IKEA’s upgraded donut lamp is already my favorite smart home device of the year — here are 5 reasons why

Ever since IKEA's astonishing debut at CES 2026, all I can think about is the array of new devices it showcased – and I simply cannot get the new Varmblixt smart lamp out of my head.

Building on the iconic donut lamp it launched in 2022, IKEA is growing its legacy with a new version of its popular lighting product with a handful of smart upgrades. I happen to own its orange donut predecessor, but its new sibling is even more practical yet still stylish, and I'm ever so tempted to upgrade.

Looks aside, the revised Varmblixt lamp is one of my favorite smart home devices of the year already for five particular reasons, all of which I've gathered below. I don't need another lamp, so this one is purely a 'want'.

Along with the new donut smart lamp, IKEA unveiled five new gadgets at CES that you should definitely check out – but after you've read this roundup, of course.

1. Its reasonable price tag

While it’s never a wise idea to purchase a smart home device solely on the basis of it being ‘cheap’ or affordable’, it’s something that everyone considers in the process. When it comes to the new smart Varmblixt lamp, there’s no ridiculous price hike.

Its standard edition is currently priced at $99.99 / £55 / AU$99, and when its smarter upgrade lands in April, it will be priced at $99.99 in the US (which works out to about £80 / AU$150), while the new LED Pendant Light will be slightly more pricey ($149.99 / £110 / AU$220).

Although it will come with a slight price increase in certain regions, which was inevitable given its new smart functions, its US price remains the same as the original model, which would not have been the case if it were any other smart home brand.

2. New smarts don’t sacrifice its iconic design

One of the reasons why I fell in love with the original Varmblixt lamp in the first place was because of its unique donut-shaped design, tapping into that mid-century modern interior style that’s taken over, and I’m happy that IKEA has kept it.

Despite its smart home selling points, it doesn’t take away from the original lamp’s purpose, which is to serve as a beautiful, decorative piece to brighten your home space. Now it's added smart home tricks give it even more depth.

The only design difference between the 2022 original and the new smart version is that it now features a white matte glass lamp shade, instead of its original warm orange hue – but I’m willing to let that one slide.

3. Display versatility

Just like its iconic shape, display versatility is here to stay, too. Whether you decide to place the Varmblixt lamp next to your sleeping space, on a media unit, or mount it to fill empty wall space, there’s always a way for you to integrate it into your home, no matter your setup.

It also challenges you to get creative, which is something I’ve come to love with smart home tech. I’ve seen a handful of owners online use the Varmblixt lamp to accompany the best turntables in their audio setups, and even coffee bars for their morning caffeine fix.

4. Matter support ties it in nicely with your existing setup

It's quite frustrating when you come across a smart home device with a lot of potential, but then discover it’s not Matter-supported. This isn’t the case for IKEA’s smart lamp.

Now that the Varmblixt lamp is built on the Matter standard, it means that it can fit in easily with your existing smart home ecosystem, so you can ditch the new Bilresa remote if you want to.

5. A wide color spectrum to set any mood

As mentioned, the Varmblixt smart lamp comes with the new Bilresa remote control which allows you to click between the 12 different color presets selected by IKEA collaborator Sabine Marcelis. Each shade is designed to blend seamlessly from one to the other, but there’s a way to unlock even more.

When you connect the lamp to the IKEA Home Smart app through the Dirigera hub, it’ll give you the power to choose from a large color spectrum of 40 different shades and allow you to find the right light to set the perfect tone. If you don’t own the Dirigera hub don’t worry, that’s what Matter support is for, and you can control its 40 added shades right from the smart hubs that you’re already using.

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