Ikea Valevag Mattress Review

IKEA mattresses are popular among budget-conscious shoppers looking for basic comfort at a reasonable price. Despite not competing with high-end brands in terms of luxury, these mattresses offer accessible solutions for those seeking a quick, affordable option.

However, with the lower price tag often comes a trade-off in long-term durability and premium features, which may leave some sleepers looking for more.

The VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress is one of IKEA’s mid-range offerings, featuring individual pocket springs and five comfort zones designed to provide targeted support. Positioned as a medium-firm option, the VALEVÅG is aimed at sleepers who need extra support for their hips and shoulders.

In this review, we will test the Ikea VALEVÅG Mattress medium-firm version regarding:

• Pros and cons.
• Unboxing experience.
• Feel and comfort.
• Construction and design.
• Performance test results.
• Warranty policies, company policies, and all the FAQs you might want to know.

Ikea Valevag Overview

Pros

• Affordable: One of the more budget-friendly options in the spring mattress category.
• Breathability: Edge-to-edge pocket springs allow good air circulation, helping regulate body temperature during the night.

Cons

• Limited Durability: Over time, the mattress may start sagging, particularly in areas where you sleep most. Its longevity does not compare well to higher-end mattresses.
• Initial Unpleasant Smell: Some users report a lingering chemical smell when first unpacked, which can take a few days to dissipate.
• Slow to Regain Shape: The roll-packed design means the mattress takes up to 72 hours to fully regain its shape, and even then, some users note that it doesn’t fully return to its intended form.
• Edge Support Issues: While the mattress claims to have reinforced edges, some users experience a sinking sensation when sitting or lying near the edge.
• Basic Comfort: The medium-firm feel might be too firm for lighter-side sleepers, and it lacks the luxurious cushioning found in higher-end mattresses.

Who we Recommend the Ikea Valevag for

• Back Sleepers: With its medium-firm feel, the VALEVÅG provides decent support for back sleepers, especially those who don’t require extra cushioning. Its firmness helps maintain proper spinal alignment, making it a suitable option for those who prefer a firmer sleeping surface.
• Couples on a Budget: While not the most premium option for motion isolation, the VALEVÅG does minimize some movement between partners. If you and your partner are on a budget and need an affordable mattress that reduces major disturbances, this can be a reasonable choice.
• Short-Term Use or Guest Rooms: If you're looking for a mattress for a guest bedroom or a short-term solution, the VALEVÅG offers adequate comfort at an affordable price. However, for long-term daily use, it may not hold up as well in terms of durability.

Unboxing the Ikea Valevag

The IKEA VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress arrives conveniently compressed, which makes it simple to transport from the store or have it delivered to your door.

However, compared to some higher-end mattresses, the unboxing experience is less than satisfactory. After removing the plastic wrap and placing the mattress on a bed frame, it can take up to 72 hours to fully regain its shape and comfort.

While the mattress does eventually expand, some users report that it doesn’t always fill out as expected, particularly around the edges, which can feel uneven even after the full expansion period.

Additionally, there is often a noticeable chemical odor upon unboxing, which can linger for a few days. Although the smell typically fades with proper ventilation, it may be off-putting for those sensitive to smells or looking for a mattress they can use right away.

Overall, while the VALEVÅG's roll-packed design offers convenience, its slow recovery and initial odor detract from the overall experience. It's worth allowing a few days before expecting the mattress to deliver a comfortable sleep.

Firmness, Feel, and Comfort For Ikea Valevag

Ikea Valevag Firmness

The IKEA VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress is available in two firmness options: medium-firm and firm. Although both options cater to different sleeping preferences, the overall feel tends to lean towards the firmer side.

The medium-firm option, a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale, provides a balanced level of support and comfort, making it suitable for back sleepers who prefer a more structured mattress without too much give.

However, for lighter-side sleepers, this firmness may feel too rigid, especially when pressure builds up around the hips and shoulders. The firm option, an 8/10 on the firmness scale, offers even more robust support, ideal for stomach sleepers and those who prefer a solid, non-plush surface. However, this option might be too firm for combination sleepers or side sleepers who require softer cushioning for pressure relief.

While both options aim to offer the right balance of comfort and support, many users report that the mattress tends to lose some of its firmness over time, leading to a less supportive sleep experience.

Ikea Valevag Feel

The VALEVÅG mattress combines individually wrapped pocket springs and foam to offer basic comfort and breathability. However, it lacks the luxurious feel of higher-end models.

• The medium-firm option provides some cushioning, but overall feels firmer, with minimal contouring. It’s ideal for back sleepers, as it prevents excessive sinking. However, it can feel overly rigid for side sleepers or those looking for a more plush experience.
• The firm version, as expected, feels significantly more solid, providing good support for stomach sleepers and individuals who prefer a stiffer mattress. The firm surface ensures you remain on top of the mattress without sinking too far, but it may feel too hard for lighter individuals or those who prefer a softer sleep surface.

