Ikea makes some great, budget-friendly home gadgets. Its recent selection of Matter-compatible smart sensors are a major win, not to mention the color-changing donut light that was the standout of CES. So when it came time to embark on my annual Big Cupboard Sort-out, I turned to Ikea for gadgets that might help me stay on top of my clutter (and perhaps to motivate me to get started in the first place).
Almost immediately, I happened upon the Gömpyssling sensor-operated LED light, for $4.99 for 2 in the US or £3 for 2 where I live in the UK. These puck-shaped lights adhere to the top of your cupboards and light up when the door is opened, so you can see what's going on inside.
I bought them to go in the storage disaster that is my Tupperware cupboard, and for some deep shelves where I store folded clothes. These spots just never seem to stay tidy, and part of that is because I just can't see what's going on in there, and removing what I need is always a major challenge.
Unfortunately, these lights are battery-powered, and within a couple of weeks of only occasional use, the batteries had run flat. The light is ultra-bright, and while that's great for illuminating the dingy corners of my cupboards, it seems to drain the battery in double-quick time. Looking through the reviews, there are some similar complaints on the US IKEA site (although pulled in from other countries), while UK customers seem generally happy with the setup.
The Gömpyssling product instructions read: "A new and fully charged Ladda [Ikea] battery, 2450mAh HR06 AA 1.2V, will last at least 5 months if the lamp is used 5 minutes per day." I used new batteries, but a relatively cheap make, so I'll be testing out Ikea's own-brand batteries to see if they yield better results.
In general, though, I'm annoyed with myself at opting for a battery-powered option in the first place. Even if I find a longer-lasting battery solution, it still feels a poor choice when it comes to sustainability — not to mention the cost of batteries quickly cancelling out the saving I made by opting for this cheap-and-cheerful option.
Below, I've found some rechargeable motion-sensor LED spotlight alternatives that look like a better choice, with options for both US and UK shoppers.
