Ikea Vagstranda Mattress Review

IKEA mattresses are known for their affordability, functional designs, and a wide variety of options catering to different sleep preferences. While they provide value for budget-conscious shoppers, some may find better performance or premium materials from other brands within similar price ranges. That said, IKEA’s range is great for those prioritizing convenience.

The Vagstranda is a mattress designed with dual pocket spring layers, offering some support and comfort zones for natural spine alignment. The extra foam layer adds cushioning for a plush feel. With its focus on comfort and affordability, it bridges the gap between IKEA’s budget-friendly options and premium mattress brands while still not achieving the comfort of high-quality brands.

In this article, we will go through the following:

• Pros and Cons
• Who we recommend this mattress for
• Unboxing Experience
• Firmness, Feel, and Comfort
• Materials and Design
• Warranty and Return Policies
• FAQs
• Final Verdict

Note: We’re reviewing the medium-firm version of the mattress.

Ikea Vagstranda Overview

Pros

• Comfort Zones for Enhanced Support: The 7-zone pocket spring design provides support, cradling the hips and shoulders while offering firmer reinforcement for the lower back and legs.
• Breathable Design: The pocket springs promote airflow, preventing overheating and achieving a cooler sleeping environment.
• Double Pocket Spring Layers: Offers good motion isolation and added support, making it a good choice for couples or restless sleepers.
• Plush Foam Layer: The thick foam layer adds cushioning and helps create a soft yet supportive sleep surface.
• Affordable Hybrid Option: Provides features like dual pocket springs and zoned support at a price point significantly lower than many high-end hybrids.

Cons

• Edge Support Limitations: Despite its pocket springs, there is some softness on the edges, which can cause a sinking sensation when sitting.
• Limited Firmness Options: While medium-firm works for many, those seeking a truly firm or plush option may find this mattress less suitable.
• Potential for Durability Issues: At its price point, the materials may not hold up as well as premium hybrid mattresses over long-term use.
• Initial Odor: The roll-packed design may emit a noticeable smell upon unpacking, requiring time to fully air out.
• Weight and Handling: The mattress is heavy (94 lbs for Queen), making it challenging to move or position, especially without handles.

Who we Recommend the Ikea Vagstranda for

• Budget-Conscious Shoppers: For those seeking a hybrid mattress with advanced features at a mid-range price.
• Couples or Shared Beds: The motion isolation capabilities make it suitable for partners with different sleeping movements.
• Back and Side Sleepers: The medium-firm support combined with comfort zones offers great spinal alignment and pressure relief for these positions.
• Light to Medium Weight Sleepers: Best suited for individuals or couples under 250 lbs per person due to its design and support levels.

Unboxing the Ikea Vagstranda

When the mattress arrived, it came compressed in a sturdy plastic wrap, making it easy to transport despite its weight (approximately 94 lbs for the Queen size). The packaging is good for maneuvering through tight hallways or staircases.

We began by carefully cutting open the outer plastic wrap, taking care not to damage the mattress itself. As the plastic was removed, the mattress immediately began to unroll and expand. The mattress quickly unfolds to its full length, but as expected with roll-packed mattresses, it took around 72 hours to fully decompress and reach its intended thickness of 11 inches.

Upon unpacking, a slight chemical smell was detected, which we found irritating. To speed up the process, we lightly cleaned the mattress and let the room air out. We had to wait a while before we could use the mattress because of the strong smell.

Firmness, Feel, and Comfort For Ikea Vagstranda

Ikea Vagstranda Firmness

This plush version rates around a 4/10 on the firmness scale, offering a soft and cushioned feel. It’s ideal for those who enjoy a mattress that allows them to sink in more deeply and prefer a cradling sensation, especially side sleepers or lightweight individuals.

The medium-firm version is approximately 6.5/10, providing a balance between support and comfort. It works well for back sleepers and combination sleepers who need even weight distribution and moderate contouring without excessive sinkage.

The firm version sits at about an 8/10 on the firmness scale, delivering robust support with minimal give. It’s well-suited for stomach sleepers, heavier individuals, or those who prefer a firmer sleeping surface that keeps their body aligned and elevated.

Ikea Vagstranda Feel

Lying on the medium-firm version of the Vagstranda mattress feels balanced and supportive, with just some cushioning to relieve pressure points without making you sink too deeply.

The top foam layer provides a soft initial touch, creating a comfortable surface, but the underlying pocket springs quickly offer support, ensuring proper alignment for your back and hips.

It’s an ideal choice for sleepers who enjoy a combination of firmness and slight plushness, offering a supportive yet slightly contouring feel that adapts well to different sleeping positions.

