Skip to main content

New Ikea air quality sensor arrives just in time for spring

Ikea might be best-known as the place to buy affordable furniture, but the company also has a surprisingly robust lineup of smart home products. The newest addition to the Ikea smart home family is the Vindstyrka smart indoor air quality sensor — a tiny device that measures particulate matter (PM2.5) — and it’s slated to arrive this April.

The upcoming Vindstyrka air quality sensor features a minimalist, rectangular design that offers nothing more than a few buttons and a simple display highlighting PM2.5 levels, temperature, humidity, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). The sensor is built to work all on its own, although you’ll get more mileage out of the device by pairing it to the Ikea smartphone app. Doing this will allow you to activate other devices based on the current air quality, including Ikea’s own Starkvind air purifier.

Related Videos
The Ikea air quality sensor on a table.

Beyond that, little else is known about the sensor. According to Henrik Telander, product owner at Ikea of Sweden, the company set out to create an “affordable, high-performing air quality sensor,” so don’t expect this device to carry a price tag that puts it at the high end of the market. Instead, it might align more closely with something like the Govee Smart Air Quality Monitor, which measures many of the same parameters and clocks in at $60.

The exact launch date for the Vindstyrka will vary by region, although Ikea is expecting to have it available in all markets by the end of April. That puts its launch date right at the start of spring — which is the perfect time to add an indoor air quality sensor to your home, as pollen and other allergens rapidly arrive with the sunshine.

Expect to learn more about the Vindtyrka air quality sensor — including exact pricing — as we inch closer to its release.

Editors' Recommendations

How to choose a robot vacuum
Roborock S4 Max cleaning a carpet.

A robot vacuum is a great way to automate your chores and keep your home free of dust, debris, and other allergens. Whether you’re shopping for a budget-friendly model with the basics or a premium gadget that can atomatically empty its dustbin after each cleaning, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a new robot vacuum, such as available features, the best available brands, price points, and more.

Once you’re done checking out this list, be sure to read through our roundup of the best robot vacuums.
Features to consider in a robot vacuum
Sensory sophistication and virtual mapping
Most modern robot vacuums use sensor technology to navigate around a room, but some models are more advanced than others. Basic robots have infrared sensors to stop them from bumping into things and changing direction when they collide with something, whereas more sophisticated models will map out a room using laser-guided scanners or a combination of cameras and sensors. These high-tech robots also sometimes have "dirt sensors" to be sure they have cleaned properly, and can add additional cleaning passes to dirty or high-traffic areas.

Read more
Arlo Pro 4 vs. Arlo Pro 5S: which security camera comes out on top?
The Arlo Pro 4 home security camera installed outdoors.

Arlo is responsible for two of the best smart security cameras on the market -- the Arlo Pro 4 and the Arlo Pro 5S. The Pro 5S clocks in at $250, while the older Pro 4 is a bit cheaper at $200. But is it really worth dropping an extra $50 to snag the newer Arlo Pro 5S? From video quality and built-in extras to power usage and more, here’s everything you need to know about the Arlo Pro 4 and Arlo Pro 5S security cameras before making a purchase.
Resolution and night video

Both the Arlo Pro 4 and Arlo Pro 5S capture footage with a resolution of up to 2K. They also support HDR, making most images crisp and easy to decipher. You’ll also benefit from color night vision and a 160-degree viewing angle. In other words, both security cameras produce high-end footage that’s easy on the eyes.

Read more
Anker finally admits to Eufy security camera issues
Eufy Floodlight Camera 2 Pro turned on and installed on side of building.

Anker, the parent company of Eufy, has officially admitted that its line of security cameras was not as secure as previously thought. Its products were said to use end-to-end encryption for recorded video footage -- but it turns out that wasn’t always the case.

In late 2022, it was discovered that Eufy cameras had a bit of a privacy issue. Using the VLC media player, a Eufy user managed to access video through the cloud that was supposedly only stored locally. There were also reports as far back as 2021 of folks viewing camera feeds of strangers, although Eufy chalked that up to a bug that impacted only a small number of products.

Read more