With its timeless designs, easy-to-assemble flat packs and stylish furniture at affordable prices, shoppers everywhere can’t get enough of IKEA.
From cots to mattresses, cooktops and fridges, Australian consumer group CHOICE has revealed the products to avoid – and the best items worth buying.
‘There’s no denying that Ikea often hits the mark with a huge range of great-value, functional products, [but there are products] that are probably best avoided,’ it said.
Choice recently awarded the IKEA Nedkyld fridge (pictured) a ‘shonky’ in the 2019 CHOICE Shonky Awards after it was found to be ‘bad at its one job’
BEST TO AVOID
Nedkyld fridge – $799
Choice recently awarded the IKEA Nedkyld fridge a ‘shonky’ in the 2019 CHOICE Shonky Awards after it was found to be ‘bad at its one job’.
‘The IKEA Nedkyld is one of the worst fridges we’ve ever tested,’ Choice CEO Alan Kirkland said last week.
‘Not only is it terrible at keeping your food cold, when Choice tested the fridge’s energy use against its star rating, it failed the test.
‘It’s hard to understand how this fridge is still on sale in Ikea stores, especially with a misleading energy label.’
Despite its affordable price tag of $249, Choice found the Sundvik changing table with chest of drawers (pictured) was ‘plagued with issues’
Sundvik changing table – $259
Despite its affordable price tag of $249, Choice found the Sundvik changing table with chest of drawers was ‘plagued with issues’.
The nursery unit comes with 199 pieces and took about two-and-a-half hours to assemble, to which it ‘failed the in-house stability test’.
‘The instructions warn that this table should always be secured to a wall, but we don’t believe people are likely to always do this, so we tested on an unsecured unit,’ expert Kim Gilmour said.
Earlier this year, Ikea issued an urgent recall of the Sundvik model following three reports of incidents where the foldable part came loose and children fell off the changing table.
In these incidents, the safety locking fittings were not used according to the assembly instructions.
Choice said if assembling flatpacks isn’t your forte, the Stuva cot (pictured) was best to avoid
Kim said: ‘This change table is a recipe for trouble and is best avoided. The hinges that are used to unfold the table can buckle if they’re not secured.
‘Parents are obviously busy and are likely to flip the table open and change their child without latching the hinges, which makes them weaker and prone to breaking.’
Stuva cot – $409
Choice said if assembling flatpacks isn’t your forte, the Stuva cot was best to avoid buying after they found the model was ‘extremely hard to assemble’.
GOOD BUYS
Mattresses
If you’re in the market for a new mattress, Choice home expert Peter Zaluzny said the Ikea range was not a bad option.
When comparing with other cheaper models, the experts found Ikea’s free trial period is three times longer than Koala’s and their warranty lasts up to 25 year.
With many models to choose from, you can easily find the perfect mattress just by testing them out in store before entering the free trial period.
Antilop baby highchair – $24.99
Choice found the Antilop highchair with tray was a ‘bargain buy that does the job’
Choice found the Antilop highchair with tray was a ‘bargain buy that does the job’.
Easy to dissemble, the product, which comes complete with a safety belt, is lightweight and easy to clean.
‘The Ikea high chair is simplicity and function rolled into one affordable piece of baby equipment,’ a Choice member said.
‘Everyone I know who has purchased a cheap Ikea highchair as a “back-up” at granny’s, or for a holiday house, have soon discarded their fussy, expensive chair in favour of this one.’
Choice found the Matmassig gas cooktop (pictured) was one of the top performers
Choice recommended the Billy bookcases (pictured one of the Billy bookcases – $79)
Matmassig gas cooktop – $299
Choice found the Matmassig gas cooktop was one of the top performers.
The product is easy to use and performed well at all temperatures.
Billy bookcases
Choice recommended the iconic Billy bookcases, with prices starting from $55.
Earlier this year, IKEA revealed it’s estimated that every five seconds, one BILLY bookcase is sold somewhere in the world.
Launched in 1979, the product has long become the book lovers’ choice that never goes out of style.
Others
Other items Choice recommended included wooden coat hangers, paper napkins, children’s plates and cutlery, tea lights and it’s delicious lingonberry jam, which is usually served with its famous meatballs.