IKEA Bookcase vs Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Steel Wire Shelving
Buy the IKEA BILLY if the bookcase goes in a living room, bedroom or hallway and you want a clean white wall of books. Buy the Amazon Basics steel shelving if the load is heavy or the spot is a garage, kitchen or workshop. The BILLY is listed at $59 at IKEA as of November 3; the Amazon Basics 5-shelf unit is listed at $79.99 at Amazon as of November 3.
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IKEA Bookcase
4.7Choose the IKEA BILLY if you want a furniture-grade white bookcase that blends into a room and can be extended upward with a height extension unit.
Pros
- Fits a narrow 15.7-inch wall and reaches 79.5 inches with the extension unit
- Adjustable shelves fit tall art books and small paperbacks
- White finish and simple lines suit a living room or bedroom
- 4.7 out of 5 from 192 ratings, with buyers praising sturdiness and value
Cons
- 31 lb per shelf is low for dense hardcovers
- Shelf supports are tiny and can tear into the wood, letting shelves droop
- Paper wrap can peel at the front seam where books slide out
What separates them
| IKEA Bookcase | Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Steel Wire Shelving | |
|---|---|---|
| Material and finish | Particleboard with a white paper/foil wrap | Chrome-finished alloy steel wire |
| Shelf capacity | 31 lb per shelf | Up to 160 kg (about 350 lb) per shelf |
| Height | 79.5 in with the extension unit | 64.75 in |
| Width | 15.7 in | 14 in |
| Shelf adjustment | Adjustable, but supports are small and can tear the wood | One-inch (2.54 cm) increments, tool-free |
| Assembly | Flat-pack, tools needed, buyers call it easy | Tool-free snap-together posts |
| Look in a living space | Classic, no-frills white furniture look | Industrial wire rack, meant for utility rooms |
Price history
- IKEA Bookcase: lowest $84.00 on Oct 28.
- Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Steel Wire Shelving: lowest $52.99 on Oct 28.
Specs compared
| Spec | IKEA Bookcase | Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Steel Wire Shelving |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.7″ wide | 14″ wide |
| Height | 79.5″ high | 64.75″ high |
| Adjustable | Yes | — |
| Color | White | — |
| Use | — | Kitchen, Garage / Workshop |
| Number of shelves | — | 5 |
| Material | — | Alloy Steel |
| Finish type | — | Chrome Finish |
| Shelf capacity | — | up to 160 kg per shelf |
| Total max load | — | 800 kg max (evenly distributed) |
| Shelf adjustment |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a living room?
- The IKEA BILLY. Its white furniture finish and 79.5-inch height read as a wall of books, while the steel wire unit looks industrial.
- Which holds more weight?
- The Amazon Basics unit by a wide margin: about 350 lb per shelf against 31 lb for the BILLY. Use it for dense hardcovers, tools or supplies.
- Is the BILLY worth it over the steel shelving?
- Yes if looks matter and your books are normal trade hardcovers and paperbacks. The BILLY is also cheaper at $59 at IKEA as of November 3 against $79.99 at Amazon as of November 3.
- Which lasts longer?
- The steel unit resists moisture, peeling and shelf sag. The BILLY's weak points are its small shelf supports and the paper wrap at the front seam.
- Can I put the steel shelving in a kitchen or garage?
- Yes. It is built for kitchens and workshops, and the chrome finish handles damp and dirt better than a particleboard bookcase.
- Do the BILLY shelves sag under books?
- Some buyers report drooping because the shelf supports are small and tear into the wood. Keep loads near the 31 lb per-shelf limit and spread weight evenly.