IKEA’s New UK Smart Home Gadgets — Hidden Gems Under £50
IKEA has quietly, steadily turned smart-home tech from a niche hobby into something genuinely accessible. The big splash this year was the company committing to Matter (the universal smart-home standard) and rolling out a wave of new, inexpensive devices — many of which sit well under the £50 mark. That means you can begin automating a flat, student room, or rented house without blowing the budget. Below I round up the best “hidden gems” in IKEA’s UK smart range under £50, explain why they matter, and give short, real-world case studies showing how you might use them today.
Why IKEA matters for cheap smart homes (short answer)
Two things make IKEA interesting: scale and simplicity. IKEA can design and manufacture at huge volumes and price things aggressively; and its Home smart ecosystem is designed to be approachable — simple remotes, cheap bulbs, sensors and plugs that pair easily with a hub or (in many cases) directly with bulbs. In July 2025 IKEA confirmed a big new wave of smart products built for Matter — a sign they’re serious about making devices that work with other brands and platforms. (IKEA)
At the same time, IKEA keeps the prices practical: full-featured TRÅDFRI smart bulbs can be £7–£15, motion sensors and door sensors often land below £10, and plugs and remote kits can be single-digit prices — meaning you can smarten multiple rooms for the price of one mainstream smart speaker. (IKEA)
1) VALLHORN wireless motion sensor — £7: automated light without fuss
Why it’s a gem: A tiny, battery-powered motion sensor that’s IP44 (splash-resistant), can directly trigger up to 10 IKEA bulbs, and costs a fraction of most competitor sensors. Stick it in a hallway, cupboard, or on a porch and lights come on only when needed. Great for safety, convenience, and energy saving. (IKEA)
Practical example: put a VALLHORN inside a wardrobe or PAX wardrobe rail. When you open the door the sensor triggers warm light for 1–5 minutes. No rewiring, no hub required if you pair directly to a TRÅDFRI bulb.
Mini case study — The student flat: Jamie (21) shares a two-bed flat. They mounted a VALLHORN at the hallway entrance and paired it to a TRÅDFRI bulb in the ceiling pendant. Now coming home with shopping at night, the flat lights up automatically — no fumbling for switches, and the motion sensor only lets the light stay on briefly to save power.
2) PARASOLL door/window sensor — £9: small but surprisingly useful
Why it’s a gem: A slim open/close sensor (ideal for entry doors, windows, or cabinet doors) that sends notifications if you use the IKEA Dirigera system and can also trigger automations (e.g., turn on a closet light, silence heating if a window is left open). For just £9, it’s a cheap way to add awareness and simple security. (IKEA)
Practical example: add PARASOLL to a patio door and pair it to a smart plug controlling outdoor lights, so the garden path light automatically comes on when you open the door after sunset.
Mini case study — The elderly parent setup: Sara put PARASOLL on her dad’s front door and linked it to a smart plug that turns on a lamp in the hall when he gets home. The lamp + a timed automaton makes nighttime arrivals safer and gives Sara peace of mind via notifications (if she uses the app and hub).
3) TRÅDFRI smart bulbs — from ~£7: smart lighting without the markup
Why it’s a gem: These are straightforward smart bulbs — dimmable, multiple white tones, some models with colour — at prices that routinely undercut the big smart-bulb brands. TRÅDFRI bulbs are available in E27, GU10 and other fittings and are easy to incorporate into basic automations such as motion-activated lights, schedules, or group scenes. Price examples on the UK site include bulbs from around £7–£15 depending on type. (IKEA)
Practical example: replace a living-room lamp bulb with an 806 lm TRÅDFRI bulb, add a STYRBAR remote or motion sensor and get dimming and warm/cool presets without a smart speaker if you prefer physical controls.
Mini case study — The eco household: Alex wanted to cut energy waste. They replaced two old incandescent-style lamps with TRÅDFRI bulbs and scheduled them to switch off automatically at midnight. Combined with a single INSPELNING smart plug for the coffee maker, they tracked energy and reduced idle consumption.
4) TRETAKT plug / TRETAKT kit — from £6: cheap entry to control appliances
Why it’s a gem: Smart plugs are the quickest way to make non-smart things smart — lamps, heaters, kettles (only if suitable), fans. TRETAKT plugs and pre-paired plug+remote kits often start in the single digits in the UK IKEA range, making it easy to test automations without commitment. They can be controlled by remotes, motion sensors, or the IKEA app when paired. (IKEA)
Practical example: plug a slow-cooker into a TRETAKT plug and run it on a schedule so dinner’s ready at the right time. (Important safety note: always follow the appliance manufacturer’s guidance — avoid plugs for high current devices that exceed the plug rating.)
