25 Ikea Products to Buy — and 25 to Skip
Ikea has a well-deserved reputation for outfitting homes (and filling bellies) on the cheap, with a dash of Nordic style. But even Scandinavian engineering and modern design can’t make every product a winner. Sometimes, you just get what you pay for. Keep reading to find out which Ikea products are tried-and-true hits — like the iconic Billy bookcase, which is getting a sustainability-minded redesign this year — and which ones experts and buyers say you should leave on the shelves.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: Vintage Ikea Furniture Pieces That Resell for Serious Money
Price: $39 and up
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One of Ikea’s top-selling items of all time with 120 million sold since 1978, the Billy bookcase even inspired its own financial index, used by Bloomberg to gauge purchasing power in different countries. It's getting a makeover in 2022, with new sustainable materials, new colors to choose from, and an easier-to-assemble back panel that will also make it easier to dissemble and move, prolonging the life of the product. Owners appreciate that it’s roomy and inexpensive compared with other bookshelves. It also comes in a ton of different sizes, including varieties with glass panels and doors.
Related: Secrets and Hacks for Shopping at Ikea
Price: $89 and up
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The Poäng is a longtime staple of Ikea's furniture lineup, with good reason: It boasts a minimalist design, durable bent-birch frame, sub-$100 price tag, and several color choices. This is not necessarily a chair you can curl up in, but owners say it’s sturdy and surprisingly comfortable.
Related: How to Create a Home Office From Ikea Under $200
Price: $129 and up
Topping out around $1,000 for a king size, there's no denying that Ikea's spring mattresses are budget-friendly. But our research into the best mattresses advises caution. In expert reviews on sites like Sleep Like the Dead and feedback from hundreds of consumers, Ikea's spring mattresses rank lower than average in consumer satisfaction, and owners complain about excessive sagging.
Price: $200 and up
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Wool rugs aren't cheap, but the Stockholm comes close. This flat-woven centerpiece of Ikea's rug lineup starts at $200 for a 5-foot-7 by 7-foot-10 size. Fortunately, the quality is better than the price might suggest. Product-testing site Wirecutter raves that it's softer than other budget picks, and the popular black-and-white-stripe version of the rug is quickly becoming a design classic.
Price: $120 and up
Pax wardrobes are tempting for anyone with limited closet space, and they’re an inexpensive way to add storage. But Good Housekeeping testers note a number of cons, including tricky assembly, an inconsistent finish, and misaligned pieces. The particleboard frames are also unlikely to survive a move.
Price: $150
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For Apartment Therapy readers, this crib's simple lines make it a no-brainer in any modern nursery. Reviewers on Ikea’s website also give it near-perfect marks, praising the ease of assembly and sturdiness. (If you're worried that a cheap crib won't be safe, don't be: All models sold in the United States have to meet the same guidelines.)
Price: $200 and up
Malm dressers are roomy and inexpensive, but Ikea recalled several million of them after they fell and killed at least eight children. Ikea settled with families and now includes wall anchors with Malm dressers, but it still may be wise to steer clear of this top-heavy design, especially if you don’t want to drill holes in your wall to keep the dresser stable.
Price: $3
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Reviewers give the Kalas line of kids' dishes a thumbs-up, saying the colorful polypropylene pieces are perfect for small hands and child-size portions. They're fine to toss in the microwave and dishwasher, and they're super-cheap to replace, too.
Price: $9
The Myskgräs comforter is almost impossibly cheap; the twin size is just $7. Ikea acknowledges that it has less filling than a typical comforter — it’s meant for hot sleepers or warm weather. Still, Amazon reviewers say there are just too many downsides: It shifts around too much inside a duvet cover; the polypropylene fabric is scratchy; and the durability is questionable at best. One review on the Ikea site says the comforter is “thin as a sheet.”
Price: $549
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They're often overlooked, but appliances are among Ikea's offerings. This four burner, glass ceramic cooktop features a consistent cooking surface and comes with a five-year warranty. According to reviewers, the cooktop offers straightforward installation at a great price point.
Price: $319 and up
Despite its perennial popularity, the Klippan loveseat is just not all that comfortable — at least not for a session of binge-watching your favorite show, testers say. Although they appreciate the clean lines and support for your backside, the awkward backrest and hard foam make the Klippan best for kids or spaces where it won't see heavy, prolonged use.
Price: $1
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Could one of the best buys at Ikea be its iconic blue shopping bag? According to many shoppers, the answer is a resounding yes. They say the reusable polypropylene tote is roomy enough for very bulky items like pillows and blankets, strong enough for heavy groceries, and a cinch to wipe down. It even had a designer imitator that cost over $2,000.
Price: $259 and up
The Hemnes line is certainly priced right, with classic styling that draws buyers in. While reviewers praise the dressers, the bed frame gets much poorer marks. It just isn't built to last, owners say, with flimsy material that can't handle the weight of a mattress and a couple of adults night after night.
