Ikea's new 2026 smart home and home security devices quickly earned several spots on my recommendation lists, thanks to their high affordability (many around $10) and full compatibility with the cross-brand smart home standard Matter . The big caveat was that you needed a Matter hub, like an Apple TV or an Echo Show , to use the devices. Now that step has gotten easier with Samsung's latest SmartThings expansion, announced on Tuesday.

Previously, you needed Ikea's own Dirigera hub , around $110, and a SmartThings hub from Samsung to get Ikea's devices to work in the SmartThings app. Now you just need a compatible SmartThings hub, and it can support Ikea's Matter devices, which total around 25.

Those devices include smart plugs , access sensors for doors, motion detectors, temperature and air quality sensors, smart bulbs and lamps and plenty more to experiment with.…