- IKEA Ankarlägg is a battery-operated light that you can place anywhere
- Previously only available in Europe, it’s now on sale in the US for $3.99
- Detects motion within 10 feet and turns off when motion stops.
If you have trouble seeing the back of your closet, or you don’t like trying to find your way in the dark when you go to the bathroom, you need IKEA Ankarlägg, a motion-sensitive LED light that you can place anywhere, without cables or the need to drill. Best of all, unlike typical smart light setups, there’s no hub or Bluetooth connectivity needed either. Simply insert the batteries, stick it in and you’re ready to go.
The Ankarlägg is also a great option for dark kitchen cabinets, where it will pleasantly illuminate all the ingredients as soon as you open the door and automatically turn off when you close it again. The light deactivates after 30 seconds if it detects no further movement, helping the replaceable AAA batteries last around six months if activated 10 times a day.
Reviewers have reported that the light is not too bright, so they won’t be dazzled at night if using it on stairs or in the bathroom, and it’s useful for rooms without windows. They say its “cute” design is also a plus.
“I bought this night light to put in my hallway,” wrote one reviewer from Canada. “I don’t have outlets there and at night it’s very dark. When we have guests who are not familiar with our layout (we have a closet in the hallway), they bump into the closet.
“With this light, as soon as they open the bedroom door, it turns on. It’s not bright, but it has enough light to show where to go. I’ve ordered a second one as a standby. I really love the light and would recommend it to anyone who needs a little light in a dark space.”
Real-world battery life will depend on how often the light is activated, but when used with IKEA rechargeable batteries, even frequent use is no problem. The most common complaint is that the light’s battery compartment is held closed with a screw (probably to prevent children from accessing the batteries if it’s used as a nightlight in their room), so be sure to have a Phillips screwdriver on hand when it’s time to change them.
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