IKEA has launched a new motion-activated light that can be fixed instantly on any flat surface. No screws, wires, or smart hub are required for this battery-powered and adhesive gem, allowing installation anywhere from bathrooms to dark cabinets and corridors in need of a lighting lift.
The IKEA ANKARLÄGG LED nightlight costs just $3.99. That's less than a morning coffee, and significantly less than the $15 to $30 one would normally expect to pay for a motion-activated LED light. At this affordable price, and coupled with the hassle-free installation, ANKARLÄGG lights can be placed around your home for automated, app-free illumination.
I have been thrilled to see IKEA steadily releasing such devices that seamlessly blend into your smart home setup, while still aligning with the brand's core ethos of affordability and simplicity.
IKEA's New ANKARLÄGGLED Effortlessly Lights the Way at Night
Light up your kitchen cabinets, create visibility in the bathroom, or add a touch of soft luxury to your home with IKEA's new simple adhesive and battery-powered ANKARLÄGG lights, which emit a warm, soft hue.
Requiring no wiring, hub, or smartphone app, the ANKARLÄGG nightlight could not be simpler to mount on your wall. Insert your batteries and use the self-adhesive to stick it to any surface, and it will automatically turn on whenever it detects motion within 9.8 feet. It's an easy way to instantly expand your lighting ideas.
For a long time, I have endeavoured to move to automated illumination in my home, but I have been put off by the costs of buying the number needed for the impact I desire. Now that IKEA has launched them at just $3.99 each, I can finally elevate my home.
The simplicity of the design speaks to IKEA's central focus: To make easy-to-use, affordable products that work for the everyday person. I'm a Home Tech Editor and can handle wiring and more complex installs, but the beauty of this device is that no such knowledge is needed for these gentle nightlights to improve your space.
I often see brands overcomplicate new releases or over-engineer products that would otherwise be versatile and useful to all, so it's reassuring to see that IKEA's continued journey into home technology has stayed true to its commitment to simplicity.
Everyday Uses
Place these motion-sensor lights in your bathroom for gentle visibility in the middle of the night, or through entryways and dark corners lacking sockets. You can also use them to illuminate your stairs for better visibility in the late evening. These uses are not only practical, but can also help reduce your energy bills.
At $3.99 – one of the lowest prices for such a device on the market – IKEA has become the most affordable place to bulk-buy motion-activated lights and upgrade your home's most useful lighting ideas at once.
As the ANKARLÄGG device responds to your presence, emitting a soft, dim hue that is bright enough for visibility without startling the eyes, you can create a gentle ambiance at home that adapts to your movements. This immediately adds a sensation of soft luxury to your space.
Smart Triggering Means Minimal Recharging
The devices only turn on in the dark, so precious battery charge won't be wasted as you move throughout your home during the day.
There are countless reasons why smart lighting improves your well-being, but lights that are specifically activated by motion are invaluable in creating a safer home at night. Whether it's when heading upstairs in the evening or during sleepy middle-of-the-night bathroom trips, having automated visibility helps to prevent accidental falls from loose cables and other household obstacles that are easily missed in the dark.
Many of my closest friends, particularly those with limited mobility, have motion-activated lights dotted around the house, and it transforms the space as well as improving user safety. The home becomes easier to live in and more natural to move around, while feeling warmer and calmer.
The added draw is that similar items, including IKEA's new smart sensors, seamlessly blend into your space and work with your existing tech so you can start to upgrade your home's technology without arduous installs, difficulty using, or a separate and expensive hub to connect it.
The IKEA ANKARLÄGG LED nightlight is available for $3.99.
More to Shop
The IKEA ANKARLÄGG is a simple, inexpensive device that elevates how it feels to move around your home. I have curated more simple but effective upgrades that can improve your space without the need for any technical know-how.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Similar to the ANKARLÄGG, this IKEA motion sensor can activate your main lights or any lamps powered by smart bulbs, much like the Philips Hue bulbs below, so that your entire home can respond to your movements.
Create a soft ambiance at home with Philips Hue's most affordable smart bulb. You can set daily routines and dim it from an app, adding brightness during the day and softness in the evenings. It can also be remotely operated via the app for added home security when you are away.
Elevate your ambiance further by choosing from millions of different hues to create the perfect setting during the day and in the evening, or to introduce a touch of vibrancy during social gatherings.
This IKEA remote control can dim lights and set scenes, and you can stick it to the wall much like the IKEA ANKARLÄGG nightlight. If you have a scene of Philips Hue smart bulbs, this is the quickest way to turn them on at once.
If you would prefer motion sensor lights that don't require batteries, the highly-rated AUVON plug-in lights work in a similar fashion. They activate from a similar distance to IKEA's ANKARLÄGG lights, auto-shut off at dawn, and emit soft, gentle light for visibility in the dark.
In a more classic design, the Guankai motion sensor stair lights may look more cohesive alongside the light fixtures that you already have at home. They operate similarly to the IKEA design, but activate at a closer range (five feet).
Next, learn how to use color-changing light bulbs to have more impact than decorating.
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