Yes—if you want a distinctive decorative lamp with smart-home controls and already understand the hub requirement. IKEA’s second-generation VARMBLIXT LED table/wall lamp keeps Sabine Marcelis’s famous glowing-ring design, but replaces the original fixed orange light with adjustable colors, dimming and white-spectrum control.
Previewed at CES 2026, it is now available in the U.S. for $99.99 as listed by IKEA on August 18, 2026. It is an appealing ambient light, but it is not a replacement for a bright reading lamp, desk light or main room fixture.
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What IKEA actually launched at CES 2026
The CES product was not a completely new lamp shape. It was a smart reworking of IKEA’s existing Varmblixt “donut” lamp: the sculptural circular form remains, while the new version uses white glass and controllable LED lighting.
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Early CES reports suggested an April 2026 arrival, but later coverage placed the U.S. and European release in March. IKEA’s U.S. product page now lists the smart version for purchase at $99.99.
The designer is Sabine Marcelis, whose design makes the lamp look more like a glowing architectural object than conventional consumer electronics.
What is different from the original Varmblixt?
| Feature | Original Varmblixt | Smart Varmblixt |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Orange round glass | White-glass smart version |
| Light | Fixed orange glow | Adjustable colors and white spectrum |
| Dimming | Not smart-controlled | Yes |
| Control | Physical switch | Included remote, app and compatible smart-home controls |
| Placement | Table or wall | Table or wall |
| Smart-home support | None | Matter over Thread |
| U.S. price listed | $99.99 | $99.99 |
The current U.S. IKEA listings show both versions at $99.99, although retail prices and availability can change. The smart model therefore adds meaningful flexibility without a higher listed lamp price at the time checked.
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How you control the lamp
The included remote
The lamp comes with a pre-paired remote, so it can be used without joining a smart-home system. The remote handles basic functions including power, dimming and color changes.
IKEA’s manual specifies two AAA HR03 batteries. Batteries are not included, so they are a practical item to have before installation.
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- MODIFY TO PREFERENCE. Combine your lampshade with your preferred bulb to make your own special desk lampshade. You can control each speaker individually, so you can play music in one room while the children are listening to an audiobook in another one, or play the same sound throughout the home. You can stream music, podcasts and radio via Wi-Fi without interruptions from phone calls or notifications. The music keeps playing even when your phone or tablet is not around.
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The IKEA Home smart app
For app control, IKEA directs buyers to its DIRIGERA hub and IKEA Home smart app. This route supports features such as grouping lights, schedules and routines, making it more useful when the lamp is part of a larger IKEA lighting installation.
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Other smart-home platforms
IKEA lists Matter-compatible systems from Amazon, Apple, Google, Homey and Samsung among its supported examples. That means the lamp may join a compatible Matter smart home rather than being restricted to IKEA’s ecosystem.
However, compatibility does not guarantee identical features everywhere. Color controls, scenes, automations and setup steps can vary between IKEA Home smart, Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Homey.
Matter over Thread: the part buyers can easily miss
Matter is the interoperability standard that helps smart-home products work across supported platforms. Thread is the low-power wireless network used by this lamp.
In practical terms, a phone generally cannot control the lamp directly over Thread. For app-based or voice control, you need a compatible Matter smart-home controller with a Thread Border Router. This is often built into a smart-home hub, smart speaker, streaming device or another controller.
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- Newly Preset Modes: With 64+ diverse preset scenes and 8 music syncing modes, this smart table lamp can enrich your party experience, immersing yourself in relaxation or entertainment moments.
- Matter Suppported: Beyond Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings, the bedside lamp supports HomeKit via Matter. Seamlessly control your entire smart lighting setup with a single voice command. Plus, AI Lighting Bot 2.0 turns speak, text, or snap into personalized effects, and refines them through conversation—making lighting smarter and truly bespoke.
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- DIY Creation Supported: This smart night light supports fun and sharable DIY customized lighting effects with the App so that children expand their imagination and adults create brilliant surprises for parties and anniversaries.
- Lamp plus remote: usable without a smart-home hub.
- Lamp plus app or voice control: requires a compatible Matter setup.
- IKEA Home smart features: typically require DIRIGERA and the IKEA Home smart app.
IKEA explicitly states that the hub is sold separately. Buyers should not interpret “works with Alexa,” “works with Apple Home” or similar wording as meaning that a phone alone is enough.
What does it cost in practice?
The minimum purchase is the $99.99 lamp. That includes the remote, but not its two AAA/HR03 batteries or any smart-home hub.
IKEA’s surfaced U.S. smart-lighting listings showed the DIRIGERA hub at $109.00. Based on those listed prices, a buyer starting from nothing would spend approximately $208.99 before tax for the lamp and DIRIGERA. That is an inferred total from the separate listings, not a bundle price.
If you already own a suitable Matter controller with Thread Border Router functionality, the additional hub cost may be zero. Check your device’s current specifications before ordering; not every smart speaker, bridge or Matter controller supports Thread.
The BILRESA remote is generally unnecessary for this lamp because a remote is included. IKEA’s listings have shown BILRESA kits at different prices, including $17.99, but that is an optional accessory for expanding a smart-lighting system—not a required purchase for the Varmblixt.
Is it bright enough to light a room?
Think of the Varmblixt as an ambient or accent lamp, not a primary source of illumination. The available independent coverage positions it as a decorative light, and TechRadar suggests a desk lamp or smart bulb in a conventional lamp base when the goal is lighting a workspace.
Rank #4
- Note: Power adapter not included for this rechargeable lamp. Only compatible with 5VDC adapters (5VDC 2A+ recommended). When unplugged, smart power-saving mode automatically dims the light to extend battery life. The device still consumes power under standby status.
