Ikea's Funky Smart Lamp Gets a Sweet Deal

Hey tech enthusiasts! If you've been eyeing some unique smart home additions, you might want to check this out. The Ikea Varmblixt smart lamp, which garnered quite a bit of attention for its quirky donut shape and solid performance, is now on sale. My colleague Jennifer Pattison Tuohy was quite taken with it when she reviewed it back in April, praising its versatility and relatively accessible price point.

Now, you can snag this eye-catching lamp for just $79.99, which is a $20 discount off its usual $99.99 tag. This offer is valid until November 11th, so if you're tempted, you'll want to act fast. You can find it over on Ikea's official website.

The Varmblixt isn't just about looks, though. While it's designed to be placed on a table or mounted on a wall, its 180 lumens output makes it more of a mood setter than a room illuminator. Think bedside companion or ambient lighting rather than a primary light source. The newer version offers a broader color palette, letting you cycle through 12 preset colors, a nice step up from the earlier model's single orange hue. The included wireless remote is a neat touch, allowing you to tweak colors, adjust brightness, and control the lamp without needing an app or an extra hub. There's even a power button directly on the lamp itself, and the remote can manage other compatible Ikea lights too.

For those of you deep into the smart home ecosystem, the Varmblixt plays nice with Matter. This means it can integrate seamlessly with platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. Voice control is a given, but it also unlocks a universe of customization: hundreds more colors, programmable schedules, wake-up and sleep routines, and the ability to link it with motion sensors and other smart devices. To unlock even more features, like simulating natural daylight cycles, you can pair it with Ikea's Dirigera hub and use its Home Smart app.

So, if you're looking for a smart lamp that's both functional and a bit of a conversation starter, this Ikea deal on the Varmblixt might be just the ticket. Happy smart home hunting!