Does anyone know if the IKEA ALPSTUGA (Air Quality Monitor) functions as a Thread Router? Or is it an end device like many of the other IKEA Thread devices?
The ALPSTUGA is constantly powered via wall plug.
Good to know
• If the product is connected to an IKEA Home smart system, additional features are available in the IKEA Home smart app.
• If the product is connected to another smart system that uses the Matter standard, check with the manufacturer for available features.
• After plugging the product in, it may take up to 12 hours for an accurate CO₂ level reading.
• The CO₂ reading on the product might be inaccurate if used at high altitude (1500 m and above).
• The display brightness will automatically adjust based on the lighting in the room.
• This product uses Thread technology to communicate with other smart products. A Thread border router is needed to connect to Matter systems. Many smart products or hubs, have a Thread border router built in.
Thanks! Your second screenshot confirms it’s a router. Note however that routers are not necessarly also border routers, so an ALPSTUGA won’t show up in your first screenshot.
where did you get this network map?
Settings → Add-ons (I’m on 2026.1.3) → Matter Server (I’m on version 8.2.2, and have the “Use latest beta version” toggle turned on in the Configuration tab) → Open web UI → Thread (in the upper right)
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Alpstuga acts as a router inside the thread / matter network, so it helps to extend the range of the network. If you have multiple Alpstugas, or other deviced which act as router, such as most light bulbs, this also increases the stability of the thread / matter network as messages can be routed over multiple paths between devices.
Alpstuga however does not act as border router, which connects the thread / matter network to ethernet, to connect with your computer or raspberry on which home assistant runs.
Most other sensors, especially those which are battery powered, don’t act as router. They only act as end device, connecting to devices acting as routers, or directly to the border router.
I have a couple alpstugas, but they are placed for air quality functional use vs providing mesh. They are working well for that.
I don’t want my mesh to rely on something that someone may choose to unplug, move etc … including me. I may decide there is somewhere else they should go to better track air quality and don’t want to wonder if I’m affecting/breaking my thread mesh by doing so.
To support my thread, I’ve placed a few matter wall switches from larger, long term players in locations across the house that support thread network mesh. They can’t be unplugged, moved and I’m counting them to continue FW upgrading and not going myq on me.
IKEA has proven itself a top tier player with staying power, but I’m watching that carefully for any thread manufacturers and products that provide mesh infrastructure.
Thanks, these are valid arguments, as indeed moving one of the alpstugas or even replacing a light bulb might impact the performance of your network.