Ikea’s Bold Bluetooth Speaker Strategy: Ditching Sonos, Embracing Spotify, and Reaching the Many

The Ikea Bluetooth speaker lineup is changing everything we thought we knew about affordable smart audio. Ditching Sonos and Wi-Fi streaming, Ikea is doubling down on Bluetooth simplicity, Spotify Tap convenience, and product design that serves everyone, from students to audiophiles on a budget.

The pivot began with two recent releases, the colorful Nattbad speaker and the newly announced Blomprakt Bluetooth speaker lamp. Both retail under $120, a stark contrast to the $269+ Sonos-enabled models. What’s the catch? There really isn’t one, unless you were hoping for whole-home Wi-Fi audio integration. If you’re fine with budget-friendly Bluetooth, Ikea just made sound design more stylish and affordable than ever.

1. The End of an Era: Ikea Bluetooth Speaker Replaces Sonos

Ikea and Sonos’ relationship, which began in 2017, was mutually beneficial. Ikea brought design accessibility to high-fidelity sound; Sonos brought their proprietary audio magic to more homes. Together, they launched speaker lamps, bookshelf units, and wall art with embedded speakers.

But in May 2025, Ikea confirmed the relationship was ending, without drama, but with purpose. According to Ikea Range Manager David Granath, “We had achieved what we set out to do… it wasn’t more dramatic than that.”

While the Symfonisk line did well critically, its rising price and the complexity of Sonos integration made it less accessible. In Granath’s words, “When you have to sell a speaker for over €200, you exclude a lot of people.”

2. Simplicity First: Ikea Bluetooth Speaker Features and Design

Enter the Blomprakt and Nattbad Bluetooth speakers, stripped-down, beautifully designed, and functionally simple. Where Symfonisk focused on integrating with your Wi-Fi and Spotify Connect, Blomprakt champions Bluetooth 5.3 and the Spotify Tap button.

Blomprakt is a lamp with an embedded speaker and LED bulb, scheduled to launch in October 2025, priced under €100 (approx. $119 USD).
Nattbad, which launched in June 2025, is a vibrant waterproof Bluetooth speaker priced at $49.99, available in multiple colors for kids, teens, and minimalist adults alike.

Both speakers ditch Wi-Fi for Bluetooth reliability, supporting up to two simultaneous device connections and even simple room-wide multi-pairing. Want to play music across three Blomprakts? Tap the sync button. Done.

3. Spotify Tap and the Rise of Seamless Music Access

One of the standout features is Spotify Tap, which first appeared on Ikea’s Vappeby speaker in 2022. It’s back, and now it’s the new standard on all upcoming Bluetooth speakers.

How it works:

• Press once: Resume Spotify from where you left off
  
• Press again: Skip to a new personalized track
  
• Works with free or Premium Spotify accounts
  

For those who don’t use Spotify? No worries. Standard Bluetooth pairing works like any other speaker. But for Spotify users, it’s a one-button music revival.

4. Why the Ikea Bluetooth Speaker Strategy Works

Ikea is now focused on reducing barriers to ownership and daily use:

• No more app pairing required
  
• No Sonos account setup
  
• No firmware updates via Wi-Fi
  
• No pricing above €100
  

This means Ikea’s new audio lineup isn’t just for audiophiles, it’s for students, young families, small apartments, teen bedrooms, and even outdoor decks.

“We learned a lot from Sonos, supply chain optimization, acoustic tuning, packaging. But now we’re bringing that knowledge into simpler, more inclusive product design,” said Granath.

5. Why the Shift Away from Wi-Fi?

The biggest lesson from the Ikea x Sonos collaboration? Complexity was the enemy.

• The $179 Symfonisk bookshelf speaker now retails for nearly double its launch price
  
• Initial setup required Sonos app and updates
  
• Compatibility issues sometimes arose with routers and smart homes
  

Now, with speakers like Blomprakt or Nattbad, you plug in, pair via Bluetooth, and go. No ecosystem lock-in. No advanced troubleshooting.

6. What Audiophiles May Miss from Ikea Bluetooth Speaker Line

According to Granath, Ikea plans to launch up to 10 new Bluetooth speakers in 2025. Some will be built in collaboration with designer Tekla Evelina Severin (aka Teklan), bringing vivid colors, geometric forms, and artistic integration into everyday sound.

Some concepts teased:

• A battery-powered round speaker mounted on a stand with a tray base
  
• Shelves that double as speakers and storage
  
• Wall-mounted sconces that glow and play ambient music
  

Ikea is leaning hard into dual-function furniture where sound meets storage, light, or form.

7. What About Wi-Fi Audio and Matter?

For those hoping Ikea would evolve into a full Sonos alternative, the path is slower. Ikea is still involved in the Connectivity Standards Alliance, helping shape Matter’s future for smart audio. Eventually, Matter may support stereo syncing, multi-room Wi-Fi audio, and voice assistant handoff.

However, that’s years away.

In the meantime:

• Bluetooth 5.3 is stable
  
• Spotify Tap works seamlessly
  
• Simplicity wins over complexity
  

Granath declined to comment on rumors about a new LegatoXP speaker platform, replying only with a knowing smile: “Let me pass on that.”

8. From Design Lab to Living Room: Ikea’s Philosophy in Action

Ikea’s design DNA has always been about utility + minimalism, and their speaker evolution reflects that.

• Functionality-first: Blomprakt gives you light and sound in one object.
  
• Affordability: Every 2025 speaker is projected to cost under €100
  
• Scalability: Fast production, high availability globally
  
• Aesthetic Flexibility: Neutral colors for modern homes or bold hues for playful spaces

9. What Audiophiles Might Miss

These new speakers are:

• Mono-only
  
• No stereo-pairing or smart surround sound
  
• No Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant integration (yet)
  
• No multi-channel audio or Dolby Atmos support
  

They’re not meant to replace Sonos or Bose systems. But for the majority of listeners, especially casual Spotify users, they offer:

• Excellent value
  
• Immediate functionality
  
• Minimal technical friction
  

Final Thoughts: Ikea Bluetooth Speaker for “The Many”

Ikea’s pivot to Bluetooth, Spotify Tap, and sub-$100 speakers may not make audiophile headlines, but it could shape the future of everyday sound.

It reflects a growing trend across tech: streamlining smart devices to reduce friction, not increase features.

If you’re tired of updates, apps, and connectivity issues, Ikea now offers sound that’s:

• Affordable
  
• Reliable
  
• Stylish
  
• Easy to use
  

And with more speaker-lamps, trays, and hidden integrations coming soon, Ikea’s new Bluetooth speaker strategy isn’t just a product launch, it’s a statement.