Price: $7
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The genius of this cheap stainless steel pot-lid holder is that it's adjustable from just over 3 inches long to almost 20 inches based on the depth of a cabinet or drawer. Happy owners say it holds lids of all sizes securely without causing unsightly scratches, and many report finding other uses for it, like organizing cutting boards, crafts, and even mail.
Price: $499 and up
Bekant sit-stand desks are relatively inexpensive, but reviewers say the low price is the biggest thing they have going for them. Unhappy owners say the surface starts to wobble and jiggle at medium heights. The weight capacity is only 154 pounds — not terribly impressive compared with other sit-stand desks.
Price: $7
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Sure, you can use it for its intended purpose, but the wooden Bekväm spice rack has ricocheted around the web with dozens of other uses. Good Housekeeping has a nice roundup, showing the spice rack as a bookshelf, a jewelry hanger, and a toiletry holder in the bathroom, among other things.
Price: $35 and up
Ikea's Lack tables are popular for their simple design and low price, but even happy owners caution that they're not built to last. While a Lack may suffice as a sparsely used side table, it probably isn't the best choice for a heavily used coffee table. BuzzFeed shows why — it's not exactly wood on the inside.
Price: $40
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Owners have high praise for the rolling, three-tiered Råskog cart. They say the powder-coated steel is surprisingly strong for the price, and the cart is versatile enough to use practically anywhere — a small bathroom, a playroom, a craft room, or anywhere else that needs some additional organization.
Price: $4
Although the Legitim chopping board is temptingly cheap, opting for one of Ikea's higher-priced cutting boards may pay off, experts say. The thin polyethylene is bendable and susceptible to marks and gouges from a sharp knife, Wirecutter testers found.
Price: $25
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Babies are expensive, so the price tag alone makes parents swoon over the Antilop highchair. But that's not all there is to like. Assembly is simple, the tray snaps on and off easily, and a lack of padded nooks and crannies makes the chair easy to wipe clean. It outperforms highchairs 10 times its price, according to Wirecutter.
Price: $35 and up
A tidier closet is an admirable goal, but Ikea's Jonaxel closet organizers may not be the way to achieve it. Users reported ill-fitting drawers, frustrating assembly, and flimsy pieces.
Price: $60
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Reasonably priced Marjun curtains are a good deal compared with many other blackout panels. The 98-inch length can be hemmed, and Wirecutter testers confirm that the particularly tight polyester weave blocks out plenty of light.
Price: $250
Though it's sleek and compact, the Hauga Wardrobe might not be the best addition to your home. Buyers note that the sliding doors don't line up the way they should, and that the included mounts meant to support the shelves are too flimsy.
Price: $20
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This adorable LED table lamp casts a soft, warm light that's not overly bright. In reviews, owners deem it perfect for a kid's room. The polypropylene material doesn't get hot, they say, and the lamp is billed as safety-tested and tamper-proof. It includes a light bulb estimated to last 25,000 hours.
Price: $699
In Ikea’s hit-and-miss world of upholstered furniture, this one is definitely a miss, owners say. The durability and comfort are both in question, with complaints about sunken cushions and a lumpy, stiff sleeping surface. “Lord help you if you’re over 30 and have to sleep on it for an extended period of time,” one reviewer warns.
Price: $11
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Tired of utilitarian storage options? The soft fabric Pudda basket is equal parts style and practicality, and it’s perfectly sized for the Ikea Kallax and other modular shelves.
Price: $25
Ikea probably doesn’t spring to mind when you think of where to buy power tools. The Fixa screwdriver is easy on the wallet, but several buyers complain that it just doesn’t have the power to handle anything beyond the lightest of household projects. Entry-level models at Home Depot and Lowe’s aren’t much pricier and get better reviews.
Price: $45 and up
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This shelving unit is one of Ikea’s most beloved products for good reason. The Kallax series has clean lines and infinite possibilities — Apartment Therapy shows how buyers have turned it into a room divider, shoe organizer, and more. Owners say the shelves are quite sturdy and they appreciate the number of compatible bins and inserts that can customize the cubbies.
Price: $499 and up
With an abundance of built-in storage, the Brimnes seems like a great choice for any space-challenged bedroom or studio apartment. But assembly is complicated, owners say, including a headboard that has to be bolted to the wall. There are also plenty of complaints about the stability of the bed frame and drawers that stick.
Price: $25 and up
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Anyone who’s shopped for patio furniture lately can tell you that outdoor living can get pretty expensive. Ikea’s Äpplarö line comes in a ton of well-priced configurations. It’s made out of solid acacia wood, and although it’s not as impervious to the elements as teak, Wirecutter says it’s still plenty sturdy and should last if you’re willing to spend a little time annually on maintenance.
