I have used a number of IKEA smart home devices over the years, and the experience has been mixed. Some products have been genuinely solid and dependable, while others have felt underdeveloped or limited by older integrations. IKEA has always been ambitious in the smart home space, but execution has not always matched intent. With its newer Matter enabled accessories, however, IKEA is clearly trying to reset that perception, focusing on easier setup, broader platform support, and better long term compatibility. The BILRESA smart remotes sit firmly within that renewed push.
IKEA has been steadily expanding its smart home range, moving from basic lighting into a wider ecosystem of switches, remotes, sensors, and hubs that now integrate with Matter and Apple Home. The BILRESA smart remote is part of that expansion in Matter offering a low cost physical control option designed to complement smart lighting and scenes without relying on voice commands or apps.
BILRESA is available in two versions. A dual button model priced at 3 pound! Yes 3 pounds aimed at simple on off or scene control, and a scroll wheel priced version priced at 4 pound intended to offer more granular adjustment such as dimming. Both models are positioned as affordable accessories rather than premium controllers, and that positioning influences almost every aspect of the experience.
This review looks at both versions, how they differ, how they perform in real world use, and how well they integrate with Apple Home through Matter.
