Every now and then you come across a gadget that haunts your nights and may appear unexpectedly in your daydreams. You imagine it on your desk, next to your best 4K TV, or filling a wall like a vertical box of delicious donuts.
IKEA’s original donut-shaped Varmblixt lamp is that product, and I haven’t stopped being obsessed with the Bluetooth lamp since I saw it at CES 2026.
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I’m glad, however, that IKEA chose to keep the small physical remote control, meaning that even if you don’t want to connect the lamp to an app, you can access all 12 colors (app control raises the level of customization to 40 distinct shades).
There’s the other reason I’m obsessed with Varmblixt: I used this remote. Unlike most other LED-based Bluetooth lighting systems that make difficult and almost jarring color changes, Varmblixt takes it slow.
With each press of the remote, I saw the color change almost imperceptibly, then slowly transition to the new, fully variable shade. Additionally, the color diffusion under the molded glass is almost perfect. It’s just beautiful to look at and I loved basking in the glow.
Function follows form
None of this would work as well if there wasn’t such a clear marriage between design and color choices. Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis clearly designed the pair as a marriage of hue and shape. Even the way the colors change feels more like a symphony than a switch, and matches the Varmblixt’s smooth appearance perfectly.
The other thing that perhaps attracted me to the Varmblixt is its fundamental simplicity. No hub, just the choice to use the remote or the app.
We wonder if the Philips Hue line of smart lighting products would have the same kind of feel if it paid as much attention to design and simplicity.
I remember thinking that Varmblixt would be perfect if it was also rechargeable and truly wireless; then my secret dream of a wall of them could come true.
The other thing I loved is that even though it’s a more powerful and smarter version, Varmblixt will still only cost $99 (prices will vary outside the US) when it ships in April.
I know it’s just a lamp, but the best tech products are often the ones that do one thing and do it very well. Varmblixt seems to succeed on this level, but it will do more than that, because when you have one or more of these donut lamps in the house, they will instantly become conversation starters. And whether you use your app, your voice, or the handy remote to control them, I bet you elicit more than a few “oohs” and “ahhs.”
There is also another Varmblixt option, a large hanging LED pendant light, which looks like a random group of hanging “U”s. It currently only supports white light and will also ship in April for $149. I don’t dream of this lamp.
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