"It does look like a giant donut": IKEA's latest Varmblixt smart light is a viral sensation, but it's not the only show-stopping product coming in 2026

Date:
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Description:
As discussed on the TechRadar Podcast it's clear that IKEA was the big winner of CES 2026.

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As the dust settles on the chaos that is always CES 2026 and we take our time to chew on the tech we saw from the 2026 iteration of the Las Vegas tech
show, I cant help but feel like IKEA stole the show.

We discussed the coolest tech we saw on the latest episode of our podcast,
and while awesome tech that feels ripped from the future like the brain-reading Neurable HyperX headset and over-100-inch Samsung Micro-RGB TV were among our favorites, we all conceded that IKEAs simple yet effective smart appliances were the true stars.

Watch our latest podcast below, and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Speakers, lights, even air-fryer-microwave-combos, IKEA had a lot of
fantastic home gadgetry to showcase much of which came in dazzling colors, and of course, the brands iconic fun Swedish names.

The reason for IKEAs excellence is a simple one: its tech hit the sweet spot of interesting, useful, and relatively affordable.

Its Varmblixt LED Lamps are beautiful , brightly colored donuts that boast a color representation that even some supposed smart lighting experts can't beat, and theyll only cost $99 (prices will vary outside the US) when it
ships in April.

Our US Editor-at-large saw the light in person, and said that while it "does look like a giant donut," there's "just something so beautiful about it." You can hear more about his first-hand experience with Varmblixt in the episode linked above. (Image credit: IKEA)

Or youve got the tiny, beautiful Kallsup speakers , which are properly affordable at just $9.99. You can connect to up to 100 at once, and theres a fantastic opportunity here for a delightful audio setup if youre brimming
with creativity.

While its arriving a little after CES proper, weve also got the three-in-one Gtebo microwave making its global rollout following its European launch last year. Perfect for smaller spaces, this microwave meets airfryer looks to be a simple yet effective appliance, adding to IKEAs improved smart home image

Well have to see how well IKEAs tech performs when it lands in front of our expert reviewers, but if it hits the mark with everything it has shown off so far this year, IKEA might have already won 2026.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/it-does-look-like-a-giant-donut-ikea s-latest-varmblixt-smart-light-is-a-viral-sensation-but-its-not-the-only-show- stopping-product-coming-in-2026


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