IKEA Liljebagge: The 15-Euro thermostat with matter-over thread starts in January

A smart radiator thermostat for 14.99 euros? What sounds like an unrealistic price error in the smart home segment will soon become reality. As IKEA has now officially confirmed to media such as Heise, the new thermostat “Liljebagge” starts in January 2027 in the German stores and online shop.

In April of this year, the device was only a rumor after an attentive user had discovered placeholders in the IKEA app. It is now clear: IKEA is aggressively attacking the heating market. In Sweden, the Liljebagge thermostat is already sold for 199 crowns (about 18 euros). In Germany, the price should fall again and reach the magic limit of 14.99 euros. Thus, the furniture giant drastically undercuts the competition and provides by far the cheapest smart thermostat on the market.

Technology and requirements: Thread instead of classic Zigbee

Technically, IKEA says goodbye to this model from the in-house Zigbee focus and instead relies fully on the future-proof combination of Matter and Thread. In order to integrate the thermostat into the domestic network, a so-called thread border router is required.

Various devices are suitable for this purpose:

• IKEA's current Dirigera Hub
• Smart speakers such as the Apple HomePod mini or the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
• The expected for early 2027, even more compact IKEA hub codenamed “Brandhake”
• Further Matter Gateways such as the SMLIGHT SLZB-06MU

Especially for users who structure their smart home on the basis of home assistant and local data processing, the matter-over-thread integration offers an enormous advantage: The thermostat can be controlled completely independently of the platform and without cloud compulsion.

Compromises in favour of the margin

With a targeted sales price of less than 15 euros, compromises in the hardware are not missing. IKEA dispenses with the Liljebagge a classic, physical rotary controller. The temperature control directly on the device instead takes place via simple plus and minus buttons in 0.5 degree increments.

The display is also pragmatic: If the thermostat is mounted laterally or downwards on the radiator, reading the temperature in everyday life is likely to be difficult. Integrated window-open detection is also missing. For users of automated systems, however, this is easily measurable: external, decentralized window and door sensors (such as the IKEA Myggbett) can be used to implement such automation much more precisely and responsively. The power supply is ensured by two commercially available AA batteries, which, according to the manufacturer, offer a running time of around 18 months.

First voices from Sweden: praise for the prize, criticism of measurement accuracy and mechanics

Since the IKEA Liljebagge is already on sale in Sweden, initial customer reviews paint a mixed picture from practical experience. While the simple installation and smooth integration into smart home systems are often praised, there is some criticism of the technology. Several users report noticeable deviations in temperature measurement, which can amount to two to four degrees compared to reference thermometers, depending on the device, which is why the desired temperature must be adjusted offset accordingly. ‘

In addition, individual buyers complain about audible humming noises during constant control processes or additional costs for special valve adapters, which are necessary for certain types of heating.

Overall, Liljebagge is currently rated with 3.7 out of 5 stars (27.10.2026). It is therefore clearly attributable to the beginner.

Smart Alternatives with Matter and Thread

If you do not want to wait until January or attach more importance to high-quality haptics, displays with e-ink technology or extended internal sensor technology, you will already find strong alternatives on the market that also rely on a matter-over thread.

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The Eve Thermo in the 5th generation impresses with a noble, compact design and a clear touch display. It controls the temperature extremely precisely, sparks via Thread and is fully Matter certified. However, it is clearly priced in the premium segment at an EIA of around 79.95 euros.

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With the W600, Aqara offers a versatile model that can be connected via Thread or Zigbee. The thermostat reacts quickly and offers smart additional functions such as geofencing. Cost point: approximately 49.99 Euro EIA.

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Bosch has relaunched its popular second-generation thermostat as the “[+M]” variant. This version dispenses with the compulsion to the Bosch controller and instead communicates directly via matter-over thread. It offers a readable, modern display and is priced at just under 85 euros.

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This article was automatically translated from German. Read the original