IKEA made its CES debut this year, and there was real buzz around what the company would bring to the show floor. CES 2026 key announcements from IKEA centered on the brand’s first public showcase of its expanding smart home ecosystem, including Matter-enabled accessories, budget-friendly Bluetooth speakers, and smarter lighting updates.
But rather than chasing spectacle, IKEA focused on what it does best: thoughtful, approachable products that fit naturally into everyday life. As the brand’s first showing at CES, people were genuinely excited to see what IKEA would display.
Smart homes that finally feel simple
Smart homes can be powerful and impressive, but not always approachable. The typical mix of apps, bridges, and compatibility caveats can make you feel more like tech support than a homeowner. At CES, IKEA worked on solving that problem, showing how complicated systems can be simplified into products most people actually want in their homes, at prices they can afford.
With that in mind, the company spotlighted its new and growing lineup of Matter-enabled devices. They included ultra-affordable Bluetooth speakers, smarter lighting, and switches all in IKEA’s quirky-sleek aesthetic. Rounded forms. Playful names. Prices that make experimenting with smart tech feel low-risk (there was a $6 Matter light bulb!).
And importantly, none of it felt like tech for tech’s sake
Crucially, there were no demos or off-the-wall concepts. It was a more practical debut, centered on smart home technology for people who want their homes to work better without becoming smart home experts in the process. And, speaking from a homeowner’s perspective, there’s definitely a place for that.
IKEA X Matter: tactile buttons, dials, and sensors
IKEA’s new Matter-enabled buttons, dimmers, remotes, and sensors embody that philosophy. They’re tactile and satisfying to use — click, scroll, adjust — rather trapped behind an app. Even on the notoriously messy CES network, the devices responded quickly. Tap a button and lights change. Turn a dial and brightness shifts. The IKEA DIRIGERA (the company’s smart home hub) was there, but you can use any Matter-enabled hub with the lineup.
There is one small catch: Google Home support is still evolving for some of the generic Matter controls. The devices connect, but Google doesn’t always know how to interpret every button press yet. That’s more a platform limitation than a hardware problem, and everything still works smoothly inside IKEA’s own app and other ecosystems.
Smart lighting and audio that blend into everyday life
Where IKEA really surprised people was with lighting and audio.
Some of its most popular lamps — like the donut-shaped IKEA VARMBLIXT — are gaining Matter support for brightness and color. So, instead of separating “smart decor” from “regular decor,” IKEA’s approach blends the two, which is exciting for consumers. Your space can still sport nordic design; it just gets smarter behind the scenes.
On the audio side, affordability took center stage. The new $10 KALLSUP cube speaker pairs directly with other IKEA speakers to form groups around a room. It won’t replace premium systems, but it does support casual listening in kitchens, bedrooms, dorms, and at picnics. For the price, the experience feels almost playful.
IKEA at CES 2026: the smart home grows up
That’s the real takeaway from IKEA’s first year at CES.
Nothing screamed for attention. Instead, there was a steady, confident push toward smart homes that feel less like tech demos and more like actual living spaces. CES 2026 key announcements from IKEA showed that the company wasn’t trying to reinvent the smart home, but it did try to make it livable.
We can add more affordable and more tactile, too. After seeing this new direction for IKEA, it’s hard not to be curious about what it’ll bring CES 2027!