Mini case study — The renter’s upgrade: Zoe rents a flat and can’t change wiring. A TRETAKT plug and a TRÅDFRI bulb gave her voice control and app scheduling for her living room lamp and she used a remote to switch everything off when leaving — no landlord permission needed.
5) STYRBAR remote control — £12: physical control that’s actually useful
Why it’s a gem: Not everyone wants to micromanage apps. STYRBAR is a compact remote that controls up to 10 IKEA lights, can be wall-mounted, and complements voice and app control perfectly. For rooms shared with guests or for people who like tactile switches, it’s a low-cost, practical add. (IKEA)
Practical example: mount STYRBAR by the sofa for simple “movie / reading / bright” lighting presets.
The broader context: Dirigera, Matter, and compatibility
IKEA’s ecosystem historically used TRÅDFRI (Zigbee) and the TRÅDFRI gateway, but the brand has been moving toward Dirigera (the newer hub) and Matter support for broader cross-vendor compatibility. In 2024–25 IKEA released updates and product lines that make it easier for these devices to work with major voice assistants and Matter ecosystems — which means buying IKEA smart devices is less likely to lock you into a silo going forward. (The Verge)
Why this matters for the budget shopper: if a cheap motion sensor or bulb supports Matter or bridges through Dirigera, you can later add non-IKEA devices without having to rip everything out.
Quick shopping checklist: what to buy for a £50 smart starter kit
If you want a practical setup under £50 for a single room, here’s a simple bundle idea with real UK prices found on IKEA’s site:
• TRÅDFRI E27 smart bulb (~£12). (IKEA)
• VALLHORN motion sensor (£7). (IKEA)
• STYRBAR remote (£12) OR TRETAKT plug kit (£6–£? depending on kit) for appliance control. (IKEA)
Total: around £31–£37 depending on exact bulbs / plug options — well under £50. That gives you motion-triggered light, app and remote control, and a smart plug if you want appliance automation.
Three short, practical case studies
Case study A — The night-shift worker (safety & convenience)
Problem: arriving home at 2am, fumbling for switches; also wants cheap automation for energy saving.
Setup: VALLHORN motion sensor by the hallway + TRÅDFRI ceiling pendant bulb + STYRBAR remote by the bedroom.
Outcome: Lights come on automatically when approaching the door (motion sensor), stay long enough to get inside, and the remote lets them quickly set the bedroom to a low night mode. Cost: ~£26–£35. (IKEA)
Case study B — The small business pop-up (easy install, low cost)
Problem: pop-up shop needs lighting control, door notifications, and a simple way to switch everything off after hours without hiring an electrician.
Setup: PARASOLL on the main door (notifies via the hub), TRETAKT smart plug on display lamps, TRÅDFRI bulbs in lamp fixtures.
Outcome: Staff get automatic lights when entering; remote or app switch-off at close; door sensor gives alerts if left open. Cost per item remains low and scales easily. (IKEA)
Case study C — The minimalist home office (focus & routine)
Problem: reduce distractions and automate “work mode.”
Setup: TRÅDFRI bulb set to cool white at 100% for work hours; motion sensor in adjacent room to auto-turn off when nobody’s present; TRETAKT plug for a desk lamp with energy monitoring (if you opt for an energy-monitoring plug model).
Outcome: a focused lighting schedule and auto-off when the room is empty, saving money and building a subtle routine.
Tips, gotchas, and setup notes
- Do you need a hub? Many IKEA sensors and remotes can pair directly to TRÅDFRI bulbs, but for full app control, automations, and Matter bridging you’ll want the Dirigera hub — it’s slightly above the £50 threshold but central to bigger setups. Also, Dirigera’s Matter support is expanding, which helps future-proof your setup. (The Verge)
- Batteries & placement: small sensors like VALLHORN and PARASOLL use AAA batteries — IKEA recommends LADDA rechargeables. Expect long battery life but keep spares. Place motion sensors where they have a clear line of sight for best detection (avoid direct sunlight, and remember motion-sensing range is limited). (IKEA)
- Compatibility with third-party hubs: IKEA devices work well with many Zigbee hubs and are increasingly exposed to Matter. However, behaviour and features can vary (notifications, battery reporting, or advanced settings may be limited on third-party hubs). If you rely on advanced automations, check the exact feature set when pairing to non-IKEA systems. (The Verge)
- Safety first with plugs: only use smart plugs for appliances that are safe to operate remotely. Resist using smart plugs for high-draw heating devices unless the plug spec specifically allows it.
