Ikea is fleshing out its smart home line with three new smart sensors, including a motion sensor, a water leak sensor, and a door and window sensor, all of which will work with Ikea’s second-generation smart home hub.
And speaking of the Dirigera smart hub, Ikea has reportedly delayed its plans to upgrade the hub to Matter, the new smart home standard that (following a rocky start) promises to unite the big smart home ecosystems.
First, let’s check out the three new smart sensors, which are all slated to ship next year:
Parasoll door and window sensor
Like other door and window sensors, the Parasoll arrives in two pieces: one that attaches to a door or window jam, and another that you affix onto the door or window itself.
These contact sensors detect when they’re separated by the action of opening the door or window, thus triggering an alert; the sensors can also detect when the door or window is closed again.
Besides warning you of potential intruders (or if you’ve forgotten to shutter your doors and windows), the Parasoll sensor can also trigger smart automations (such as turning on your lights) when you return home.
Ikea
Badring water leak sensor
Designed to be placed anywhere in your home where there might be a water leak, the Badring is a compact wireless sensor that connects to the Dirigera smart hub.
Place it under a sink, on a basement floor, near a washing machine, or in another spot that’s prone to unwanted moisture, and the Badring will ping you if it detects a leak, either through a mobile notification or an audible alarm from its built-in speaker.
Ikea
Vallhorn wireless motion sensor
Capable of being used both indoors and outdoors, the Vallhorn motion sensor is designed to trigger your lights when it detects movement.
All three of the new Ikea sensors use the wireless Zigbee protocol to connect to the Dirigera hub, allowing the sensors to send you status notifications even when you’re away from home.
The Parasoll and Vallhorn sensors are set to ship in January 2024, Ikea says, while the Badring should go on sale next April.
US pricing for the Vallhorn sensor will be $8.99, according to an Ikea rep. Stateside prices for the Parasoll and Badring sensors have yet to be determined, but Engadget reports that the EU pricing will be €9.99 each.
Matter delay for Dirigera hub
Meanwhile, The Verge has learned that a Matter update for the manufacturer’s Thread-enabled Dirigera smart hub has been pushed back.
While Matter support for the hub had been promised sometime last year, Ikea has since “decided to delay this functionality,” with a date to be set “when it’s time,” The Verge reports.
Ikea has been slowly filling out its smart home line, starting with smart bulbs, motorized smart shades, smart shades, smart air purifiers, and Wi-Fi-enabled Symfonisk speakers made in partnership with Sonos.
The Dirigera smart speaker is the successor to Ikea’s original smart hub, the Tradfri (which wasn’t exactly our favorite).
Updated shortly after publication with US pricing for the Vallhorn motion sensor.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.