Ikea Underlig Mattress Review

For children transitioning to their first "big bed," Ikea designed the UNDERLIG Foam Mattress, a junior-sized mattress. With a 10 cm thickness and two firmness levels, it offers comfort and support. The washable cover ensures simple maintenance, making it a practical and budget-friendly choice for young sleepers.

If you're considering the Ikea UNDERLIG mattress for your child's first bed, it's important to know that while it offers affordability at just $69, there may be better choices in its price range. The UNDERLIG is similar to other Ikea children's mattresses in terms of construction and materials, but in our evaluation, it performed below expectations compared to other options at this price point.

In the $69 price range, there are more durable and comfortable mattresses available for young sleepers. For a higher quality, we recommend looking into alternatives like the Brooklyn Beddings Kids which offers better performance and longevity. If you can stretch your budget further, investing in a premium children's mattress could provide better comfort and long-term value.

We recommend not sacrificing quality because your child's comfort and support are vital to their health.

In this article, we will discuss the following for the Ikea Underlig mattress:

• Pros
• Cons
• Who we recommend this mattress for
• Unboxing Experience
• Firmness, Feel, and Comfort
• Constructions, Material, and Design
• Performance
• Warranty and Company Policies
• FAQs about the mattress
• Final Verdict

Ikea Underlig Mattress Overview

Pros

• Affordability: At just $69, the UNDERLIG is a budget-friendly option for parents looking for a simple, affordable mattress for their child’s first bed.
• Washable Cover: The mattress comes with a removable, machine-washable cover, making it easy to maintain hygiene and deal with spills or accidents.
• Dual-Sided Comfort: With one medium-firm, egg-shaped side and one firmer, smooth side, this mattress offers flexibility for different comfort preferences as your child grows.

Cons

• Limited Thickness: At only 10 cm thick, the foam may wear out quickly and might not provide enough long-term support for growing children.
• Not Suitable for Heavier Children: Given its thin foam construction, this mattress may not provide enough support for heavier children or those who are more active during sleep.
• Foam Durability: Due to its relatively thin 10 cm foam construction, the UNDERLIG may not hold up well over time, especially for children who are more active during sleep. The foam's durability may degrade faster compared to thicker, higher-quality foam mattresses, leading to sagging and reduced comfort after extended use.
• Potential Heat Retention: The mattress lacks advanced cooling features like gel-infused foam or breathable materials. As a result, it may retain heat, especially during warmer seasons, making it uncomfortable for sleepers who tend to sleep hot.
• No Trial Period: Unlike other mattress brands offering extended trial periods of up to a year, the Ikea UNDERLIG does not come with a trial period, limiting the flexibility for customers to test the mattress over time and return it if it's not a good fit for their child's sleep needs.

Who we Recommend the Ikea Underlig for

• Budget-Conscious Parents: It’s ideal for those looking for an affordable, entry-level mattress for a child’s first bed without breaking the bank.
• Young Children (Ages 2-8): The size and firmness levels of this mattress make it suitable for younger children transitioning from a crib to a junior bed.
• Parents Seeking Easy Maintenance: The washable cover is perfect for families who need a low-maintenance option to handle spills and accidents.
• Lightweight Sleepers: The thin, firm foam is best suited for lighter children who do not require much cushioning or deep support.
• Families Needing a Temporary Solution: This mattress works well as a short-term, budget-friendly option until the child is ready for a more permanent sleeping arrangement.

Unboxing the Ikea Underlig mattress

The unboxing experience for the IKEA UNDERLIG mattress is relatively straightforward, as it arrives rolled and compressed for easy transportation.

Once you unpack it, the mattress begins to expand immediately, but it may take a few hours to fully regain its shape. The edges also took some time to expand fully, indicating below-average edge expansion.

Unlike some higher-end mattresses, the UNDERLIG does not come with any advanced packaging or unboxing perks, and there may be a slight chemical odor upon first opening, which typically dissipates after airing out in a well-ventilated room. The process is simple and quick, but don’t expect any luxurious details.

Firmness, Feel, and Comfort For the Ikea Underlig

Ikea Underlig Mattress Firmness

The Ikea UNDERLIG receives a 7/10 for firmness. This mattress is a decent option for stomach sleepers who need a firmer surface to maintain proper spinal alignment. Its firm support helps keep the hips elevated, preventing them from sinking too deeply into the mattress.

Ikea Underlig Mattress Feel

Laying on the Ikea UNDERLIG mattress feels firm and supportive, but its thin 10 cm foam construction doesn't offer much plushness or contouring. If you prefer a firmer sleeping surface, especially for back or stomach sleeping, you'll find the foam provides a stable base.

However, it lacks that soft, sinking sensation some foam mattresses provide. Due to the foam's density, you may notice less cushioning around pressure points, which might be uncomfortable for side sleepers.

After extended use, the surface may feel slightly warm due to the lack of special cooling technology in the foam, which could cause discomfort for those who are sensitive to heat during warmer nights. Overall, the UNDERLIG delivers basic support, but if you're looking for more comfort or relief for pressure points, it may fall short.

Ikea Underlig Mattress Comfort

We tested the mattress on different sleepers with different body weights to see how comfortable each of them was in each sleeping position.

The mattress provides adequate support for back sleepers, offering some contouring to the lumbar region while maintaining a supportive structure.

The results of the test are down below:

Constructions, Materials, and Design

Materials and Design

The IKEA UNDERLIG mattress is crafted from high-density polyfoam, designed to provide firm, stable support for children.

It features a dual-sided comfort layer, with one side offering medium-firm comfort and improved ventilation for breathability. The removable cover is machine washable at 60°C, making it easy to maintain for long-term use.

