ᐅ Which Ikea drawers fit best in the Pax wardrobe system?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning my built-in wardrobe and would like to use the Ikea PAX system. My specific question is: Which Ikea drawers fit best into the PAX wardrobe, particularly regarding optimal use of depth and width, stability, and functionality?

I have considered different widths and heights of the PAX system (e.g., 50cm (20 inches) and 75cm (30 inches) wide) and would like to know if there are recommendations for specific drawer models that install well without issues related to smooth operation or load capacity.

I am also curious about any differences between wooden drawer fronts and plastic or metal variants in terms of compatibility or handling.

I would greatly appreciate your experience and tips—preferably detailed, including notes on dimensions and possible alternatives within the Ikea system.

Thank you in advance!

The question about the "best" drawers for the PAX system is certainly an interesting debate. In my opinion, Ikea products often focus too much on appearance and too little on long-term functionality.

I would argue that while the Hemnes drawers are visually appealing, when it comes to stability and use within the PAX system, the VOXTORP drawers are better suited – they are more robust and often feature metal sides, which increases durability.

So, anyone who claims that wooden drawers fit better than plastic or metal ones is probably just looking at the appearance. Functionality should be the priority; otherwise, you’ll end up frustrated after about a year.

Issac_kla2 schrieb:
I would say that although the HEMNES drawers are visually appealing, when it comes to stability and use within the PAX system, the VOXTORP drawers are better suited – they are more robust and often have metal sides, which increases durability.

I can understand your argument. Personally, I have also experienced that aesthetically pleasing options tend to wear out sooner. On the other hand, I have a friend who mainly uses high-quality wooden drawers in the PAX system but also puts a lot of effort into maintenance and careful handling.

Perhaps the decision depends on the intended use case? For someone using the system in a bedroom or dressing room with moderate daily loads, wooden drawers could be a good alternative. For workshops or utility rooms, metal or plastic drawers might be more suitable.

To keep the discussion more objective, here are some points related to the drawers in the PAX system:

- Dimensions are crucial: The PAX system frames come in various widths (50, 75, 100 cm (20, 30, 39 inches)) and depths (35, 58 cm (14, 23 inches)). There are also drawers in different widths and depths – not all components are universally compatible.
- The load capacity of the drawer slides varies depending on the model – classic metal sides often have a higher load rating than wooden or plastic sides.
- Different front styles mainly affect the finish but usually do not change compatibility with the PAX carcass. However, the thickness should be checked, as it can affect the internal dimensions.

So, anyone looking for "the best" drawers should first clearly define what “best” means: durability, design, price, or ease of cleaning? Also, buying several drawer types for comparison in-store is advisable.

MAVERICKKA schrieb:
So if you’re looking for "the best" drawers, you should first clearly define what "best" means: durability, design, price, or ease of cleaning?

This is an important point – for me, functionality and stability are the top priorities since I want to store heavier items like shoes and various bags in the PAX wardrobe. This means the drawers should at least offer medium to high load capacity.

Additionally, it’s important to me that the drawers slide smoothly, so the quality of the runners matters, as I consider effortless opening a comfort feature.

Does anyone have specific experience with the Algot drawer models vs. the standard PAX drawers, or possibly Tip-On systems for PAX? I’d appreciate any feedback.

Neboge schrieb:
Does anyone have specific experience with the ALGOT drawer models versus the PAX’s own drawers or perhaps TIP-ON systems in PAX?

ALGOT is from Ikea but is actually a separate small shelving system that also offers drawers. These generally do not fit PAX units exactly, since ALGOT is designed more for open storage and its dimensions are often smaller.

TIP-ON is more of an opening mechanism rather than a drawer model itself. For PAX, there are TIP-ON fronts and drawers available, which provide a handle-free, elegant look – however, the drawer slides are usually standard metal runners.

I would choose metal-guided drawers, preferably sticking to standard PAX drawers, as spare parts are easier to find for these.