IKEA’s Smart Home Pivot: Why Zigbee Isn’t Dead Yet, and What Matter Means for You
For years, IKEA’s smart home ecosystem has been a haven for budget-conscious tech enthusiasts, particularly those embracing the open-source power of Home Assistant. But a quiet revolution is underway: IKEA is shifting its new devices to Matter over Thread, leaving many wondering about the future of Zigbee in their smart homes. While the headlines scream “Zigbee is dying,” the reality is far more nuanced – and surprisingly, offers a lifeline for existing setups, even as it charts a course for a more interoperable future.
The Unexpected Zigbee Holdout
Reports emerging from Reddit communities like r/tradfri and r/homeassistant reveal a fascinating twist. While IKEA is pushing Matter over Thread for its latest sensors, several new devices – notably the Bilresa remote and Berth bulbs – retain compatibility with the older Zigbee protocol. This isn’t a simple oversight. IKEA’s Touchlink feature, allowing direct pairing between devices without a hub, is key. These devices can be added to Home Assistant using ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, often requiring a specific sequence of power cycles or button presses to unlock Zigbee pairing mode. For example, the Kajplats bulb needs six power cycles for Matter, but twelve unlocks Zigbee.
This unexpected compatibility is a boon for users invested in the Zigbee ecosystem. It allows them to expand their smart home without immediately needing to invest in Thread border routers or replace existing hardware. Support for these devices is already being proposed for future versions of ZHA and Z2M, ensuring continued functionality.
Matter Over Thread: The Future, But Not Without Caveats
IKEA’s move to Matter over Thread for its new sensors – the Myggspray motion sensor, Myggbett door/window sensor, Timmerflotte temperature/humidity sensor, Alpstuga air quality sensor, and Klippbok water leak sensor – signals a commitment to the emerging smart home standard. Matter promises greater interoperability between devices from different manufacturers, simplifying the smart home experience. Thread, a low-power mesh network, provides a robust and reliable connection for these sensors.
However, this transition isn’t seamless. Currently, these new sensors are exclusively Matter over Thread, requiring a compatible border router for operation. This creates a potential barrier to entry for users who haven’t yet adopted Thread. It also highlights a key question: are the improvements offered by these new sensors significant enough to justify the upgrade? Some argue that improvements to basic devices like smart plugs and water leak sensors are incremental at best.
The Home Assistant Angle: A Bridge Between Worlds
The Home Assistant community is uniquely positioned to navigate this transition. The Home Assistant SkyConnect (formerly ZBT-2) is a versatile USB dongle that supports both Zigbee and Thread, though not simultaneously. This allows users to gradually adopt Thread without abandoning their existing Zigbee devices. The SkyConnect’s open-source nature and moddable design further empower users to customize their smart home setup.
The ability to run both protocols is crucial. While Zigbee 4.0, announced in late 2025, promises improvements in range and functionality, the existing Zigbee ecosystem remains strong, with manufacturers like Sonoff and Aqara continuing to innovate. For many, a hybrid approach – leveraging the affordability and maturity of Zigbee alongside the future-proof potential of Matter over Thread – is the most practical path forward.
Beyond the Protocol: IKEA’s Continued Value Proposition
IKEA’s smart home lineup has always been attractive due to its affordability and compatibility with Home Assistant. The shift to Matter doesn’t fundamentally change this. The Dirigera hub continues to act as a bridge, bringing older Zigbee devices into the Matter ecosystem. And, importantly, the new products are often priced competitively, making Thread and Matter more accessible to a wider audience.
The rollout of these new devices has been slow in some regions, but IKEA’s commitment to expanding its smart home range is evident with the upcoming refresh of the Varmblixt. This suggests a long-term vision for a comprehensive and integrated smart home experience.
Ultimately, IKEA’s smart home pivot isn’t about abandoning Zigbee; it’s about embracing the future of interoperability. It’s a strategic move that benefits both consumers and the broader smart home ecosystem. What are your predictions for the future of smart home protocols? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
