Costco Vs. IKEA: Who Sells The Better Magnetic Knife Rack?

Whether they're professional, recreational, or just do it out of necessity, cooks swear by the utility of magnetic knife racks in the kitchen. Not only will these fixtures help clear out your messy drawers and create safe knife storage, they will also keep these frequently used utensils close at hand. Costco and IKEA, two popular destinations for home goods, each have their own models available. Though they have many similarities such as material and appearance, there are a few key differences — namely price and size. 

For the purpose of this article we are only considering IKEA's KUNGSFORS Magnetic knife rack. While the brand sells another model, the HULTARP Magnetic knife rack, its black plastic-covered aluminum material is not a worthy opponent to KUNGSFORS' much stronger and corrosion resistant stainless steel, which is crucial in a high humidity space like the kitchen. The KUNGSFORS is also more fairly comparable to Costco's only available knife rack, the Skandia Magnetic Wall Bars, made from the same durable alloy.

Currently, there are no reviews on Costco's website for their magnetic wall bars. Meanwhile, the IKEA KUNGSFORS boasts a nearly perfect rating from plenty of feedback. Still, if you're thinking of putting a magnetic knife strip under your kitchen cabinets, there are other ways to assess which product best fits the individual needs of each costumer.

Measuring 22 inches, IKEA's model is unusually long for a knife rack, and sells for $17.99. The length may be a non-starter for very small spaces, but it's otherwise one of the best products at IKEA to help you organize your kitchen. Many buyers praise its strong magnets and sleek appearance, even if some less positive reviews describe a tricky installation with difficulties mounting the rack flush to the wall. Costco's Skandia bars, on the other hand, are a two-pack and cost $36.99. Previously, the store sold an acacia wood option, but only the stainless steel version is available to buy on its website at the time of writing. At 16 inches length, each Skandia rack can hold up to 5 pounds or the equivalent of six large knives. They can be combined for extra security or used separately. 

If Costco still offered a wood version, then its Skandia bars would have style versatility working in their favor, but, as it stands, the IKEA KUNGSFORS rack may be the winner. It's ultimately more affordable, and offers a good extra 6 inches of length. If there is one detail that could put the Costco Skandia ahead of the race, especially for renters, is the possibility of installation via adhesive strips, which come included in the packaging. Conversely, the IKEA KUNGSFORS rack needs to be screwed on or attached to the IKEA KUNGSFORS suspension rail.