Ikea Vagstranda Comfort

We tested the mattress on different reviewers with different body weights. Side sleepers typically need a mattress that relieves pressure on their hips and shoulders while maintaining proper spinal alignment. The plush version of the mattress is fine for side sleepers, offering soft cushioning that cradles pressure points effectively.

Back sleepers require a balance of support and comfort to maintain the natural curve of the spine. The medium-firm version of the Vagstranda is a good choice, as it provides the necessary lumbar support while still being comfortable.

Stomach sleepers need a firmer surface to prevent their midsection from sinking too deeply, which can cause back pain. The firm version of the Vagstranda mattress is recommended for stomach sleepers to keep their spine aligned and reduce discomfort.

These are the results of our testing on the medium-firm mattress summed up.

Constructions, Materials, and Design

Materials and Design

The mattress is crafted from materials that try to achieve comfort and durability. Its design features a combination of layers, including plush foam, pocket springs, and a breathable quilted cover, all working together for optimal support and a good sleeping experience, but it can never be as luxurious as actual premium brands.

Layers

1. Quilted Cover: Made from soft, breathable stretch fabric with added wadding, the cover enhances airflow and follows body movements for a good feel. This cover allows airflow to regulate temperature, keeping the sleeper cool throughout the night. Its stretchy design moves with the body, ensuring a snug and supportive feel as you change positions.
2. Standard Foam Layer: A layer of polyurethane foam; this foam adds an extra cushioning layer, softening the feel of the mattress while evenly distributing weight. It works with the pocket springs below to provide pressure relief, especially for sensitive areas like the shoulders and hips.
3. S-core Pocket Springs: The heart of the mattress features an innovative double layer of pocket springs, uniquely designed to deliver both comfort and support. These springs are arranged in 7 distinct comfort zones to provide tailored support for different parts of the body.
4. Stiff-Felt Layer: Acting as a base layer, the stiff-felt layer provides structural integrity and reinforces the mattress's overall durability. This firm, stable foundation prevents the springs from shifting and ensures long-term performance. It also protects the springs from wear and tear by creating a barrier between the mattress base and the springs.

Performance of Ikea Vagstranda

Cooling

The Vagstranda mattress provides moderate cooling, primarily due to its breathable quilted cover and the pocket spring design, which facilitates airflow. However, it lacks advanced cooling materials such as gel-infused foam or phase-change technology, which are common in higher-end mattresses. This may cause some heat retention for those who sleep hot or live in warmer climates.

To evaluate the cooling capabilities, we conducted a heat retention test by lying on the mattress for 20 minutes and monitoring its ability to dissipate heat.

During the test, the mattress retained heat on direct contact, and it took a noticeable amount of time to cool down after movement. While the airflow from the pocket springs helps, the foam layers tend to trap some heat, making this mattress average for cooling. We would recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe for better cooling.

We gave the Vagstranda a 3/5 for its cooling performance; it may be tolerable for those who aren’t bothered by hot sleeping.

Responsiveness

Though the mattress has pocket springs, its responsiveness lags compared to premium hybrid mattresses** with latex or high-resilience foam layers.

We placed a 20-pound weight on the mattress, removed it, and timed how quickly it returned to its original shape. The mattress took approximately 1.2 seconds to bounce back, which is slightly slower than mattresses with more advanced materials.

This delayed responsiveness could make it a bit more challenging for sleepers to change positions quickly, particularly combination sleepers, so we gave the mattress a 4/5 for its responsiveness.

Motion Isolation

The Vagstranda has good isolating motion, thanks to its individually wrapped pocket springs and foam top layer. These features minimize motion transfer, making it a good option for couples or light sleepers who share a bed.

We tested motion isolation by placing a glass of water on one side of the mattress and dropping a 20-pound weight on the other. The water showed minimal movement, indicating the mattress absorbs most of the motion.

In a second test, one reviewer lay still on one side while another moved around on the opposite side. The sleeper reported feeling only slight vibrations, confirming the mattress's effectiveness in reducing disturbances from motion transfer.

The Vagstranda scored a 4.5/5 for its motion isolation properties, making it suitable for light sleepers and couples.

Edge Support

The Vagstranda mattress features edge-to-edge pocket springs, which provide consistent support across the surface. However, its edge support is less robust when sitting or lying near the edge, leading to noticeable sinkage.

To measure edge support, we applied firm pressure along the sides and observed the counterpressure; the mattress did provide visible counterpressure.

Sitting on the edge caused moderate sinking, reducing comfort for those who frequently use the entire surface of the mattress. The lack of reinforced edges makes this less suitable for individuals who prioritize firm edge support.