Both versions include a breathable pocket spring system that helps maintain airflow and keeps the mattress cool during the night. However, the overall comfort level can feel lacking, especially if you're looking for a more luxurious or contouring feel.

Ikea Valevag Comfort

Comfort varies based on sleeping position and body type, which is why we tested the mattress on different sleepers and sleeping positions.

The IKEA VALEVÅG is best suited for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers may find both the medium-firm and firm options too stiff, resulting in discomfort in pressure points like the shoulders and hips.

While the mattress does offer decent support for spinal alignment, the comfort levels for side sleepers and lighter individuals fall short compared to more premium mattresses.

Here's a summary of how the mattress performs across different sleeper types:

Constructions, Materials, and Design

Materials and Design

The IKEA VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress is constructed with a focus on affordability and functionality rather than luxury. While it lacks some of the high-end materials seen in more premium mattresses, it still provides a basic combination of foam and individually wrapped pocket springs aimed at offering moderate comfort and support.

Layers

1. Soft Quilted Stretch Fabric Cover: The top layer of the VALEVÅG mattress is a soft, quilted cover made from 100% recycled polyester. This cover provides a bit of stretch, allowing it to adapt to the body’s movements for a more comfortable feel. While it adds a soft touch, it lacks advanced cooling technology, so it may not offer the same breathability as higher-end mattresses with cooling features.
2. Standard Foam Layer: Beneath the cover, a layer of standard foam provides all-over support and moderate cushioning. This foam layer helps distribute weight evenly across the mattress, creating a comfortable base that adds a bit of softness to the firm pocket spring layer below.
3. Comfort Zones: The VALEVÅG mattress is designed with 5 specific comfort zones that offer targeted support to different parts of the body. Softer areas allow the shoulders and hips to sink in more deeply, relieving pressure and promoting better spinal alignment. Firmer zones support the neck and lower back, helping to maintain a natural posture while sleeping.
4. Pocket Springs: The core of the mattress consists of individually wrapped pocket springs, which work independently to respond to your body’s movements. This design minimizes motion transfer, so partners are less likely to disturb each other with movements during the night. The pocket springs add a responsive feel to the mattress, providing a good balance between support and motion isolation.
5. Stiff Felt Layer: At the base of the VALEVÅG mattress, a layer of stiff felt provides sturdy support and maintains the structure of the mattress. This layer helps ensure that the mattress remains consistent over time, supporting the upper layers and preventing sagging.

Performance of Ikea Valevag

Cooling

To assess the cooling performance of the IKEA VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress, we examined its construction and conducted a heat retention test. The mattress features individually wrapped pocket springs, which help facilitate airflow, reducing heat buildup compared to foam mattresses.

In our heat retention test, we laid on the mattress for 20 minutes while monitoring how much heat it retained. After the test, we found the mattress to remain fairly neutral in temperature, but it did retain some heat, especially in areas of direct body contact. It lacked the advanced cooling technologies seen in more premium mattresses, such as gel-infused foam or specialized cooling covers. For better cooling, we would recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress.

As a result, we rated the VALEVÅG a 3.5/5 for cooling. While its airflow is decent for average sleepers, those prone to overheating may find it lacking in overall temperature regulation.

Responsiveness

The ability of a mattress to return to its original shape after applying and removing pressure is crucial, particularly for combination sleepers.

To test the responsiveness of the IKEA VALEVÅG, we placed a 20-pound weight on the mattress and then removed it, observing how quickly the mattress recovered.

In this test, the VALEVÅG performed reasonably well. The mattress bounced back to its original shape within approximately one second, demonstrating decent responsiveness, especially for its price range. However, it wasn’t as quick or smooth as some more premium hybrid mattresses, which typically offer better motion isolation and faster recovery times.

Based on this, we give the VALEVÅG a 4/5 for responsiveness. It's adequate for most sleepers but not ideal for those looking for ultra-fast recovery, particularly combination sleepers who switch positions frequently.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation is an important factor for couples, as it determines how well a mattress absorbs movement and prevents it from transferring across the bed. The IKEA VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress features individually wrapped pocket springs, which help reduce motion transfer to some extent.

We tested motion isolation by dropping a 20-pound weight on one side of the mattress and placing a glass of water on the other side. When we dropped the weight, there was some minor movement in the water, indicating that the springs absorbed some, but not all, of the motion.

Additionally, for the second test, we had one person lay still on one side of the bed. When one person rolled around on one side of the bed, their partner did feel some motion transfer, making it less effective for light sleepers who are sensitive to movement. If you’re looking for a mattress with better motion isolation, and a better quality overall without breaking the bank we would recommend the Avenco Original Plus mattress.

