IKEA’s Smart Home Innovations Shine at CES 2026, but Google Home Integration Lags
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, IKEA made a notable debut, unveiling an array of smart home technologies that emphasize affordability and user-friendly design. However, early adopters have encountered challenges with Google Home integration, highlighting a gap between IKEA’s innovative offerings and seamless compatibility within the Google ecosystem.
Affordable Smart Home Solutions
IKEA’s latest smart home products, announced in late 2025, are designed to be both cost-effective and versatile. Starting at just $8, these devices support the Matter protocol, ensuring broad compatibility across various smart home platforms. This strategic move aims to make smart home technology accessible to a wider audience without compromising on functionality.
Hands-On Experience at CES
During CES 2026, attendees had the opportunity to interact with IKEA’s new smart home devices. Despite the notoriously congested network environment typical of large trade shows, the products demonstrated impressive responsiveness. The BILRESA remotes, featuring intuitive buttons and scroll wheels, received positive feedback for their tactile feel and ease of use.
Integration Challenges with Google Home
Despite the promising hardware, users have reported integration issues with Google Home. Specifically, while devices like smart plugs and door/window sensors function correctly, certain generic devices, such as the BILRESA remotes, connect to Google Home but lack full functionality. This limitation stems from Google’s current inability to fully support these devices, leaving users unable to utilize them as intended within the Google Home ecosystem.
Lighting Innovations
IKEA is also enhancing its lighting solutions by incorporating smart features into popular designs. The VARMBLIXT light, resembling a donut, now includes Matter support, allowing users to adjust brightness and color settings seamlessly. This integration of aesthetics and technology exemplifies IKEA’s commitment to blending form and function in the smart home space.
Audio Expansion
In addition to lighting, IKEA is expanding its audio offerings. The upcoming KALLSUP speaker, priced at an affordable $10, is a battery-powered cube that connects via Bluetooth. It can pair with other IKEA speakers to create a synchronized audio experience. While the sound quality is modest, it is commendable given the price point. The straightforward pairing process, which establishes a direct wireless connection between speakers, ensures ease of use, though it limits compatibility with non-IKEA devices.
Product Availability
The KALLSUP speaker and VARMBLIXT lights are slated for release in the U.S. market in April 2026. Meanwhile, IKEA’s Matter-compatible products, including the SOLSKYDD speakers, are already available, offering consumers a range of smart home options.
Looking Ahead
IKEA’s foray into the smart home arena underscores its dedication to providing affordable and user-friendly technology. However, the current integration issues with Google Home highlight the need for improved collaboration between device manufacturers and platform providers. As the smart home market continues to evolve, addressing these compatibility challenges will be crucial to delivering a seamless user experience.