- Buy multiples: because each device is so cheap, IKEA’s model encourages buying several small sensors/remotes rather than one expensive super gadget — this often yields a better, more flexible smart home.
Final thoughts: cheap, useful, and surprisingly polished
IKEA’s recent push in smart home hardware shows that useful automations don’t need to be expensive. The combination of sub-£50 price points, straightforward design, and improving cross-vendor compatibility (Matter, Dirigera updates) makes IKEA particularly compelling for people who want a smart home that’s affordable, tidy, and easy to change when life (or tenancy agreements) require it. For under £50 you can already automate lighting, add door/window awareness, and make everyday appliances smarter — which is a meaningful slice of what people imagine “smart home” should be.
1. Case Study: VALLHORN Motion Sensor in Practice (Hallway & Cupboard Use)
Setup & Use
- A user placed a VALLHORN wireless motion sensor in a hallway (just inside the door), paired to a TRÅDFRI bulb in the ceiling light.
- In another room, VALLHORN is used inside a PAX wardrobe (or cupboard) so that opening the doors triggers strip lighting inside.
What works well
- The sensor reliably detects motion in both scenarios; people report “very good product for such a cheap price.” (IKEA)
- The range (5 m for motion, 10 m line of sight to light sources) plus decent angle (≈120°) means one sensor covers a decent stretch of hallway. (IKEA)
- Rechargeable batteries (IKEA’s LADDA) help; false positives reduce when using correct battery type. (IKEA)
Challenges / Frustrations
- Some users complain that the motion sensor is too sensitive, or triggers when doors are closed, possibly due to reflections or adjacent motion. (IKEA)
- Others note that light/dark settings (day/night mode) or dim-level control (e.g. wanting 30% at night) either don’t work or are ignored unless a workaround is used. (Reddit)
- When the sensor is used without a hub, behavior (especially turn-off delay or compatibility with bulbs) can be inconsistent. Some lights don’t turn off as expected. (Reddit)
Takeaways / Best Practices
- Use rechargeable batteries (1.2V) rather than 1.5V – several users see odd behavior with non-rechargeables. (IKEA)
- Place where motion and line of sight are clear (avoid obstructions, windows that cause glare, etc.).
- If using at night, or in low-light, plan scenes or automations to dim rather than full brightness.
- Test if sensor works better with the Dirigera hub vs. direct pairing, especially for more reliable schedules and automations.
2. Case Study: Dirigera Hub, Matter Integration, and App Experience
Setup & Use
- Users who upgraded from IKEA’s old TRÅDFRI Gateway to the newer Dirigera hub to get more modern features (Matter bridging, better app, etc.).
- In many homes, Dirigera acts as the central smart-home hub (for bulbs, motion sensors, plug sockets), with the IKEA Home Smart app plus optionally third-party voice assistants (Google Home, Apple Home, Alexa).
What’s improved
- Dirigera adds Matter support (in “bridge” mode), meaning older Zigbee devices can now be exposed to Matter ecosystems and be used via voice assistants or other Matter-enabled platforms. (The Verge)
- The app has been updated to include adaptive/dynamic lighting (color temperature & brightness shifts through the day) for those connected via Dirigera. This improves ambience and comfort. (The Verge)
Challenges / Complaints
- Some users report that transition from TRÅDFRI → Dirigera loses features (e.g. default states after power cut) or that they cannot use certain sensors’ settings as before. (Reddit)
- Problems with third-party integrations: sometimes lights or devices don’t appear in Apple Home / Google Home / Alexa after moving to Dirigera, or commands through voice assistants are slow or intermittent. (Reddit)
- Hub dependency: if Dirigera is down (power off, firmware issue), many automations / remote triggers cease. Some users dislike that remotes or sensors are less functional without the hub than older direct-pairing setups. (Reddit)
Takeaways / Best Practices
- Keep firmware and app up to date; many of the fixed / improved issues come via updates.
- After migrating to Dirigera, double-check integration with voice platforms; re-add devices or re-authorize services if needed.
- Plan for backup (e.g. manual switches / remotes) in case the hub is offline / rebooting.
- Start with core items (light + one sensor), test functionality, then expand; this avoids cascading integration problems at scale.
3. Example Home Setup: “Evening Mood Lighting + Convenience”
Here’s how someone built a useful setup under £50 focused on mood + convenience in their small flat:
| Component | What they used / where they placed it |
|---|---|
| 1 × TRÅDFRI E27 smart bulb (white spectrum) in living room lamp | Main overhead lamp replaced, allows dimming and warm/cool white color shifts. |
| 1 × VALLHORN motion sensor in hallway near entrance | To detect arrival and turn on corridor/bulb lights as people enter with hands full. |
| 1 × STYRBAR remote mounted near sofa | To control living room lighting presets: reading, movie, off. |
Behaviour / Automation they achieved
- After sunset, when the hallway sensor detects movement, the corridor light turns on, then dims to a mood-light level (warm tone) in living room when entering.
