Better Homes And Gardens Square 4-cube Organizer For Vinyl Storage

Anyone tried the Walmart brand imitation Kallax yet? I know the built quality might not be as good as the Ikea stuff, but it's half the price and rates pretty well with users. I'm contemplating buying some for my listening room refurb, I'll post back when complete.

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yzzaj AK Subscriber Subscriber

Second thread in which you claim "half the price".
I just checked.

A Kallax 2x2 at Ikea: $34.99 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40275813/

A BH&G 2x2 at Walmart: $37.96 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Square-4-Cube-Organizer-Multiple-Colors/51008071

So - not exactly "half the price". In fact, the Walmart BH&G unit is 8.5% higher in cost.

Of course, the price says nothing about build quality of either unit.

Perhaps someone who owns one of each unit could chime in with their review.

For the extra cost of the Walmart units, are they worth the extra money?
I'll give it to ya the smaller units are cheaper, but larger are not. I'll use a 2x2 to prop my Ikea desk too, but larger stuff is definitely 1/2 price.
yzzaj AK Subscriber Subscriber

Sorry. Not buying it again.
2x4 Units:
Walmart BH&G 2x4 unit: $68.00
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-8-Cube-Organizer-Multiple-Colors/29741111

Ikea Kallax 2x4 unit: $64.99
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50278482/

1x4 Units:
Walmart BH&G 1x4 unit: $59.00 (when bought in pairs, it's $100 for 2, so $50 per)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-4-Cube-Organizer-Multiple-Colors/29741113
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Ho...Organizer-Multiple-Finishes-Set-of-2/35492284

Ikea Kallax 1x4 unit: $59.99.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90275844/

So - Walmart is more expensive on the 2x4's, but a bit less on the 1x4's. Certainly not "definitely 1/2 price" as you state.

But - as I have only a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, I could be wrong on my statement that they are not "1/2 the price". Perhaps someone with a master's degree in Mathematics could correct me if I am wrong.

Now - Ikea Kallax offers a 4x4 and 5x5 unit, which Walmart BH&G does not . (or at least I didn't find any on the Walmart site - please provide a link if you have one).

And - Walmart BH&G does offer a 3x3 unit, and a 1x3 unit, which Ikea Kallax does not.

So - we can't compare apples to apples prices on those...

Still would like to hear from someone who owns both units to do a comparison review.

damacman and ictwoody like this.
I'm glad u finished your undergraduate degree. I might have caught them on sale but I could have swore the 2x4 was listed at 39 at my local store. I even borrowed a tape measure from electronics to measure the cubes. I'll photo next time I go.
Would like to hear from someone who owns one on built quality.

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@Hajidub I own one of the Walmart brand 2x2. According to the manual, it can support 30lbs in each top shelf and 100lbs on the very top. Although I haven't used the top shelves yet for record storage (I use them for supplies, and CD storage), I can fit approximately 65-70 records per shelf based on my experience using the bottom shelves. From what I've read, 65-70 records should be right around 30lbs (maybe a pound or two over).
By the way, I did not go with these due to cost; I went with them because the closest Ikea store is almost 2 hours from my home.
I was going to mention the same thing as jking...the cost would not be the factor for me...my nearest Ikea store is 3 hours away. Some of us live out in BFE where there are plenty of Wal-Mart's but no IKEA to be found! If IKEA had free shipping, that would be a different story.
About six years ago I bought a small "build it yourself" book shelving unit from Walmart for my sons dorm room. It was made in China and was coated with a nasty oil. It smelled bad too. We boxed it up and returned it. Even the styrofoam backing was suspect as small pieces were breaking apart and getting all over the place. Who knows what was on that thing??
For that reason I will not buy the cheap build it yourself stuff from Walmart or Target. IKEA has my vote, even if it has a slightly higher cost.
Today I purchased the 2x2 (for my Ikea desk attachment) and the 2x4 for horizontal vinyl storage and equipment. I got them in-store on sale for $92. Will report in a couple days when I have the stereo room rearranged. Bob I hear ya, my son recently bought a chest-of-drawers from them and I can still smell particle board/chemical 2 weeks later. Will report back!
BTW, my Expedit 4x4 will go in the den for LP over-flow.

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The Wally 2x2 went together in 15 mins, same quality of Ikea. The 2x4 went together with a hitch, I broke one of the inner supports, but didn't affect integrity, still weighs and supports the Ikea comparable.
Last edited: Jun 16, 2016
Nice Bob, not a derail at all. BTW, if you look at the Wally 2x2 next to the Ikea (to the right) 4x4 next to it, the dimensions (thickness) is identical. Good option for folks not close to an Ikea, plus Wally has free shipping on orders over $50 I think. If Ikea started charging free shipping they'd be killer.

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BTW, nice repurpose of that console too. Also, garage sales. Check garage sale posted pictures for furniture that can be re purposed. You might also find nice vintage audio gear for song. I've found Marantz an d Thorens from those pics.

Last edited: Jun 20, 2016
We went with a Better Homes unit, and they are solid. The only problem I had was with the finish. I removed a small sticker and it pulled up the finish in that spot. It looked like it was painted faux wood or something.
I actually have the 8-cube (in espresso), and had it delivered to my doorstep for like 68 bucks. I think the build quality is excellent. Instructions were super simple and it is very sturdy.
I have six of the walmart 2x2 and for the most part I am pleased. One thing I did not like was that the outer panels seem hollow. They appear thick but when assembling the units I was able to press on the veneer and I could feel some give, as if the panels were not solid. I am not sure if the ikea ones are the same as no ikea store where I live.
Another concern is that the surfaces seem to scratch easily. When assembling them I was sliding them around the floor and apparently the floor had some grit on it which caused some scratches/scuffs.

Other than the above concerns, the units have held up well.

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I agree, the Ikea units are also hollow ended and scratch. Knowing this I was sure to assemble my Wally world unit on carpet.
Just got a Better Homes 8 cube myself. I already have record storage, but using it to store CD's, DVD's, and other random stuff. Honestly I would prefer to go the vintage/repurposed route, but my wife is not a big fan of "big wooden things"...yet she seems to be okay with "big fake-wooden things"...lol! I guess seeing how we're on a budget and this is not our forever house, I'm okay with getting some lighter things...knowing there will be a move coming up sooner or later. Most of our furniture right now is from Wal-Mart and Ikea...never thought I'd say that...it actually doesn't look half bad, and it's not so expensive that I'll have a stroke if one of the kids (I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old) do something terrible to any of it.
Anyway, fan of these cube organizers...put me down for a +1.