Ikea is back with its smart plug, it’s the most affordable model I’ve ever owned

After swinging for the fences with a new smart security system and this The most comfortable smart lamp everIkea is completing its smart home acquisition in 2026 new smart plug. So far, everything I’ve tested from Ikea this year has impressed me, either as incredibly affordable ways to start your smart home or as particularly clever product designs.

Now the Swedish meatball and furniture company is back small grillplates with plugEquipped to provide smart powers to any typical American outlet. It also offers full Mate compatibility, meaning you can use it with your Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings, or Alexa apps — with a few caveats.

At under $8, this is the cheapest smart plug I’ve tested. It currently controls me wi-fi routerThat makes it easy to reboot — a common part of smart home testing — but the plug can do a lot more. Here’s what I thought about it.

What’s in the plug? Ikea sticks to the basics

today’s smart plug Are compact, inexpensive and can turn a variety of home appliances on or off with remote app control. Ikea’s version builds on these benefits, but if you don’t fancy using apps it also includes a small remote for on/off activation, a handy add-on that I’ve never seen with a smart plug before.

While Ikea’s model isn’t the smallest I’ve tested, it’s compact enough to fit seamlessly into a standard outlet, which is the most important part of a smart plug design.

Otherwise, the basic plug doesn’t have many bells and whistles, just a small LED indicator light and a side button to turn it on or off. This is one of the nice things about most smart plugs: there’s no learning curve, you can start using them right away.

I like smart plugs with extra features, like dual outlets, but they tend to cost more, and Ikea is clearly aiming at the lower cost end of the market. So it’s reassuring that this plug has no noticeable design issues or looseness.

i have one The full guide on some of our favorite ways to use smart plugsBut your options will depend on what devices you have in your home. Lamps, heaters, fountains, fans, and even coffee makers are common choices for smart upgrades.

Quick setup and intuitive controls

One of my favorite aspects about this new generation of Ikea smart device How easy they are to install. All they need is a quick scan of a QR code or input of a Matter Pin, and the smart plug connects to the platform of your choice in a matter of seconds.

but there is a problem. You will need a Matter Hub for this connectivity to work. Ikea offers its own Dirigera Hub, but at over $100, it’s an expensive investment. If you already have a hub in your home, such as a HomePod, Apple TV, newer, this plug works much better amazon echo deviceSmartThings Hub or Nest Hub. This gives you a lot of options. If you don’t have one of these, the Ikea plug suddenly becomes a much more expensive investment.

I chose Apple Home for my testing platform because I like its streamlined interface. Here, another advantage of the GrillPlates plug surfaces: It’s easy to set up schedules and connect to other smart devices on the same platform. For example, you can connect a smart plug to a lamp, then link it to a lamp ikea motion sensor So the lamp turns on automatically when motion is detected in the room.

Little tricks like this give you room to experiment with Ikea plugs. However, you won’t find energy management options on this plug like you find in models like Emporia, so it’s not very useful for tracking your power.

Final Thoughts on the Ikea Grillplates Smart Plug

Ikea once again delivers with a super-affordable smart plug that has the easiest setup process I’ve ever seen for such a device. Of course, you’ll need a Miter hub to make everything work, so you better have a device that has hub features from Amazon, Apple, Google or Samsung – or be prepared to buy yours from ikea.

That issue aside, the Ikea Plug is worth considering for those looking to expand their smart home. The included remote control is a unique touch for those who don’t like using app controls, and the automation is worth setting up if you have additional devices like a motion detector.

It would have been nice to see energy tracking options for this plug, but even without them, Ikea’s plug stands out as a good option available for only $8, a price you can’t beat for a device like this.