In the United States as in France, the verdict is the same: this IKEA accessory is a disappointment.
IKEA remains a reflex for many when it comes to optimizing a small space, adding a shelf or finding a practical solution at a reasonable price. The offer is wide, the designs are effective and new products arrive continuously. However, everything doesn’t always work out as planned. An item recently gained attention due to its poor performance, to the point where some buyers are clearly advising to skip it.
The IKEA product in question is sold at a low price and promises to attach to smooth surfaces such as tiles, glass or mirrors using a suction cup system. On paper, the idea is attractive, especially for the bathroom or kitchen where drilling a wall is not always possible. In the United States, it has an average rating of 3 stars out of 5 from just over a hundred reviews. Some users report that it fits perfectly over a sink or on a clean, dry splashback, as long as you press firmly during installation. One of them even goes so far as to point out: “once glued, it’s like superglue.”
Others, however, report a very different experience in the shower, where humidity and condensation seem to compromise adhesion. A customer writes as follows: “Even empty, it keeps peeling off (several times a week).” Another opinion is even more direct: “Unfortunately, the suction cups didn’t work at all; they barely held on to our bathroom tiles, even empty, so with objects in them… It’s a shame they weren’t functional, because the design is really beautiful.”
In France, the same observation. On the Ikea website, comments published in recent months reveal total frustration. “Does not adhere to tiles at all” wrote a customer in February 2026. Others are even more categorical: “If I could have given no stars, I would have done so!!! This shelf doesn’t hold up, it constantly peels off and falls, really disappointed with this product.” or even “Even without weight the suction cups do not hold.” In short, the object that divides Internet users so much, in the United States as in France, is none other than the ÖBONÄS suction cup wall shelf from Ikea, at 4.99 euros.
Indeed, in a shower, the constant humidity, steam and sometimes the slightly irregular texture of the tiles reduce the suction effect. Even on a surface that appears smooth, a thin layer of water or limescale can be enough to lose adhesion. The advice comes up often: clean and dry the area carefully before installation, exert strong pressure to expel the air, or even reinforce the fixing with silicone sealant. But, for many buyers, an accessory that’s supposed to make life easier shouldn’t require so much care.