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- Matter Support & AI Lighting Bot 2.0: Govee smart lamp works with Matter and SmartThings. Control via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Govee Home App. AI Lighting Bot 2.0 supports multi-turn conversations, helping you find the right lighting solution.
It should work well for:
- Living-room mood lighting
- Bedside atmosphere
- Accent lighting in an entryway or lounge
- Color scenes for entertaining
- A wall-mounted decorative feature
It is a poor substitute for:
- A ceiling fixture
- A reading lamp
- A desk or task light
- Kitchen work lighting
- A high-output floor lamp
Do not buy it for brightness unless IKEA’s current specifications clearly meet your intended lighting level. The lamp’s appeal is its glow and form, not high-output utility.
Table lamp or wall feature?
The Varmblixt can sit on a table or be mounted on a wall. That flexibility is useful in a rental or a room that may be rearranged, but the circular form also makes placement and cable management more visible than with an ordinary lamp.
It is corded, not cordless. On a table, plan for a nearby outlet and enough surface depth to keep the lamp stable. On a wall, use suitable fixing hardware for the surface, follow IKEA’s installation guidance and make sure the cable can reach power without creating a trip or snag hazard. A clean wall installation still needs access to an outlet.
Livingetc noted that the cable has a more premium finish than a typical plastic-clad cord, but it remains a cable. If a completely wireless, minimal installation is essential, this is the wrong product.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What independent reviews say
The strongest positive signal is the design. The smart version preserves the visual reason people wanted the original while adding color, dimming and broader smart-home compatibility. The included remote also means the lamp remains approachable for someone who does not want to manage it through an app.
The main reservations concern the smart experience. TechRadar found that app setup could be less intuitive than the product’s polished appearance suggests. Matter and Thread make interoperability possible, but they also introduce terminology and hardware requirements that beginners may not expect.
Best Value
- 【Dynamic RGBICWW Color Technology】Experience the future of lighting. Unlike traditional lamps that can only display one color at a time, our RGBICWW smart table lamp allows for multiple colors to be displayed simultaneously. This creates stunning, animated multi-color effects and flowing gradients, letting you DIY your lamp with light for a truly personalized and dynamic atmosphere
- 【Intuitive Touch & Smart App Control】Seamlessly integrated for a modern lifestyle. A simple tap on the top lets you power on/off or adjust brightness instantly. For full customization, connect to the "Giant Home" app via Bluetooth to unlock 16 million colors, 30+ scene modes, music sync, timers, and advanced DIY features. A streamlined experience with no extra remote to lose
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Reviews of IKEA’s broader 2026 Matter range have included some connectivity complaints, although Tom’s Guide reported no connection problems during its own week of testing. Those experiences are not guarantees for every home: Thread performance depends on the controller, network and placement.
IKEA’s product page showed a user rating of roughly 3.5 out of 5 when checked. Ratings and review counts change, so treat that as a dated snapshot rather than a permanent product verdict.
Setup checklist
Before ordering, confirm that you have:
- A nearby power outlet
- Table space or a suitable wall surface
- Two AAA/HR03 batteries for the remote
- A compatible Matter controller if you want app or voice control
- A Thread Border Router for Matter-over-Thread operation
- The Matter QR code and the relevant setup app
IKEA’s manual says the lamp enters pairing mode for 15 minutes after it is connected to power. Pair it during that window, then follow the instructions in the chosen Matter platform.
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Troubleshooting common setup problems
- No app control: Check that you have a Matter-compatible hub with Thread Border Router capability. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on the phone alone is generally not enough.
- Pairing fails: Disconnect and reconnect the lamp to power, then retry during the 15-minute pairing period described in the manual.
- The QR code cannot be found: Check the printed product documentation and packaging materials for the Matter code.
- The remote does not work: Install two AAA HR03 batteries and verify that the remote is switched on and paired.
- Controls are missing: Try IKEA Home smart with DIRIGERA if a third-party Matter platform exposes fewer color, scene or automation options.
- Connection is unstable: Check the location of the Thread Border Router and the wider smart-home network before assuming the lamp is faulty.
Who should buy the smart Varmblixt?
Buy it if:
- You want a statement lamp first and a smart light second.
- You already own a compatible Matter/Thread controller.
- You like the original Varmblixt but want more than its fixed orange glow.
- You value adjustable color, dimming and white-spectrum lighting.
- You want a lamp that can move between table and wall use.
- $99.99 is reasonable for a decorative fixture in your budget.
Skip it if:
- You need bright reading, work or task lighting.
- You want a battery-powered or cable-free lamp.
- You do not want hubs, QR-code pairing or Thread setup.
- You need the simplest possible smart-lighting installation.
- You are buying several lamps and the hub cost changes the economics.
- You specifically want the original orange-glass appearance.
Alternatives by use case
The original orange Varmblixt is the better choice if you want the iconic fixed glow without smart-home setup. An IKEA smart bulb in a conventional lamp base is more practical if you prioritize replaceability, ordinary lamp shapes or lower-cost experimentation.
Philips Hue is a stronger fit for buyers who want a mature ecosystem with extensive scenes and accessories. Nanoleaf suits highly visual, effect-driven installations. Govee offers many relatively inexpensive color-effect products, but generally feels more gadget-like than the Varmblixt’s furniture-inspired design.
Final verdict
The smart Varmblixt is one of the more compelling CES 2026 products for a design-conscious buyer: it is distinctive, now purchasable, and listed at the same $99.99 U.S. price as the original version when checked. The remote makes it usable without a hub, while Matter over Thread gives existing smart-home owners a path to app and voice control.
But the smart features do not change what the lamp fundamentally is. It remains a decorative, ambient fixture with a visible power cable and a potentially significant hub cost. Buy it for the glowing donut design and flexible mood lighting—not as the brightest, simplest or most practical lamp in your home.
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