a “dumb” aesthetic object to a Matter-enabled device suggests Ikea’s intent to lock popular hardware into its broader Home Smart ecosystem. By offering a baseline of functionality via remote but gating advanced customization behind a $109 hub, Ikea creates a tiered entry point for smart home adoption.

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The move toward matte finishes and internal RGB lighting allows the company to sell a single SKU that serves multiple atmospheric needs. This strategy could lead to further “smart” iterations of existing viral furniture, prioritizing software-driven versatility over fixed material colors.

Does the lamp require a hub to work?

No, it works out of the box with a pre-paired remote to control power, dimming, and 12 preset colors. A Dirigera or Matter-compatible hub is only required to unlock hundreds of additional colors, scheduling, and motion sensor pairing.

Can the bulb be replaced?

Yes, the bulb is user-replaceable and has a rated lifespan of 25,000 hours.