IKEA’s VARMBLIXT smart lamp with Matter over Thread has started appearing across the UK and Europe ahead of its originally stated April 2026 release window. The new version keeps the same distinctive donut shaped design as the original VARMBLIXT lamp but adds smart home connectivity and colour changing lighting.
The updated model features a matte finish, replacing the glossy surface found on the earlier non smart version. Inside, the lamp uses an LED coil similar to a light strip, creating the continuous ring lighting effect that defines the design. In terms of performance, the lamp outputs 180 lumens and offers a CRI of 90, delivering accurate colours and soft ambient lighting suited for accent spaces such as shelves, desks, or bedside tables.
The biggest upgrade is support for Matter over Thread, allowing the VARMBLIXT to connect directly to major smart home ecosystems including Apple Home, Google Home, and SmartThings. Apple Home users can add the lamp directly to the Home app without needing IKEA’s DIRIGERA hub, provided they already have a Thread Border Router such as a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K.
IKEA also includes a physical remote control, allowing users to turn the lamp on or off, adjust brightness, or cycle through colours without opening a smart home app. But if you add it to one of the ecosystem via Matter, the remote no longer works directly with the lamp and you need to pair it via Matter into Apple Home.
The early appearance of the VARMBLIXT suggests IKEA’s wider Matter rollout for 2026 is moving faster than expected, with additional Thread based devices also beginning to surface, including the GRILLPLATS and TOFSMYGGA smart plugs. It is also worth noting that at the time of writing, the new VARMBLIXT does not yet appear on the IKEA UK website, despite already being available in physical stores. However, stock can still be located using this third party store stock checker and available in all but 6 of its UK stores.
I have had the VARMBLIXT for a couple of weeks now and a full review will be landing shortly, so keep your eyes open for that or subscribe to the YouTube channel to be notified.