We gave the Vagstranda a 3.5/5 for its edge support abilities; we would recommend a mattress with enforced edges for those who like to use the full perimeter of their sleeping surface, like the Titan Plus.

Noise

The Vagstranda mattress is quiet, even with its pocket spring system. The springs are well-encased, minimizing creaking or squeaking during movement, which is beneficial for light sleepers and couples.

We used sensitive microphones to detect any sounds while applying pressure to the mattress with a 20-pound weight. The test revealed no noticeable noises, as the springs are effectively dampened by the surrounding foam layers. This makes the mattress a discreet and quiet option for a peaceful night's sleep.

We gave the mattress a 4.5/5 for its noise, which again proves its suitability for couples and those who sleep lightly.

Sex

The Vagstranda mattress offers a balanced surface for intimate activities, combining support from the pocket springs with cushioning from the foam layer. The edge-to-edge spring design provides stability, although it's not the strongest, and its medium-firm feel supports ease of movement.

While the pocket springs enhance responsiveness, the lack of advanced cooling features may cause discomfort during prolonged activities. Additionally, the medium-firm version offers less bounce than softer mattresses, which some people may prefer for these purposes.

We gave the Vagstranda a 3/5 for sexual performance.

Pressure Relief

The mattress provides decent pressure relief for back sleepers but struggles to accommodate the needs of side and stomach sleepers. Its 7 comfort zones attempt to provide targeted support, but the medium-firm version may not adequately contour to areas like the shoulders and hips for side sleepers or distribute weight evenly for stomach sleepers.

Using a pressure mapping tool, we evaluated the distribution of weight across the mattress for different sleeping positions.

The results of our testing are down below:

• Side Sleepers: The map showed orange and yellow zones around the shoulders and hips, indicating pressure points and discomfort due to insufficient contouring, which means they should choose the plush version of the mattress.
• Back Sleepers: Green zones dominated the map, indicating good support and minimal pressure on the lumbar region, making the medium-firm perfect for back sleepers.
• Stomach Sleepers: Red and orange areas were visible, particularly around the torso and hips, indicating excessive pressure buildup. The medium-firm version may not provide enough support to keep the body aligned for stomach sleepers, meaning they should choose the firm version.

We gave the Vagstranda a 3.5/5 for its versatility and options; however, the medium-firm version is only suitable for average and lightweight back sleepers.

Ikea Warranty and Company Policies

Warranty

The mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty, covering defects in material and workmanship. This ensures peace of mind for buyers, as the product has been rigorously tested to meet IKEA's durability and safety standards.

Trial

IKEA offers a 90-day trial period for the Vagstranda mattress, allowing customers to test it out and decide if it's the right fit. During this period, you can exchange the mattress for another model if it doesn’t meet your expectations. IKEA suggests using the mattress for at least four weeks to allow your body and the mattress to adjust to one another before making a decision.

Returns

IKEA provides a flexible return policy for the mattress. Unopened mattresses can be returned within 365 days with a receipt for a full refund. Opened mattresses can be returned within 180 days of purchase, allowing for adequate time to determine whether the mattress suits your needs. All returns require proof of purchase.

Shipping

The mattress is shipped compressed, making it compact and easy to transport. Shipping costs vary based on location, and IKEA also offers the option to pick up the mattress in-store. Its roll-packed design simplifies handling and setup upon arrival.

Pricing

The Vagstranda mattress is positioned as a mid-range option in IKEA's mattress lineup, with prices starting at $399 for a twin size and reaching $649 for a king size. While it’s priced higher than entry-level models, its dual-layer pocket spring construction and added comfort features justify the cost for many buyers.

The pricing reflects the additional comfort layers and the durable construction of the Vagstranda. Although it's slightly more expensive than other IKEA models, its pocket-spring design and 7 comfort zones make it a strong contender in its price range. However, competing brands may offer more advanced cooling features or firmer edge support at similar price points.

Policies Overview

FAQs about Ikea Vagstranda

Is the cover of the Vagstranda mattress removable and washable?

No, the cover of the mattress is not removable or washable. It is recommended to use a mattress protector for added hygiene.

Does the mattress contain any flame-retardant chemicals?

The mattress uses a fiber fire barrier made of rayon/polyester batting with inherently fire-resistant properties, and no harmful flame retardant chemicals are added.

Does the Vagstranda mattress need a break-in period?

Yes, IKEA recommends allowing at least 30 days for your body to adjust to the mattress and for the mattress to fully expand and conform to your body.

Can I use an adjustable base with the Vagstranda mattress?

The mattress is compatible with most adjustable bases, but you should ensure that the dimensions and thickness (11 inches) fit your base requirements.