IKEA’s Iconic Lamp Gets a Smart, Smooth-Color-Changing Upgrade
▼ Summary
– IKEA announced the Varmblixt, a smart version of its viral ‘donut lamp’, at CES 2026, with availability starting in April 2026.
– The lamp, designed with Sabine Marcelis, features color-changing, dimming, and remote control, available as a wall or table light for $99.
– It automatically cycles through 12 preset colors, but the IKEA Home Smart app allows control of over 40 shades and light intensity.
– The product line, built on the Matter standard, includes a new smart pendant light and is designed for easy integration with existing smart home systems.
– This launch is part of IKEA’s broader expansion into the smart home market, following the announcement of 21 new smart gadgets in late 2025.
IKEA has unveiled a smart, color-changing upgrade to its popular donut-shaped lamp, signaling a significant move into the connected home space. The newly announced IKEA Varmblixt, revealed at CES 2026, transforms the viral decorative piece into a fully functional smart light. Developed in partnership with acclaimed Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis, the lamp now offers remote-controlled dimming and the ability to cycle smoothly through a spectrum of custom colors. It will be sold as both a wall light and a table lamp starting in April 2026 for $99.
When powered on, the lamp automatically cycles through twelve carefully selected preset colors in a gentle, flowing sequence. For greater personalization, users can connect the lamp to the IKEA Home Smart app to access over forty distinct shades and precisely adjust brightness levels. Marcelis emphasized the thoughtful design behind the color transitions, noting the effect is a gradual journey through hues rather than an abrupt shift. This smooth progression aims to subtly alter the ambiance of an entire room.
The collaboration extends beyond the table and wall versions. IKEA is also releasing a smart iteration of its existing Varmblixt pendant light, priced at $149. This model focuses on transitioning sensitively between various tones of white light. Both the pendant and the donut lamp can be operated with an included remote or integrated into a broader smart home ecosystem.
A key feature of this new product line is its foundation on the Matter connectivity standard. This universal protocol ensures broad compatibility, making it straightforward to incorporate these lights into most existing smart home setups using platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa. This launch follows IKEA’s announcement of over twenty new smart home devices late last year, highlighting the company’s expanding commitment to this growing market.
The updated Varmblixt collection merges IKEA’s signature accessible design with advanced smart technology, offering an easy entry point for consumers looking to add dynamic, app-controlled lighting to their homes.
(Source: Tom’s Guide)