In terms of motion isolation, the VALEVÅG scores a 3.8/5. It performs decently for a budget-friendly mattress but may not fully meet the needs of couples who want undisturbed sleep.

Edge Support

Edge support is important for those who want to use the full surface area of their mattress without feeling like they might roll off when lying or sitting near the edge. The IKEA VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress claims to have reinforced edges, but our tests revealed mixed results.

For the first test, we pressed down firmly on the edges and noticed some sagging, particularly when pushing on the side of the mattress.

While the edge support was passable when lying down, it showed in our second test that the sinking sensation was more noticeable when seated, which can be uncomfortable for those who like to sit on the edge of the bed.

Overall, the VALEVÅG provides fair edge support, scoring 3.5/5. It may work fine for sleepers who don’t need to use the edges regularly, but couples or heavier sleepers may want to consider mattresses with stronger edge support.

Noise

A quiet mattress is important for light sleepers and couples. We evaluated the noise level of the VALEVÅG by dropping a 20-pound weight on the mattress and listening for any squeaks or sounds using sensitive microphones.

In our noise test, the VALEVÅG performed quite well. The pocket spring system remained silent, with no noticeable squeaks or creaks during normal use. This is a positive aspect for couples or anyone who tends to move around a lot during the night.

We rated the VALEVÅG a 4.5/5 for noise. It’s a good choice for sleepers who need a quiet mattress, making it suitable for couples or light sleepers.

Sex

When evaluating a mattress for sex, factors like noise, bounce, and edge support are critical. The IKEA VALEVÅG provides a decent level of bounce, thanks to its pocket spring system, but its edge support is somewhat lacking. While the mattress is quiet enough for couples, the sagging edges might make certain positions less comfortable.

The VALEVÅG scores 3.8/5 for sex performance. It offers adequate bounce and noise control but could improve in terms of edge support.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is essential for those who experience joint pain or sleep in positions that create pressure points, like side sleeping. To assess the pressure relief of the VALEVÅG, we used a pressure mapping tool to measure how evenly weight is distributed across the mattress, particularly around the hips, shoulders, and back.

Here are the results of the pressure relief test:

The VALEVÅG provides moderate pressure relief, especially for back sleepers who benefit from its medium-firm support, which can be seen on the green areas of the map.

However, side sleepers may find the mattress too firm, resulting in discomfort around the shoulders and hips, as we can see in the orange and red areas of the map. The foam layer on top offers some softness, but it doesn’t conform as well to the body as memory foam mattresses do.

For stomach sleepers, the mattress may not be firm enough, which could be seen on the orange and yellow areas of the map too.

Based on our pressure mapping test, we rated the VALEVÅG a 3.6/5 for pressure relief. It’s a good option for back sleepers but may not be the best fit for side sleepers or those seeking deep contouring comfort.

Ikea Warranty and Company Policies

Warranty

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

Trial

According to IKEA’s policy, the Valevag mattress is eligible for a 90-day trial period, allowing you to decide if it's the right fit. If within 90 days you feel it’s not suitable, you can exchange it for a different mattress one time. However, IKEA requires that you try the mattress for at least 4 weeks before making a decision, as it often takes time for both your body and the mattress to adjust to each other.

Returns

IKEA offers a flexible return policy for its products, including the Valevag mattress. If you’re not fully satisfied, you have up to 365 days to return new and unopened items with your proof of purchase for a full refund. For products that have been opened, IKEA allows returns within 180 days, provided you have the receipt.

Shipping

Ikea offers shipping for the Valevag 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 VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress is a budget-friendly option, with prices ranging from $299 to $399, depending on the size. This makes it an accessible choice for those seeking a decent mattress at an affordable price point.

However, it is important to consider that the lower price may come with some trade-offs in terms of long-term durability and comfort.

The VALEVÅG is an affordable option within IKEA's mattress lineup, making it a good choice for those on a tighter budget or for guest bedrooms.

Policies Overview

FAQs about Ikea Valevag

Does the VALEVÅG Pocket Spring Mattress require a base?

Yes, IKEA recommends using the VALEVÅG mattress with a mattress base or a slatted bed base (non-adjustable) to ensure proper support and durability.

How long does it take for the VALEVÅG to expand fully after unpacking?

The mattress can take up to 72 hours to fully regain its shape and comfort after being roll-packed. Wrinkles and any compressed areas should disappear within this time.

Is the IKEA VALEVÅG mattress made with eco-friendly materials?

Kind of, the VALEVÅG is made with recycled polyester for its cover, in line with IKEA's sustainability initiatives.

Does the mattress emit any odors after unboxing?

There is a noticeable chemical smell upon unboxing due to its roll-packed nature. However, this odor typically dissipates within a few days if left to air out in a well-ventilated room.