Couch Comparisons

Apt2B vs Hem: Who Has Better Couches?

Can Apt2B's extensive fabric selection outshine Hem's sustainability emphasis? It's time to unravel the winning thread between these furniture giants.
Apt2B vs Hem

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Get your popcorn ready because it's time for the ultimate sofa face-off: Apt2B versus Hem. Discover which brand is set to steal the show in this battle of the couch titans.

Side By Side

Features
Apt2B
Hem
Made to Order Lead Times 2-4 weeks 1-7 Weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option $149 $299
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option Bread Pay Affirm
Assembly Required Varies Varies
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin USA + Import Europe
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$$ $$$$

Style-wise, Apt2B and Hem offer diverse options to cater to varying preferences, with durable constructions in place for long-term use. While Apt2B provides customization for a personalized touch within the mid-range price bracket, Hem excels in sustainability and design finesse, falling into the premium category. Overall, potential buyers can choose Apt2B for tailored style and affordability or opt for Hem's sustainable luxury and sophisticated design.


BRAND #1: Apt2B

A black and white logo consists of two sections: the left side reads "APT 2B" and the right side reads "Modern Furniture." The text is enclosed in a rectangular border.

Apt2B was founded in 2010 with the goal of providing customizable, USA made apartment size sofas at an affordable price. They've since expanded their offering to include sectionals, sofa beds, and more. Apt2B was recently acquired by The RoomPlace.

Apt2B | Brand Summary

Apt2B is a really fantastic option if you’re looking for a couch, sleeper sofa, or sectional that’s made in the USA, customizable, is made from quality materials, and ships quick. The delivery process is smooth and stress-free, highlighting the convenience from order placement to receiving the product.

But Apt2B furniture also offers “exclusive import” products that are manufactured overseas and don’t match the rest of their quality. This leads to a bit of an identity crisis on the website and weakens their overall rating. For the sake of this review I will mostly be focusing on their collection of Made in the USA couches, which is also what you should do when shopping at Apt2B.

Couch Potato Note: Like Joybird, I’d recommend that you only order Apt2B couches when they’re on sale (and they’re almost always on sale).

Apt2B | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score 93%
Durability and Quality Score 90%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 96%
Vibe Check Score 86%
Customer Focus Score 88%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 91%
Read Our Apt2B Brand Review

Apt2B | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Most couches made in the USA
  • Exceptionally fast lead times
  • Huge fabric selection
  • Tons of couch styles and sizes
  • High quality materials for the price
  • Fabrics are all the same price

Cons

  • Some couches imported from overseas
  • Essentially only offers a 1-year warranty
  • Returns can be costly
  • No brick-and-mortar locations

Apt2B has a bit of a split personality when it comes to their couch offerings. They have high-quality, made-in-the-USA sofas, but they also sell cheaper, lower-quality, imported couches. It can be hard to tell which is which when shopping on their website. Their imported couches do not have a warranty, and their USA-made couches essentially have a 1-year warranty despite language promoting a lifetime warranty. A lack of brick-and-mortar locations makes it difficult to judge Apt2B’s quality and comfort in person.

However, they have an excellent range of USA-made couch sizes and styles available in dozens of fabrics. They sell large 2-piece sectional sofas, sectional sleeper sofas, apartment-size sofas, and big modular couches. If you want mid-century modern couches or modern couches you’ll have plenty to choose from at Apt2B furniture. Apt2B also has some of the fastest lead times for custom-built, USA-made sofas we’ve ever seen. The icing on the cake? Apt2B uses high-quality materials, especially at their competitive, mid-tier price point. Plus, every upholstery fabric option is the same price, so you can customize to your heart’s content.

Shop Apt2B Now

BRAND #2: Hem

The image features the word "Hem" in bold, black text against a plain white background.

Hem is a design-forward furniture company that partners with renowned designers to create modern pieces with a Scandinavian aesthetic. Their commitment to quality is evident in their use of premium materials and focus on durable construction. Founded by Petrus Palmer, Hem aims to be a driving force in the design community, offering stylish and functional furniture that stands the test of time. Their emphasis on sustainability is also noteworthy, with a focus on responsible materials and minimizing waste in production and packaging.

Hem | Brand Summary

Hem nails the balance between playful design and grown-up craftsmanship. Their sofas won't fall apart after a month, and the fabrics feel surprisingly luxurious for the price point. While I have a few nitpicks (which we'll get into shortly!), I was pleasantly surprised by how well the brand walks the line between trendy and timeless. If you're looking for furniture with personality but don't want to compromise on quality, Hem is absolutely worth checking out.

Hem | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score 93%
Durability and Quality Score 92%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 93%
Vibe Check Score 95%
Customer Focus Score 90%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 93%
Read Our Hem Brand Review

Hem | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Stylish, modern designs with a Scandinavian twist
  • Durable construction with quality materials
  • Transparent shipping information and multiple shipping methods
  • Financing options available through Affirm
  • Free fabric swatches
  • Strong emphasis on sustainability

Cons

  • Limited return window
  • Expensive return shipping and repackaging fees
  • No free shipping
  • Limited customization options
  • Limited information on cushion construction and support systems

Hem offers stylish, Scandinavian-inspired sofas that boast quality craftsmanship and durable materials. Their dedication to transparency is evident in their clear shipping information and detailed care instructions. However, the limited return window and hefty return fees could be a dealbreaker for some, and the lack of free shipping adds to the overall cost. While their customizable options are decent, they might not satisfy those seeking extensive personalization.

Overall, Hem is a strong contender for design-conscious buyers willing to invest in quality, but potential customers should weigh the costs and limitations before committing.

Shop Hem Now

And the winner is...

In this clash of couch titans, Hem shines as the clear champion, boasting sustainable luxury, superior design finesse, and a focus on premium materials. For those seeking an exquisite blend of style, sophistication, and sustainability in their furniture, Hem stands out as the winner in this showdown against Apt2B.

A smiling man with short brown hair and a beard stands on a beach during sunset. He is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with small white dots. The ocean and sandy shore are in the background, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
Alex Back
Couch.com CEO & Founder
Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch.com. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.com audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
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