IKEA specializes in affordable, assembly-required Scandinavian-designed furniture with 460+ physical stores worldwide, while Wayfair is a pure-play e-commerce platform offering 14+ million products from 11,000+ suppliers with next-day delivery in major markets. IKEA emphasizes budget-friendly design and in-store shopping, whereas Wayfair prioritizes selection and convenience for online-first customers.
IKEA vs Wayfair — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Swedish multinational furniture and home goods retailer with 474 physical stores worldwide.
Online-first home furnishings and décor marketplace with 14M+ items
Product Selection. Shopping Model. Average Furniture Price Point. Delivery Speed (US). Assembly Required. Price Competitiveness on Budget Items. Return Window
Choose IKEA if you prioritize budget-friendly, design-forward furniture, enjoy hands-on shopping, and don't mind assembly; it's ideal for first-time homeowners, students, and value-conscious decorators. Choose Wayfair if you want maximum selection, faster delivery, less assembly hassle, and access to higher-end brands; it's better for those seeking specific styles, bulk orders, or premium furnishings with convenience.
IKEA: IKEA PS 2026 (10th generation) | Wayfair: Multiple brand updates
IKEA: 2-4 hours (major pieces) | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: 30-90 minutes per item | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: 4-8 options per model | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: 461 stores in 63 countries | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: $49-$199 delivery fee | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: Limited promotional periods only | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: 250 (select markets) | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: Member pricing (varies) | Wayfair: N/A
IKEA: ~10,000 products | Wayfair: 14+ million products
IKEA: 5-10 days | Wayfair: 5-7 business days
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: ~$15 billion (2025 estimate)
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: No membership program
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 20-40% better on large furniture
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: Home goods specialist
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: Advanced style-based filters and mood boards
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 20+ proprietary home brands
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: ~2-3% home furniture segment
Furniture Customization Variations Per Item
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: Limited metros only
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 1,200+ modular pieces
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 60 days for furniture
Prime Eligible Items with Two-Day Shipping
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 0 items (no express shipping)
Free Shipping Threshold (Standard Members)
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: $35 (with Wayfair Plus; free otherwise)
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: Free expert consultations
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 1000+ furniture and home brands
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: All styles (15+ categories)
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 15 warehouse showrooms
IKEA: N/A | Wayfair: 4.3/5.0 (890K reviews)
IKEA vs Wayfair — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for IKEA vs Wayfair. Contains 98 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
IKEA vs Wayfair — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for IKEA vs Wayfair.
Is IKEA or Wayfair cheaper for furniture?
IKEA is 15-25% cheaper on budget furniture. A basic IKEA sofa averages $299 vs $420 on Wayfair for comparable styles. However, Wayfair offers price ranges from budget ($150) to luxury ($5,000+), so for mid-range and premium furniture, prices can be competitive. IKEA's advantage is in volume discounting on affordable pieces.
Wayfair offers next-day delivery to 90% of US zip codes with free shipping on orders $35+. IKEA typically takes 3-7 business days for home delivery, though same-day pickup is available at 460+ stores. For time-sensitive needs, Wayfair is significantly faster.
IKEA requires assembly for approximately 75% of its furniture, with average assembly times of 2-4 hours per item. Wayfair has a more mixed catalog—only 35% requires assembly. Many Wayfair items come pre-assembled, though this varies by supplier. If you prefer minimal assembly, Wayfair has a clear advantage.
IKEA offers a 365-day return window, one of the most generous in retail. Wayfair's standard return period is 30 days, though Wayfair+ members (subscription service, $49/year) get extended benefits. For risk-free shopping and longer consideration, IKEA is superior.
Which is better for finding specific furniture styles or brands?
Wayfair is vastly superior for brand selection, offering 11,000+ suppliers including premium names like Pottery Barn, West Elm, Restoration Hardware, and niche boutique brands. IKEA only sells proprietary IKEA-branded furniture. If you're seeking a specific designer or brand, Wayfair is your only option.
Product Selection: IKEA has ~10,000 products across 460+ stores, while Wayfair has 14+ million products from 11,000+ suppliers.
Shopping Model: IKEA has Physical stores + online (store-centric), while Wayfair has Pure e-commerce with home delivery.
Average Furniture Price Point: IKEA has $150-$400 per piece, while Wayfair has $200-$800+ per piece.
Delivery Speed (US): IKEA has 3-7 business days or in-store pickup, while Wayfair has Next-day delivery in 90% of US zip codes.
Assembly Required: IKEA has 70-80% of furniture requires assembly, while Wayfair has 30-40% of catalog requires assembly.
Consider: Price Competitiveness on Budget Items
Price Competitiveness on Budget Items: IKEA has 15-25% cheaper than competitors on similar items, while Wayfair has 10-15% premium vs. IKEA for comparable budget pieces.
Return Window: IKEA has 365 days for most items, while Wayfair has 30 days standard (extended options available).