IKEA released a smart version of its viral Varmblixt donut lamp — I tried it
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In 2023, the internet was ablaze with IKEA's Varmblixt lamp, aka the viral donut lamp. If you were among the crowd trekking to IKEA, attempting to find the donut lamp in stock, we've got some news for you — there's a new version of the lamp to covet. At CES 2026, IKEA unveiled a smart version of its viral donut lamp. Now you can enjoy the same shape lamp in a whole new array of colors.
As the owner of an OG Varmblixt lamp, I've been waiting for the smart version to drop, and it's finally here. And I got to go hands-on with the new donut lamp to see what it's all about.
About the IKEA Varmblixt lamp
The IKEA Varmblixt lamp first debuted in 2023, designed by Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis. Operating as either a table or wall lamp, the Varmblixt is crafted from orange glass, bringing gorgeous ambient glow to any room.
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Differences between the OG and smart Varmblixt lamp
With the Varmblixt lamp getting the smart upgrade, it's a slight departure from the original. The Varmblixt still has the same donut shape and can still be installed as a table or wall lamp. However, unlike the OG, it's no longer orange. Instead, the updated smart Varmblixt has a matte white glass finish. The color instead comes from the inside with a color-changing bulb. The old Varmblixt has a simple on/off switch, while the new version has a remote to adjust the lamp's color and brightness. Plus, the smart Varmblixt is a Matter device, meaning it will connect to any smart home hub.
How does the new Varmblixt lamp work?
The new Varmblixt doesn't look as exciting from the outside with its white base. But once you turn on the lamp, you can adjust the color and brightness with the included remote.
Using the Varmblixt required a bit more trial and error than I anticipated because, as I should have expected, IKEA's instructions were sparse. You don't need a smart home hub to operate the Varmblixt, although it will connect to yours if you have one.
If you don't have a smart hub (or even if you do), use the included remote to turn the lamp on or off, adjust the color, and adjust the brightness. IKEA doesn't provide instructions on which remote buttons do what. Luckily for you, I struggled through some trial-and-error, so you don't need to.
The remote has two buttons, marked by a large dot and a small dot. To change the lamp's color, double-click the large or small button. The large button moves you forward through the color wheel, but you can move back if you skip over a color you like, using the small button. To dim the light, hold the small button; to increase the brightness, hold the large button.
You can swap the Varmblixt bases
A cool feature of all Varmblixt lamps is that the base and glass shades are swappable. So, potentially, I could move the smart base to my existing orange shade, a huge boon for smart home aficionados who want to turn on the Varmblixt with their smart home hub.
How does the new Varmblixt look?
While the OG Varmblixt lamp embraced the warm, orange tones, the new smart version is notably cooler. The matte white shade is quite stark and bright, so to warm it up, adjust the color toward orange or red hues.
The color palette of the Varmblixt is not as extensive as you'll find in other smart light bulbs that let you choose from millions of hues. The IKEA colors are preprogrammed and tend to be cooler pastel shades. It's a definite departure from the warmth of the original Varmblixt. Luckily, if you're not into the cool pastels, the OG orange lamp is available.
Will I be swapping the new Varmblixt for the old?
The new smart Varmblixt lamp is a fun progression in the lamp's lineup, but will I be swapping out my own? Probably not. We're not big into smart home in my house, so I don't get the benefit of its Matter connectivity. And while I like the new colors, I still prefer the OG's warm orange shade that adds an ambient glow to my house. While I could see myself incorporating the new smart Varmblixt elsewhere in my home, it's not going to take the OG's spotlight.
Do I think the new light is worth it? Certainly. Especially for those excited about its smart home potential.
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