- Home
- Smart Home
- Smart Lights
The smoothly curves, color-shifting smart lamp was a surprise hit at the CES tech show earlier this year
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: IKEA / Future)
- Copy link
- X
- Threads
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter- The hugely popular IKEA Varmblixt smart lamp has been spotted in stores
- It features frosted glass, shifting colors, and smart home compatibility
- It's scheduled for an April release, but some shoppers have found it already
IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp was a surprise highlight of this year's CES technology show, and although the company said it would have its official launch in April, it seems some stores have jumped the gun and started stocking their shelves early. The lamp has also appeared on IKEA's Swedish website, where it's described as "a magical sight that catches the eye" — and we're inclined to agree.
The lamp is an updated version of the original Varmblixt LED lamp, which launched in 2022. The classic lamp has a glossy orange finish to fill your room with a warm glow, but it's now had a makeover with softly shifting pastel colors, a frosted finish, and Matter compatibility so you can integrate it with your smart home.
TechRadar's Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff got his hands on the new lamp on the show floor, and couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards.
You may like-
IKEA exec shares the secrets behind the brand's new-and-improved donut lamp
-
IKEA just revealed a new donut-shaped smart light – and it'll look sweet on your tables or walls
-
This IKEA donut lamp has invaded my dreams, and now I want nothing but to own 12 of them
"With each press of the remote, I watched as the color shifted almost imperceptibly, then slowly transitioned to the new, fully-dimmable hue," he wrote after experiencing it in person. "Not only that, but the color diffusion under the molded glass is near perfect. It's simply beautiful to watch, and I loved basking in the glow."
He imagined owning one, calling it a "marriage of hue and form", and it seems that dream might not be too far off. As German site Notebookcheck reports, some shoppers have already spotted the redesigned lamp in their local stores — and posted photo evidence to prove it.
I spottede the new VARMBLIXT with Matter in my local IKEA even though it's scheduled to launch in April (unless I missed something). pic.twitter.com/eSjjlDqLPYFebruary 28, 2026
Like its predecessor, the new Varmblixt is a collaboration with Dutch artist and designer Sabine Marcelis, who is known for her use of pastel colors, light, and geometric shapes.
Unlike most smart lights, which let you pick any color on the spectrum, the Varmblixt lamp shifts between a limited palette of hues hand-picked by Marcellis to complement its shape. You can move smoothly between these colors using a remote control, or connect it to the IKEA app to open up a wider selection of 40 shades, but that's entirely optional.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
"Most people won't buy this updated Varmblixt because they want a smart device but because it’s a beautiful lamp, where you can change the atmosphere of a room with a click of a button," David Granath, Range Manager for Lighting and Home Electronics at IKEA of Sweden, told TechRadar in an exclusive interview last month.
The lamp hasn't yet been spotted outside continental Europe, but we'll certainly be keeping our eyes open next time we're browsing the shelves. It's listed for 699 Krona on IKEA's Swedish site, and is set to cost $99 in the US, so we'll be tempted to grab more than one.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.
The best smart lights for every roomOur top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons➡️ Read our full guide to the best smart lights1. Best overall:Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance2. Best budget:Govee Wi-Fi LED Bulb3. Best for parties:Govee Curtain Lights4. Best for bedtime:Philips Hue Twilight
Cat EllisSocial Links NavigationHomes EditorCat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
IKEA exec shares the secrets behind the brand's new-and-improved donut lamp
IKEA just revealed a new donut-shaped smart light – and it'll look sweet on your tables or walls
IKEA’s upgraded donut lamp is already my favorite smart home device of the year — here are 5 reasons why
The 5 best gadgets IKEA announced at CES 2026 – including a smart version of my favorite lamp
The Philips Hue Flourish table lamp is getting an upgrade to take on IKEA
IKEA's new indoor-outdoor lamp looks like another affordable winner
Latest in Smart Lights
IKEA's latest motion-activated light 'can be installed anywhere'
These outdoor Philips Hue lights are next in line for a big rumored upgrade
A behind-the-scenes look at the 5 best upgrades in the new IKEA donut lamp
IKEA exec shares the secrets behind the brand's new-and-improved donut lamp
I test smart lights for a living, and these are my top 3 Philips Hue smart lights to brighten up any space
The Philips Hue Flourish table lamp is getting an upgrade to take on IKEA
Latest in News
MWC 2026 day 2: the 7 best gadgets we've seen today
IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp is landing early in some stores
“AI in networks isn’t CPU vs. GPU”: Intel unveils 18A-based Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ for edge AI and early 6G infrastructure
Pokémon Pokopia is the highest-rated Pokémon game since X/Y on Metacritic, and it's not even out on Nintendo Switch 2 yet
Blue Prince just got a Switch 2 release date, alongside 17 more game announcements — here are the top 3 games from the latest Indie World Showcase coming to the Switch consoles that I'm most excited for
Get up to $50 to watch For All Mankind season 5 with this stellar VPN deal
LATEST ARTICLES- 1Is your TV too dark? Here are 3 easy tips to fix it
- 2Marathon is a different kind of extraction shooter, and it won’t be for everyone
- 3MWC 2026 day 2: the 7 best gadgets we've seen today
- 4Samsung is bringing glasses-free 3D to a billboard near you - 'spatial signage' could lead to a new generation of ads
- 5Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3: which should you buy?