The IKEA Poang and Pello chairs are iconic for their similar bentwood designs, but they differ significantly in construction, comfort, and price. The Poang features a springy, layered-glued frame with a wider variety of finishes and thicker cushions, whereas the Pello has a more rigid frame, basic cushions, and comes at a much lower, entry-level price point.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which famous IKEA armchair is the right fit for your home and budget.
IKEA Poang Armchair
The Poang chair is a legendary piece of IKEA furniture, first introduced in the 1970s and renowned for its timeless Scandinavian style and dynamic comfort. Its signature feature is the cantilever frame made from layered bentwood, which provides a gentle, pleasing bounce when you sit in it. The Poang is highly customizable, sold as a separate frame and cushion, allowing you to choose from various wood finishes and a wide range of fabric and leather upholstery options.
- What it is: A flexible bentwood armchair known for its ergonomic shape and comfortable, rocking motion.
- Key features: Layered-glued bentwood frame for resilience, high back for good neck support, wide variety of replaceable cushions and frames. A matching ottoman is also available.
- Price: Ranges from $99 to $299 depending on the frame finish and cushion material (fabric, leather). The children's version is priced lower.
- Dimensions: ~26 ¾" W x 32 ¼" D x 39 ⅜" H. Seat width is ~22".
- Materials/Construction: Frame is molded layered-glued wood veneer (birch or oak) with a clear lacquer finish. Cushions use polyurethane foam with covers in cotton, linen, polyester, or top-grain leather.
- Style: Classic Scandinavian modern. Its clean lines and natural wood frame make it highly versatile for modern, minimalist, and contemporary decor.
- Pros: Excellent comfort with a supportive, springy feel. Highly customizable with many frame and cushion options. Removable, machine-washable fabric covers make cleaning easy. Proven durability with many lasting for decades.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Pello. Assembly can be slightly more involved due to the separate cushion. Its low-slung design may be difficult for some people to get out of.
The Poang is for anyone seeking a durable, stylish, and genuinely comfortable accent chair that will serve as a primary seat for reading, relaxing, or nursing, and who appreciates the ability to customize its look.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/poaeng-armchair-birch-veneer-knisa-light-beige-s49241152/
IKEA Pello Armchair
The IKEA Pello is the ultra-budget friendly alternative to the Poang, offering a very similar look at a fraction of the cost. While it mimics the Poang's bentwood silhouette, its construction is simpler and its features are scaled-down. The chair is lightweight and offers supportive seating, but it lacks the gentle bounce and premium feel of its more expensive sibling. It is sold as a single unit with one standard cushion option.
- What it is: A budget-friendly, stationary bentwood armchair with a similar aesthetic to the Poang.
- Key features: One-piece frame construction, basic cushion included, very lightweight, incredibly affordable price.
- Price: Typically around $69.99. The price is static as there are no customization options.
- Dimensions: ~26 ⅜" W x 33 ½" D x 37 ¾" H. Seat width is ~21 ¼".
- Materials/Construction: Armrest frame is made of birch veneer, supporting parts are tubular steel. The cushion is filled with polyurethane foam and has a non-removable 100% cotton cover.
- Style: Minimalist Scandinavian. It has a functional, no-frills appearance that fits well in casual spaces like dorm rooms, first apartments, or secondary living areas.
- Pros: Extremely affordable and provides excellent value. The simple design makes for a quick and easy assembly. It's very lightweight and easy to move around. Has a high back for solid support.
- Cons: Frame is rigid and does not have the "bounce" of the Poang. The cushion is significantly thinner and the cover is not removable for washing. Very limited color and finish options (usually just one). No matching ottoman available.
The Pello is perfect for those who need simple, affordable seating for a temporary living situation, a low-traffic area like a guest room or playroom, or when budget is the absolute number one consideration.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/pello-armchair-holmby-natural-50078464/
IKEA Poang vs. Pello Comparison
Comfort & Ergonomics
Comfort is the most significant differentiator between the Poang and the Pello. The Poang’s frame is engineered from layered, molded wood that acts like a leaf spring, providing a gentle rocking motion that contours to your body as you shift your weight. This slight "give" makes it incredibly comfortable for long periods of sitting, whether you're reading a book or watching a movie. Poang cushions are also thicker, available in higher-resilience foam, and come in premium materials like leather for added comfort.
The Pello chair’s frame, while supportive, is largely rigid. It lacks the dynamic flex of the Poang, resulting in a more static sitting experience. Its cushion is also noticeably thinner and filled with a more basic foam, providing adequate but not plush comfort. While perfectly suitable for short-term use, the Pello lacks the deep, ergonomic comfort that makes the Poang a fan favorite for daily lounging.
