The IKEA Alex and Helmer drawer units are both popular storage solutions, but they differ significantly in material, size, mobility, and price. The Alex is a larger, stationary unit made from particleboard, designed to create a substantial, built-in look for offices and desk setups. The Helmer is a compact, mobile steel cabinet on wheels, built for flexible, small-item organization in tight spaces.
Here’s what you need to know to choose the right IKEA storage unit for your home office or craft room.
IKEA Alex Drawer Unit
The Alex Drawer Unit is a long-standing favorite in the home office and productivity community, famous for serving as the sturdy base for countless DIY desk builds. Made from particleboard and fiberboard with a smooth painted finish, it offers a clean, Scandinavian aesthetic that integrates seamlessly with other furniture. Its substantial size and deep drawers make it ideal for storing heavier or bulkier items like files, notebooks, and tech accessories.
- What it is: A stationary wood composite drawer unit commonly used as support for a desk tabletop or as standalone office storage.
- Key features: Available in 5 or 9-drawer configurations, features deep drawers with pull-out stops, has a finished back, allowing it to be placed in the middle of a room.
- Price: Around $120-$160, depending on the number of drawers.
- Dimensions: The popular 5-drawer unit measures 27 1/2" tall, 14 1/8" wide, and 22 7/8" deep.
- Materials/Construction: Particleboard and fiberboard core with a solid acrylic paint finish for a clean, uniform look.
- Style: Modern minimalist. It features flat-front drawers without hardware for a sleek, integrated appearance.
- Pros: Excellent storage capacity for larger items. Functions as a sturdy desk leg. Seamless, high-end look fits well in modern interiors. Finished back provides placement flexibility. Smooth-gliding drawers.
- Cons: Cannot be easily moved. Particleboard construction is susceptible to water damage and chipping. More than double the price of the Helmer.
The Alex unit is designed for permanent office setups where integrated style and large-item storage are more important than mobility.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/alex-drawer-unit-white-10565809/
IKEA Helmer Drawer Unit
The Helmer is a compact, industrial-style storage cabinet known for its utility, mobility, and budget-friendly price point. Made entirely of powder-coated steel and equipped with four caster wheels, it's a nimble solution designed to fit under desks or into small corners. With six shallow drawers, each featuring a label holder, the Helmer excels at organizing a high volume of small items common in craft rooms, makeup vanities, and home offices.
- What it is: A versatile and mobile metal drawer unit on casters, ideal for organizing small items.
- Key features: Six shallow drawers with label holders for easy cataloging, four caster wheels for full mobility, compact size fits easily under a desk.
- Price: Around $49.
- Dimensions: Measures 27 1/8" tall, 11" wide, and 16 3/4" deep.
- Materials/Construction: The entire unit is made of durable powder-coated steel.
- Style: Functional and industrial. Its utilitarian look is reminiscent of a small filing cabinet or toolbox.
- Pros: Extremely affordable. Durable steel construction resists dings and spills. Easy to move where you need it. Small footprint fits in tight spaces. Label holders make organization simple.
- Cons: Shallow drawers are not suitable for large or bulky items. The industrial aesthetic may not suit all decor styles. Casters are basic and may not roll smoothly on thick carpet.
This unit is perfect for anyone on a budget who needs flexible, mobile storage for small supplies in a tight space.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/helmer-drawer-unit-on-casters-white-10251045/
Alex vs. Helmer Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most immediate difference is size. The Alex unit has a significantly larger footprint at 14 1/8" wide and nearly 23" deep, establishing a commanding presence. It's purpose-built to sit at desk height (27 1/2") and often serves as a support leg for a separate tabletop. Its substantial form feels like part of a permanent furniture setup.
Conversely, the Helmer is compact and unassuming at just 11" wide and 16 3/4" deep. It’s designed to slip under an existing desk or into a narrow gap in a craft room or closet. Its mobility reinforces this role, it's a piece of auxiliary storage you bring out when needed, not a foundational part of your main workspace.