Layers

1. Removable cover: Machine washable at 60°C.
2. Comfort layer: Medium-firm surface with better ventilation for breathability.
3. Base support layer: High-density polyfoam for firmer, stable support.

Performance of Ikea Underlig

Cooling

The IKEA UNDERLIG is a foam mattress, and foam tends to retain more heat than mattresses with pocket springs or hybrid designs. The mattress lacks advanced cooling technologies like gel-infused foam and breathable materials, thereby limiting its cooling capabilities.

We laid on the mattress for 20 minutes to assess heat retention and overall temperature regulation. After 20 minutes, we noticed the mattress became noticeably warmer in areas where the body had prolonged contact, which is typical for foam mattresses. It doesn't dissipate heat well, and hot sleepers may feel uncomfortable over time.

We gave the Ikea Underlig a score of 2.5/5.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness refers to how quickly the mattress returns to its original shape after applying pressure, which is important for combination sleepers who shift positions frequently.

We placed a 20-pound weight on the mattress to test the UNDERLIG's responsiveness, then watched to see how quickly it recovered.

As expected from a foam mattress, the UNDERLIG took 1.7 seconds to recover its shape. The foam layers compress under pressure and slowly bounce back, which may feel sluggish to combination sleepers or those who are used to springier mattresses, indicating low responsiveness.

We gave the Ikea Underlig mattress a 3/5 for responsiveness.

Motion Isolation

For couples who want to sleep undisturbed by one another during the night, foam mattresses typically perform exceptionally well in terms of motion isolation.

We dropped a 20-pound ball on one side of the mattress and placed a glass of water on the other side. The test checks how much movement is transferred from one side to the other.

The foam construction of the UNDERLIG effectively absorbed most of the motion. The water in the glass showed minimal movement, making it a good option for light sleepers or couples who want to minimize disruptions.

For our second test, one slept on one side of the mattress while the other turned and rolled on the other. The first reviewer said that he could feel the partner moving, but never enough to disturb his sleep.

We gave the mattress a 4/5 for its great motion isolation.

Edge Support

Edge support is important for sleepers who like to use the full surface area of the mattress or for those who sit on the edge of the bed regularly. Foam mattresses tend to have weaker edge support compared to spring or hybrid mattresses.

For the first test, we used our hands to apply pressure to the edge of the mattress. There was some counterpressure, but after pushing a lot, it indicated below-average edge support.

As expected, the foam in the UNDERLIG does compress significantly when sitting or lying near the edge, providing less stability. You may feel like you're slipping off when sitting, and the edge lacks the structural support seen in mattresses with reinforced edges. We would recommend the Helix Kids mattress for the safety of your kids regarding its great edge support.

The Ikea Underlig Mattress has a 2.5/5 rating for edge support functionality.

Noise

Noise performance is crucial for a quiet sleep environment, particularly for couples and light sleepers. Foam mattresses tend to be quieter than spring-based options.

We applied pressure to various parts of the mattress and listened for any squeaks or sounds.

As expected, the UNDERLIG performed very well in this test. Foam mattresses typically produce little to no noise, and the UNDERLIG was no exception.

We gave the Ikea Underlig a 5/5 for its noise performance.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is essential for sleepers, especially those who experience joint or back pain. Foam mattresses tend to provide decent pressure relief as they contour to the body.

We evaluated the even distribution of weight across the mattress using a pressure mapping test, concentrating on the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

The results can be found below:

The foam layers in the UNDERLIG do a decent job of contouring the body, offering moderate pressure relief.

The orange area on the pressure map indicates that side sleepers might feel slightly more discomfort around pressure points like the shoulders and hips because the foam doesn't offer as much depth as a memory foam mattress.

However, back sleepers may find it comfortable enough for proper support, as we can see on the blue areas of the map.

The mattress is not comfortable for stomach sleepers, which is also visible on the red and orange areas of the map; they would need a firmer mattress.

We gave the mattress a 3.5/5 for its pressure relief.

Ikea Warranty and Company Policies

Warranty

The Ikea UNDERLIG mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship.

Trial

Ikea doesn’t provide a clear policy for the Underlig mattress regarding trials.

Returns

IKEA doesn’t provide a clear policy for returns regarding the Underlig mattress.

Shipping

Ikea offers shipping for the UNDERLIG mattress, with costs varying based on location. It arrives roll-packed, making it easier to transport and handle. You can also pick it up in-store.

Pricing

The current Ikea mattress pricing by size is shown in the table below.

The IKEA UNDERLIG mattress lacks advanced features like cooling technologies, making it less ideal for hot sleepers compared to more premium options.

Its foam construction offers minimal responsiveness and weaker edge support, which can lead to discomfort, especially for combination sleepers or those who sit on the edge.

Additionally, its limited pressure relief and durability make it a less valuable long-term investment compared to higher-end mattresses with better support and longevity.

Ikea Warranty and Company Policies

FAQS about the Ikea Underlig Mattress

What type of mattress is the IKEA UNDERLIG?

The IKEA UNDERLIG is a basic foam mattress designed primarily for junior beds. It provides a simple, affordable sleep surface without additional layers or advanced support features.

Is the UNDERLIG suitable for adults?

While it is primarily designed for children’s beds or short-term use, adults may find it too thin and lacking support for long-term, daily use. It best suits junior beds, guest beds, or temporary sleeping solutions.

Does the UNDERLIG require a special bed base?

No, the UNDERLIG foam mattress does not require a specific base. It can be used with most slatted bed bases, adjustable bed frames, or directly on a flat surface, such as a platform bed.

Is there any odor when unboxing the UNDERLIG mattress?

Yes, since it’s a compressed foam mattress, you may notice a chemical odor upon unboxing. This smell is typical for foam mattresses and should dissipate within a few days in a well-ventilated room.