IKEA specializes in affordable furniture and home goods with in-store assembly and showroom browsing experiences, while Amazon is a general e-commerce marketplace offering faster delivery, wider product variety across all categories, and home convenience. IKEA generates $46.2B annual revenue primarily from furniture; Amazon generates $575B with retail representing just one segment of its diversified business model.
IKEA vs Amazon — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose IKEA if you prioritize affordable furniture, want to see products in-person before buying, need assembly services, and enjoy hands-on shopping experiences. Choose Amazon if you need fast delivery, diverse product selection beyond furniture, convenience of home delivery, and prefer not leaving your home to shop.
Swedish multinational furniture and home goods retailer with 474 physical stores worldwide.
Global e-commerce giant offering fast shipping, fixed pricing, and Prime membership benefits across millions of products.
Structured comparison data for IKEA vs Amazon with 240 attributes.
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IKEA vs Amazon — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for IKEA vs Amazon.
Is IKEA cheaper than Amazon for furniture?
IKEA is typically 30-50% cheaper on comparable furniture items. For example, IKEA's PAX wardrobe starts at $180 vs similar pieces on Amazon at $350-500. However, Amazon often has sales and Prime discounts that narrow the gap. IKEA's lower costs come from efficient manufacturing and simplified assembly, while Amazon's third-party marketplace includes both budget and premium options.
How fast can I get furniture from each retailer?
Amazon Prime furniture typically arrives in 1-2 days for items marked 'Prime eligible'; however, many large furniture pieces take 3-7 days. IKEA offers same-day in-store pickup and 5-10 day delivery for online orders. For assembled furniture, IKEA's on-demand assembly is same-day; Amazon has no assembly service, requiring third-party contractors.
IKEA and Amazon serve different segments. IKEA's furniture is designed for 5-10 year durability and is suited for renters and budget shoppers; it uses optimized materials and assembly design. Amazon's furniture varies wildly by third-party seller—ranging from identical IKEA products resold, to lower-quality imports, to premium mid-range brands like Article or Wayfair. High-end furniture on Amazon (Article, Pottery Barn) outperforms IKEA in longevity but costs 3-5x more.
Can I return furniture easily to both retailers?
IKEA offers 365-day returns with a receipt and hassle-free refunds for most items; items must be in resaleable condition. Amazon's return policy is 30 days for most items, extendable to 60 days for Prime members. Furniture returns to Amazon can be initiated online with prepaid shipping labels; IKEA typically requires in-store returns or shipping coordination.
Which is better for bulk home furnishing?
IKEA wins for comprehensive home furnishing projects. Their showrooms let you visualize complete room setups, and assembly services handle large orders efficiently. For bulk orders over $2,000, IKEA offers commercial accounts with 10-15% discounts. Amazon is better if you need items from multiple categories (bedding, electronics, décor) delivered simultaneously, combining furniture with non-furniture products in one shipment.