Materials & Construction
Here, the units are fundamentally different. The Alex is constructed from particleboard and fiberboard with a painted finish, giving it the look and feel of traditional furniture. This construction is hefty and stable but vulnerable to water damage which can cause the material to swell. The smooth, hardware-free exterior offers a refined look.
The Helmer is made entirely of powder-coated steel. This material makes it lightweight yet surprisingly rugged - it resists dings, scratches, and spills much better than the Alex's wood composite surface. The construction is utilitarian, you bend flaps into place during assembly, reinforcing its industrial character.
Storage Capacity & Functionality
Your choice depends heavily on what you need to store. The Alex's five large drawers are perfect for bigger items: reams of paper, documents, binders, books, or larger tech accessories. The drawer stops add a touch of safety and convenience, preventing them from being pulled out accidentally.
The Helmer’s six shallow drawers are specifically designed for small-item organization. Think pens, craft supplies, makeup palettes, screws, or art materials. The built-in label holder on each drawer is a major functional advantage, helping you locate items at a glance. You can't fit a binder in a Helmer drawer, but you can neatly catalog hundreds of small parts.
Price & Value
There's a significant price gap between the two. The Helmer is firmly in the budget category at around $50, making it an incredibly accessible storage option. For that price, you get a durable, mobile steel unit that's great at its specific job of organizing small items.
The Alex, at over twice the price (around $120+), plays a different role. Its value comes from its dual function as both a large-capacity storage unit and a structural component of a desk. You are paying for a larger footprint, substantial material, and a more polished, integrated look that elevates a room's aesthetic in a way the utilitarian Helmer does not.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both IKEA storage units are excellent, but they are designed for very different users and needs.
Choose the Alex if:
- You're building a desk and need a drawer unit that can also serve as a sturdy leg.
- A clean, seamless aesthetic that looks like built-in furniture is important to you.
- You need to store larger items like files, binders, or bulky supplies.
- Your storage unit will stay in one place and doesn't need to be mobile.
- You are placing the unit in the middle of a room, as its back is finished.
Choose the Helmer if:
- You are working with a tight budget.
- Mobility is a priority and you want to be able to move your storage around easily.
- You need to organize a large quantity of small items like art supplies, makeup, or hardware.
- Floor space is limited, and you need a unit with a very small footprint.
- You appreciate a functional, industrial style with built-in labeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Alex and Helmer?
The primary difference is material and purpose. The Alex is a stationary wood composite unit designed as substantial furniture for large items. The Helmer is a mobile steel unit designed for flexible, small-item organization.
Can you use the Helmer as a desk leg like the Alex?
No, the Helmer is not designed for this. It's shorter, much less stable, and its steel construction isn't suitable for securely attaching a countertop. It's best used as storage that slides underneath an existing desk.
Which unit is more durable?
It depends on the type of use. The Helmer's steel construction makes it more resistant to dings, spills, and scratches. However, the Alex is heavier and more structurally solid for bearing weight. The Alex's particleboard can be permanently damaged by water, while the Helmer's steel can rust if the coating is compromised.
Which is better for small spaces?
The Helmer is significantly better for small spaces. Its narrow and shallow profile allows it to fit into tight corners and under desks where the bulkier Alex would not.
How difficult are they to assemble?
Both follow standard IKEA instructions. The Alex uses familiar cam-lock screws and dowels typical of wood furniture. The Helmer's assembly is different, involving folding metal pieces and tabs, which some find quicker but others find less intuitive.
Do the drawers on the Alex or Helmer come all the way out?
The Alex drawers have pull-out stops to prevent them from falling out. The Helmer drawers do not have stops and can be removed completely, which can be useful for taking your supplies to a work area.
Can you stack Helmer units?
IKEA does not design or recommend the Helmer for stacking. The casters and frame on top are not built to safely support the weight of another fully loaded unit.
Which drawer unit is better for craft supplies?
For most craft supplies, especially collections of paint tubes, beads, pens, or tools, the Helmer is the superior choice. Its six shallow drawers and label slots make categorizing and finding small items much easier.
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