Materials & Construction
The differences in price start with the materials and construction. The Poang frame uses a more complex layered-glued birch veneer technique that allows for its signature strength and flexibility. This quality construction is why Poangs often last for decades. Its cushions can be purchased separately, and the fabric options have removable, washable covers.
The Pello chair employs a simpler construction with a combination of wood veneer and tubular steel to achieve its shape at a lower cost. This simpler design is sturdy but less sophisticated. A major drawback for households with kids or pets is that the Pello’s included cushion cover is not removable, making spot-cleaning the only option.
Style & Customization
If you value personalizing your furniture, the Poang chair is the clear winner. You can choose from multiple wood frame finishes, including light birch, medium brown, black-brown, and white. Pair these frames with over a dozen cushion options that range from neutral canvas tones and textured fabrics to bold colors and genuine black or brown leather. You can also purchase a matching Poang ottoman to complete the set.
The Pello offers zero customization. It typically comes in one configuration: a natural birch-colored frame with an off-white cotton cushion (Holmby natural). Its look is fixed, and there is no matching ottoman. While its simple aesthetic is fine for many spaces, it doesn't offer the creative freedom that allows the Poang to integrate seamlessly into a wider range of interior styles.
Price & Value
When it comes to upfront cost, the Pello is unbeatable. Often priced at just $69.99, it’s one of the most affordable armchairs you can find. It delivers reliable seating for a minimal investment, making it a fantastic choice for students, renters, or anyone furnishing on a tight budget.
The IKEA Poang starts around $99 for the most basic model and can exceed $200 for leather versions. However, it offers superior long-term value. Its durable construction means it will last much longer, and the ability to buy replacement cushions means you can refresh the chair's look for about $30-$100 instead of buying a whole new chair if a cushion gets worn out or stained. Think of the Pello as a budget buy and the Poang as a long-term investment.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both IKEA armchairs offer great value for their price points, but they are built for different users and priorities.
Choose the Poang chair if:
- Comfort is your top priority, you want a main chair for daily reading or relaxing.
- You appreciate the gentle rocking motion for lounging or soothing a baby.
- You want to customize the look with different wood finishes and cushion covers.
- You value long-term durability and the ability to replace the cushion in the future.
- You plan to use the chair frequently and want something that will remain comfortable for years.
Choose the Pello chair if:
- Your budget is extremely tight, and lowest cost is the most important factor.
- You need a low-cost seating solution for a temporary space like a dorm or first apartment.
- The chair will be in a guest room or secondary area with infrequent use.
- You are okay with a more basic, static level of comfort and minimal padding.
- You just need a "good enough" chair without any specific style or feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest difference between the Poang and the Pello?
The biggest difference is comfort and construction. The Poang's layered, bentwood frame provides a springy, gentle bouncing motion that the Pello’s rigid frame lacks. The Poang also comes with much thicker, higher-quality cushions and far more customization options.
Can you use IKEA Poang cushions on a Pello chair?
No, you cannot. While the chairs look similar, the dimensions and attachment points of the cushions are different. A Poang cushion will not fit properly on a Pello frame, and vice versa.
Which chair is more comfortable for long periods of sitting?
The IKEA Poang is significantly more comfortable for long sessions of reading, watching TV, or gaming due to its flexing frame and thicker cushion that distribute weight more evenly and reduce pressure points.
Is the Poang chair worth the extra money compared to the Pello?
For most people looking for a primary armchair, yes. The dramatic increase in comfort, customizable style, and long-term durability provides much better value over time. If the chair is for a rarely used space or a temporary home, the Pello's savings may be more practical.
How much weight can the Poang and Pello chairs hold?
Both the Poang and Pello chairs are tested and meet standards for public use seating, but IKEA doesn't publish an official weight limit. General consensus is they safely support up to around 240-275 pounds (about 110-125 kg).
Do both chairs have a matching ottoman or footstool?
Only the Poang has a matching ottoman. The Poang ottoman features the same bentwood construction and bounce as the chair and can be customized with a matching cushion. The Pello does not have an officially matching footstool.
Which IKEA chair is better for a nursery?
The Poang is overwhelmingly preferred as a nursery chair. Its gentle bouncing motion is perfect for rocking a baby to sleep, and its higher comfort level is a huge benefit during late-night feedings.
How difficult are these chairs to assemble?
Both are classic IKEA flat-pack furniture and are relatively easy to assemble. They use an Allen key (included) and can typically be put together by one person in under 30 minutes. The Pello is slightly faster as the cushion is one piece that is simply placed on top.
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