IKEA might be best known for its budget-friendly flat-packed furniture and ever-popular Swedish meatballs, but with the new Sjömärke, the retail giant is set to expand further into the world of gadgetry.
The Sjömärke is the new built-in wireless charging device that promises to perform a “magic trick” by streamlining your mess of charger wires by turning your coffee table into one big invisible charger.
According to the IKEA manual, the Sjömärke wireless charger is “Perfect to mount on a desk, side table or bedside table when you want chargers and cables to blend into the decor to keep the room neat and tidy.”
But how does IKEA’s Sjömärke work and when will it be available to buy in the UK? Here’s the lowdown.
What is the Sjömärke and how does it work?
While other wireless charging pads only charge devices placed directly on them, what sets IKEA’s Sjömärke apart is that it can turn your whole desk or coffee table into a charging mat.
The Sjömärke is a handy seven-inch by three-inch aluminium and plastic charger that will work through with wood or plastic furniture by putting a Wireless Qi charging hotspot underneath the surface.
All you need to do to turn your desk into a wireless charger is attach the device to the underside of the table using either the included double-sided adhesive strips or screws (not included).
In order to work, it needs to be at least 8mm (0.31 inches) away from the phone, and IKEA recommends placing it on a surface between three-eighths and seven-eighths of an inch thick.
The Sjömärke also comes with a useful six-foot power cable as well as some stickers so you can mark where your new charging spot is.
Which phones are compatible with the Sjömärke?
The Sjömärke will work like a standard 5W charger, meaning it will be compatible with Qi 1.2.4.
This means that provided you use a surface with a maximum thickness of 22mm (0.87 inches), you’ll be able to recharge most of your Android or Apple iOS devices using the Sjömärke.
How to buy IKEA’s Sjömärke in the UK
The Sjömärke will be available to buy in IKEA stores and online from October.
It isn’t currently listed on IKEA’s UK website, however in the US it has been confirmed to cost $39.99 (£29.22), so you can expect it to be a similar price here.
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