IKEA's new line of smart home products has been a major boost for the Matter industry, for here is the world's largest home furniture store going all in on the Matter standard. But there is one way in which IKEA's buttons and sensore are different from many other Matter products, and that has to do with batteries.
IKEA's new Matter line doesn't come with batteries included
IKEA's new line of Matter-over-Thread devices includes smart remotes like the BILRESA, the TIMMERFLOTTE temperature and humidity sensor, and the KLIPPBOK water leak detector. These products all run on AAA batteries, with the notable exceptions are those that plug directly into the wall, like the ALPSTUGA air quality sensor.
TIMMERFLOTTE Temperature and Humidity Sensor
A simple, compact indoor sensor that displays temperature and humidity levels at the press of a button.
ALPSTUGA Air Quality Sensor
A smart, compact sensor that tracks CO₂, PM2.5, temperature, and humidity to help you monitor and improve indoor air quality.
BILRESA Remote Control with Dual Button
A simple, two-button remote that lets you control smart lighting functions like power, brightness, colour, and scenes from anywhere nearby.
Unlike most smart gadgets, the batteries don't come included. Their prices are low in part because IKEA isn't shipping batteries and is hoping you'll buy theirs with the order. This contrasts with competing products from companies like SwitchBot and Flic, which use less accessible cell batteries but ship products with the battery already in place.
You can very quickly run out of batteries
What I've learned from this experience is just how quickly I can run out of AAA batteries. I ordered several packs when I placed my order for IKEA sensors, and those have already run out.
The number of batteries needed for each gadget varies. The Smart Remote needs two batteries, and I have three of those throughout the house. The temperature sensor also requires two AAA batteries. The water leak detector and MYGGBETT contact sensor each only need one.
KLIPPBOK Water Leakage Sensor
A small, smart water leakage sensor that detects leaks, sounds an alert, and can notify your phone when connected to a hub.
MYGGBETT Door/Window Sensor
A smart, discreet sensor that detects door or window movement and can trigger notifications or automate lighting.
You don't need to buy your batteries directly from IKEA, but it's not a bad idea since these batteries are rechargeable and quite competitively priced. A 4-pack of IKEA’s LADDA AAA batteries costs $9, which is almost half the price of the Panasonic Eneloop batteries I had been using. This pack will only cover two smart remotes or temperature sensors. If you order eight of IKEA's smart gadgets, you may find yourself needing to order four packs of batteries as well.
The cost of batteries adds up quickly
At $9 for four batteries, the actuality price of an IKEA Matter device jumps up quite fast. One pack of AAA batteries costs more than the BILRESA smart button itself (currently $6 in the US), and not much less than a temperature and humidity sensor ($10). You may spend $40 on Matter hardware, then find yourself needing to spend an additional $30 on batteries used to power it all.
You can save some money upfront by going with disposables, but then you find yourself in a position of continuously needing to buy batteries. That said, this isn't an expense that will hit you often. These Matter devices are designed to last several months on a charge.
I prefer to go the rechargeable route. It may cost more upfront, but IKEA's devices are priced low enough that I can pay for rechargeable batteries and still come out cheaper than buying a Matter gadget from a competitor. I also know I will not have to buy more batteries for quite a while—unless I place an order for more Matter gadgets.
Remember to order batteries when planning an IKEA smart home
However you go about purchasing batteries, make sure to factor them into your budget as you map out your smart home. It's one thing to know that 10 BILRESA buttons will cost you $60, Five TIMMERFLOTTE temperature sensors may cost another $50, and eight KLIPPBOK could cost you $64. That $174 budget increases by $90 once you add the necessary ten packs of rechargeable batteries to your cart, plus another $12 for a charger to charge those batteries.
With math like this, do I regret purchasing IKEA products? Not at all. I have been very happy with my BILRESA smart buttons and the TIMMERFLOTTE temperature sensor I reviewed, and I have more products I will be setting up soon enough—once I get more batteries.
