IKEA launches LED Christmas tree and matchstick floor lamp
IKEA has launched new STRÅLA festive lights, including a 150cm LED Christmas tree and a dimmable matchstick floor lamp. Both can gain smart controls with IKEA's Matter-compatible smart plugs and a compatible hub.
The STRÅLA tree is priced at $40, £25 or AU$50 and is made almost entirely from LED lights. It has a central spine with string LED lights descending from its apex to the ground, and it contains 180 diodes. Because it has no branches, it avoids the pine needles associated with real Christmas trees. IKEA says the tree can be used indoors and outdoors, and TechRadar describes it as a minimalist, post-modern take on a traditional Christmas tree.
The second product in the range is a floor light arranged as three large wooden matchsticks. Their red tips serve as soft lamps for a living space, making the piece a quirky addition and an eye-catching talking point during Christmas. It is dimmable in two steps, so it works more as a cosy accent light than as a room's main light source. TechRadar notes that it is not intended to replace a Christmas tree and is better understood as a fun addition rather than a dedicated centerpiece.
For smart home functionality, IKEA's STRÅLA lights can be combined with a smart plug. IKEA sells the GRILLPLATS range for $8, £7 or AU$13, and the plugs are compatible with the Matter smart home protocol and the IKEA Home app. Full smart control also requires a hub, such as IKEA's DIRIGERA or a Matter-compatible Amazon Echo, Google Nest or Apple Home hub that acts as a Thread border router. With a hub, users can set the lights to a schedule or switch them on and off remotely.
Those features can help save money over Christmas and help the lights mimic a person's presence while they are out celebrating with friends and family. Automation timers can create the impression that someone is home at different times even when they are not. When paired with a smart home hub, smart plugs can also enable voice commands, with the available assistant depending on the platform chosen. During the holiday season, for example, users can set up the lights to be activated by a phrase such as "Merry Christmas."
Christmas is still a couple of months away, but TechRadar notes that starting planning early can be useful. With IKEA's new festive lights, shoppers have a few more options when decorating their homes for the holidays.