IKEA GRILLPLATS in Home Assistant: Matter Plug Review

With the GRILLPLATS plug, IKEA is launching a new and particularly affordable Matter-enabled smart plug. It works not only in the IKEA ecosystem, but also integrates easily into open systems such as Home Assistant. In this article, we test how the Home Assistant integration works and what features the plug offers.

What Is IKEA GRILLPLATS?

GRILLPLATS is a compact, switchable plug for indoor use. Its design is typically understated for IKEA: simple, functional and unobtrusive. The side of the plug features an on/off button and an LED. One particularly useful feature is its integrated energy monitoring, which lets you switch devices on and off while also tracking their power consumption. This opens up additional automation options based on actual energy use.

IKEA GRILLPLATS and Matter

GRILLPLATS is based on the open Matter standard, making it compatible with a range of platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Homey and Samsung SmartThings. Thanks to Matter, the plug can be used flexibly and is not tied to a single ecosystem.

Requirements for Integration with Home Assistant

A few requirements must be met for a smooth setup. First, you need an up-to-date Home Assistant installation, for example on a Raspberry Pi, Home Assistant Green or a mini PC. You also need a working Thread border router because GRILLPLATS communicates via Thread.

• A current version of Home Assistant on suitable hardware, for example:
  • Raspberry Pi*
  • Home Assistant Green*
  • Home Assistant PC*
• A working Thread border router, for example:
  • Aqara Smart Hub M200*
  • Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2*
  • Amazon Echo Show 11*

You will also need the Matter QR code or numerical pairing code for setup. It can be found on the front of the plug and in the instruction manual.

Setting Up GRILLPLATS in Home Assistant

The Home Assistant Companion App is required to add new Matter devices. After it is plugged in, the smart plug remains in pairing mode for around 15 minutes. This period starts again when you press the on/off button. If the plug has already been paired, press and hold the button for about 10 seconds to reset it to factory settings.

Setup takes just a few steps:

1. In the app, go to Settings → “Add to Home Assistant” → “Add device” → “Add Matter device”
2. Select “New”
3. Scan the QR code or enter the pairing code

After a short time, GRILLPLATS automatically appears as a new device in Home Assistant.

GRILLPLATS in Home Assistant: Features and Data

Once integrated, Home Assistant provides a range of information and automation options. The device information includes the firmware version, hardware version and connection type (Matter).

The Controls section shows the current switch state and lets you change it directly.

The Configuration section lets you define the power-on behavior—the state the plug automatically assumes after being plugged in or after a power outage.

The Diagnostics section is particularly useful: it clearly displays the readings from the integrated energy meter and can also visualize them over time. This makes it possible to analyze the power consumption of connected devices in detail.

The plug can also be used directly in automations, scenes and scripts. Previously configured actions and activities are displayed in a clear overview.

In Practice: Automations with GRILLPLATS

In our test, we paired GRILLPLATS with the BILRESA remote control, among other devices. Its two buttons reliably switch the plug on and off. Setting up this control took only a few minutes.

We also configured and tested an automation with the FRITZ!Smart Energy 250 power sensor. As soon as surplus electricity is fed into the grid—for example, from a balcony solar system*—the plug switches on automatically. This makes practical use of surplus energy.

Pairing it with the MYGGSPRAY motion sensor is another option, opening up many use cases such as controlling lights or appliances.

These examples show how flexibly different sensors and actuators can be combined in Home Assistant to create practical automations.

Conclusion: GRILLPLATS and Home Assistant

GRILLPLATS is a compact and versatile Matter plug that stands out for its straightforward integration with Home Assistant. Alongside reliable switching, its integrated energy monitoring provides real added value. It offers insight into power consumption and enables more advanced automations.

Another advantage is its attractive current price of around €8.99 in Germany. However, the plug is currently available only in IKEA stores and is not yet sold online. Overall, GRILLPLATS is an appealing option for anyone building a smart home or looking to expand an existing system in a practical way.

Source/photo: (Chris Smart / Amazon / IKEA)