Ikea's Varmblixt Smart Donut Lamp Brings Affordable Style to Your Connected Home
The beloved donut-shaped lamp gets a smart makeover with color-changing capabilities, Matter support, and teen approval
Ikea has transformed its popular donut-shaped lamp into a smart home winner with the new Varmblixt smart lamp, and it's proving that affordable connected lighting doesn't have to sacrifice style or functionality.
Priced at $100, the Varmblixt represents a sweet spot in the smart lighting market — literally and figuratively. While that's certainly more than Ikea's typical budget-friendly offerings, it's competitive for accent lighting that delivers both smart features and distinctive design. The lamp's donut shape makes it instantly recognizable and conversation-worthy, whether wall-mounted or sitting on a nightstand.
Smart Features That Actually Matter
The Varmblixt delivers where it counts: rich color-changing capabilities, dimming controls, and Matter-over-Thread support for seamless smart home integration. Unlike its non-smart predecessor that only glowed orange, this version opens up a full spectrum of colors to match any mood or decor.
The lamp works with both Ikea's own smart home ecosystem and Apple HomeKit's adaptive lighting feature, automatically adjusting color temperature throughout the day. At 180 lumens, it's not designed for task lighting, but provides plenty of ambient illumination for bedrooms, living spaces, or anywhere you want to add atmospheric lighting.
Design Upgrades and Practical Touches
Ikea made thoughtful improvements beyond just adding smart capabilities. The new matte finish looks more sophisticated than the original's glossy surface and better showcases the color-changing effects. The included long power cable offers flexibility in placement, whether you're mounting it on the wall or positioning it on furniture.
The lamp includes a physical remote control and an on-device button for easy operation without reaching for your phone. However, The Verge's review notes that remote connectivity can be spotty at times.
Who Should Buy the Varmblixt
This lamp hits the mark for several buyer categories. Parents looking for kid-friendly smart lighting will appreciate its fun design and gentle illumination — even earning approval from a discerning 15-year-old in testing. Smart home enthusiasts will value the Matter support for broad compatibility, while design-conscious buyers get an accent piece that doesn't scream "tech gadget."
The replaceable bulb design also means longevity, addressing a common complaint about integrated LED fixtures. When the bulb eventually fails, you're not replacing the entire lamp.
The Smart Home Context
The Varmblixt arrives as Ikea continues expanding its smart home ambitions, following other recent launches in connected lighting and speakers. At $100, it positions itself against options like the Philips Hue Go (around $80) but with a more distinctive design profile.
To unlock the full color range and advanced features, you'll need either an Ikea Dirigera hub or another Matter-compatible hub, which adds to the total investment for new smart home users.
For buyers seeking affordable smart accent lighting with genuine style credentials, the Varmblixt delivers on both fronts. It's proof that Ikea's smart home strategy is maturing beyond basic functionality into products that people actually want to display in their homes.
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