- Using STYRBAR remote, they have three preset states: “Movie” (dim warm light), “Reading” (brighter + cooler white), “All Off”.
- They schedule lamps to turn off automatically at midnight (or some specified time) to avoid “sleep-lighting waste.”
What works for them
- Very little manual interaction needed outside the remote.
- The hallway sensor increases safety and convenience arriving at night.
- The warm/cool adjustments help avoid harsh lighting late night, better for sleep.
What they wished was better
- More precise control of dim levels via motion sensor (night mode too dim sometimes, or default brightness too high)
- Slight delay occasionally in scenes triggering (when hub is busy)
- They’d like more sensors for bedroom + kitchen to expand automation beyond living room.
4. User Comments & Common Themes
Pulling together multiple user-reviews, forum threads, Reddit posts etc, here are recurring comments, both praise and criticism:
Positive Comments
- “Excellent value for such a low price.” Many users say that for what you pay, the functionality is good. (Example: VALLHORN “works well… very good product for such a cheap price.”) (IKEA)
- The motion sensors have “great range and angle” in many setups when placed properly. (IKEA)
- The Dirigera hub once set up often praised as more responsive, more modern, especially with Matter support. (The Ambient)
Negative / Frustrations
- Inconsistent behavior: lights not turning off, or triggering at wrong times. Especially without hub, or if sensor settings (e.g. night/day mode) are limited. (Reddit)
- App issues: slow, buggy, some devices missing in integrations, inconvenient setup steps. (Reddit)
- Dependence on firmware / software updates: many fixes come only after user reports. Also, features promised (dim levels, brightness schedules, etc.) sometimes missing or delayed.
Workarounds Users Recommend
- Use scenes or automations instead of relying on built-in defaults (e.g. morning/evening brightness) since these sometimes don’t behave as expected.
- Where possible, use the hub (Dirigera) rather than direct pairing, for more reliable triggers and centralized management.
- Keep batteries fresh, use rechargeable recommended, avoid cheap alkalines that cause spurious triggers.
- If migrating from old setup (TRÅDFRI) to newer ones, re-map or re-add devices to ensure integrations (voice assistants etc.) are preserved.
5. Suggestions for How You Could Use These Devices in Your Home (Adaptation Ideas)
Here are some application ideas (with realistic configurations and estimated cost) you might try in a UK flat, house, or room.
- “Night Sensor + Gentle Light” in the bedroom: place VALLHORN motion sensor near the doorway, set to trigger a lamp at low brightness only between, say, 11pm-6am. Use a TRÅDFRI bulb capable of dimming. Use Dirigera to set a scene so that brightness and warmth are gentle, to avoid waking you up fully.
- Entryway convenience: put sensor by the front door + plug on table lamp or porch light. As you enter, light comes on automatically. Also use STYRBAR remote by door to shut off lights when leaving. Possibly pair PARASOLL sensor on door too, so open = trigger certain lights (e.g. hall + porch).
- Kitchen automation: a plug (TRETAKT or similar) for a kettle / coffee maker, scheduled via the app or via voice assistant to turn on or off. Combined with a motion sensor under cabinet or on fridge so that when you approach in morning, the coffee machine turns on.
- Holiday or “away” mode: set up scenes so the lights behave as though someone is home (e.g. corridor light comes on at dusk, living room lamp on then off, etc.). Use plug timers or smart plugs for lamps to work with scenes.
6. Summary: Where the Hidden Value Is & What to Watch Out For
Where the value is
- Low-cost sensors and devices give functionality for small incremental improvements (lighting, security, convenience) without big upfront cost.
- Dirigera + Matter opens up cross-vendor compatibility, so you’re not locked in.
- Scene / automation features allow for personalization: lighting moods, schedules, etc.
What to watch out for
- Confirm that features advertised (dim levels, brightness, day/night detection, sensor sensitivity) work in practice; sometimes limited by firmware/software.
- Be aware of battery + power needs. Keeping sensors alive and reliable depends on battery type and maintenance.
- Expect some initial setup fiddling—pairing, naming, integrating with voice assistants, sometimes deleting & re-adding devices to fix missing or misbehaving items.
- Plan for what happens when your hub or WiFi is down: how many devices can still be controlled manually or via remotes.