The rising electricity bill is a real pain for French households. Between skyrocketing prices and devices that are constantly running, we often wonder where to start to save money. IKEA may have found the answer with its next GRILLPLATS connected socket, expected in the coming days. The best in history? It should cost a pittance compared to what it could save you.
A smart plug that really monitors your consumption
The GRILLPLATS is already available abroad, so you already know everything about it. It arrives with a function that many were waiting for, real-time monitoring of electricity consumption of devices connected to it. Concretely, you will finally be able to know how much that old coffee maker that stays on standby all day, that smartphone charger that sucks energy even when it’s not charging anything or that toaster heater that you suspect consumes a lot of money is really costing you.
This new take is based on le protocole Matter via Threadthe standard that is currently unanimous in the world of home automation. It works directly with Google Home, Amazon Alexa ou Apple HomeKitwithout requiring an additional hub. Installation should take a few seconds.
IKEA also offers its new BILRESA remote controls for those who prefer a physical button rather than pulling out their smartphone every time. The outlet can pair directly with these remotes, creating a local link that doesn’t rely on WiFi or the Internet.
Prices that are breaking the home automation market
The French prices have not yet been made official, but the British indications give a range between 5 and 10 euros. This is clearly below what competitors like TP-Link, Aqara or Eve offer, which generally charge their sockets with consumption monitoring between 20 and 40 euros.
This aggressive pricing is part of IKEA’s global strategy since the launch of its TRÅDFRI home automation range in 2017. The Swedish giant has always focused on accessibility to democratize the connected home. With 34 stores spread across France and millions of visitors each year, the brand has a commercial strength that few tech brands can match.
A range that is gaining momentum with 21 new products
The GRILLPLATS plug does not arrive alone. IKEA is simultaneously launching a massive offensive with 21 Matter-compatible products. On the program: 11 bulbs from the new KAJPLATS range which replace the aging TRÅDFRI ones, five sensors dedicated to security and comfort (motion detector, air quality sensor, door opening monitoring, water leak detector) and the famous universal remote controls.
The whole forms a coherent ecosystem which can operate autonomously or integrate into any existing home automation installation. The DIRIGERA hub, which manages both Zigbee and Matter/Thread, becomes the nerve center for those who want to centralize the management of all their connected devices.
IKEA is gradually abandoning Zigbee, the protocol it has used since 2017, to fully embrace this new universal standard. The brand wants to simplify the user experience and avoid the compatibility hassles that have long slowed the adoption of home automation. The first deliveries of the GRILLPLATS should start in the coming days on the French IKEA site and in stores.
🟣 To not miss any news on the WorldOfSoftware, follow us on Google and on our WhatsApp channel. And if you love us, .
