Samsung SmartThings and IKEA introduce direct Matter integration with $6 smart bulbs, eliminating the need for an additional hub.

      In summary: Samsung SmartThings and IKEA have revealed that 25 new IKEA Matter-over-Thread devices can now connect directly to a SmartThings hub without needing IKEA’s DIRIGERA hub. The line includes smart bulbs starting at $5.99, significantly cheaper than competitors. This integration utilizes Thread border routers built into Samsung TVs, soundbars, and appliances since 2022, meaning many Samsung device owners already have the necessary infrastructure for Matter devices, as the smart home market is projected to reach 800 million Matter-compatible devices by the end of this year and a $537 billion market by 2030.

      On Monday, Samsung SmartThings and IKEA announced that 25 of IKEA's latest smart home devices can now connect directly to a SmartThings hub through Matter over Thread, removing the need for IKEA’s DIRIGERA hub as an intermediary. This development, while it may seem incremental, is actually significant. It allows a $6 IKEA smart bulb to integrate into the same system as a Samsung television, refrigerator, and washing machine, enabling local communication without relying on the cloud. This protocol also supports Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. The smart home sector has long promised interoperability, and now that promise is materializing at a price point that's easy to justify.

      The 25 devices include IKEA’s new Matter-over-Thread offerings: KAJPLATS smart bulbs in 11 variations starting at $5.99, GRILLPLATS smart plugs, scroll wheel remotes, smart buttons, a MYGGSPRAY motion sensor for $9.99, a MYGGBETT door and window sensor priced at $7.99, a KLIPPBOK water leak detector at $9.99, and an ALPSTUGA air quality sensor for $29.99 that measures CO2 and PM2.5 at about a quarter of the cost of competitors’ offerings. While the bulbs, plugs, and remotes connect directly to a SmartThings hub via Matter, the sensors require a hub, either IKEA’s DIRIGERA or an alternative. Control for blinds and shades will be introduced later this year.

      Why this is technically significant

      Previously, integration necessitated both an IKEA DIRIGERA hub and a SmartThings hub, with the DIRIGERA serving as a Matter bridge for IKEA's Zigbee devices to connect to the SmartThings ecosystem. The new devices operate using Matter natively over Thread, a low-power IPv6 mesh networking protocol that allows devices to communicate directly with any Matter-compatible controller. Samsung and IKEA performed multiple validation rounds to ensure connectivity stability and created a dedicated user experience for IKEA device management within the SmartThings app.

      The technical significance lies in the protocol stack. Matter operates at the application layer, defining device descriptions, command reception, and state reporting, while Thread functions as the networking layer, forming a self-healing mesh where devices act as routers. SmartThings was the pioneer in adopting Thread 1.4, which facilitates cross-brand network unification: a SmartThings hub can join an existing Thread network from a different ecosystem or allow a third-party border router to connect to its own. Consequently, all Thread border routers within a home, regardless of their manufacturer, work as a single unified mesh.

      Samsung has been quietly integrating Thread border routers into an expanding array of hardware since 2022. Every Samsung smart TV, including QLED, Neo QLED, OLED, and Lifestyle models, has one, as do Samsung soundbars, refrigerators, and washing machines. Consequently, millions of Samsung TV owners already possess the infrastructure for Matter-over-Thread devices in their homes without purchasing specific smart home equipment. IKEA's $6 bulbs offer those TV owners an affordable opportunity to experiment.

      IKEA's pricing strategy

      IKEA’s pricing is a crucial aspect of the announcement. A KAJPLATS smart bulb at $5.99 undercuts Philips Hue Essential and others, offering a compelling value. The ALPSTUGA air quality sensor, priced at $29.99, competes against products from Awair and IQAir that exceed $100. IKEA has made it clear that its objective is to make smart home technology “easy to use, easy to understand, and accessible to the many,” and its pricing strategy directly reflects that goal.

      This approach represents a comprehensive overhaul. In November 2025, IKEA introduced 21 new Matter-compatible products and has committed to making Matter and Thread its standard smart home protocols moving forward. The DIRIGERA hub has transitioned from a Zigbee controller to a Matter bridge in September 2024, and will evolve into a full Matter controller by mid-2025, capable of onboarding devices from other manufacturers. IKEA is not only adding Matter support; it is restructuring its entire smart home product line around it.

      Jaeyeon Jung, executive vice president of SmartThings at Samsung, emphasized the partnership's focus on accessibility: “By integrating IKEA devices with SmartThings, even novice smart home users can enjoy an