Price: $18
This temptingly cheap 104-thread-count cotton sheet set might not be your best bet for inexpensive linens. Several reviewers complain the fabric is rough (“like sandpaper,” one says) while others remark on the thinness.
Price: $33 and up
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The sturdy Trofast storage system is almost legendary among parents who need a convenient place to organize toys. Like most of Ikea’s best buys, it’s endlessly customizable. The sliding plastic bins, available in three sizes, are particularly good at corralling Legos and other small toys.
Price: $7
Ikea nails a lot of its kitchen storage, but the Pruta Food Containers are another story. Yes, they're affordable at $7 for 17 pieces, but users find that they leak, are incredibly flimsy, and have ill-fitting tops. You'd be better off spending more on glass food containers.
Price: $8 per six pack
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Glassware doesn’t need to break the bank, and at slightly over a buck a glass, these simple 15-ounce tumblers are a particularly good value. They inspire raves from owners who say they’re sturdy, but if you need expert proof, they survived drop tests better than much pricier glasses in Wirecutter testing.
Price: $15
A shower curtain rod that can’t hold up a shower curtain? Unfortunately, it seems that you may get what you pay for with the Hornen. Although some owners say it looks nice, many complain that it doesn’t have enough tension. “The rod doesn’t stay up for longer than a day or two no matter what you do,” one buyer fumes in a review. “Useless product.”
Price: $25
This 11-gallon bin has plenty of room for trash, but there's a lot to be desired. The lid doesn't fit well, some users say, making it easy for animals to rummage through the bin, and some of the bolts become loose after a short while. Others note that the bin and lid develop rust quickly.
Price: $40
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What better place to get supplies for a trendy hygge design than Ikea? The Scandinavian retailer delivers with the Ullerslev sheepskin, which can add instant coziness to a room as a rug, throw, or simple accent piece. Owners say it’s as soft as it looks and a fantastic value for the price.
Price: $25
Clear plastic storage bins are wonderfully handy for anyone who needs a place to stash things. The main problem with the roomy 34-gallon Samla, owners say, is that the lid doesn’t latch. Instead, it simply sits on top of the box, making it a poor choice for buyers who want to keep their belongings more secure in a damp basement or pest-infested garage.
Price: $269 and up
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The Strandmon has all the makings of an instant classic, including a timeless wingback look and a low price tag. It comes in several colors and patterns, and owners say it’s easy to assemble and surprisingly comfortable. They also love the style.
Price: $6
How can you go wrong with a simple stainless steel stand mirror for 5 bucks? It feels as cheap as its price, owners say. They complain that assembly (yep, you have to put it together) is difficult because of poorly engineered screws, leading to a lot more frustration than something so small is worth.
Price: $20
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A good folding chair is an essential for large gatherings, and The Wirecutter lauds the Nisse for its slim, lightweight, easy-to-carry design. Buyers agree, saying they’re also surprisingly sturdy.
Price: $10
This silicone travel mug is sleek and compact, but users report that it's lacking in some areas. The mug features a stainless steel infusion filter for infusing beverages with tea, fruit, and other add-ons. The problem? Reviews mention that it isn't great for loose leaf tea, and that disassembling and cleaning the mug is a real chore.
Price: $55
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It’s hard to beat the crisp, clean look of a white duvet cover, but this beloved all-cotton option adds some texture for interest. It also washes well and holds up for the long haul, happy reviewers say.
Price: $799 and up
The Stocksund Sofa comes in five different colors and might appeal to those looking for a small, functional piece of furniture. But users found that the quality of materials didn't match its price point, and that the cushions don't hold their shape. Luckily, Ikea has plenty of other sofas to choose from.
Price: $10
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Made of flexible plastic, this laundry basket also makes a great storage bin, beverage holder, and recycling bin, buyers say. Those who do like it for laundry love the lack of sharp edges and say they can squeeze it into tight places.
Price: $1,299
Yes, Ikea sells refrigerators, but if you're sensitive to noise, you'd be wise to skip this option. Some users say that the fridge makes a distracting buzzing sound, while another notes that the interior looks cheap.
Price: $25
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A good play tent is a staple for young kids, and this whimsical option inspires raves from all the parents who say it has held up well to both enthusiastic pretend play and subdued storytimes.
Price: $6
A cheap cake-decorating set is no doubt tempting to novice bakers, but reviews indicate this one is a miss. Several buyers say the icing bag is far too flimsy, blowing open after just a few uses.
Related: 20 Must-Have Items Under $20 That Every Baker Should Have in the Kitchen
Price: $4 and up
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Available in at least a half-dozen sizes, the Muskot is beloved for its low price point and clean, modern design that blends seamlessly with just about any decor.
Price: $6
It may look stylish, but this eco-friendly dish brush appears to be more about aesthetic than function. Users report that the wooden head will start showing signs of water damage, and that a replacement head is difficult to clip on.
